This is an open recruitment. Qualified candidates from the public and qualified career City employees are encouraged to apply. The eligibility list that is developed from this recruitment process may be used to fill future vacancies in the Finance Director classification or in similar classifications.

Applications will be accepted on a continuous basis until a sufficient number of qualified applications have been received or until the position has been filled. This recruitment may close at any time without notice.

The first review of applications will take place on Thursday, November 20, 2025.

DEFINITION
Under general direction of the City Manager, to plan, direct, manage, and oversee the activities and operations of the Finance Department including maintaining internal controls, accounts receivable, audits, accounting, data processing, purchasing, financial systems and reports, debt management and to assist the City Manager in coordinating the development, analysis and implementation of the annual City budget; may oversee the activities and operations of risk management and payroll; to coordinate assigned activities with other City departments, and outside agencies; and to provide highly responsible and complex administrative support to the City Manager.

SUPERVISION EXERCISED
Exercises direct supervision over professional, technical, and clerical staff.

Assume full management responsibility for all Finance Department services and activities including internal controls, accounts receivable, budget administration and implementation, audits, accounting, data processing, purchasing, financial systems and reports, debt management; recommend and administer policies and procedures.
Ensure financial records are accurate and compliant with governmental accounting principles.
May oversee the activities and operations of risk management and payroll.
Manage the development and implementation of Finance Department goals, objectives, policies, and priorities for each assigned service area; establish, within City policy, appropriate service and staffing levels; allocate resources accordingly.
Continuously monitor and evaluate the efficiency and effectiveness of service delivery methods and procedures; assess and monitor workload, administrative and support systems, and internal reporting relationships; identify opportunities for improvement; direct the implementation of changes.
Represent the Finance Department to other City departments, elected officials and outside agencies; explain and interpret Finance Department programs, policies, and activities; negotiate and resolve sensitive, significant, and controversial issues.
Select, train, motivate, and evaluate Finance Department personnel; provide or coordinate staff training; work with employees to correct deficiencies; implement discipline and termination procedures.
Plan, direct, and coordinate the Finance Department's work plan; meet with staff to identify and resolve problems; assign projects and programmatic areas of responsibility; review and evaluate work methods and procedures.
Manage and participate in the development and administration of the Finance Department budget; direct the forecast of additional funds needed for staffing, equipment, materials, and supplies; direct the monitoring of and approve expenditures; direct the preparation of and implement budgetary adjustments as necessary.
Coordinate Finance Department activities with those of other departments and outside agencies and organizations.
Provide staff assistance to the City Manager and City Council; prepare and present staff reports and other necessary correspondence; review the financial condition of the City and prepare monthly reports on significant financial achievements.
Plan, organize, and coordinate the development of the City’s annual cooperation and capital improvement budgets; assist the City Manager in developing budget policy; recommend the budget for City Manager and Council approval; approve fund transfers; oversee the collection and disbursement of City funds.
Prepare annual financial statements; conduct internal audits including verifying claims, making adjustments, and preparing adjusting entries.
Coordinate City purchasing activities with the operating departments; administer bond and grant programs.
Develop specifications, evaluate proposals, recommend consultant selection, and monitor and administer contracts for contract and consultant services; develop and coordinate with consultants on utilities rate setting and debt financing.
Provide recommendations for revenue enhancements; prepare necessary resolutions and ordinances; invest the City’s idle funds.
Conduct a variety of organizational studies, investigations, and operational studies; recommend modifications to fiscal programs, policies, and procedures as appropriate.
Participate on a variety of boards and commissions; attend and participate in professional group meetings; stay abreast of new trends and innovations in the field of municipal finance.
Respond to and resolve difficult and sensitive inquiries and complaints.

OTHER JOB RELATED DUTIES
Perform related duties and responsibilities as assigned.Experience and Training Guidelines
Any combination equivalent to experience and training that would provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities would be qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge, skills, and abilities would be:

Experience:
Six (6) years of increasingly responsible municipal government finance administration experience including three (3) years of management and supervisory experience.

Training:
Equivalent to a Bachelor’s degree with major coursework in public or business administration, accounting or a related field. Master’s degree in business, Finance, Public Administration, or a related field is desirable.

License or Certificate:
Possession of, or ability to obtain, certification as a Certified Public Accountant is desirable.

Knowledge of:

Operational characteristics, services, and activities of a comprehensive municipal finance program.
Organization and management practices as applied to the analysis and evaluation of programs, policies, and operational needs.
Modern and complex principles and practices of program development and administration.
Principles, practices, and methods of complex governmental accounting, funding, investments, taxation, and purchasing.
Analytical principles and practices used in gathering, evaluating, verifying, interpreting, projects, and forecasting financial data.
Automated financial management systems and computer accounting software programs.
Advanced principles and practices of municipal budget preparation and administration.
Principles of supervision, training, and performance evaluation.
Pertinent Federal, State, and local laws, codes, and regulations.
Mathematical and statistical theories, applications, and techniques.

Skill to:

Operate modern office equipment including computer equipment.

Ability to:

Provide administrative and professional leadership and direction for the Finance Department.
Plan, organize, direct, and coordinate the work of supervisory, professional, and technical personnel; delegate authority and responsibility.
Develop, implement, and administer goals, objectives, and procedures for providing effective and efficient financial services.
Select, supervise, train, and evaluate staff.
Identify and respond to City Manager and City Council issues, concerns, and needs.
Analyze problems identify alternative solutions, project consequences of proposed actions,
and implement recommendations in support of goals.
Research, analyze, and evaluate new service delivery methods, procedures, and techniques.
Prepare and administer large and complex budgets allocate limited resources in a cost-effective manner.
Prepare, examine, and verify financial statements, documents, reports, and analyses.
Develop, revise, install and utilize manual and automated fiscal management systems.
Exercise good judgment, flexibility, creativity, and sensitivity in response to changing situations and needs.
Prepare clear and concise administrative and financial reports.
Interpret and apply the policies, procedures, laws, codes, and regulations pertaining to assigned programs and functions.
Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
Establish, maintain, and foster positive and harmonious working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

Selection Process: Applications must be submitted online through this applicant tracking system. All materials must be complete and clearly indicate the candidate meets the minimum qualifications. All statements made on the application, resume, and supplemental materials are subject to verification. False statements may be cause for immediate disqualification, removal from eligibility list or discharge from employment.

Candidates presenting the most desirable combination of education, experience and/or training as stated in this announcement will be invited to continue in the selection process.

The selection process may require any combination of the following: application appraisal, written examination, performance test, and personal interview conducted by an outside oral panel and/or the Department.

The City of Hollister offers preference to qualified veterans during the candidate selection process. The City of Hollister's Veterans' Preference Policy can be accessed here (Download PDF reader). Applicants must claim Veteran's preference in the agency-wide questions section and attach a copy of their DD214 to the application.

Following the examination process, successful candidates are placed on an employment list.

Appointment will be made from the employment list. Appointed employee(s) will be required to pass a psychological evaluation, physical, drug screen, background investigation, and fingerprints check.

Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action:
The City of Hollister does not discriminate on the basis of race, color national origin, ancestry, sex, religion, sexual orientation, age, disability, marital status, political affiliation, or any other non-merit factor. The City of Hollister encourages minorities and women to apply. The City of Hollister makes reasonable accommodations for the disabled. Individuals requiring any accommodation in order to participate in the selection process must inform the Human Resources Office via email at hr@hollister.ca.gov of such request. Requests for accommodation should include an explanation of the type and extent of accommodations needed to participate in the selection process.

City of Hollister jobs

Finance Director