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The City of Murrieta is accepting applications for the position of Finance Managerto fill one (1) current vacancy for our Finance Department. The eligibility list established may be used to fill upcoming vacancies within this classification for up to one (1) year.

POSITION

The City of Murrieta is a vibrant, growing community in Southwest Riverside County known for its strong fiscal stewardship, high quality of life, and commitment to exceptional public service. The Finance Manager plays a key leadership role within the Finance Department, supporting day-to-day operations of the department, including managing the City's Operating and Capital Improvement Plan budgets, payroll, long-term financial forecast, purchasing & contracts, financial reporting, accounting, and other functions.

DEFINITION

Under general direction, plans, organizes, manages, and supports the staff and the daily operations of the Finance Department including financial transaction analysis, reporting, and record-keeping; performs professional accounting work to ensure regulatory compliance with governmental accounting standards; maintains and administers the City’s accounting system; manages the effective use of division resources to improve organizational productivity and customer service; provides highly complex and responsible support to the Director of Finance in areas of expertise; and performs related work as required.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED

Receives general direction from the Director of Finance. Exercises direct supervision over supervisory, professional, technical, and administrative support staff through subordinate levels of supervision.

CLASS CHARACTERISTICS

This is a management classification responsible for planning, organizing, and managing the staff, operations, and activities of the Finance Department. Incumbents are responsible for performing diverse, specialized, and complex work involving significant accountability and decision-making responsibilities, which include budget administration, functions, and program evaluation, and recommendation and implementation of policies, procedures, goals, objectives, priorities, and standards related to the City’s finance and accounting systems. Incumbents serve as a professional-level resource for organizational, managerial, and operational analyses and studies. Performance of the work requires the use of considerable independence, initiative, and discretion within broad guidelines.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Management reserves the right to add, modify, or remove job duties as necessary and will make reasonable accommodations to enable qualified individuals to perform the position’s essential functions. The omission of a specific duty does not preclude it from being assigned if it is similar, related, or logically aligned with the role’s overall responsibilities.

Plans, manages, oversees, and supports the daily functions, operations, and activities of the Finance Department’s budgetary and accounting functions, including preparing, monitoring, forecasting, and analyzing financial information, financial processing, reporting, and record-keeping
Participates in the development and implementation of goals, objectives, policies, and priorities for the department; recommends within departmental policy, appropriate service and staffing levels; recommends and administers policies and procedures
Participates in the development, administration, and oversight of department budget; determines funding needed for staffing, equipment, materials, and supplies; ensures compliance with budgeted funding
Develops and standardizes procedures and methods to improve and continuously monitor the efficiency and effectiveness of the assigned department’s functions and programs, service delivery methods, and procedures; assesses and monitors workload, administrative, and support systems, and internal reporting relationships; identifies opportunities and makes recommendations for improvement
Participates in the selection of, trains, motivates, and evaluates assigned personnel; works with employees to correct deficiencies; recommends and implements discipline and termination procedures
Develops and manages requests for proposals for professional and/or contracted services; prepares scope of work and any technical specifications; evaluates proposals and recommends award; negotiates contracts; administers contracts to ensure compliance with City specifications and service quality
Administers, manages, coordinates, prepares, and analyzes functions related to citywide operating budget, capital improvement plan, payroll, purchasing and contracts, debt management, treasury management, grant management, capital asset management, and general accounting
Manages, coordinates, prepares, and analyzes long-term financial plans, including annual operating and capital budgets, monthly/quarterly budget to actual review, and forecasting and long-term financial planning
Establishes, recommends, updates, coordinates, and manages a variety of financial policies and procedures, including general accounting, financial analysis, procurement, debt management, investment management, grant management, and capital asset management; prepares and updates the City’s comprehensive financial plan document
Maintains and reconciles a variety of ledgers, reports, and accounting records; examines accounting transactions to ensure accuracy; approves journal vouchers to post transactions to accounting records; performs month-end, fiscal year-end, and calendar year-end accounting system processing
Prepares and analyzes a variety of complex financial reports, statements, and schedules; prepares periodic and special reports, including monthly, quarterly, annual financial reports, the State Controller Report, and various agreed-upon procedures reviews and reports
Coordinates, participates and supports the City’s annual audits of financial statements and assists in the preparation of accounting schedules and data worksheets
Prepares and presents agenda reports and other necessary correspondence related to assigned activities and services; presents reports to various commissions, committees, and boards
Conducts a variety of organizational and operational studies and investigations; recommends modifications to assigned programs and functions, policies, and procedures, as appropriate
Serves as a liaison for assigned functions with other City departments, divisions, and outside agencies; provides staff support to commissions, committees, and task forces as necessary
Attends and participates in professional group meetings; stays abreast of new trends and innovations in public agency finance and accounting; researches emerging products and enhancements and their applicability to City needs
Monitors changes in regulations and technology that may affect operations; implements policy and procedural changes after approval
Receives, investigates, and responds to difficult and sensitive problems and complaints in a professional manner; identifies and reports findings and takes necessary corrective action
Directs the establishment and maintenance of working and official division files

Ensures staff compliance with City and mandated safety rules, regulations, and protocols

Performs other duties as assigned

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

Any combination of education, training, and experience that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities may be considered qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required qualifications includes:

Required:

Equivalent to a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in accounting, finance, business or public administration, or a related field.
Five (5) years of management or administrative experience preferably in a municipal setting, of which two (2) years should be in a management capacity.

LICENSES AND CERTIFICATIONS

Ability to travel to meetings, trainings, site visits, and special events throughout the City may be required. Employee must have access to reliable transportation as needed.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

Must successfully complete a comprehensive background investigation, which includes a state and federal fingerprint-based background check (Live Scan), driving records screening, and a non-safety pre-employment physical and drug screening exam.

KNOWLEDGE OF

Administrative principles and practices, including goal setting, program development, implementation, evaluation, and project management
Principles and practices of budget development and administration
Principles and practices of employee supervision, including work planning, assignment, review, and evaluation, and the training of staff in work procedures
Principles and practices of leadership
Principles and techniques for working with groups and fostering effective team interaction to ensure teamwork is conducted smoothly
Applicable Federal, State, and local laws, regulatory codes, ordinances, and procedures relevant to assigned areas of responsibility

Organization and management practices as applied to the development, analysis, and evaluation of programs, policies, and operational needs of the assigned area of responsibility
Principles and practices of contract administration and management

Principles and practices of public agency finance, including general and governmental accounting, auditing, budgeting, and reporting functions

Principles and practices of municipal fund accounting
Knowledge of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles and Government Auditing Standards.
Knowledge of CalPERS and California pension law involves interpreting the Public Employees' Retirement Law (PERL) and the Public Employees' Pension Reform Act (PEPRA)
Methods and techniques of revenue forecasting

Record-keeping principles and procedures
Techniques for effectively representing the City in contacts with governmental agencies, community groups, and various business, professional, educational, regulatory, and legislative organizations
Recent and ongoing developments, current literature, and sources of information related to the operations of the assigned division

Methods and techniques of preparing technical and administrative reports, and general business correspondence

City and mandated safety rules, regulations, and protocols

Modern equipment and communication tools used for business functions and program, project, and task coordination, including computers and software programs relevant to work performed.
The structure and content of the English language, including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar

Techniques for providing a high level of customer service by effectively dealing with the public, vendors, contractors, and City staff

ABILITY TO

Plan, organize, oversee, manage, and support the staff and operations of the Finance Department
Cultivate a high-performing finance team through daily leadership, mentorship, and career-growth opportunities, fostering a supportive environment that maximizes individual and group potential
Establish, maintain, and foster a positive work environment and effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work
Develop and implement goals, objectives, practices, policies, procedures, and work standards.
Prepare and administer large and complex budgets; allocate limited resources in a cost-effective manner
Provide administrative, management, and professional leadership
Select, supervise, mentor, and motivate staff, provide support, training, and development opportunities, ensure work is performed effectively and efficiently, and evaluate performance in an objective and positive manner
Understand, interpret, and apply all pertinent laws, codes, regulations, policies, procedures, and standards relevant to work performed
Understand and interpret labor agreements and memorandums of understanding that define the terms and conditions of employment, including pay, benefits, and working conditions, negotiated between employers and unions
Evaluate and develop improvements in operations, business processes, procedures, policies, or methods
Analyze financial information and identify potential problems
Prepare various financial analyses
Prepare and administer large program budgets
Prepare clear and concise reports, correspondence, policies, procedures, and other written materials
Research, analyze, and evaluate new service delivery methods, procedures, and techniques.
Analyze, interpret, summarize, and present technical information and data in an effective manner
Conduct complex research projects, evaluate alternatives, make sound recommendations, and prepare effective technical staff reports
Effectively represent the department and the City in meetings with governmental agencies, community groups, and various businesses, professional, and regulatory organizations, and in meetings with individuals
Direct the establishment and maintenance of a variety of filing, record-keeping, and tracking systems
Independently organize work, set priorities, meet critical deadlines, and follow up on assignments
Effectively use computer systems, software applications relevant to work performed, and modern business equipment to perform a variety of work tasks
Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing, using appropriate English grammar and syntax
Use tact, initiative, prudence, and independent judgment within general policy, procedural, and legal guidelines

PHYSICAL DEMANDS
Must possess mobility to work in a standard office setting and use standard office equipment, including a computer; to operate a motor vehicle to visit various City and meeting sites; vision to read printed materials and a computer screen; and hearing and speech to communicate in person and over the telephone. This is primarily a sedentary office classification although standing and walking between work areas may be required. Finger dexterity is needed to access, enter, and retrieve data using a computer keyboard or calculator and to operate standard office equipment. Positions in this classification occasionally bend, stoop, kneel, reach, push, and pull drawers open and closed to retrieve and file information. Employees must possess the ability to lift, carry, push, and pull materials and objects weighing up to 25 pounds.

ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS
Employees work in an office environment with moderate noise levels, controlled temperature conditions, and no direct exposure to hazardous physical substances. Employees may interact with upset staff and/or public and private representatives in interpreting and enforcing departmental policies and procedures.

APPLICATION PROCEDURE
A City application form must be submitted online. Applicants can apply online at www.MurrietaCA.gov.

SELECTION PROCESS
Candidates must clearly demonstrate through their application materials that they meet the employment standards outlined above. All properly completed applications will be reviewed, and the most appropriately qualified individuals will be invited to continue in the selection process. Examinations for the position may consist of any combination of appraisal interview, performance test and writing exercise to evaluate the applicant's skill, training, and experience for the position. Successful applicants will be placed on an eligibility list. The City may also merge lists. The selected candidate(s) must successfully complete pre-employment clearances which may include a physical, drug screen, and extensive background investigation.

SELECTION PROCESS
Candidates must clearly demonstrate through their application materials that they meet the employment standards outlined above. All properly completed applications will be reviewed, and the most appropriately qualified individuals will be invited to continue in the selection process. Examinations for the position may consist of any combination of appraisal interviews, performance tests, and writing exercises to evaluate the applicant's skill, training, and experience for the position. Successful applicants will be placed on an eligibility list. The City may also merge lists. The selected candidate(s) must successfully complete pre-employment clearances, which include a pre-hire physical and Live Scan background investigation.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

The City of Murrieta is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment. All employment practices such as recruitment, selection, and promotions are administered in a manner designed to ensure that employees and applicants for employment are not subjected to discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age (over 40), marital or veteran status, genetic information, gender identity, gender expression, medical condition, disability, or any other basis that is inconsistent with federal, state or local laws.

THE COMMUNITY

Located just north of San Diego County, the City of Murrieta is home to approximately 120,000 people. Central to all of Southern California, residents of Murrieta live in one of the safest cities in the U.S. With top-ranked schools, 53 parks, and 1,300 acres of parks, trails, and open space, it is consistently ranked the top place to live in SW Riverside County. With a dynamic business environment, one of the lowest unemployment rates in the state, and a high median income. Murrieta offers its residents an exceptional quality of life in an engaged and connected community.

FLSA Status: Exempt

Organization: Management Professional & Confidential (MPC)

Adopted: June 1, 2018

Revised: April 6, 2026

City of Murrieta jobs

Finance Manager