Chattanooga is on the verge...will you join us for the boom?!

Dubbed “the next Austin,” Chattanooga is the first city in the United States with a commercially available quantum network, placing the city at the forefront of a newly emerging industry – one that billions of dollars are being invested in.

Mayor Kelly also recently announced the Climate Action Plan for Chattanooga, and our city is on the journey to become a National Park City.

With Mayor Tim Kelly at the helm, Chattanooga has recently been selected for the Good Jobs, Great Cities Academy program from National League of Cities. This program aims to upskill and reskill workers for high-demand jobs in infrastructure, clean energy, and advanced manufacturing.

It’s happening. It’s here. Chattanooga is still remarkably affordable compared to any coastal city, and opportunities abound. Did we mention that Tennessee has no state income tax?
We’re looking for great talent. With you we succeed.

The City Finance Officer is responsible for providing strategic direction for the fiscal affairs of the City and serving as the primary authority and spokesperson for the City on all financial matters. Duties include advising the Mayor, City Council and department heads on all fiscal matters; providing oversight and directions for preparation of the annual budget for all funds including appropriations to external agencies; directing preparation and execution of the City's financial reporting; formulating and implementing fiscal policies and procedures for all City departments and agencies to ensure proper internal controls; assisting in negotiations and reviewing all City provider contracts and agreements related to delivery of City services; providing oversight and control over the operations of the City Court Clerk and reviewing and approving hiring, promotion, and reclassification of finance personnel. Work is performed under administrative review, working with the maximum degree of initiative and judgment.

The ideal candidate will have a demonstrated track record of leading a responsive, agile, and highly effective organization and the capacity to ensure the fundamental services and operations of the City of Chattanooga advance the Mayor’s commitment to a high-performing government. They will be a central part of the City’s efforts to maintain confidence and faith in the day-to-day functions of city government and will be expected to build trust and engagement internally by leading with integrity and a people-first approach to the job.

This is an APPOINTED position and is considered a Charter Official. Charter Officials are appointed by the Mayor with approval of a majority vote of City Council, whose term is concurrent with the Mayor, until they are discharged or their successors are appointed and qualified.

All employees must maintain Tennessee residency from the date of hire.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
The following duties are NOT intended to serve as a comprehensive list of all duties performed by all employees in this classification, only a representative summary of the primary duties and responsibilities.
• Supervises Finance Department staff to include prioritizing and assigning work; conducting performance evaluations; ensuring staff is trained; ensuring that employees follow policies and procedures; maintaining a healthy and safe working environment and making hiring, termination, and disciplinary recommendations.
• Provides strategic direction and oversees the activities and operations for the fiscal affairs of the City which includes planning, coordinating, administering, and evaluating programs, projects, strategic planning, processes, procedures, systems, standards, and/or service offerings; ensuring compliance with Federal, State, and Local laws, regulations, codes and/or standards; coordinating activities between multiple service areas and working to integrate and coordinate service areas.
• Directs the preparation of financial reporting for the City including the preparation of the Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR), the Comprehensive Annual Budget Report (CABR), long and short-term financing for City capital projects; SEC disclosures, Municipal Debt Official Statement, and/or other related items.
• Recommends the approval and monitoring of providers on financial services to the City such as banking services, underwriters, actuaries, and auditors.
• Formulates and implements City policies and procedures for all City departments and agencies to ensure proper internal controls to safeguard City assets and comply with applicable regulations and guidelines.
• Directs and oversees the billing, collection, deposit, and investment of property taxes and business taxes, as well as the collection of all other City revenues from all sources; ensures the proper collection and disposition of fines and citations in accordance with applicable City code.
• Assists with financially-related negotiations, reviews, and approvals of all City contracts and agreements such as employee benefits, service deliverables, and related items.
• Reviews and approves the hiring, promotion, and reclassification of all City personnel.
• Represents the department and/or the City at a variety of meetings, public events, special economic or building projects, public/private partnerships, training sessions, on committees, boards and/or other related events or groups in order to receive and convey information.
• Approves expenditures, ensuring compliance with applicable regulations and guidelines.
• Analyzes and interprets complex financial information and documents; makes recommendations to the City Council and/or executive management on findings; provides guidance and expertise to internal departments on correcting problematic situations or applying sound financial treatment to issues.
• Communicates and collaborates with internal departments, external consultants, vendors, external agencies, regulatory officials, the general public, and/or other interested parties to coordinate work activities, exchange information, and resolve problems.
• Directs the implementation of a variety of non-routine, complex projects related to financial operations.
• Directs, oversees, and participates in the preparation of the annual operating and capital budgets for the City.
• Provides oversight and control to operations of the City Court Clerk.
• Uses carries and answers their cell phone for business purposes as determined by the assigned job duties and responsibilities.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Bachelor's Degree in Accounting, Finance or related field and Ten (10) years progressively responsible public sector accounting experience, to include six (6) years at a management level

LICENSING AND CERTIFICATIONS:
Certified Public Accountant (CPA) is required

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS:
Extensive knowledge of leadership and managerial principles; advanced governmental accounting principles and practices; project management principles; applicable Federal, State and Local laws, ordinances, codes, rules, regulations, policies, procedures and standards; fund accounting systems and principles; advanced internal control practices; advanced financial analysis principles and methods; Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP); research methods and techniques; automated financial systems and policy and procedure development and implementation practices.

Skill in monitoring and evaluating the work of subordinate staff; prioritizing and assigning work; understanding multiple objectives and assessing optimal courses of action; performing mathematical calculations; preparing and analyzing complex financial reports; reading, comprehending and reviewing financial information; managing projects; managing and adapting to a rapidly changing environment; interpreting and applying applicable laws, ordinances, codes, rules, regulations, policies and procedures; analyzing problems, identifying alternative solutions, projecting consequences of proposed actions and making recommendations in support of organizational goals; handling multiple tasks simultaneously; monitoring and evaluating accounting, payroll and disbursement functions; collaborating with external agencies and communication and interpersonal skills as applied to interaction with coworkers, supervisor, the general public, etc. sufficient to exchange or convey information and to receive work direction.

This position requires clearance of a pre-employment background check and drug screen.
The City of Chattanooga, Tennessee is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the City will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the employer.

Apply online at: https://chattanooga.gov/human-resources/employment-center