DEFINITION

Oversee the planning of the activities and operations of the Finance Department; coordinate assigned activities with other City departments and outside agencies; and provide policy, technical and administrative support to the Mayor, City Council and City Administrator.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

Leadership role that requires personal courage, outstanding integrity, personal confidence and intelligence, responsive to needs of others, care about and enjoy working with people while being open to learning new strategies as directed by an elected body.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED

Receives general administrative direction from the City Administrator or the Assistant City Administrator/Chief Financial Officer (CFO).

Exercises direct supervision over the Assistant Finance Director and the Information Technology Manager of the Finance Department. Oversee all department personnel assigned to the financial and accounting systems.

Oversee, plan, coordinate and participate in the activities and operations of the City’s purchasing function; and co-ordinate assigned activities with other divisions, departments, outside agencies and the general public.

This position is defined in City Code as a statutory officer appointed by the Mayor and approved by the City Council. Removal from appointive office requires approval of a majority of the City Council. Appointed statutory officers hold office until the end of the Mayor’s term and their successor is appointed and qualified.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Develop, plan, and implement Finance Department goals and objectives; recommend and administer policies and procedures.

Fulfill the duties set forth in the Statutes and Ordinances that are assigned to the City Treasurer.

Oversee and participate in the development of the department's work plan; assign work activities, projects and programs; monitor work flow; implement policies and procedures; review and evaluate work products, methods and procedures.

Direct the preparation of financial reports for the City as required by law; prepare various financial reports and analyses requested by the City Administrator, CFO, Mayor, and City Council; provide financial support and assistance to City Departments.

Supervise and participate in the development and administration of the City budget; monitor expenditures and revenues for the operating and capital improvement budgets; analyze and monitor the City's financial condition.
Maintain a living forecast/current estimate for the fiscal year.

Under the supervision of the CFO, implement long range plans that reflect the City’s vision and strategies.

Prepare City’s annual financial statements in accordance with current Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) and Governmental Account Standards Board (GASB).

Make recommendations for financial improvement to the CFO, City Administrator, Mayor and City Council as necessary; advise the CFO, City Administrator, Mayor and City Council on City financing of special projects and pro-grams.

Participate and/or appoint a designee, in the City’s pension committees and in the Grand Island Area Metropolitan Planning Organization Technical Advisory Committee (GIAMPO TAC).

Select, train, motivate and evaluate Assistant Finance Director and the Information Technology Manager; oversee the coordination of staff training; work with immediate staff to correct deficiencies; implement discipline and termi-nation of employees as situations dictate.

Coordinate Finance Department activities with those of other departments and outside agencies and organizations; provide staff assistance to the Assistant City Administrator; prepare and present staff reports and other necessary correspondence.

Develop and implement financial and budgetary policies including investment and cash flow policies. Develop and implement procedures to ensure that controls and resources are in place that provide for departmental preparation of financial statements in accordance with GAAP and GASB standards.

Establish, maintain, evaluate, and recommend improvements to the City's administrative and financial internal con-trol systems and procedures. Ensure audit compliance.

Respond to and resolve difficult and sensitive citizen inquiries and complaints.

Participate with a variety of boards and commissions; attend and participate in professional groups and commit-tees; stay abreast of new trends and developments in the field of public finance.

May participate in labor negotiations. Provide advice and assistance to the management negotiating team.

Attendance at all City Council meetings and study sessions is required.

Display a willingness to assume and visibly demonstrate mentoring and coaching, role modeling and leadership to staff members by recognizing and developing talent.

Display honest, trustworthy, and ethical behavior when dealing with internal and external customers.

Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

Regular attendance that is punctual and dependable is required.

Perform related duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

Knowledge of:

Broad based economic principles and applications.

Operational characteristics, services and activities of a comprehensive municipal finance program including budget, accounting, auditing, forecasting and investing/borrowing.

Economic and financial analysis tools utilized to support decision making processes and governmental ac-counting procedures, including budget development and auditing.

Organizational and management practices as applied to the analysis and evaluation of programs, policies and operational needs.

Advanced principles, policies, and practices of municipal budget preparation, administration, revenue fore-casting and analysis, audits, finance and fiscal planning.

Principles of supervision, training and performance evaluation.

Modern office practices, procedures, methods, and equipment.

Ability to:

Provide administrative and professional leadership and direction to the Finance Department.

Develop and install sound accounting and related financial systems and procedures.

Analyze and interpret fiscal accounting records and prepare accurate and complete financial reports.

Work with bond counsel on issuing bonds.

Prepare and administer a budget as supervised by the Assistant City Administrator and City Administrator.

Plan, organize, direct and coordinate the work of supervisory, professional and technical personnel.

Select, supervise, train and evaluate staff.

Identify and respond to community and City Council issues, concerns and needs.

Interpret and apply Federal, State and local policies, procedures, laws and regulations.

Develop and deliver effective presentations.

Communicate clearly and concisely, orally, in writing and through email correspondence.

Effective interpersonal communication skills.

License or Certification:

Employee must possess a valid driver’s license and maintain insurability as determined by the City’s insurance carrier.

Certified Public Finance Officer (CPFO) or Certified Public Accountant (CPA) designation is preferred. The equivalent combination of education, training, and experience in governmental annual financial statement preparation and/or auditing may be considered.

Other:

Encouraged to be active as a community leader.

Residency within twelve (12) miles of the city limits is required upon completion of the six month introductory period.

EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING GUIDELINES

Any combination of experience and training that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:

Experience:

5-7 years of progressively responsible and broad-based professional experience managing financial and accounting functions for a state or local government. An equivalent combination of education, training, and experience in the private sector may be considered.

5-7 years increasingly responsible experience in administrative and supervisory responsibility.

Training:

A bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, business, public administration, or related field is required. A master’s degree is preferred.