Summary
Description
Appointed by the City Manager, the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) plans, directs, and oversees the activities and operations of the Financial Services Department, which includes information systems, purchasing, accounting, utility billing, revenue collections, sales tax collection, and finance and budget control. The CFO works collaboratively with other City departments, along with providing complex administrative support to the City Manager’s office.
About the Department:
The City of Durango’s Financial Services Department is responsible for providing accurate and relevant financial information to all City departments, the City Manager, City Council, and the citizens regarding the financial status of Durango. This information enables management and the City Council to make sound financial decisions that help to ensure the long-term financial health of the City.
The Financial Services Department is comprised of three divisions; Finance/Accounting, Customer Service, and Grants/Contracts. Services are provided through 32 FTE positions, and a FY 2024 operating budget of $10.3 million. Reporting directly to the Chief Financial Officer are a Fleet/ Facilities Manager, Purchasing Manager, Budget Manager, Compliance and Reporting Manager, Accounting and Finance Manager, and Customer Service Manager.
The Financial Services Department customer service strategy is: We will listen, serve, and educate our customers in a continuous effort to build trusting relationships and be stewards of financial excellence throughout the City.
Essential Job Duties
- Assume full management responsibility for all Finance Department services and activities and recommend and administer policies and procedures.
- Oversee and participate in the development and administration of the City's annual budget; approve the forecast of long-term and short-term funds needed for staffing, equipment, materials, and supplies; and monitor and approve expenditures and implement budgetary adjustments as appropriate and necessary.
- Prepare the City's comprehensive financial report; develop and update the City's long-term financial plan including forecasts, trend analyses, reserve analyses, and financial analyses for the City; ensure compliance with local, State and Federal laws, codes and ordinances; and prepare financial statements.
- Ensure sound fiscal management of city funds through establishment of policies, procedures, internal controls, and performing on-going monitoring of income and expenditures.
- Develop and implement the City's investment policy and coordinate with investment bankers and the bond counsel on debt issuances.
- Administer, supervise and manage staff of the department; monitor and evaluate on-going performance of staff members; address day-to-day issues and questions; assess and provide for training needs; and initiate employee recognition, promotion, disciplinary action, and discharge processes as necessary and appropriate.
- Plan, direct and coordinate, through subordinate staff, the Finance Department's work plan(s); assign projects and programmatic areas of responsibility; review and evaluate work methods and procedures; and meet with management staff to identify and resolve problems.
- Monitor and help implement Information System’s strategic plan and all components of hardware and software throughout the City network infrastructure.
- Explain, justify and defend Finance Department programs, policies, and activities; and negotiate and resolve sensitive and controversial issues.
- Attend and participate in professional group meetings and stay abreast of new trends and innovations in finance and accounting.
- Represent the Finance Department to other City departments, elected officials and outside agencies; and coordinate Finance Department activities with those of other departments and outside agencies and organizations.
- Provide staff assistance to the City Manager and City Council; participate on a variety of boards, commissions and committees; and prepare and present staff reports and other necessary correspondence.
Minimum Qualifications
The ideal candidate for the Chief Financial Officer will possess certain traits and experiences that will lead to success:
- A dedication to providing high levels of customer service and responsiveness to both internal and external customers and a relationship builder who sees the Finance Department’s role in providing service to others is critically important in Durango.
- Exceptional leadership and dynamic motivational skills to inspire and develop staff.
- Strong strategic planning abilities to align department goals with the City’s vision.
- Proven experience in managing complex municipal budgets and resource allocation.
- The successful candidate will possess the ability to present complex financial information in a manner that all can understand, along with a strong focus on responsiveness to inquiries from City Councilors, the public, and others.
- Municipal finance experience is a must. While the City seeks an experienced CFO or Finance Director, a strong candidate who has served as an assistant director will be considered for this role.
Education: Bachelor’s degree with major coursework in finance and accounting, or a closely related field.
Experience: Six (6) years of increasingly responsible experience in finance and accounting including three (3) years of administrative and supervisory responsibility to include an understanding of information and computer network infrastructure systems, municipal court processes/laws and an understanding of Human Resources law including payroll and benefits management.
Certification: Possession of, or the ability to obtain current certification as a Certified Municipal Finance Officer or Certified Public Accountant is preferred.
Supplemental Information
What We Can Offer You:
- Retirement: Retirement is provided through a 401(a) plan, with employee contributions set at 9%, with a City match of 11.2%. Employees are fully vested after five years.
- Housing Assistance: The selected candidate will have use of a city-provided condominium for up to six months in order to provide time to secure housing. Paid Time Off Leave: PTO accruals vary from 23 days to 31 days per year, depending upon years of service. Paid Family and Medical Leave (FMLA) are also provided.
- Health Insurance: The City of Durango offers health, dental, and vision insurance options for its employees.
- Other Insurance: Basic life insurance and accidental death & dismemberment (AD&D) coverage, as well as long-term disability coverage are available.
To be considered for this position, candidates are encouraged to apply immediately, as this recruitment will close once a sufficiently strong pool of stellar candidates has been established. Interested candidates must submit a cover letter and résumé online at www.mosaicpublic.com/careers.
CONFIDENTIAL INQUIRIES ARE WELCOMED TO:
Bryan Noblett | bryan@mosaicpublic.com | (916) 550-4100
Greg Nelson | greg@mosaicpublic.com | (916) 550-4100
