Finance Director - McKinleyville Community Services District

McKinleyvilleCommunityServices DistrictFinanceDirector

THE COMMUNITYLocated on a bluff overlooking the Pacific Ocean in NorthernCalifornia’s Humboldt County, McKinleyville is an unincorporatedcommunity with a population of approximately 16,000. With agrowing number of retail, professional services, community servicesand conveniences the town is large enough to offer the amenitiesof a small urban area while maintaining its small town charm andfriendliness.Characterized by mild, rainy winters and cool, dry summers, with anaverage temperature of 55°, McKinleyville is known as a recreationparadise offering surfing, steelhead and salmon fishing, hikingunderneath the mighty Redwoods or biking the Pacific Coast BikeRoute. These outdoor activities combined with an active SeniorCenter, community supported events such as the Pony Express Days and a multitude of recreational programs and services offered bythe Community Services District, provides ample leisure activities for residents of all ages.In addition to its beautiful landscape and easy-going lifestyle, McKinleyville offers one of the more affordable places to live in Californiaand close proximity to Humboldt State University and College of the Redwoods. The community is easily accessible via US 101 or StateRoute 299 and is home to the full-service Arcata-Eureka Airport.THE DISTRICTEstablished in 1970, the McKinleyville Community Services District (District) provides water, sewer, parks and recreation, library,and open space maintenance services. The District is supported by a dedicated full-time staff of 25 and a budget of $5.0 million.Encompassing 12,140 acres, the District is an independent, special district governed by an elected five-member Board of Directors.The District’s primary functions include water, sewer, parks and recreation, library and street lighting. The District supplies water andsewer services to approximately 6,200 customers.THE POSITIONReporting to the General Manager, the Finance Director manages the activities of the Finance Department; supervises a staff offive; performs professional accounting work; participates as a member of the District’s management team in departmental policydevelopment, administrative planning and addressing of departmental goals and objectives; development and management of theDistrict budget; the borrowing and investment of money; and the management of receipts and payments; reviews and monitorscontracts; coordinates assigned activities with District and outside agencies; serves as treasurer for the District Board; and provideshighly responsible and complex administrative support to the Board of Directors, General Manager and other Executive Managementpersonnel to assure the effective and efficient operation of the district; and does related work as required. Specific responsibilitiesinclude but are not limited to:• Create, propose, and direct the district’s approved financialoperations.• Prepare the annual budget; assist the Board in conducting abudget hearing to inform the public of the proposed budget.• Supervises and participates in the examination, analysis andverification of budgetary records including accounting, payroll,treasury disbursements and purchasing.• Administer grants.• Work with auditors to complete year-end audit; assists in internalcontrol and auditing functions.• Advises other Department Directors on accounting and internalcontrol procedures, policies and status of accounts.

• Provide leadership in developing and maintainingthe most optimum fiscal programs, operations, andservices.• Manage the development and implementation offinance and budget goals, objectives, policies andpriorities for each assigned service area; allocateresources accordingly.• Borrow money on a long-term basis for any capitalimprovements or acquisitions working with thedistrict’s financial advisor.• Borrow money on a short-term basis as needed tokeep the district running financially until grant and taxlevy monies are received.• Invest money according to Board policy.• Seek bids according to Board policy.• Keep records of insurable values; coverage’s to be provided, insurance procurement procedures, insurance claims, and reporting.• Actively participate in contract negotiations with employee groups.• Represent the Finance and Accounting Division to other District Divisions, elected officials and outside agencies; explain and justifyFinance and Budget programs, policies, and activities; negotiate and resolve sensitive, significant, and controversial issues.• Select, train, motivate, and evaluate finance and budget personnel; coordinate staff training; work with Human Resource to correctemployee deficiencies; implement discipline and termination procedures.• Reviews, recommends and establishes water and sewer rates for the District; calculates water losses and pumping costs per acrefoot; prepares water sales and purchase reports for the budget.• Directs the integration of computer based systems for accounting and business record keeping and trains staff in their use.• Attend and participate in professional group meetings; stay abreast of new trends and innovations in a wide range of technicalfields, business administration, cash management, budget management, and department management.• Perform other duties as assigned by the General Manager. The Finance Director maintains a positive attitude and style in dealingwith others in a manner that contributes to the overall public relations of the district.THE IDEAL CANDIDATEThe District is desirous of attracting experienced public finance professionals who display credibility and exceptional communicationskills. Along with being superior financial analysts and problemsolvers, ideal candidates will be gifted people managers whoeffectively facilitate innovation and results. In addition, theywill be attracted to McKinleyville’s small town environment andappreciate the diverse nature of the District, which providesgreat opportunities for those who enjoy multi-tasking andbeing hands-on. A Bachelor’s degree and at least five years ofprogressively responsible public sector and/or public utilitiesfinance and government fund accounting experience will beexpected. Certification as a CPA and Government Financial Officeris desirable.Minimum qualifications include knowledge of:• The principles, methods and practices of governmentalbudgeting, accounting and auditing.

• The approved principles and standard practices of centralized, computer-basedgovernmental accounting and auditing.• The laws affecting special district finance administration.• Ability to supervise, train and evaluate assigned staff.• Ability to deal effectively with District staff and representatives of various publicand private agencies.• Ability to communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.• Modern and complex principles and practices of program development; publicadministration, and advanced principles and procedures of budget preparationand administration.• Pertinent Federal, State and local laws, codes, and regulations as they relate toCalifornia Special districts• Modern governmental personnel practices• Contract administration and negotiation• Computer software related to areas of responsibility – currently using MOMaccounting software• California health and safety regulations related to governmental agencies; and principles of sound risk management• Manages Workers Comp and District ClaimsCOMPENSATIONThe salary for this position is $63,000 to $80,000 DOQ and includes an excellent benefit package including PERS and Districtcoveredhealth benefits.APPLICATION AND SELECTION PROCESSThe filing deadline is Friday, July 15, 2011. Please submit a resume, cover letter, six work-related references and current salaryto:Pam DerbyCPS Executive Search241 Lathrop WaySacramento, CA 95815Phone: (916) 263-1401Fax: (916) 561-7205Email: resumes@cps.ca.govWebsite: www.cps.ca.gov/searchResumes will be screened based on the criteria outlined in this brochure.Candidates with the most relevant qualifications will be given preliminaryinterviews by the consultant. CPS Executive Search will report the resultsto the District. The District will then select candidates to be invited toparticipate in additional interviews. An offer of appointment is expectedfollowing comprehensive reference and background checks.