Director of Finance - Operations

Job Description:

Director of Finance - Operations

Description

DESCRIPTION

To provide executive level management over the assigned department. Plan, direct, coordinate, and manage operations and activities for the department.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS:

This is an executive management classification. Directors receive administrative direction from the City Manager, Assistant City Manager, and the Deputy City Manager, and are responsible for providing overall management of all activities and functions of the department assigned.

EXAMPLES OF ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

Essential and other important responsibilities and functions may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Develop and implement departmental goals, objectives, policies, and priorities; develop strategies to build a sustainable organization and meet city strategic objectives.
• Provide overall management for all Department programs.
• Manage and participate in the development and administration of the department's annual budget; direct the forecast of additional funds needed for staffing, equipment, materials, and supplies; direct the monitoring of and approve expenditures; direct and implement adjustments as necessary.
• Exercise direct supervision over program managers, professional staff, and technical staff; select, train, motivate, and direct department personnel; evaluate and review work for acceptability and conformance with department and city standards; coach, counsel, implement progressive discipline and termination procedures; respond to staff questions and concerns.
• Develop and implement community engagement strategies; develop and evaluate the effectiveness of community engagement goals, objectives, policies, programs and procedures; develop programs and projects utilizing extensive community participation.
• Act as liaison to City-sponsored community groups in evaluating community engagement needs and issues; represent the City at community planning, inter-agency and professional meetings and conferences.
• Present recommendations to City Council, City Manager, Executive Management Team, Commissions, City departments, governmental organizations, and professional associations; attend professional meetings and conferences, and advise City representatives as to important trends and developments.
• Interpret departmental policies and governing codes and regulations to departmental employees.
• Make presentations to city committees, commissions, and City Council.
• Plan, develop, organize and direct a variety of programs related to the department.
• Formulate and recommend plans to meet the current and future community service needs.
• Respond to difficult and sensitive public inquiries and complaints and assist with resolutions and alternative recommendations.
• Function as a member of the area of specialization.
• Perform related duties as required.

Example Of Essential Functions When Assigned To:

Operations

• Directs and oversees the City’s Finance, Information Technology, and Purchasing operations to ensure efficient, effective, and compliant service delivery.
• Develops and administers the City’s operating and capital budgets, financial plans, investments, debt, and financial reporting.
• Oversees accounting, payroll, treasury, audits, grants, and compliance with applicable laws, regulations, and accounting standards.
• Directs information technology operations, including cybersecurity, enterprise systems, network infrastructure, and technology planning.
• Administers the City’s procurement and contracting programs, including purchasing policies, competitive solicitations, contract administration, and public contracting compliance.
• Advises executive leadership on financial, technology, procurement, and organizational matters while leading departmental staff and strategic initiatives.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Knowledge of:

• Principles and practices of municipal finance, budgeting, accounting, treasury, and financial reporting.
• Governmental accounting standards, public finance, auditing, and applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations.
• Public procurement, contracting, competitive bidding, and contract administration practices.
• Information technology systems, cybersecurity, network infrastructure, enterprise applications, and technology governance.
• Strategic planning, organizational management, performance measurement, and continuous process improvement.
• Principles of leadership, supervision, employee development, and performance management.
• Risk management, internal controls, and business continuity planning.
• Public administration principles and the organization and operation of local government.
• Effective communication, negotiation, and stakeholder engagement techniques.
• Modern office technology, financial management systems, and software applications.

Ability to:

• Plan, direct and coordinate the work of the Department.
• Develop and administer a department budget.
• Deal effectively with complex and sensitive issues.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both verbally and in writing.
• Interpret, apply, and ensure compliance with Federal, State, and local policies, procedures, laws, and regulations.
• Plan, organize and direct a community-wide engagement program; analyze and resolve community needs and issues.
• Build strong interpersonal relations within the community.
• Represent the interests of the City with a variety of boards, committees, commissions, outside agencies, and the public.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
• Select, manage, supervise, train and evaluate assigned staff.
• Make sound and effective decisions regarding operational and personnel functions.
• Respond to emergency and problem situations in an effective manner.
• Understand, explain and apply policies and procedures.
• Analyze unusual situations and resolve them through application and management and principles and practices.
• Develop comprehensive plans to meet future City needs/services.
• Deal constructively with conflict and develop effective resolutions.
• Stay current with new legislation, laws, regulations, trends, and technologies pertaining to neighborhood and community services.
• Develop new policies impacting divisional operations/procedures.
• Coordinate numerous staff functions effectively.
• Properly interpret and make decisions in accordance with laws, regulations, and policies.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

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

Education:

A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in public administration, recreation administration, business administration, or a related field. A Master’s degree is preferred

Experience:

Five years of progressively responsible management and supervisory experience with program and policy development in the assigned department.

Licenses/Certifications/Other Requirements:

Possession of a valid California driver's license by the time of appointment.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

Physical Demands:

Mobility: frequent use of keyboard; frequent sitting for long periods of time; occasional climbing, bending, and squatting.

Lifting: frequently up to 10pounds;occasionallyupto40 pounds.

Vision: constant use of overall vision; frequent reading and close-up work; occasional color and depth vision.

Dexterity: frequent repetitive motion; frequent writing; frequent grasping, holding, and reaching.

Hearing/Talking: frequent hearing and talking, in person and on the phone.

Emotional/Psychological: frequent decision-making and concentration; frequent public and/or coworker contact; occasional working alone.

Environmental: frequent exposure to noise.

Work Environment:

Work is performed in a typical temperature-controlled office environment subject to typical office noise and environment.

Position regularly requires work outside normal business hours including after hours and, weekend work and travel is occasional.

This is a Confidential position.

Adopted August 4, 2026

FLSA:Overtime exempt

The City of Palmdale is noted for its highly skilled workforce, with a large concentration of aerospace firms located at Air Force Plant 42 and nearby Edwards Air Force Base. Its family-oriented and culturally enhancing venues, such as the Palmdale Playhouse, DryTown Water Park and Palmdale Amphitheater, make Palmdale "a place to call home."

Palmdale is located approximately one hour north of Los Angeles off the Antelope Valley Freeway (SR-14). It encompasses 106.6 square miles and has a population of approximately 165,450. The City is served by several school districts and has a growing retail and commercial base. For more information, visit www.CityOfPalmdaleCA.gov.

BUSINESS HOURS: Normal operating hours are from 7:30 am to 6:00 pm Monday - Thursday. CLOSED on Friday.

UNION: The Teamsters Local 911 represents certain positions in the City's Public Works Maintenance division.

EMPLOYMENT INFORMATION

APPLICATION MATERIALS must be submitted by the closing date listed in the job bulletin. Resumes cannot be accepted in lieu of a City online application.

RESIDENCE within the City is not required.

AN ELIGIBILITY LIST of the most qualified applicants will be compiled based on the results of the selection process. The list will remain in place for a period to be determined by Human Resources.

The benefits listed here apply to full-time and benefited part-time positions, not to unbenefited part-time employees unless described.

A PROBATION PERIOD of six months minimum applies to initial employment with the City.

VACATION, HOLIDAYS AND LEAVE: The City provides 15 paid holidays per year and 80 hours vacation (years one through four) with a maximum accrual of 240 hours (160 hours for benefited part-time employees). Administrative employees accrue 80 hours of administrative leave per year with a maximum accrual of 240 hours.

SICK LEAVE: Employees accrue 96 hours per year with a maximum accrual of 800 hours (400 hours for benefited part-time employees). Unbenefited part-time employees receive 28 hours of paid sick leave per fiscal year.

RETIREMENT: The City is a member of the California Public Employees' Retirement System (CalPERS). Full-time and benefited part-time employees will be enrolled in either the New Member or Classic plan, as defined by CalPERS. New Members are enrolled in the 2% @ 62 formula and pay the full 7.75% employee contribution. Classic Members are enrolled in the 2% @ 60 formula and pay the full 7% employee contribution.

All other part-time employees are covered under the Public Agency Retirement Services (PARS).

WELLNESS PROGRAM: The program includes gym membership discounts, healthy eating programs, exercise classes & other programs.

DIRECT DEPOSIT: Direct Deposit is mandatory for all new employees.

CREDIT UNION: F&A Federal Credit Union & Logix Federal Credit Union (formerly Lockheed) are available options.

INSURANCE: The City offers group health, dental/vision, long term and short term disability, and a $50,000 life insurance policy for full-time employees. The City contributes towards the employee's health insurance.

DEFERRED COMPENSATION: The City participates in the ICMA-RC Deferred Compensation Plan, which enables benefited part-time and full-time employees to contribute on a tax deferred basis.

OVERTIME COMPENSATION: Overtime is accrued at time-and-a-half for eligible employees for time physically worked in excess of the regular 40-hour work week.

PART-TIME EMPLOYEES: Unbenefited part-time employees are reviewed for merit salary advancement but are not eligible for any other benefits listed. Benefited part-time employees are eligible for CalPERS retirement, sick leave, holidays, and vacation on a prorated basis.

MILEAGE PAY: Any employee may be reimbursed for work related mileage at 54 cents per mile when assigned to use their private vehicle on City business.

SOCIAL SECURITY: The City does not participate in Social Security and does not deduct Social Security payments from any employee's salary. The City deducts 1.45% of salary for Medicare and makes a 1.45% matching contribution.

*Benefits can change at any time.

Salary:

$205,587.20 - $262,433.60 Annually