Finance Manager, Treasury & Accounting Services

General Duties

Ideal Candidate

The ideal candidate will be a seasoned, business-orientated manager with in-depth financial knowledge, have the ability to work within a strategic role and be responsible for the planning, coordination and successful implementation of finance initiatives. Strong leadership skills, innovation, and excellent communication skills across all levels are highly desirable.

The ideal candidate should also possess the following personal characteristics, skills and experience: Professional and Highly Competent - Business, Customer and Results Oriented - An Experienced Manager - Critical/Strategic Thinker - Able to Consistently and Accurately Interpret Policies, Procedures, and Ordinances - Analytical - Possess Excellent Oral and Written Communication Skills - Honest and Ethical - Know and Understand Basic Business Finance and Accounting Principles - A Visionary and Leader - Well Organized - Flexible and Adaptable - A Team Player - Able to Work with Diverse Groups including the Public.

We also welcome veterans and transitioning military. Are you a former member of the military with experience as a Finance Management Officer, Budget Officer, Comptroller, or similar occupation? If so, we encourage you to apply. Consider joining a team of hardworking employees who work to protect and preserve water, one of our most valuable natural resources. The experience you've gained during your service can continue to positively impact the world with a career at Otay.

The Otay Water District offers excellent benefits, a balanced work/life environment and is a leader in the industry.

About the Position and Department
Under general direction of the Chief Financial Officer, manages the staff and activities of the Treasury and Accounting Services in support of $150 million budget, to include general accounting, audit, cash management and treasury functions, financing activities, cost benefit analysis, process efficiency evaluations, job costing, system design and implementation, in coordination with the Information Technology Department, cost accounting, banking relations, debt collections, fixed assets, and contract review. In addition, the Finance Manager assists with the planning, coordination and direction of the District's budget, payroll, accounts payable, utility billing collections, and financing activities and provides complex administrative support to the Chief Financial Officer.

The Finance Department is responsible for Customer Service, Meter Services, Accounting, Accounts Payable, & Payroll and has a staff of approximately 33 employees.

Applications will be accepted until there are a sufficient number of highly qualified applicants from which to make a selection. However, for the earliest consideration, please submit your application materials by February 1, 2026. For information on the recruitment process, please go to the Employment section of our website www.otaywater.gov or click here.

Examples of Duties

• Manages, participates, and supports the development of all services and activities of the Accounting Section including general accounting, audit, and applicable financial system services in coordination with the Information Technology Section, cost accounting, cash management, treasury functions, financing activities, banking relations, debt collections, fixed assets, and contract review.
• Performs cost benefit evaluations of proposed capital and operating budget items. Makes determinations as to the overall benefit to the District of the proposal and alternatives.
• Performs specialized financial analysis and audits and conducts reviews for both efficiency and internal control.
• Monitors and evaluates the efficiency and effectiveness of the Section and individuals, internal reporting relationships, work methods and procedures; assesses and monitors workload. Reviews and evaluates work products and methods, for continuous process improvement.
• Oversees the purchase of insurance by bid or negotiation; manages claims process; reviews possible coverage improvements to ensure adequate protection against loss at the most effective cost to the District; maintains liaison with insurance broker to manage claims and negotiate policy terms and limits.
• Provides direction to professional accounting and accounting support staff and performs diverse and specialized accounting work which is complex and involves significant accountability and decision-making responsibility.
• Responsible for the job costing systems including management of staff, tracking of all jobs, reporting budget variances, providing ad-hoc reports, insuring a high-level of accountability, and evaluation of budgetary changes.
• Carries out the transfer and investment of cash to meet the District’s financial obligations and for maximizing investment returns on the operating account in accordance with professional principles of cash investments and District Investment Policy.
• Manages and participates in the compilation of the District’s monthly and annual financial statements.
• Manages and facilitates the development and implementation of mission statement, goals, objectives, policies, and procedures for the Section; and administers policies and procedures.
• Identifies opportunities for improvement, reviews solutions with the Chief Financial Officer and implements improvements.
• Manages and participates in the development and administration of the Accounting Section’s annual budget; directs the forecast of additional funds needed for staff, equipment, materials, and supplies; and directs and implements adjustments as necessary.
• Manages and participates in the performance of cost-of-service studies, including coordinating efforts of legal counsel and consultants to develop rates and charges that meet the requirements of California Proposition 218.
• Manages and participates in performing capacity rate fee studies, including coordinating efforts of consultants, the District Engineering department, and the Development community.
• Serves as a liaison for the Section with other District Sections, outside agencies and private firms; and negotiates and resolves accounting related issues.
• Provides responsible, accurate, and thorough technical and administrative project-related work to the Chief Financial Officer.
• Conducts a variety of organizational studies, investigations, and operational studies; and recommends modifications to programs, policies, and procedures as appropriate.
• Provides accounting and statistical supervision to District Departments as well as the General Manager; determines fiscal impact of policies and requests going to the Board of Directors.
• Directs the preparation of financial reports as required by law; prepares various financial reports and analyses requested by the Chief Financial Officer and General Manager.
• Supervises the preparation of fiscal year end closing entries and related reports.
• Plans, directs, assigns, reviews, and evaluates the work of supervisory, professional, technical, and support staff assigned to perform functions of the section.
• Coaches staff on the methods and needs to identify and recommend opportunities for improvement.
• Participates in the development of and directs and monitors the implementation of section and department goals, objectives, and measures to include the District's Strategic Plan and Performance Measures.
• Identifies and recommends opportunities for improvement.
• Advises the Department Chief and other senior staff on relevant issues.
• Ensures compliance with all District rules, regulations, and procedures to include adherence to Memorandum of Understanding (MOU).
• Develops budgetary recommendations and monitors revenues and expenditures for assigned sections and recommends or makes appropriate adjustments.
• Serves as liaison for the section with other District departments, outside agencies and private firms and documents, negotiates, and resolves issues.
• Prepares executive level reports, presentations, summaries and correspondence. Participates in committee and Board meetings.
• Develops, trains, models, and enforces safe work procedures and practices for the sections and Department.
• Ensures the District’s safety program is followed by assigned staff and that required training and certificates are completed and filed on time.

For the complete job description go to the Employment section of our website www.otaywater.gov or click here.

Required Licenses and/or Certifications

• A valid California Class C Driver's License and a safe driving record. [This requirement is currently under review.]
• An active or inactive Certified Public Accountant (CPA) License.

Minimum Experience, Education, and Training Requirements

Experience:

Seven years (7) of experience in accounting and auditing, including two (2) years of related supervisory experience.

Education:

Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration or a closely related field.

Notice: Benefits listed below assume full-time regular status. These benefits do not apply to temporary appointments.

Scheduled salary increases include the following:

• July 1, 2024: 6% Cost-of-Living Adjustment
• July 14, 2025: 5% Cost-of-Living Adjustment
• July 13, 2026: 5% Cost-of-Living Adjustment
• Annual Merit Increases: Eligible employees are eligible for 3% merit increase on an annual basis until they reach the top of their salary range, based on meeting expectations on their performance review.

• Are enrolled in the 2% at age 62 formula based on the employee's 36 months of highest average annual compensation to a maximum of the annual compensation limit set by CalPERS.
  • District and employees share the normal employee CalPERS service contribution cost. Employees contribute 7.5% of salary toward the employee CalPERS service contribution cost up to the annual compensation limit set by CalPERS.

• Are enrolled in the 2.7% at age 55 formula based on the employee's single highest year annual compensation.
• Employees contribute 8% of salary towards the employee PERS service contribution cost.

The District is also a Social Security participant and the District and employee make contributions.

Deferred Compensation Retirement Plan (457 Plan): Optional plan designed to provide employees with additional retirement income. Employees may elect to contribute a portion of their income on a pre-tax or post-tax basis through payroll deductions. Employee contributions for the Deferred Compensation Plan will be matched dollar per dollar up to the maximum amount of $3,000 per calendar year.

Medical/Rx Insurance: Choice of PPO, EPO, HMO or Kaiser HMO plans, 100% premium paid by District for employee and 88% for dependent(s).

Dental Insurance: 100% premium paid by District for employee and 88% paid for dependent(s).

Vision: 100% premium paid by District for employee and 0% for dependent(s).

Flexible Benefits Plan: The District offers a healthcare and dependent care flexible benefits plan. The healthcare account reimburses the employee on a pre-tax basis for medical, pharmacy, dental and other related expenses not covered by the insurance plans. The dependent care account allows employees to pay for employment-related dependent care expenses on a pre-tax basis.

Group Term Life & Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance: 100% premium paid by the District for employee and eligible dependent(s). The Life and AD&D insurance coverage for the employee is two times their annual salary and eligible dependents have Life insurance coverage of $1,000.

Voluntary Life Insurance: Employees may elect to cover themselves and eligible dependents for voluntary life insurance. The full cost of this insurance is paid by the employee via payroll deductions.

Short-Term and Long-Term Disability Insurance: The District provides short-term and long-term disability insurance equal to 66 2/3% of your income after a 30-day elimination period (90-day elimination period for long term disability) if totally disabled due to illness or injury.

Professional development, seminars, and conferences: The District offers these opportunities to help facilitate an employee's professional growth.

Education Reimbursement Program: Employees are eligible to receive reimbursement for District approved courses not to exceed $3,000 per fiscal year.

Employee Assistance Program: Provides confidential referrals and counseling concerning personal, family, or work-related issues for employees and their dependents.

Free Onsite Workout Facility: The District has a fully equipped exercise room for employees to use before work, after work or during lunchtime.

Yoga Classes: On-site Yoga classes are offered during the lunch hour at the employee's expense.

Retirement Benefits:
Health Reimbursement Arrangement (HRA) effective September 1, 2024: A Health Reimbursement Arrangement is an interest-bearing, employer-funded account created in your name to reimburse you tax-free in retirement for eligible medical expenses and premiums. Otay Water District makes deposits of employer contributions and mandatory employee contributions while you are employed, but you will not be able to access funds until retirement or separation of service, having met Otay Water District’s vesting requirements.

Tier II Eligibility for All Full-time Regular Employees Hired On or After September 1, 2024:
All full-time, regular employees hired on or after September 1, 2024, will participate in a mandatory HRA Plan. The District and the employee will make contributions to the HRA Plan.

The District will contribute $4,000 annually to the employee’s HRA from their latest date of hire until they retire or terminate from the District for a maximum period of twenty (20) years. The employee will contribute $1,000.00 annually (or $40 per pay period for the first twenty-five [25] pay periods of the calendar year) to their HRA from their latest date of hire until they retire or terminate from the District. There is a vesting schedule for this Plan as set forth in the Memorandum of Understanding between the Otay Water District Employees Association, effective July 1, 2024 through June 30, 2027.