City of Oxnard OXNARD, CA

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Utilities Finance Officer

of 2012, The Collection at River Park, a high-end office and retail shopping center with a state-of the- art multiplex cinema, opened in the northern end of the City. While the City maintains steady growth with new development, it also promotes the preservation and economic health of its historic downtown. The long-awaited construction of the Oxnard Boulevard and Rice Avenue Interchanges at Highway 101 and Santa Clara River Bridge provides easier access to the City from all points. The City also operates more than 50 park facilities for its residents, as well as special-purpose facilities such as River Ridge Golf Course.

The City of Oxnard Located on the beautiful Southern California coast, the City of Oxnard is the largest and most populous city in the County of Ventura with over 200,000 residents. Nestled about 60 miles northwest of Los Angeles and 35 miles south of Santa Barbara, Oxnard prides itself on its rich diversity and culture. Although agriculture remains a major industry, Oxnard enjoys an expanding economy based on a healthy combination of agriculture, commercial and manufacturing development, tourism, and the U.S. Navy. Oxnard’s 2030 General Plan strikes a balance between the beauty of the City’s agricultural heritage, while continuing to accommodate dynamic changes. Residents enjoy an unsurpassed quality of life enhanced by the clean air of this coastal community, the charm and solitude of the nearby Los Padres National Forest, and the cultural and educational amenities of a vibrant urban setting. This very diverse community includes acres of new housing. Local assets include two thriving military bases, a full-service deep water port, master-planned industrial parks, prime commercial and retail sites, a regional medical center and hospital, and a flourishing community college.

The population has grown significantly in the last fifty years, providing many challenges to local government and residents. Oxnard continually offers many opportunities for its enterprising and forward-thinking business community. As Oxnard has evolved through all these changes, it has worked hard to maintain a “business friendly atmosphere.” In the fall

This city by the Pacific Ocean is an ideal place to raise a family. Oxnard residents enjoy a spirit of community pride. With its attractive residential areas located among tree-lined streets, parks and beaches, Oxnard provides a wide range of housing choices. Oxnard is an ideal location with white sandy beaches, oceanfront recreation and outdoor adventures, award winning festivals and friendly neighborhoods. Oxnard offers an exceptional quality of life. Today, the City of Oxnard could be characterized as a richly diverse community where family, education, tradition, and the many natural amenities are highly valued and celebrated.

Oxnard is a community where residents are both proud of their past and excited about their future. There is a small town atmosphere in this seaside city where fields of strawberries flourish along many roads, and the Mediterranean climate is unexcelled. It is an ideal coastal community.

City Government Oxnard is a general law city that operates under the CouncilManager form of government. The City Council consists of an elected Mayor holding a two-year term and four council members elected at large for four-year overlapping terms. Also directly elected are the City Clerk and City Treasurer. The City Council appoints the City Manager and City Attorney. Oxnard has a current all-funds budget of over $359 million, which includes the General Fund of almost $115 million. The City currently employs over 1,217 authorized full-time equivalent employees and an additional 600 parttime seasonal and extra-help employees within 15 City departments.

and administers the annual Utility Department budget, provides periodic estimates, and participates in the assists in the development of the utility rate setting process. The supervisory functions of this role include selecting, training and supervising professional, technical, and clerical accounting staff to ensure an efficient operation process that focuses on customer service and aligns its activities with the City’s mission, values, and objectives. The Utilities Finance Officer is distinguished from the Financial Services Manager in that the former is responsible for all fiscal activities and accounting/auditing services within the Public Works Department, Utility Services whereas, the Financial Services Manager is responsible for managing the City-wide program activities in the areas of risk management, property management, and debt administration.

The Ideal Candidate The ideal candidate must be a collaborative and creative problem-solver with a solid understanding in accounting and finance. We seek candidates that have a positive and energetic leadership style who have a willingness to take a “hands on” approach to develop a strong team within the Utilities Department. It is critical that the candidate possess strong organizational skills and excellent oral and written communication skills. Strong analytical and project management skills as well as the ability to develop and recommend comprehensive financial solutions are required. Direct finance experience within a public utilities agency is highly desired. In order to effectively manage the administrative and supervisory functions involved in this role, candidate must have experience supervising, training, motivating, and reviewing employees.

Utilities Finance Officer The Utilities Finance Officer plans, organizes and manages the fiscal activities including accounting and auditing services for the Public Works Department, Utility Services. The Utilities Finance Officer will use financial strategies to substantiate short and long term capital improvement projects while ensuring compliance with the regulations set by City policies, grant requirements, and applicable state and federal guidelines related to finance. Under the general direction of the Chief Financial Officer, the Utilities Finance Officer will perform a variety of fiscal, administrative, and business management oversight including, but not limited to the development, implementation, and evaluation of plans, work processes, systems and procedures to achieve annual goals, objectives, and work standards. The Utilities Finance Officer prepares comprehensive financial statements, periodic financial projections, and assists in compiling information needed for the Comprehensive Annual Financial Report. The Utility Finance Officer also prepares

Minimum Qualifications Any combination of experience and education that would likely provide the required knowledge, skills and abilities is considered qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge skills and abilities would be: Education: A Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major work in accounting, business or public administration, finance or closely related field is required.

Experience: Five (5) years performing a variety of professional senior management level activities in accounting, financial management, or budgeting is required. Two years of supervisory experience is also required. Candidates must possess a valid California class C driver’s license. Desired Qualifications:  A Master’s degree in accounting, business, or public administration is preferred.  Experience working for a public agency or government utility setting is also preferred. Candidates may be required to undergo a background check which may include a credit check.

To Apply If you are interested in applying for this excellent opportunity please visit: http://hr.cityofoxnard.org

Tentative Schedule Filing Deadline: 5pm on 1/4/2016 Application Review Complete: 1/6/2016 Oral Board: Week of 1/18/2016 Should we receive a high number of qualified applicants, we reserve the right to conduct a comparative screening to determine which applicants will be invited to continue in the recruitment and selection process.

Compensation and Benefits Salary Range: $6,513.46 - $10,773.39 per month. The City offers an attractive benefits package which includes:  Vacation/Annual Accrual Rates: Full time employees accrue annual leave at a rate of 6.24-11.78 hours per bi-weekly pay period based on years of service. 

Deferred Compensation: The City offers a number of deferred compensation programs that employees may participate in

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Health and dental: The City contributes $230.83 per pay period toward medical and dental insurance premiums. Unused premium monies are paid to the employee.

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Life Insurance: City employees receive Basic Life Coverage ($5,000) + 1 times annual salary paid by the City. Employees also have the option to purchase additional insurance.

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Tuition Reimbursement: Full-time employees are eligible for 75% reimbursement for work related coursework.

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Union Affiliation: This position is represented by a recognized public employee organization and employees occupying this classification are required to pay union dues.

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Wellness Program: Employees are eligible for reimbursement of up to $500 per year for fitness and wellness programs.

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Holidays: The City observes 10 holidays per year.

City of Oxnard Human Resources Department 300 West Third Street, 1st Floor Oxnard, CA 93030 805.385.7590 805.385.8352