THE OPPORTUNITY

The City of Tulare is embarking upon a period of significant growth and reinvestment, which has allowed the City to add an Assistant Finance Director position to aid with creating efficiencies and capabilities through investments in people, processes and technology. Candidates with a variety of backgrounds, whether mid-career or late-career, in-state or out-of-state, will be considered to join a dynamic and driven leadership team.

CITY GOVERNMENT

The City of Tulare is governed by a five-member City Council elected by district. Adopted goals by the City Council include priorities in the areas of Public Health and Safety, Stewardship of Revenue and Assets, Quality of Life, and Community Governance and Communication.

Tulare is a full-service Charter City with 378 employees in the departments of Administration, Finance, Human Resources, Community Services, Community Development, Economic Development and Redevelopment, Public Works, Safety-Compliance and Facilities, Information Technology, Police, and Fire. The City owns and operates its own water, sewer/pollution control, and solid waste municipal utility enterprises.

The City has a total budget of $190 million with an operating budget of $165 million and a capital improvement budget of $25 million. Healthy revenue sources include a sound property tax base, a utility user’s tax, and an 8.25% local sales tax. Like many local government agencies, the city has recruited and appointed its leadership team with the goal of continuous improvement towards the goal of excellence in local government.

Candidates are encouraged to visit the City’s website at tulare.ca.gov for a broader understanding of the City’s organization and community.

THE DEPARTMENT

The Finance Department is responsible for the City’s fiscal operations including planning, directing, monitoring, and improving the City’s financial resources. There are six divisions within the finance department responsible for a variety of areas including management, budgeting and analysis, accounting, payroll, utility billing and purchasing.

THE POSITION

The Assistant Finance Director is an exempt position that assists in planning, organizing, managing, and providing administrative direction and oversight for all functions and activities of the Finance Department, including the preparation, processing, and maintenance of a wide variety of accounting records and reports, general and fund accounting, accounts receivable, accounts payable, purchasing, business licensing, payroll, billing, and cashiering activities. The Assistant Finance Director reports to the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and assists in coordinating assigned activities with other City departments, divisions, and outside agencies through cooperative working relationships. Key functions of the position include management responsibility for major finance functions and activities, including the preparation, processing, and maintenance of a wide variety of accounting records and reports, general and fund accounting, accounts receivable, accounts payable, purchasing, business licensing, payroll, utility billing, and cashiering activities.

The ideal candidate will have effective interpersonal skills in both leading and mentoring the team in the Finance Department, and in collaborating with other departments, divisions, and agencies. A solid background in public agency finance is valuable, preferably with experience gained in a municipal environment. However, the City is open to other finance backgrounds provided candidates have the aptitude and desire to adapt to the differences in public sector accounting.

QUALIFICATIONS

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

Education: Equivalent to graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with major coursework in Business or Public Administration, Accounting, Finance, or a related field.

Experience: Four years of management or administrative experience in finance administration and/or municipal government, including two years of management and supervisory experience.

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

The current salary range for the Assistant Finance Director is $105,536 to $128,280. Salary negotiable dependent on qualifications. In addition, the City offers an excellent executive benefit package as outlined below. Key benefits include retirement provided through CalPERS. Classic CalPERS members are eligible for 2.5% @ 55 formula, while PEPRA members are 2% @ 62. Other benefits include a voluntary deferred compensation program, medical, dental, and vision insurance programs, and competitive paid holidays, vacation, sick leave, and management leave. 

Interested candidates are encouraged to review the detailed candidate brochure on-line for additional benefit information.

RECRUITMENT PROCESS

This recruitment will be handled with strict confidentiality. References will not be contacted until mutual interest has been established. Confidential inquiries are welcomed to Greg Nelson or Bryan Noblett at (916) 550-4100.

Interested candidates are encourged to apply below and to review the detailed recruitment brochure by clicking on the link.

This recruitment will close once a sufficiently strong pool of candidates has been established. Interested candidates are encouraged to apply immediately.

The City of Tulare is an Equal Opportunity Employer.