Environmental Resources Finance Officer

City of Oxnard; Oxnard (CA); On-site; USD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Oxnard’s Public Works Department seeks a Finance Officer to lead the Environmental Resources Division’s financial operations, budgeting, and policy development. This is a strategic role that partners with department leadership and City leadership to guide priorities and long-term financial planning.

The position requires strong leadership, GAAP knowledge, and experience in government budgeting and procurement, with responsibilities including reporting, audits, and presenting finance

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in business administration, finance, accounting, or related field.
• Five years of journey-level professional experience in area of assignment.
• Two years of supervisory experience.
• Must be able to effectively communicate in English, both orally and in writing.

Responsibilities

• Lead division-wide administrative operations and ensure efficient support for solid waste, recycling, and sustainability programs.
• Oversee budget development and management, including revenue forecasting, expenditure monitoring, cost-of-service alignment, and preparation of financial reports for internal and public review.
• Develop, implement, and evaluate policies, procedures, and administrative workflows to improve operational efficiency, regulatory compliance, and internal controls.
• Serve as the division’s primary liaison with Finance, Human Resources, Purchasing, City Attorney’s Office, and other internal departments on administrative, financial, and contractual matters.
• Manage complex contracts and procurements, including writing scopes of work, coordinating solicitations, evaluating proposals, ensuring compliance with City purchasing policies, and monitoring vendor performance.
• Prepare high-quality staff reports, presentations, and analytical documents for the City Council, committees, and executive leadership, translating technical and operational issues into clear, actionable recommendations.
• Support personnel administration, including staffing analyses, hiring processes, training coordination, and assisting leadership with workforce planning and organizational development.
• Lead or support special projects and studies, such as cost-of-service analyses, rate studies, operational evaluations, strategic initiatives, and regulatory compliance efforts.
• Collect, analyze, and interpret operational and financial data to support decision-making, service improvements, and long-term planning for Environmental Resources programs.

Skills

Leadership

Budgeting

Financial planning

GAAP knowledge

Policy compliance

Education

Bachelor's degree in business administration, finance, accounting, or related field

Job description

The City of Oxnard’s Public Works Department is seeking an experienced and collaborative Finance Officer to join the Environmental Resources Division in a leadership role. This individual will serve as a trusted financial leader, strategic partner, and highly respected member of the management team, working collaboratively with department leadership, staff, and stakeholders to guide financial planning, establish priorities, and make informed decisions that support the Division’s mission and long-term goals.

The Finance Officer will provide leadership, direction, and oversight of the Division’s fiscal activities, accounting and auditing services, and overall financial operations. Responsibilities include developing and implementing financial goals and objectives, leading the administration and management of the annual budget, providing strategic financial guidance, and ensuring sound fiscal practices that support effective programs, services, and operations.

Success in this role requires strong leadership, sound judgment, financial expertise, and the ability to build collaborative relationships while confidently contributing to high-level organizational decisions. The Finance Officer will be an integral voice in shaping financial strategies, strengthening operational effectiveness, and advancing the goals of the Environmental Resources Division and the Public Works Department.

The position also requires participation in evening meetings, including City Council, Committee, and Neighborhood Council meetings, providing financial insight, professional guidance, and support to the City’s leadership.

WHAT YOU’LL DO:

• Lead division-wide administrative operations and ensure efficient support for solid waste, recycling, and sustainability programs.

• Oversee budget development and management, including revenue forecasting, expenditure monitoring, cost-of-service alignment, and preparation of financial reports for internal and public review.

• Develop, implement, and evaluate policies, procedures, and administrative workflows to improve operational efficiency, regulatory compliance, and internal controls.

• Serve as the division’s primary liaison with Finance, Human Resources, Purchasing, City Attorney’s Office, and other internal departments on administrative, financial, and contractual matters.

• Manage complex contracts and procurements, including writing scopes of work, coordinating solicitations, evaluating proposals, ensuring compliance with City purchasing policies, and monitoring vendor performance.

• Prepare high-quality staff reports, presentations, and analytical documents for the City Council, committees, and executive leadership, translating technical and operational issues into clear, actionable recommendations.

• Support personnel administration, including staffing analyses, hiring processes, training coordination, and assisting leadership with workforce planning and organizational development.

• Lead or support special projects and studies, such as cost-of-service analyses, rate studies, operational evaluations, strategic initiatives, and regulatory compliance efforts.

• Collect, analyze, and interpret operational and financial data to support decision-making, service improvements, and long-term planning for Environmental Resources programs.

Payroll/Classification Title:

Administrative Services Administrator/Supervisor

SUPERVISION EXERCISED/ SUPERVISION RECEIVED:

Incumbents may supervise professional, paraprofessional and support level staff including conducting performance evaluations, coordinating training, and implementing hiring, discipline and termination procedures, or may serve as lead workers assigning and monitoring work completion. Receives general supervision and is expected to prioritize work to meet deadlines and to keep the supervisor informed of issues that would impact achievement of a deadline, organizational policy or procedure or inconsideration of risk management.

WORK SCHEDULE:

The normal work week is Monday through Thursday 8:00 - 6:00 pm and Friday 8:00 am- 5:00 pm, with every other Friday off. Depending on the work assignment, staff may be assigned to a shift that is outside the standard work hours. In addition, this position may be required to be available to work additional hours in response to peaks in workloads and changes in department needs. The standard work environment varies depending on assignment, but is typically either primarily in an office setting or out in the field. The City does not offer hybrid or remote work.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS:

This classification is distinguished from the Administrative Services Analyst, Senior in that it provides staff supervision, oversees a major financial function or administrative program having city-wide impact, or performs complex analysis and/or program administration, serving as a designated subject matter expert.

This class specification represents only the core areas of responsibilities; specific position assignments will vary depending on the needs of the Department.

• Provides program, project or functional oversight in assigned area; performs complex analysis and oversees advanced management service support activities and processes; monitors, guides and ensures compliance with applicable policies, procedures, processes, standards and regulations.

• Serves as a liaison and advisor with internal departments, agencies, and other external organizations, groups and/or representatives; responds to inquiries and requests; manages escalated issues; reviews, recommends and implements solutions to issues.

• Recommends, develops and implements policies, procedures and/or processes related to assigned projects, functions and/or programs. Prepares, reviews and maintains a variety of reports, correspondence, forecasts, contracts and/or related fiscal or administrative documentation.

• Participates in the development, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of assigned division, program, and/or project budgets and expenditures. Provides procurement recommendations and assists in purchase acquisitions.

• Facilitates, coordinates, collaborates and/or participates in meetings with internal and external program/project/function stakeholders.

• Performs other duties of a similar nature and level as assigned.

Positions assigned to fiscalanalysis may be responsible for:

• Providingaccounting,budgeting,financialmanagementandfinancialreporting/analysisin accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP);

• Overseeingdailyoperations,initiativeorprojects;

• Settingunitorprojectgoals,objectivesandstandards;

• Planningandmonitoringprogresstowardsobjective;

• Overseeingchangesinpoliciesandprocedures;

• Ensuringpropercashcontrolsareinplace;

• Reviewingandapprovingrequisitions;

• Approvingaccountingtransactions;

• Reviewingfundbalancesandpaymentobligations;

• Analyzingandforecastingexpensesandrevenues;

• Analyzing,evaluatingandselectinginvestmentsallowedbyCitypolicy;

• Preparingordirectingthepreparationofreports;coordinatebudgetpreparation;

• Reviewing and verifying journal entries.

The following are minimum qualifications necessary for entry into the classification:

EDUCATION:

• Bachelor's degree in business admnistration, finance, accoutning, or related field

EXPERIENCE:

• Five (5) years of journey-level professional experience in area of assignment and two (2) years of supervisory experience

LICENSE/CERTIFICATION:

• Class C license may be required depending on position

OTHER REQUIREMENTS:

• Must be able to effectively communicate in English, both orally and in writing

The list of qualified candidates established from this recruitment may be used to fill other full-time, part-time, and temporary assignments.

There is currently one (1) full-time vacancy within the Public Works Environmental Resources Division.

Selected candidate(s) must pass a thorough reference check and background investigation. Some positions that work with or have access to the Police Department may require a polygraph exam. Select positions may require candidates to undergo a pre-employment medical and/or psychological evaluation.

UNION MEMBERSHIP:

Positions in this classification are represented by the Oxnard Mid-Managers Association (OMMA).

NOTE:

For most positions, the City of Oxnard relies on office automation (Microsoft Office/Google) and web-based enabled tools. Candidates must be proficient and comfortable with computer use to perform functions associated with ongoing work.

NOTE:

Employees are required to participate in the City's direct deposit plan and are paid on a bi-weekly basis.

This position requires a 12-month probationary period. Internal applicant probationary periods will be governed by the applicable MOU.

Pursuant to California Government Code Section 3100, all public employees are required to serve as disaster service workers subject to such disaster service activities as may be assigned to them.

If a candidate accepts a conditional job offer with the City of Oxnard, any and all pending applications for active recruitments with the City of Oxnard will be withdrawn and no longer considered.

This position is not governed by the overtime provisions of the federal Fair Labor Standards Act and is not eligible for overtime pay.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY:

The City of Oxnard is an Equal Opportunity Employer and welcomes applications from all qualified applicants. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, medical condition, disability, or sexual orientation.

REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION:

The City of Oxnard makes reasonable accommodations for individuals/people with disabilities. If you believe you require special arrangements to participate in the testing process, you must inform the Human Resources Department in writing within three business days of your scheduled interview or exam date. Applicants who request such accommodation must document their request with an explanation of the type and extent of accommodation required.

LEGAL REQUIREMENT:

On the first day of employment, new employees must provide proof of citizenship or documentation of legal right to work in the United States in compliance with the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986, as amended. The City participates in E‑Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I‑9 information to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S. If E‑Verify cannot confirm that you are authorized to work, this employer