Finance Director

Central Basin Municipal Water District (CA); Cerritos (CA); On-site; USD 200,000 - 238,000; Full time

Job summary

Central Basin Municipal Water District is seeking a Finance Director to plan, organize, and direct the Finance Department, overseeing financial activities, policies, and budgeting for capital and operating needs. The role guides debt issuance, public financing, and investment strategy while ensuring compliance and strong fiscal sustainability.

The position requires leadership to manage staff performance, external audits, and strategic financial planning, with a focus on cost containment and

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in finance, accounting, public administration, or related field.
• Five years of government finance experience.
• Three years of supervisory experience.

Responsibilities

• Provide leadership and direction for the Finance Department to align with district goals and policy directions.
• Plan, organize, control, integrate and evaluate the department’s work to meet objectives.
• Develop and monitor annual department budgets and related financial plans.
• Direct monthly/annual financial statements, budgets, reports, and treasury activities including debt management and investments.
• Lead process improvements and ensure internal controls across financial operations and audits.

Skills

GASB standards

Budget planning

Investment analysis

Leadership

Public administration

Education

Bachelor’s degree in finance, accounting, public administration, or related field

Job description

Salary Range: $199,646 to $238,387 Annually

Deadline to apply: September 3, 2026 by 5:00pm

General Definition

Under the general direction of the General Manager, plans, organizes, integrates, and directs the work of the Finance Department. The position oversees all financial activities for the District to ensure strong financial standing; develops and implements financial policies; provides general guidance for the preparation, maintenance, and interpretation of financial records; offers direction in the preparation of financial budgets for capital projects and operating activities; and formulates strategies for rate setting and fees, cost containment and long-term fiscal sustainability. The Finance Director oversees the implementation of enhancements and updates in the financial systems, leads the issuance of new debt, provides expert professional assistance and guidance to the leadership team on public financing, accounting and investments, oversees overall department performance and performs other related duties as assigned.

Examples of Duties

The duties listed below are not intended to be all inclusive but rather serve as illustrations.

• Provide leadership and direction to Department staff ensuring a high-performance, service-oriented environment that aligns with the District’s mission, goals, values, and policy direction.

• Plan, organize, control, integrate, and evaluate the work of the department.

• Develop, implement, and monitor work plans to achieve goals and objectives.

• Develop and monitor performance against the annual department budget; manage and participate in developing, implementing and evaluating plans, work processes, systems and procedures to achieve annual goals, objectives and work standards.

• Oversee the performance of department staff; interview and select new staff; establish performance requirements and personal development targets; regularly monitor performance and provide coaching for performance improvement and development; recommend compensation and provide other rewards to recognize performance; approve or take disciplinary action, up to and including termination, to address performance deficiencies.

• Provide strategic leadership and work with staff to ensure a high-performance, customer service-oriented work environment.

• Promote teamwork, mutual trust and respect; apply process improvement and quality management principles to assigned areas of responsibility.

• Formulate and implement department policy, plans, and strategy: lead and direct staff and outside consulting resources in the development and application of new methods and processes to achieve greater efficiency, quality and innovation in department work processes.

• Direct and oversee the analysis, development, implementation and monitoring of monthly and annual financial statements and schedules including required financial reports, operating budgets and capital budgets; supervise the preparation and review of budget and financial reports and schedules;

• Prepare Board letters and attend Board meetings to provide explanations and answer questions; direct month-end, quarterly and year-end closing processes; direct and manage treasury activities including cash management, debt administration, and investment management.

• Direct and oversee the analysis of financing and investment strategy and investment portfolios.

• Analyze debt financing, debt administration, debt servicing and the compliance and investment of bond proceeds; direct the complex process of identifying, applying and negotiating for low-interest loans, and oversee the tracking, reporting, payment, develop strategies to minimize risk and financial exposure.

• Analyze and update financial systems and controls, practices, procedures and policies; coordinate internal, independent, federal and state audits of the financial statements and systems and develop remedies for audit discrepancies; review and ensure adequate internal controls for all areas of direct responsibility.

• Plan, direct, and participate in the development of financial analyses, forecasts and scenarios used in the development of mid and long-range financial, rate, resource and capital improvement plans; direct and advise staff on applications of the District’s financial forecasting model and the resolution of difficult analytical problems.

• Prepare and coordinate the completion of a variety of work reports and records.

• Interpret direction and assignments from the General Manager and Board of Directors; and interpret District rules/policies and applicable laws and regulations to ensure compliance within assigned areas of accountability.

• Represent the District in a variety of public forums including business, financial and community events and with federal, state and local governmental bodies; and Be current with new trends and innovations and develop opportunities for new sources of funding.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Knowledge of:

• Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB) pronouncements and accounting and financial reporting requirements applicable to a water district;
• Advanced principles, practices, and techniques for budget planning, development, and administration;
• Principles and practices of financial and investment analysis and effective leadership and management;
• Automated fiscal systems and utility rate structuring
• Principles and methods of public administration, including principles and methods of effective employee relations and personnel policies and procedures;
• Principles, techniques, and methods of project management;
• District operations, functions, programs, services, policies, procedures, goals, objectives, and strategic priorities; and laws, rules, regulations, policies, and procedures applicable to the District’s management operations.

Ability to:

• Provide impactful customer service;
• Direct the work of the finance department and provide effective management and supervision to management staff;
• Plan, develop, and administer District and department budgets;
• Perform long-term financial planning and investment analysis;
• Lead, direct, motivate, and coordinate the work of others to carry out department operations and achieve District goals and objectives;
• Perform long-term strategic planning to meet department needs;
• Develop and implement effective and innovative projects and programs to achieve department goals and objectives;
• Establish and maintain effective and collaborative working relationships with staff, elected officials, community organizations, interest groups, and government agencies;
• Develop and deliver effective presentations;
• Identify and evaluate complex problems and develop and recommend effective solutions;
• Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing;
• Organize work to meet constantly changing priorities and deadlines;
• Exercise a high level of initiative and independence of sound judgment and action;
• Prepare clear, concise, and comprehensive reports; and
• Operate office equipment, including computers and supporting word processing, spreadsheet, email, and database applications

Qualifications

Education and Experience:

Any combination of education and experience to satisfy the mentioned knowledge, skills and abilities referenced above.

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in finance, accounting, business/public administration, or a closely related field is required.
• Five years of progressively responsible professional finance experience at a governmental agency.
• Three years of supervisory experience.

Licenses and Certificates:

• Maintain a valid California Driver’s License, vehicle, and vehicle insurance with a satisfactory driving record.

Working Conditions

Occasionally lift and carry materials up to 20 pounds. Duties may require maintaining a physical condition necessary for sitting, kneeling, crouching, standing, walking, twisting, reaching or bending for prolonged periods of time.

Position will require local travel to attend meetings, and possible periodic overnight travel may also be required.

The deadline for resume submission will be 5:00pm on September 3, 2026.