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City of Port Townsend Job Description
Finance and Technology Services Director
Classification title: Finance & Technology
Services Director
Working title: Finance and Technology
Services Director
Department: Finance and
Technology Services
Union: No
FLSA status: Exempt Wage Classification: 630
Hours: Full Time Effective date: 2015, Aug.2019; Aug.2021;
Sept. 2022; Nov. 2023; May
2026
Reports to: City Manager Civil Service: No
JOB SUMMARY
As part of the City of Port Townsend’s Executive Leadership Team and under the general direction of
the City Manager, the Finance and Technology Services Director is a highly responsible professional
position with oversight of the City’s financial administration, technology services, and public records
disclosure.
Leads initiatives to inspire and instill a positive working environment characterized by teamwork, trust,
organizational values, and accountability. Drives strategic approaches around accounting, finance,
budgeting, and technology services. Plans, manages, coordinates, reviews, and directs the operations
of the Finance and Technology Services Department. Provides advice and counsel to City staff,
management and the City Manager for the resolution of finance, budget and/or technology issues.
Interprets, develops, implements, and administers policies, procedures, and agreements. Supports the
City Manager and all Department Directors concerning budget and fiscal matters. Provides financial
information to the City Council, City Manager and Department Directors. Manages, trains, supervises
and evaluates assigned personnel.
Decisive and consensus building with a penchant for strategic execution. Thrives and inspires in a
change management and organizational transformation role.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
• Ensures ongoing financial integrity, stability and sustainability for the City of Port Townsend.
• Directs finance, budget, technology, and public records services for the City; exercises independent
judgment within broad policy guidelines; provides leadership direction, motivation, and guidance in
finance, budget and technology strategies, policy development, and priorities; monitors changes in
financial and/or budgetary regulations, standards and legislation.
• Manages finance, budget, technology, and public records functions and activities including the City-
wide financial and accounting systems including accounts payable, accounts receivable, general
ledger, utility billing, payroll and tax processing to ensure appropriate fiscal controls are defined and
followed; develops specific and broad financial policies to ensure efficient use of City money.
• Formulates, revises and implements policies and procedures for managing financial transactions to
ensure compliance with Government Accounting Standards Board (GASB), Financial Accounting
Standards Board (FASB), Revised Code of Washington (RCW), Washington State Auditor’s Office
Director of Finance and Technology Services
(SAO), Budgetary, Accounting and Reporting Systems (BARS), and Generally Accepted
Accounting Principles (GAAP).
• Prepares and submits required financial statements and schedules annually to the Washington
State Auditor’s Office.
• Oversees billing and collection of City accounts receivable, local taxes, utility charges, fees,
contract development and administration, grant accounting and compliance, specification
development and the recommendation of purchases. Ensures proper safeguarding of agency funds
and assets.
• Performs debt management functions; ensures compliance with bond ordinances, bond coverage
and loan agreements; ensures all principal and interest payments are made.
• Directs investment/cash management activities to ensure compliance, eliminate cash deficiencies,
and meet maturity and return objectives. Organizes and directs the activities of the Finance and
Technology Services Department in a manner that optimizes the use of financial, physical and
human resources by working efficiently, accomplishing assigned functions, and achieving
objectives.
• Oversees some customer service-facing functions for the City of Port Townsend. Ensures the public
receives excellent customer service through attentive and responsive communications.
• Oversees and directs the City's financial operations within limits prescribed by law and in
accordance with guidelines established by generally accepted accounting principles and practices,
including the collection, investment, management and disbursement of public funds, City Council
financial policies and the maintenance of adequate internal financial controls.
• Coaches and mentors staff. Approves all selection, transfer, promotion, evaluation and termination
of employees within the Department.
• Oversees and coordinates the preparation of the annual City budget and Capital Facilities Plan.
• Estimates and justifies current and future revenues.
• Attends various meetings, serves as representative at meetings, committees and during labor
contract negotiations as required.
• Advises the City Manager, Department Directors, and the City Council regarding the budget
preparation process, consequences of fiscal alternatives, and the presentation and
recommendation of fiscal options.
• Maintains and updates the City's long-term financial forecast.
• Prepares and presents agenda materials for City Council briefings and Finance and Budget
Committee meetings.
• Assists City staff in interpreting financial information.
• Provides special analyses and reports for the City Manager and City Council to facilitate decision
making.
• Oversees the compilation and analysis of data and the development of meaningful presentations
and recommendations.
• Oversees the effective operation of the City’s technology services, consistent with recognized data
management practices and principles.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES
• Knowledge of generally accepted accounting principles and practices (GAAP).
• Extensive knowledge of local, state, and federal laws as they pertain to debt administration, LIDs,
treasury management, land use, budgeting and investment.
• Working knowledge of accounting principles and the State Budgeting, Accounting and Reporting
System (BARS).
• Knowledge of the American Institute of CPA's Audit Guide and Requirements.
• Knowledge of data processing capabilities for financial systems.
Director of Finance and Technology Services
• Knowledge of state laws pertaining to the offices of City Clerk and City Treasurer, especially the
Public Records Act.
• Knowledge of federal and state laws pertaining to the issuance of debt.
• Knowledge of state archive and retention guidelines.
• Knowledge of investment standards, practices, methods, and strategies.
• Skill in resolving complex problems and gaining cooperation among conflicting groups.
• Skill in preparing and directing the preparation of comprehensive budgets, analysis, reports,
recommendations, and correspondence.
• Communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to interact with diverse groups of people.
• Flexibility to adapt to changing circumstances, such as shifting priorities, unexpected challenges, or
variations in the workload, while maintaining composure and effectiveness.
• Ability to maintain cooperative and effective working relationships with co-workers, peers, elected
officials, community groups, other agencies, volunteers, customers, and the general public.
• Ability to effectively and efficiently communicate with team members, the general public, and other
departments, both verbally and in writing, using tact, patience and courtesy to convey instructions,
provide feedback, receive feedback, and resolve issues.
• Ability to implement effective internal controls.
• Ability to effectively delegate responsibility to subordinates.
• Ability to perform effective and accurate financial analyses.
• Ability to anticipate trends in the local and nation-wide economic environment.
• Ability to grasp complex system relationships to which accounting theory, effective production and
recording practices must be applied.
• Ability to invest the City's trust and agency funds using sound methods and judgment.
• Ability to effectively plan, develop and implement complex and detailed administrative projects.
• Ability to manage the diverse work activities of numerous highly skilled subordinates in a manner
conducive to proficient performance, high morale, and departmental effectiveness.
• Ability to communicate complex ideas to a variety of audiences in a clear comprehensive effective
and professional manner both verbally and in writing.
• Ability to organize, develop, and maintain a network of productive, harmonious relations with City
officials, the financial community, and the general public.
QUALIFICATIONS
Graduation from a four-year college or university with a degree in Finance, Accounting, Public
Administration, Business Administration, or other closely related subject that includes class experience
in accounting, investment, financial management and analysis, and information technology
administration. At least five years of progressively responsible experience in the preparation and
management of governmental budgets, accounting, auditing or a closely related field. At least three
years in a supervisory or management role. Governmental accounting and financial management
experience is preferred.
Certified Public Accountant, Masters in Business Administration or Masters in Finance Analysis is
preferred.
WORKING CONDITIONS
Duties are performed primarily in an office environment with sitting for long periods of time, utilizing
standard office equipment and personal computer. The noise level in the work environment is usually
moderately quiet. May be required to interact with upset customers. This position typically requires
movement around the office, reaching, pushing, grasping, finger dexterity, hearing, seeing and
Director of Finance and Technology Services
repetitive motions. Exerting up to 20 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 10 pounds of force
frequently, and/or a negligible amount of force constantly to move objects.
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to
successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to
enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
This job description in no way implies that these are the only duties to be performed. The employee
occupying the position will be required to follow any other job-related instructions and to perform any
other job-related duties requested by their supervisors. All employees must comply with all City
policies and procedures relevant to their position as a condition of City employment.
This job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the City and the employee
and is subject to change as the needs of the City and requirements of the job change.
The City of Port Townsend is an equal employment opportunity employer. The City employs, retains,
promotes, disciplines and otherwise treats all employees and job applicants strictly on the basis of job-
related qualifications and competence. These policies and all employment practices shall be applied
without regard to any individual's sex, race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sexual orientation
(including gender identity), pregnancy, age, marital status, military status, disability, genetic information,
or any other characteristic protected by law.