Chief Financial Officer

Salary : $244,820.00 - $342,749.00 Annually
Location : Millbrae, CA
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Number: 2026-ESCFO
Division: Finance
Opening Date: 04/10/2026


General


The Chief Financial Officer (CFO) oversees the Finance Division and is responsible for provision of the full array of financial and risk management services for the San Mateo County Transit District (SamTrans), the Peninsula Corridor Joint Powers Board (Caltrain), the San Mateo County Transportation Authority (SMCTA),and the San Mateo County Express Lanes Joint Powers Authority (SMCEL JPA).

Essential Functions & Duties

Examples of Essential Functions:
• The CFO is accountable for financial operations of SamTrans, Caltrain, TA and SMCEL JPA including the development of financial and operational strategies and metrics as well as the on-going monitoring of control systems to accurately report financial results and preserve assets.
• The CFO will lead the Finance Division team in the management of all financial activities including compliant and timely provision of treasury services, debt management, fare collection, accounts payable and receivable, payroll, general ledger, grants procurement and monitoring, grants and capital accounting, and internal controls and audit functions.
• The CFO is responsible for providing oversight of financial capacity modeling, including short and long-term revenue and expense forecasting for the agencies; development and implementation of the budgets, including policies and procedures, monitoring of budget activities and timely reporting; and the preparation and presentation of the financial statements for the agencies to their respective Boards of Directors.
• The CFO shall cooperate with the Caltrain Director of Budgets whose position provides direction, policy guidance and strategy on all financial analysis and budgeting matters related to Caltrain, and determines the Caltrain work plan for finance and budgets and coordinates with the CFO to implement the direction of the JPB and the Caltrain ED.
• The CFO shall cooperate with the Caltrain Director of Grants and Funds Management whose position provides direction, policy guidance and strategy on the pursuit and management of all grants and public funding sources of interest to Caltrain, and determines the Caltrain work plan for grants and coordinates with the CFO or his/her designee in the area of Grants and Fund Management to implement the direction of the JPB and the Caltrain ED.
• The CFO will also be responsible for working with the Caltrain Executive Director to ensure local, state, and federal compliance of accounting, audit, budget, grants and funding management, and investment functions for Caltrain.
• The CFO is responsible for risk and claim management, including oversight of insurance services for the agencies to help manage risks, and the claim management processes.
• The CFO will oversee the provision of policy directions to ensure shared financial services are provided in a manner that is equitable and meets the needs of all agencies.
• The CFO will participate as a member of the General Manager/CEO's executive team in policy development and implementation.
• The CFO will provide short and long-term strategic financial advice, ensuring financial sustainability and stewardship.
• The CFO will provide financial advice and support in connection with major capital and operating projects for the agencies.
• The CFO will ensure that all financial reports are prepared in a timely, transparent, and accurate manner.
• The CFO is responsible for supervising staff, including hiring, mentoring and taking appropriate corrective and/or disciplinary action. The CFO will also ensure EEO and affirmative action policies and procedures are followed as well as participating in the selection and coordination for staff training and professional development, establish performance objectives, monitor and evaluate employee performance.

Examples of Duties:
• Provide guidance and recommendations on financial matters to the Chief Executives of each of the agencies (SamTrans, Caltrain, SMCTA, and SMCEL JPA) and members of the respective Boards and internal customers.
• Oversee the preparation, implementation and control of the Agencies' operating and capital budgets, forecast revenues, expenditures and year-end balances.
• Forecasting and modeling and the management of debt for all agencies, including reimbursement and revenue bonds, other short and long-term debt instruments and the investment of funds including bonds and note proceeds.
• Provide guidance and policy directions to the Finance team members to ensure shared services are equitably provided to these agencies.
• Direct the development of the agencies' grant strategies, in coordination with other internal stakeholders including Government Affairs, and execute such strategies in a timely fashion to ensure effective and maximum leverage of external funding with internal financial resources.
• Ensure that all financial and budget reports are prepared in accordance with the Agencies' deadlines.
• Evaluate job performance of staff which also includes the professional development of staff through the identification of on-the-job and other professional development opportunities.
• Responsible for the presentation of the monthly financial statements for the Agencies' Boards of Directors at public Board meetings.
• Perform all job duties and responsibilities in a safe manner to protect oneself, fellow employees and the public from injury or harm. Promote safety awareness and follow safety procedures to reduce or eliminate accidents.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Supervision: The CFO reports to the General Manager/CEO who establishes goals and objectives and evaluates performance.

Minimum Qualifications


Sufficient experience, training and/or education to demonstrate the knowledge and ability to successfully perform the essential functions of the position. In lieu of a degree, work-related experience that demonstrates the skills and experience necessary to perform this role will be accepted. Development of the required knowledge and abilities is typically obtained through but not limited to:

• Bachelor's degree in accounting/financial management or a related field. A Master's degree in a related field may substitute for up to one years of the required experience.
• Ten (10) years of increasingly responsible experience managing and administering financial services.
• Six (6) years' experience managing senior level finance/accounting managers.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Outstanding people and interpersonal skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills Demonstrated ability and knowledge about the implementation of financing mechanisms and concepts, debt management and treasury.
• Outstanding working knowledge of budgeting practices and implementation of budgetary policies, financial reporting, GAAP, governmental and grant accounting, including government accounting and auditing standards.

Additional Information
Applications must be sent to


The selection process may include a panel interview, written and skills test assessments, or supplemental questions. Only those candidates who are the most qualified will continue in the selection process. Meeting the minimum qualifications does not guarantee an invitation to continue in the process.
How to Apply

• Complete an online employment application by 11:59 p.m. of the listed closing date. Resumes and cover letters will not be accepted in lieu of fully completed applications. It is the applicant's responsibility to ensure that applications are completed with all relevant information (experience, education, certifications, licenses, references and/or other information).
• The Human Resources Department will make reasonable efforts in the recruitment/examination process to accommodate applicants with disabilities upon request. If you have a need for an accommodation, please contact the Human Resources Department.
• We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive and welcoming workplace environment. We are an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer. Minorities, Women, Persons with Disabilities and Veterans are encouraged to apply.

Below is a summary of the comprehensive benefits provided to District full-time employees:


Health and Welfare Benefits:

• Healthcare Benefits -District employees are offered a choice of healthcare providers under the CalPERS Health Benefits Program. The District will contribute ninety (90) percent towards monthly premiums for full-time employees. Fifty (50) percent for part-time employees.
  
  
• Free Dental and Vision Benefits provided - Employer Covers Premiums
  
  
• Free Employee Assistance Benefit - Employees are entitled to 5 face-to-face sessions or telephonic or web-video consultations for problem-solving support per incident, per calendar year.

• Flexible Spending Accounts - Pre-tax dollars to pay for qualified Health or Dependent Care expenses.

Retirement Medical Benefits:

• Long Term Disability Insurance - After 90 days of total disability, Administrative full-time employees are eligible for 60% of monthly income covered by the District.
  
  
• Health and Wellness - Gyms located at most work locations and discounted Weight Watcher Membership Option.

Holidays and Paid Time Off:

• Paid Time Off - Newly hired employees accrue 6.5 hours bi-weekly when hired (if Exempt 8.25 hours). As you move up in years of service credit, the rate of the amount of PTO accrued will also increase.
  
  
• Paid Holidays - The District provides seven paid holidays throughout the year - New Years Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day (July 4th), Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day
  
  
• Floating Holidays - District employees can earn up to five (5) floating holidays.

Financial Planning Benefits:

• Pension Benefits through CalPERS -You must have a minimum of 5 years of service to be eligible for this pension.

• CalPERS PEPRA vs. Classic - All employees hired on, or after January 1, 2013, are considered PEPRA members and will contribute 8% of their salary up to the maximum IRS cut-off. All Classic members will contribute 6%
  
  
• Deferred Compensation Options - Select to contribute to one or both of our Tax Deferred Compensation Options
  
  
• Reliance Standard Life Insurance with 100% premium paid by the District - 1 times annual salary of employee - max $200,000
  
  
• Optional Life Insurance - Employees may purchase additional life insurance for themselves and their eligible family members.

Growth and Education Benefits:

• Professional Development - Access to LinkedIn Learning and San Mateo County's professional training. District Tuition Reimbursement Program - A maximum of $5,250 per year for courses related to your job or career goals with the District.
  
  
• Computer Loan Program - Interest-free two-year loan with a maximum amount of $2,000.

Other Amazing Benefits:

• Credit Union - Employees and family members are eligible to join the San Mateo Credit Union and Patelco Credit Union.
  
  
• Employee Clean Commute (ECC) - Car/Van poolers and Public Transit riders receive a monthly reimbursement.
  
  
• Commuter Benefits - Free Employee Parking; Free Bus Pass for employee as well as children/spouse; Clipper Card/Go Pass Program for Central employees.

For union employees, all of the above benefits are subject to the employee's Collective Bargaining Agreement. Benefits listed are also subject to change with or without notice and are subject to contract/provider terms and conditions.