Chief Financial Officer (Carrboro)

Orange Water and Sewer Authority (OWASA)

Chief Financial Officer

OWASA is searching for a highly experienced, strategic thinker and community‑minded Chief Financial Officer. This role makes financial decisions and recommendations that support a strategy designed to minimize cost to rate payers and provide future financial stability and funding needed for capital investments and operating costs.

We are grateful to be our community’s trusted partner for clean water and environmental protection. Through teamwork and collaboration, we deliver valuable water and wastewater services essential for our community.

Key Responsibilities

• Prepares the annual budget and schedule of rates, fees and charges. Uses sophisticated financial models; manages cash flow associated with timing and level of debt financing; ensures compliance with federal and state laws including related reporting requirements.
• Monitors credit ratings and impacts to the organization’s credit worthiness, long‑term debt and ongoing debt service obligations.
• Monitors financial markets and seeks opportunities for bond refunding to save on future debt service; maintains up‑to‑date policies; makes decisions on the timing of debt issuances in consideration of market conditions and on selection of debt financing partners.
• Secures and administers outside funding such as bonds, loans and grants.
• Prepares highly complex financial statements, reports and presentations for the Executive Director and the Board of Directors.
• Interacts with local, state, and federal agencies; reviews and awards various contracts for services and/or construction with approval of the Executive Director and Board of Directors.
• Manages projects by developing various plans; organizing departmental activities; solving problems; conducting internal document review; and coordinating with legal counsel.
• Provides highly complex administrative support to the Executive Director and serves as Acting Executive Director.
• Supports and leads a team of professionals in the following positions: Director of Finance, Director of Community Relations, Director of Human Resources and Director of Information Technology. Directs the development, implementation, and maintenance of all procedures and systems of:
  • Finance, accounting and payroll administration including cost accounting, tax reporting, fixed assets, financial reporting, procurement, annual financial audit, and accounts payable functions.
  • All aspects of billing, collection and customer service activities.
  • Internal and external communication activities and the organization’s communication efforts.
  • Technical work and strategy related to the organization’s Information Technology and Operational Technology infrastructure, cybersecurity, system architecture to support business functions, communication and supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) Systems.
  • Human Resource programs such as recruitment and retention; diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging; workforce development; competitive benefits; performance appraisals; general discipline matters; investigations; discrimination; and grievances.

Qualifications

• Requires a bachelor’s degree in business, public administration, finance, accounting, economics; graduate degree preferred. Minimum of 10 years experience with three years of senior management experience, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Certified Public Accounting license and/or North Carolina Finance Officers Certification and/or Certified Public Finance Officer designation from the Government Finance Officers Association preferred.
• Deep understanding of local government financing, accounting, budgeting, and purchasing laws.

• Ability to translate complex financial data into easily understood presentations for boards of directors and the public.
• Outstanding communication skills and the ability to lead, mentor and coach.
• Service‑oriented attitude, professionalism, and a passion to foster a diverse and inclusive work environment are necessary.
• Ability to establish and maintain respectful and harmonious relationships with others both inside and outside the organization.

Pay and Benefits

• Salary Range: $150,750 - $226,125
• Membership in the NC Local Government Employee Retirement System
• 5% Employer 457 Deferred Compensation contribution
• Retirement Health Savings account
• Employer paid Health, Dental, Vision, Life insurance, Dependent Life, Long‑term Disability
• Vacation, Sick, Personal, Bereavement and Parental Leave
• Twelve Paid Holidays
• Educational Reimbursement: Bonus Pay for Additional Certifications and/or Education
• Cell Phone Stipend
• Ability to transfer unused sick leave from preceding NC Local Government or state agency employer
• Much, much more!

Team members are our most important resource. OWASA is an Equal Opportunity Employer, and we value diverse experiences. We provide competitive pay and benefits in a safe, rewarding work environment. Visit to apply for this excellent opportunity. This recruitment will close August 6, 2026.