Head of Finance, Payroll & Operations

To provide executive level management over the assigned department. Plan, direct, coordinate, and manage operations and activities for the department.

This is an executive management classification. Directors receive administrative direction from the City Manager, Assistant City Manager, and the Deputy City Manager, and are responsible for providing overall management of all activities and functions of the department assigned.

Develop and implement departmental goals, objectives, policies, and priorities; Provide overall management for all Department programs.

Manage and participate in the development and administration of the department's annual budget; direct the forecast of additional funds needed for staffing, equipment, materials, and supplies; direct the monitoring of and approve expenditures; Exercise direct supervision over program managers, professional staff, and technical staff; Develop and implement community engagement strategies; develop and evaluate the effectiveness of community engagement goals, objectives, policies, programs and procedures; develop programs and projects utilizing extensive community participation.

Act as liaison to City-sponsored community groups in evaluating community engagement needs and issues; represent the City at community planning, inter-agency and professional meetings and conferences.

Present recommendations to City Council, City Manager, Executive Management Team, Commissions, City departments, governmental organizations, and professional associations; Interpret departmental policies and governing codes and regulations to departmental employees.

Formulate and recommend plans to meet the current and future community service needs.

Respond to difficult and sensitive public inquiries and complaints and assist with resolutions and alternative recommendations.

Operations

Directs and oversees the City’s Finance, Information Technology, and Purchasing operations to ensure efficient, effective, and compliant service delivery.

Develops and administers the City’s operating and capital budgets, financial plans, investments, debt, and financial reporting.

Oversees accounting, payroll, treasury, audits, grants, and compliance with applicable laws, regulations, and accounting standards.

Directs information technology operations, including cybersecurity, enterprise systems, network infrastructure, and technology planning.

Administers the City’s procurement and contracting programs, including purchasing policies, competitive solicitations, contract administration, and public contracting compliance.

Advises executive leadership on financial, technology, procurement, and organizational matters while leading departmental staff and strategic initiatives.

Principles and practices of municipal finance, budgeting, accounting, treasury, and financial reporting.

Governmental accounting standards, public finance, auditing, and applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations.

Public procurement, contracting, competitive bidding, and contract administration practices.

Information technology systems, cybersecurity, network infrastructure, enterprise applications, and technology governance.

Strategic planning, organizational management, performance measurement, and continuous process improvement.

Principles of leadership, supervision, employee development, and performance management.

Risk management, internal controls, and business continuity planning.

Public administration principles and the organization and operation of local government.

Modern office technology, financial management systems, and software applications.

Communicate clearly and concisely, both verbally and in writing.

Interpret, apply, and ensure compliance with Federal, State, and local policies, procedures, laws, and regulations.

Plan, organize and direct a community-wide engagement program; analyze and resolve community needs and issues.

Build strong interpersonal relations within the community.

Select, manage, supervise, train and evaluate assigned staff.

Understand, explain and apply policies and procedures.

Analyze unusual situations and resolve them through application and management and principles and practices.

Stay current with new legislation, laws, regulations, trends, and technologies pertaining to neighborhood and community services.

Develop new policies impacting divisional operations/procedures.

Properly interpret and make decisions in accordance with laws, regulations, and policies.

A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in public administration, recreation administration, business administration, or a related field. Five years of progressively responsible management and supervisory experience with program and policy development in the assigned department.

frequent writing; Hearing/Talking: frequent hearing and talking, in person and on the phone.

occasional working alone.

Environmental: frequent exposure to noise.

Work is performed in a typical temperature-controlled office environment subject to typical office noise and environment.

Position regularly requires work outside normal business hours including after hours and, weekend work and travel is occasional.

This is a Confidential position.

FLSA: Overtime exempt

Its family-oriented and culturally enhancing venues, such as the Palmdale Playhouse, DryTown Water Park and Palmdale Amphitheater, make Palmdale "a place to call home." The City is served by several school districts and has a growing retail and commercial base. BUSINESS HOURS: UNION: The Teamsters Local 986 represents certain positions in the City's Public Works Maintenance Division and Parks and Recreation Department.

These are at-will positions and do not serve a probationary period.

The benefits listed here apply to full-time positions, not to part-time employees unless described.

VACATION, HOLIDAYS AND LEAVE: The City provides 15 paid holidays per year and 80 hours vacation (years one through four) with a maximum accrual of 240 hours. Exempt employees accrue 80 hours of administrative leave per year with a maximum accrual of 240 hours.

Part-time employees shall accrue one (1) hour of Sick Leave for every 20 hours worked. Total accrued bank sick leave may not exceed 80 hours.

RETIREMENT: The City is a member of the California Public Employees' Retirement System (CalPERS). Full-time employees will be enrolled in either the New Member or Classic plan, as defined by CalPERS. All other part-time employees are covered under the Public Agency Retirement Services (PARS).

DIRECT DEPOSIT: Direct Deposit is mandatory for all new employees.

The City offers group health, dental/vision, long term and short term disability, and a $50,000 life insurance policy for full-time employees. The City contributes towards the employee's health insurance.

The City offers a Deferred Compensation Plan which enables full-time employees to contribute on a tax deferred basis. BILINGUAL STIPEND: Eligible employees may receive bilingual pay.

OVERTIME COMPENSATION: Overtime is accrued at time-and-a-half for eligible employees for time physically worked in excess of the regular 40-hour work week.

PART-TIME EMPLOYEES: Part-time employees are reviewed for merit salary advancement but are not eligible for any other benefits listed.

MILEAGE PAY: Any employee may be reimbursed for work related mileage at a rate consistent with IRS guidelines when assigned to use their private vehicle on City business.