Assistant Deputy Director - Finance - 920 (Unclassified)

City of San Diego, CA

$214K *
Finance & Insurance
5 - 7 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in engineering, business administration, public administration, or a related field.
  • Five (5) years of progressive managerial experience in large water or wastewater utilities.
  • Knowledge of wastewater systems and advanced water treatment is a plus.
  • Experience in water and wastewater operations is essential.
  • Equivalent combinations of education and experience may be considered.

Responsibilities

  • Oversee financial reporting and disclosures for the utility.
  • Direct staff in the annual financial review of the Metropolitan Wastewater Treatment System.
  • Review major agreements and reports to ensure financial accuracy and policy adherence.
  • Educate divisions on sound financial management and resource allocation principles.
  • Assess financial impacts of capital projects and regulatory compliance.

Benefits

  • Pension reciprocity depending on eligibility status.
  • Cafeteria-style health and wellness plans or cash waivers.
  • 11 paid holidays plus 1 floating holiday per year.
  • Up to 216 hours of paid leave based on years of service.
  • Paid parental leave up to 320 hours for childbirth or placement.
  • Paid bereavement leave up to 40 hours per fiscal year.
  • Tuition reimbursement up to $2,000 per year.
  • Access to transit passes for free public transportation.
  • Discounts on city golf courses and fitness memberships.
  • City-paid life insurance.
Full Job Description
Salary : $214,032.00 Annually
Location : City of San Diego, CA
Job Type: Unclassified
Job Number: 920
Business Area: 2000 - Public Utilities
Personnel Area: 6240 - PU Administrative Services
Opening Date: 07/31/2026
Closing Date: 8/6/2026 11:59 PM Pacific

JOB INFORMATION
The Assistant Deputy Director of Finance plays a pivotal role in ensuring the robust financial health and strategic integrity of the Water and Wastewater Utility systems within the Public Utilities Department. Reporting to the Deputy Director of Finance, this position is central to managing the financial intricacies of a utility with a substantial annual operating budget of $1.6 billion, guiding financial policy and ensuring fiscal transparency for leadership and stakeholders.

Key Responsibilities:
  • Financial Stewardship & Reporting:

Oversee critical financial functions including the preparation and review of comprehensive financial disclosures for official statements, development of strategic financial presentations for City Council, and management of bond offerings that secure the utility's capital needs.
  • Metropolitan Wastewater System Financial Oversight:

Directs staff responsible for the annual financial review of expenses for the Metropolitan Wastewater Treatment System (operated in partnership with regional participating agencies). This includes comprehensive financial reporting to member agencies and providing crucial financial expertise and support to the agreement negotiation team.
  • Strategic Financial Review & Impact Assessment:

Serves as a key reviewer for the department's major agreements, strategic reports, and presentations. Given the significant financial scope of regulatory compliance, large capital projects, litigation, and inter-agency agreements, this role ensures financial consistency, accurate impact assessment, and adherence to financial policy across the utility. This involves connecting high-level financial implications to broader departmental operations and strategic objectives.
  • Financial Policy & Resource Management Education:

Critically, this position is responsible for educating operating and supporting divisions on the principles of sound financial management and resource allocation within the "One Water" department. This ensures their understanding of how costs are structured and supported by two distinct ratepayer systems (Water and Wastewater), aligning operational decisions with overall financial sustainability goals.

This role offers a unique opportunity to directly influence financial sustainability, strategic direction, and overall financial governance of a vital public utility, working at the intersection of policy and practice.

Minimum Qualifications:
  • Bachelor's degree in engineering, business administration, public administration, or a related field.
  • Minimum of five (5) years of progressively responsible managerial experience, including management of large water or wastewater utilities.
  • Knowledge of wastewater conveyance, treatment, disposal, monitoring, and advanced water treatment is highly desirable.
  • Demonstrated experience in water and/or wastewater operations.
  • An equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered.

The Department:

The Public Utilities Department provides reliable and sustainable water and wastewater services to San Diego. Focusing on efficiency, innovation, and environmental stewardship, the department ensures high-quality water delivery and effective wastewater and stormwater management. The department operates through the Water Utility Fund, Municipal Wastewater Fund, and Metropolitan Wastewater Fund, serving retail, wholesale, and reclaimed water customers. The department is implementing the Pure Water San Diego project, which uses advanced water purification technology to provide a safe, sustainable, and drought-proof drinking water supply for the City. For more information, please visit the

Benefits:

The City offers a robust benefits package that includes:
  • , including pension reciprocity, dependent on an employee's eligibility status (new hire, rehire, etc.).
  • A wide variety of cafeteria-style health and wellness plans or in-lieu cash waiver.
  • 11 paid City holidays per calendar year and 1 floating holiday per fiscal year.
  • Approximately 176 hours of paid annual leave for an employee's first 15 years of service, and approximately 216 hours for 16+ years of service.
  • Up to 24 hours of paid discretionary leave per fiscal year.
  • Up to 320 hours of paid Parental Leave per childbirth or placement of a child.
  • Up to 40 hours of paid Bereavement Leave per fiscal year.
  • Tuition reimbursement up to $2,000 per fiscal year, and complimentary LinkedIn Learning professional development opportunities.
  • Free transit pass (including MTS Trolley, MTS Bus, and all Rapid and Rapid Express bus services).
  • Access to premier City golf courses at a discounted rate.
  • Reduced-rate fitness center memberships.
  • City-paid life insurance.

For additional details, please review the or contact the Benefits Division of the Risk Management Department at (619) 236-5924.

Pre-Employment Requirements and Screening Process:
Employment offers are conditional, pending the results of all screening processes applicable to the position. All the processes required by the City of San Diego must be successfully completed before employment begins. Please refer to the for additional information. Nothing in this job posting constitutes or should be construed as part of an express or implied contract for employment with the City of San Diego.

Resumes will be screened according to the qualifications outlined above and the most qualified candidates will be invited to interview.

Apply:
The City offers a robust benefits package that includes:
  • , including pension reciprocity, dependent on an employee's eligibility status (new hire, rehire, etc.).
  • A wide variety of cafeteria-style health and wellness plans or in-lieu cash waiver.
  • 11 paid City holidays per calendar year and 1 floating holiday per fiscal year.
  • Approximately 176 hours of paid annual leave for an employee's first 15 years of service, and approximately 216 hours for 16+ years of service.
  • Up to 24 hours of paid discretionary leave per fiscal year.
  • Up to 320 hours of paid Parental Leave per childbirth or placement of a child.
  • Up to 40 hours of paid Bereavement Leave per fiscal year.
  • Tuition reimbursement up to $2,000 per fiscal year, and complimentary LinkedIn Learning professional development opportunities.
  • Free transit pass (including MTS Trolley, MTS Bus, and all Rapid and Rapid Express bus services).
  • Access to premier City golf courses at a discounted rate.
  • Reduced-rate fitness center memberships.
  • City-paid life insurance.

For additional details, please review the or contact the Benefits Division of the Risk Management Department at (619) 236-5924.

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