Director of Finance

Salary: $15,867.88 - $19,287.50 Monthly
Location : Placerville, CA
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Number:
Department: Finance
Opening Date: 10/16/2026
Closing Date: 12/18/2026 11:59 PM Pacific
FLSA: Exempt
Bargaining Unit: DDEG - Department Director Employee Group

DEFINITION
If you're a finance leader who wants more than a seat at the table, and who wants to help write the agenda, this is the role.

El Dorado Irrigation District is looking for a visionary finance executive to serve as Director of Finance and District Treasurer. You'll lead a talented team, guide the District's long-range financial planning, and partner with the General Manager and Board to fund the infrastructure of the next generation, all in the beautiful Sierra Nevada foothills near Lake Tahoe.

Want to know more? (Download the Director of Finance Recruitment Brochure).

A Message About This Opportunity

After steering the Finance Department through a period of significant progress, the District's current Director of Finance has announced her retirement. During her tenure, she led the Department in implementing several critical financial initiatives that have strengthened transparency and long-term financial resilience for the District; including the modernization of the District's financial system, continued recognition for excellence in financial reporting and the investment policy, improving financials and the advancement of a comprehensive rate study to guide the District's next chapter of fiscal planning.

To ensure a smooth leadership transition, the current Director of Finance plans to be with the District through April 2027, working closely alongside her successor to transfer institutional knowledge and support continuity across the Department's ongoing initiatives.

Consequently, her carefully planned and structured retirement creates an exciting opportunity for a new finance executive to build on this strong foundation and help shape the District's financial future.

EXAMPLES OF ESSENTIAL DUTIES
As Director of Finance for El Dorado Irrigation District, you won't be managing a single fund or a narrow slice of the budget. You'll sit at the helm of every dollar that keeps a full-service water utility running - drinking water, wastewater, recreation, recycled water, a 21-megawatt hydroelectric power system, and a fleet of vehicles and equipment that serves a 220-square-mile community. One day you're structuring debt financing for the District's next capital project; the next, you're presenting the ACFR to the Board; the next, you're at the table as a member of the District's MOU negotiation team. And running through all of it is the budget and financial planning work that ties the District together, which drives the development of the District's Capital Improvement Program and informs the rate strategy that will fund infrastructure for the next generation.

This is a single-executive level classification, so there's no ceiling above Finance Director except the General Manager and the Board themselves. You'll report directly to the General Manager, serve as District Treasurer, and lead a talented, multi-disciplinary team across accounting, budgeting, customer service, utility billing, and fleet operations.

You're stepping into a department with real momentum and a team recognized by GFOA and CMTA for excellence in financial reporting and investment policy, at the tale-end an ERP modernization, and final phases of completing a comprehensive rate study that will define the District's fiscal path forward. The foundation is strong. What this role offers is the chance to build on it and make it yours.

If you're energized by variety, want genuine ownership over strategy and execution, and are ready to be the financial voice for an organization the community depends on every single day, we want to hear from you.

The Ideal Candidate

We're looking for a proven finance executive who combines technical mastery of public-sector accounting and budgeting with the leadership skills to guide a large, multi-disciplinary team. The ideal candidate brings sound administrative and economic judgment, a track record of preparing and presenting clear financial statements and analysis, and the ability to build strong working relationships with the Board, District staff, and the public.

Experience with a water, wastewater, or other special district utility is a strong plus, as is a demonstrated ability to lead through change - from system modernization to long-range financial planning.

CLICK HERE TO REVIEW THE COMPLETE JOB DESCRIPTION

QUALIFICATIONS
Experience: Eight years of supervisory or higher-level experience involving the administration of a comprehensive finance program, including three years in a management capacity.

Education: Equivalent to a Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university, with major course work in accounting, finance, business, or public administration, or a related field.

Substitution: A Master's degree in one of the above fields may substitute for one year of the required supervisory (not management) experience.

License & Certificate: Possession of, or ability to obtain, a valid California driver's license at the time of appointment. Licensure as a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) is desirable.

SPECIAL QUALIFICATIONS
This exciting recruitment opportunity is open until filled. The first review of candidates will take place November 16, 2026 and/or as soon as a sufficient number of qualified candidates are received, whichever occurs sooner, so all are strongly encouraged to apply early. Interviews are anticipated the week of December 1-5, 2026.

Candidates interested in this exceptional opportunity must submit an application and responses to the supplemental questions.
We offer a comprehensive benefits package to full-time employees, including health care, dental, vision, pension, deferred compensation plans, flexible spending accounts, life insurance, holidays, vacation, and retiree health insurance benefits (subject to vesting schedule).
Health Insurance Benefits (Active Employees) - CalPERS plans, including PPOs and HMOs available

• Employer pays entire monthly premiums for employee or up to $2,758.51 for a family plan (100/85 split)

Health Insurance Benefits (Retiree) - CalPERS plans, including PPOs, HMO, and Senior plans available (subject to vesting schedule).

• Employer pays entire monthly premiums for employee-only coverage, or up to $2,758.51 for a family plan (100/85 split)

Dental Insurance (Delta Dental PPO Network)

• Employee only: No cost
• Employee + 1 Dependent - $2.85 biweekly
• Employee + 2 or more Dependents - $8.89 biweekly
• Orthodontic Benefits- 50% or $3,500 lifetime

Vision Insurance (VSP)

• Employee only: No cost
• Employee + 1 Dependent - $0.07 biweekly
• Employee + 2 or more Dependents - $0.57 biweekly
• Frames every 2 years & lenses every year

Flexible Spending Account- voluntary

• Health Care Expenses: $3,400 for 2026
• Dependent Care Expenses: $7,500 for 2026
• Pre-tax contributions with a P&A Group credit card for eligible expenses

Life & AD&D Insurance (Prudential)

• Coverage equal to one-time annual base salary (up to $150,000) - no cost to employee
• Additional coverage for employee and dependents available- voluntary

Deferred Compensation (457b plan)

• Voluntary pre-tax contributions via payroll deduction
• Catch-up provisions available at age 50

Retirement Benefits Defined Benefit Plans vary by hire date, age, years of service, and average monthly salary at retirement.

• Classic PERS Members: 2% @ 55 Plan
  • Employee contribution: 7%
  • Retirement pension will be calculated based on final (Three-year) compensation as defined by California Government Code 20037
• PEPRA Members: 2% formula @ 62
  • Employee Contribution: 7.5%
  • Retirement pension will be calculated based on final (Three-year) compensation as defined by California Government Code 20037

Paid Time Off (PTO)

• First 3 years - 176 hours (after 1-year probationary period)
• 4 to 9 years - 216 hours
• 10 to 14 years - 256 hours
• 15 or More Years - 296 hours

14 Paid Holidays (includes one personal business day, and two half days)

Tuition Reimbursement

• $3,000 per calendar year maximum after probation

Desired Training

• $750 per calendar year maximum

For more information, please visit our benefits page.
01

The information provided in your application must support your selected answers in the supplemental questions. The information you provide will be verified and documentation may be required. Please ensure your answers are honest and accurate. You may be asked to demonstrate your knowledge and skills in a work sample or during an interview. By completing this supplemental questionnaire you are attesting that the information you have provided is accurate. Any misstatements, omissions, or falsification of information may eliminate you from consideration or result in dismissal.Please read each question carefully and provide a thorough and complete response. Do NOT state "see resume" or "see application" to respond to any of the following questions. Failure to respond to all questions will be considered an incomplete application and may not be considered for further processing.

• Yes, I understand and agree
• No, I do not agree

02

Do you possess a Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in accounting, finance, business, public administration, or a related field?

• Yes
• No

03

Which statement below best describes the highest level of education you have completed?

• Bachelor's degree
• Master's degree
• Professional degree
• Doctorate degree

04

How many years of supervisory or higher-level experience do you have that involved administering a comprehensive finance program?

• Less than 7 years
• 7 to less than 8 years
• 8 or more years

05

Of that experience, how many years were in a management capacity?

• Less than 3 years
• 3 or more years

06

Capital Improvement Program (CIP) Planning & Debt FinancingDescribe your experience developing and financing a multi-year Capital Improvement Program, including prioritizing competing projects, identifying and securing funding sources (e.g., bonds, loans, grants), and coordinating with engineering, operations, or other departments. What was your specific role, and w