Salary : $181,116.00 - $220,168.00 Annually
Location : City Hall, Shafter, CA
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Number: 26/13
Department: Finance
Opening Date: 08/24/2026
Closing Date: 9/7/2026 11:59 PM Pacific

Objective
This is a contract-based position.
Under administrative direction, plan, organize, manage, and provide administrative direction and oversight for all functions and activities of the Finance and Transit Division. Direct and administer the fiscal operations and activities of the City, which include budgeting, investments, financial transaction processing, record keeping and reporting, payroll, accounts payable, accounts receivable, utility billing, and business licensing. Coordinate assigned activities with other City departments, officials, outside agencies, and the public. Foster cooperative working relationships among City departments and with intergovernmental and regulatory agencies and various public and private groups. Provide highly responsible and complex professional assistance to the City Manager in areas of expertise. Perform related duties as assigned.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

This is a Department Head classification with overall responsibility for the administration and strategic direction of the Finance and Transit Division. The incumbent exercises broad discretion over departmental operations, resources, programs, and services; serves as a member of the City's executive leadership team; and is accountable for achieving departmental goals and aligning departmental activities with Citywide strategic objectives.
Essential Job Duties and Responsibilities
The duties listed below are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to this class.

• Assume full management responsibility for all Finance and Transit Division programs, services, and activities.
• Develop, direct, and coordinate the implementation of goals, objectives, policies, procedures, and work standards for the department; establish, within City policy, appropriate budget, service, and staffing levels.
• 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 approval of expenditures; direct and implement adjustments as necessary.
• Select, train, motivate, and direct assigned staff; establish performance expectations and evaluate performance; oversee employee development, performance management and disciplinary matters in accordance with City policies and procedures.

• Evaluate the efficiency and effectiveness of departmental operations and service delivery methods and procedures; assess and monitor staffing, workflows, support systems, and internal reporting relationships; identify opportunities for improvement; direct the implementation of change.

• Coordinate the development and administration of the entire City's annual budget and Capital Improvement Program budget; provide for financial forecasting and planning; track the adopted budget and prepare periodic budget reviews for submission to City departments.
• Establish and oversee Citywide budgeting, accounting, financial reporting, and internal control practices; evaluate financial procedures and controls; respond to and implement audit recommendations; and ensure compliance with applicable governmental accounting and financial reporting requirements.
• Manage the City's investment portfolio; ensure that investments meet the City's policy guidelines and that adequate cash is available to meet obligations; prepare periodic reports regarding investments to the City Council.
• Oversee the City's accounting and financial transaction functions, including financial record keeping and reporting, payroll, accounts payable, accounts receivable, utility billing, warrants, cash receipts, and financial systems.
• Coordinate the issuance and administration of debt issues; coordinate with the City Manager, appropriate department, bond attorney, financial advisor, and underwriter on new or refunding issues; provide public financial information on debt.
• Oversee the licensing of businesses in accordance with City code, including the issuance of various permits.
• Oversee the operations, programs, services, staffing, and regulatory compliance of the Transit Division; ensure effective and efficient delivery of City transit services. Direct Finance and Transit procurement and contracting activities, including preparation and issuance of Requests for Proposals (RFPs), evaluation of proposals, recommendations regarding the selection of consultants and vendors, negotiation and administration of contracts, and coordination with risk management and legal counsel as appropriate. Advise the City Manager, executive team, and departments on complex financial, budgetary, and related matters; represent the department with elected officials, outside agencies, and other organizations; explain and interpret departmental programs and policies; and assist in resolving significant or sensitive issues. Attend and participate in professional group meetings, hearing, and conferences to represent the City.
• Maintain and direct the maintenance of working and official departmental files.
• Monitor changes in laws, regulations, governmental accounting standards, financial practices, and technology affecting City or departmental operations; implement policy and procedural changes as required.
• Prepare, review, and present staff reports, financial analyses, management updates, and special project reports as directed by the City Manager; deliver presentations to the City Council and various committees, boards, and commissions, providing financial analysis and recommendations on matters within the areas of assignment.
• Respond to complex and sensitive inquiries and complaints related to departmental programs and services; facilitate resolutions and provide recommendations as appropriate.
• Perform duties of a disaster services worker in the event of an emergency.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Minimum Requirements
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor's Degree from an accredited four-year college or university with major coursework in finance, accounting, economics, business or public administration, or a related field; and
• Seven (7) years of management and/or administrative experience in municipal finance and accounting, including five (5) years of supervisory experience. Government sector experience preferred.
• A Master's degree in a related field is highly desirable.
• Relevant experience may be substituted for education on a year-for-year basis.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Knowledge of:

• Principles and practices of public municipal administration, including budget development, contract administration, policy development, strategic and organizational planning, program management, and evaluations of operational needs.
• Principles and practices of public-sector financial management, governmental accounting, public finance administration, budgeting, auditing, reconciliation, municipal taxation, revenue management, and internal financial controls.
• Applicable Federal, State, and local laws, codes, regulations, governmental accounting standards, and financial reporting requirements.
• Principles, practices, methods, procedures, and regulatory requirements applicable to municipal transit operations.
• Principles and practices of employee supervision and administration, including goal setting, work planning and assignment, performance review and evaluation, program development and implementation, and staff training and development, either directly or through subordinate supervisors.
• Methods and techniques for contract negotiations, development of presentations, business correspondence, research, analysis, financial reporting, and information distribution.
• Record keeping principles and procedures.
• Modern office practices, methods, computer equipment, and computer applications.
• English usage, grammar, spelling, vocabulary, and punctuation.
• Techniques for effectively representing the City with governmental agencies, elected officials, community groups, businesses, professional and regulatory organizations, vendors, contractors, and the public.
• Techniques for providing a high level of customer service and effectively resolving complex or sensitive issues.

Skilled in:

• Setting priorities and being able to meet assignment deadlines.
• Good judgment, dependability, and adaptability.
• Communication to effectively convey ideas, both written and oral.
• Advanced Database skills, such as the ability to sort and retrieve records, create layouts and reports, and add, edit, and delete fields and reports.
• Advanced spreadsheet skills, including the ability to insert formulas and mathematical calculations; create workbooks, use multiple worksheets; format and print worksheets; sort lists; create graphs and charts.

Ability to:

• Develop and implement goals, objectives, policies, procedures, work standards, and internal controls for the department and assigned program areas.
• Provide administrative and professional leadership and direction for the department and the City.
• Develop, administer, and oversee large and complex departmental and Citywide budgets; effectively allocate and manage financial and organizational resources.
• Interpret, apply, explain, and ensure compliance with Federal, State, and local laws, regulations, policies, procedures, governmental accounting standards, and financial reporting requirements.
• Plan, organize, direct, and coordinate the work of management, supervisory, professional, technical, and operational personnel; delegate authority and responsibility.
• Select, train, motivate, and evaluate the work of staff.
• Research, analyze, and evaluate new service delivery methods, procedures, and techniques.
• Effectively administer complex projects, programs, and contractual agreements and ensure compliance with applicable requirements
• Effectively represent the City and the department in meetings with governmental agencies, contractors, vendors, and various businesses, professional, regulatory, and legislative organizations.
• Prepare clear and concise reports, correspondence, policies, procedures, and other written materials.
• Conduct complex research projects, evaluate alternatives, make sound recommendations, and prepare effective technical staff reports.
• Establish and maintain a variety of filing, record-keeping, and tracking systems.
• Organize and prioritize a variety of projects and multiple tasks in an effective and timely manner; organize own work, set priorities, and meet critical time deadlines.
• Operate modern office equipment, including computer equipment and specialized software applications programs.
• Use English effectively to communicate in person, over the telephone, and in writing.
• Use tact, initiative, prudence, and independent judgment within general policy, procedural, and legal guidelines.
• Establish, maintain, and foster positive and harmonious working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION

The conditions herein are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job functions.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS

• Sit for prolonged periods of time.
• Verbally communicate to exchange information.
• Hear, understand, and distinguish speech and/or other sounds in person and by telephone.
• Use hands to fingers, feel computers and standard business equipment; make repetitive hand movements in the performance of daily duties.
• Lift, carry, push, and/or pull up to 25 lbs. amounts of weight.
• Occasionally bend, stoop, kneel, reach, push, and pull drawers open and closed to retrieve and file information.
• Visual requirements include close vision and the ability to adjust focus.

MENTAL DEMANDS

• Use written and oral communication skills.
• Interpret data, information, and documents.
• Analyze and solve complex problems.
• Work under deadlines with constant interruptions.
• Interact with City management, staff, the public, and others encountered in the course of work, some of whom may be dissatisfied or quarrelsome.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

• Work is performed primarily in an indoor environment.

All City of Shafter employees are designated "Disaster Service Workers" through state and local laws (CA Government Code Section 3100-3109). As Disaster Service Workers, all City employees are expected to remain at work or report to work as soon as practicable following a significant emergency or disaster.