Purpose

The Water Financial Manager organizes, coordinates, directs, and administers the financial activities of Milwaukee Water Works (MWW).

Essential Functions

Fiscal Management

• Serve as the utility's fiduciary by ensuring the financial viability of the utility.
• Coordinate with the Office of the Comptroller, Budget and Management Division, and Office of the City Treasurer to develop the financial picture and balance sheets for the MWW.
• Review the full spectrum of financial statements prepared for both Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) and Public Service Commission of Wisconsin (PSC) accounting.
• Ensure detailed inventory and cost records are maintained in accordance with GAAP and PSC accounting requirements.
• Use full life-cycle costs to establish and maintain an effective balance between debt, operations and maintenance expenses, capital needs, and operating revenues.
• Prepare spending and revenue projections and develop strategies to meet the utility's financial needs.
• Manage debt services, financing applications and processing.
• Manage various grant applications and reimbursements.
• Represent the utility in financial dealings with other public and private agencies and regulatory bodies; attend and present to Common Council committees.

Rate and Revenues Management

• Prepare MWW applications to the PSC for simplified and conventional rate adjustments to water rates and associated service charges.
• Collaborate with other MWW managers to recommend appropriate adjustments to water service charges.
• Develop and justify MWW requests for rate adjustments and work with consultants to complete Cost of Service Studies (COSS) required for conventional rate cases.
• Respond to data requests from the PSC, monitor the ongoing progress of rate cases and oversee the implementation of new water rates and service charges.
• Oversee the billing and collection of $90 million in water revenue and over $170 million in other municipal services revenues.
• Oversee responses to public inquiries from the City Clerk's Office and complaints from customers through the PSC complaint administration process.
• Direct and oversee the purchase, installation and replacement of water meters to ensure the appropriate revenue is generated and collected from water sales.

Business Management

• Develop short- and long-term goals for the Business Section and establish policies to achieve them.
• Provide guidance and direction to the Water Accounting Manager and general management of the Accounting Services work unit; ensure compliance with GAAP and PSC regulations.
• Provide guidance and direction to the Water Business Operations Manager and general management of the Commercial Services and Meter Services work units.
• Review and implement improvements that will make work activities more productive and efficient and foster collaboration between work units and with other sections of the utility.

Budget Management

• Analyze spending patterns and work with other section managers to anticipate future operating and capital needs.
• Prepare timely submittals of the operating and maintenance (O&M) and capital budget to the Budget Management Division (BMD).
• Prepare MWW's responses to inquiries from the Legislative Fiscal Bureau and Finance & Personnel Committee during the budget review and approval process.
• Manage, oversee and direct the annual $110 million Operating and Maintenance (O&M) budget.

Personnel Management

• Provide a productive and collaborative work environment for employees.
• Identify and support educational opportunities for employees.
• Conduct regular meetings with Business Section managers and supervisors to share information and review business operations.
• Support Business Section managers with employee-related matters, including hiring, performance review, coaching and discipline, as needed.

Conditions of Employment

• The Water Financial Manager is required to file a statement of economic interests in accordance with the Milwaukee Code of Ordinances Chapter 303-Code of Ethics.

Minimum Requirements

1. Bachelor's degree in business administration, economics, accounting, or a closely related field from an accredited college or university.
2. Five years of supervisory experience in finance, accounting, municipal general fund finance, or PSC finance.

Equivalent combinations of education and experience may also be considered.

NOTICE: Please do not attach your academic transcripts to your employment application. The hiring department will verify candidates' education as part of the background screening process prior to extending any job offers.

Desirable Qualifications

• Certified Public Accountant (CPA).
• Supervisory experience in utility business operations.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities & Other Characteristics

Technical

• Advanced knowledge of general accounting and finance principles and practices.
• Ability to learn PSC accounting and finance practices and procedures.
• Ability to learn City budget policies and procedures.
• Ability to conduct thorough, impartial, detailed financial audits to ensure absolute accounting standards compliance.
• Ability to implement changes in work processes with demonstrated improvements and efficiencies.
• Ability to collaborate with other managers to secure data, process contracts and invoices to meet the operational needs of the utility within the City's financial system.
• Ability to read, interpret and apply complex rules and regulations.
• Ability to manage accounting records, finances, and books for multiple agencies and departments.
• Ability to utilize the Microsoft Office Suite software (e.g., Microsoft Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, and Word) to analyze and present data and create business correspondence.

Leadership and Supervision

• Knowledge of management and supervisory principles and practices.
• Ability to effectively lead and provide guidance to managers, supervisors, and staff members.
• Ability to establish policy and deadlines, set goals and expectations, assign and review work, monitor employee performance, provide training and feedback, and address employee problems.
• Ability to foster an environment of inclusion wherein all employees are treated respectfully, are valued for their strengths, and feel that they can safely express themselves.
• Ability to create and develop a diverse work team in which all members can reach their potential.
• Ability to encourage positive cross-sectional operations.
• Ability to remain calm in emergencies and other difficult situations.

Communication and Interpersonal

• Written communication skills, including skill in writing correspondence, policies, reports, and other business-related documents.
• Verbal communication skills; ability to speak clearly and concisely and explain complex concepts to non-technical audiences both large and small.
• Ability to effectively discuss and present financial statements, financial controls and reporting to all levels of the organization.
• Interpersonal skills to work effectively with all levels of employees, management, other departments and agencies, consultants, elected officials and the public.
• Ability to work cooperatively and effectively with people whose backgrounds may differ from one's own.
• Ability to work effectively in a diverse, collaborative, team-oriented environment.
• Ability to be diplomatic, tactful and courteous even during challenging situations.

Judgment and Professionalism

• Ability to adhere to fundamental principles of ethical behavior for accounting and finance professionals, including ensuring that business partners and assigned work groups maintain high ethical standards.
• Analytical and problem-solving skills, including the ability to analyze and report on financial data and to apply knowledge to new or unique situations and evaluate options to find the best solution.
• Ability to work effectively under pressure while handling multiple priorities.
• Detail-oriented and the ability to maintain a high degree of accuracy and organization.
• Ability to meet strict deadlines.
• Ability to represent the Utility at various meetings.
• Initiative, honesty, integrity, and responsible stewardship of City of Milwaukee resources.

Current Salary

The current salary range (Pay Range 1MX) is $124,987-$149,086 annually, and the resident incentive salary range for City of Milwaukee residents is $129,986-$155,049 annually. Appointment above the minimum is possible based upon level of experience and other qualifications and is subject to approval.

BENEFITS

The City of Milwaukee provides a comprehensive benefit program that includes the following:

• Wisconsin Retirement System (WRS) Defined Benefit Pension Plan
• 457 Deferred Compensation Plan
• Health and Dental Insurance
• Paid Parental Leave
• Comprehensive Wellness Program
• Onsite Clinic Services
• Onsite Employee Assistance Program
• Alternative Work Schedules
• Long-Term Disability Insurance
• Group Life Insurance
• Tuition Benefits
• Paid Vacation
• 12 Paid Holidays
• Paid Sick Leave and other paid leaves
• Flexible Spending Arrangement
• Commuter Value Pass

For full details of the benefits offered by the City of Milwaukee, please visit http://city.milwaukee.gov/Benefits.

Selection Process

THE SELECTION PROCESS will be job-related and will consist of one or more of the following: an evaluation of education, experience, and/or responses to supplemental questions; a written or performance test, a structured interview, or other assessment methods. The Department of Employee Relations reserves the right to call only the most qualified candidates to structured interviews and performance examinations. Structured interviews may include written exercises. Selection process component weights will be determined by further analysis of the job.

INITIAL FILING DATE - The selection process will be held as soon as practical after the deadline listed above. Receipt of applications may be discontinued at any time after this date without prior notice. However, recruitment may continue until the City's needs have been met. Qualified applicants will be notified of the date, time, and place of the selection process components. Unless otherwise required by law, the City of Milwaukee will not provide alternative selection process dates or times. The applicant is responsible for attending all phases of the job selection process at the time and place designated by the City of Milwaukee.

Additional Information

• APPLICATIONS and further information may be accessed by visiting https://www.jobapscloud.com/MIL/.
• If you would like assistance completing an application, please contact the Department of Employee Relations at (414) 286-3751 or [email protected].
• The Department of Employee Relations is located in City Hall, 200 E Wells St, Room 706, Milwaukee, WI 53202.