Finance Director

The City of Williston has an opening for the following position:

FINANCE DIRECTOR

Summary: This position is responsible for directing the City's financial operations. Work includes developing, establishing, and coordinating the policies and philosophy of the City's Finance Department. Work also includes conducting bond sales, sitting on various boards and responsibility for the City's internal financial controls. Work involves managing all City assets and the development of the annual budget. This position serves city administration, the Board of City Commissioners, and the public as a financial professional; Provides training and guidance to department head personnel on financial matters.

Supervision is exercised over a subordinate staff of professional, technical, and administrative personnel.

Supervision Received: Works under the broad policy guidance of the City Administrator and Board of City Commissioners.

Supervision Exercised: Auditors, Accountants, Accounting Technicians, Administrative Assistants.

FLSA Status: Exempt.

Essential Job Functions:

1. Serves as Chief Financial Officer and financial advisor to the Finance Commissioner, the City Commission, and City Administrator.
2. Develops, establishes, and monitors the financial rules and procedures of the City in accordance with prescribed law, oversees the collection and disbursement of city funds in accordance with established procedures and the approved city budget; coordinates and conducts the sale of City of Williston municipal bonds.
3. Directs and coordinates the planning, organization and maintenance of the City's Finance Department, including revenue collection, expenditures, payroll, fund accounting and auditing, investments and other related accounting and finance practices. Oversees and directs community liaison staff in service to the public, creates and implements programs to improve public accessibility to data, permits, and information.
4. Coordinates and assists the City Administrator in the development and execution of the annual budget; authorizes expenditures; prepares recommendations for budget amendments.
5. Advises City Administrator and Department Head staff of programs and strategies to increase revenue and minimize cost. Recommends technology and software to utilize in tracking and measuring of financial data.
6. Prepares all revenue and special assessment bonding transactions, including working with financial advisors, bond counsel, and rating agency to ensure successful issuance, adequate cash flow, and compliance with requirements.
7. Participates in inter-departmental meetings, projects, studies, task forces and committees to provide input, advice and assistance; works with administration to develop and implement organizational improvements throughout City departments. Serves as financial advisor and liaison with various Directors or appointed City committees and Board (Star Fund, Sales Tax Committee, etc.).
8. Conducts training with City departments on financial data, best fiscal management practices and the usage of financial data programs and technology.
9. Ensures compliance with the City's budget, ordinance, generally accepted accounting principles, local ordinances, City policy directives, and applicable state and federal laws.
10. Prepares various financial forecasts, monthly statements, and cash flow analyses of major city funds and projects. Works closely with communications staff to present forecasts and statements to the public by means of the City website, public meetings and other methods.
11. Prepares regular financial statements for the Board of City Commissioners and holds periodic meetings to brief Commissioners on financial status of the City. Performs regular analyses and recommends rate, fee, and other price adjustments for Board consideration.
12. Performs the duties of City Auditor as provided in North Dakota Century Code Chapter 40-16 and all other areas of the Century Code that refer to City Auditor and all areas of the City of Williston Code of Ordinances that refer to City Auditor.
13. Hires, trains, directs, schedules, supervises, and evaluates personnel in the Finance Department with the intent of providing excellent customer service and public access to information and services.
14. Represents the City at various community events, public meetings and gatherings, committees, and conferences; Work related travel is expected.
15. Performs all work duties and activities in accordance with City policies and procedures.
16. Performs other related duties as assigned.

Knowledge Required:

1. Knowledge of the principles and practices of business administration.
2. Knowledge of budget development and management principles and practices.
3. Knowledge of generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP).
4. Knowledge of Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB) guidelines.
5. Knowledge of relevant federal and state laws, city ordinances, and department policies and procedures.
6. Knowledge of information technology management principles.
7. Knowledge of modern technology and software programs to be used internally and by the public.
8. Knowledge of research and statistical analysis principles.
9. Skill in management and supervision.
10. Skill in problem solving.
11. Skill in prioritizing and planning.
12. Skill in interpersonal relations.
13. Skill in verbal and written communication.

Peripheral Job Duties:

1. Supervises the conduct of City elections.
2. Arrange for publications of request for bids, notices of hearings, ordinances, and other official notices for which publication is required by law.
3. Maintains and revises the City ordinance book and records all meetings of the City Commission.
4. Performs other reasonable related duties as assigned by the City Administrator or Board of City Commissioners.

NOTE: The functions and duties listed are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of the specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position. The job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee and is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer and requirements of the job change.

Desired Minimum Training and Experience: Possession of a bachelor's degree in accounting or finance, or closely related field and thorough knowledge of public finance, accounting and auditing which includes considerable experience in supervising professional and administrative financial personnel; or any equivalent combination of training and experience. Possession of a Certified Public Accountant License is preferred.

Experience: Five (5) years of progressively responsible finance experience including two (2) years in an administrative or supervisory capacity. Public finance and government experience preferred.

Language Skills: Ability to read and interpret documents such as business correspondence, government regulations and procedure manuals, ability to write reports and correspondence. Ability to speak effectively.

Mathematical Skills: Ability to calculate figures and amounts.

Reasoning Ability: Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw conclusions. Ability to deal with problems involving several concrete variables.

Other skills and Abilities: Ability to communicate clearly and concisely, both verbally and in writing. Ability to perform duties with awareness of all City of Williston requirements, ordinances, and policies.

Necessary Special Requirements: Possession of or the ability to obtain a valid North Dakota driver's license.Must be insurable and bondable.

Physical Demands: While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit at a desk or table; talk or hear; use hands to finger, handle, feel or operate objects, and reach with hands and arms. The work is typically performed in an office. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, and the ability to adjust focus.

Work Environment: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee regularly works indoors but sometimes travels within the city for reasons related to the job; Work related travel is expected. The noise level in the work environment is moderate.

Benefits include vacation and sick leave, paid holidays, retirement, health insurance, life insurance and flex benefit plan.

Annual Salary: $125,000.00 DOE and experience.

Applications will be accepted until noon on October 30, 2019.

To apply, please complete a City of Williston employment application and email to with the following information:

• Cover Letter
• Resume
• Applicable Credentials (transcripts, certification, license, etc.)
• Letters of Recommendation

Chery Pierzina
Human Resources Director
22 E Broadway
PO Box 1306
Williston, ND 58802
or email to:

To be granted veterans preference..... click apply for full job details