Financial Services Manager II

Full Job Description

SALARY

Join our team as a Financial Services Manager II and lead a talented team of professionals dedicated to delivering efficient, transparent, and mission-driven services for the Public Defender’s Office.

In this key leadership role, you will oversee financial management, budgeting, contracts, and fiscal accountability.

This position requires a strategic leader with a proven ability to manage complex budgets, ensure compliance with County and State requirements, and drive operational efficiency.

If you are passionate about operational excellence, accountability, and supporting frontline advocacy, we invite you to lead our efforts in this vital role!

The Public Defender’s Office is accepting applications to fill one (1) full-time Financial Services Manager II position located in Santa Barbara. The County classification title is Financial Services Manager II. This position is "At-Will" and exempt from Civil Service protections.

THE DEPARTMENT:

The County of Santa Barbara Public Defender’s Office provides legal representation and other services to people accused or convicted of a crime and who cannot afford to hire a lawyer, as well as those subject to civil mental health commitments and other proceedings where their liberty is at stake.

Our lawyers employ a holistic approach to criminal defense that draws from traditional and non-traditional legal representation models.

Our clients have access to an interdisciplinary team of lawyers, legal office professionals, investigators, advocates, and IT personnel, who strive to reduce their exposure to the criminal justice system, mitigate collateral consequences of a criminal conviction, and transform lives by addressing the social ills that contribute to justice system involvement.

Our advocacy often extends beyond conducting courtroom hearings and trials, as we aim to seek individualized solutions to the complex problems faced by our clients.

For more information, please visit: http://countyofsb.org/defender

Benefits Overview:

• Vacation: 12 to 25 days per year depending on length of public employment
• Holidays: 12 days per year
• Sick Leave: 12 days sick leave per year. Unlimited accumulation, one year of which can be converted to service credit upon retirement.
• Health Plan: Choice of medical and dental plans (with vision care). County contributes toward the employee’s premium.
• Life Insurance: $20,000 Term Life Insurance
• Retirement: The County offers a Defined Benefit Plan and eligibility to participate in 457(b) Deferred Compensation Plan. The County contributes 0.24% of base salary to a 401(a) Deferred Compensation Plan.

For more information on benefits please click here.

In addition, applicants from other public sector employers may qualify for:

• Retirement reciprocity
• Time and service credit towards an advanced vacation accrual rate.

THE POSITION: Under direction, provides strategic and day-to-day management of budgeting, financial planning, accounting analysis, contracts, procurement, and auditing.

Responsible for drafting, managing and monitoring Departmental grants. Collaborates with leadership to support the delivery of effective, ethical and constitutionally mandated defense services.

Performs other duties as assigned.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS:

This is the second manager level in the Financial Services Management job family and manages a mid-size program within a department or division, or multiple small programs.

Incumbents establish annual goals and priorities, influence the direction for new or revised services, programs, processes, standards, or operational plans, based upon the County’s long-term strategies.

Position has direct impact on the work unit or program and may impact the entire department.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED:

Typically reports to a Level III manager. Provides direct supervision of two or more individuals within a program. Exercises direct and indirect supervision over assigned professional, technical, and administrative staff.

THE IDEAL CANDIDATE:

• Financial certifications with a preference in government finance management;
• CPA license preferred;
• Demonstrate strong knowledge of governmental accounting principles, including GAAP and GASB standards;
• Ensure compliance with applicable federal, state, and local laws, regulations and mandates;
• Extensive experience with financial accounting and managing financial systems, budget development and monitoring, fiscal analysis, internal controls, projections, and fiscal reporting;
• Experience negotiating, writing and monitoring contracts;
• Supervise, coach, and evaluate staff to support performance, growth, and operational goals;
• Lead with a collaborative management style that fosters trust, accountability, and team development;
• Identify and recommend improvements to financial and business processes to enhance efficiency and reduce risk;
• Manage multiple priorities and perform well in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment;
• Experience with analyzing, revising, and developing policies and procedures;
• Experience managing special projects and presenting ideas to leadership;
• Detail orientated with a strong sense of personal responsibility and ownership of work product;
• Experience conducting presentations to executives, Boards, and Commissions;
• Ability to compile and analyze information and develop recommendations based on the analysis;
• Ability to communicate in a clear and effective manner with non-fiscal professionals;
• Ability to maintain confidentiality of information;
• Ability to act as a strategic business leader for Department managers and stakeholders.

Requirements

These examples are not intended to reflect all duties performed within the job and not all duties listed are necessarily performed by each individual.

1. Establishes annual goals and priorities, influences the direction for new or revised services, programs, processes, standards or operational plans based upon the long-term strategies.

2. Researches, analyzes, develops, and reviews original fiscal, compliance, and related reports, contracts, plans, grant proposals, materials, presentations, and other documents; and develops and makes recommendation to departmental leadership.

3. Responsible for accounting, budget, accounts receivable/payable, debt management, financial analysis and auditing for the Department. Plans, coordinates, and evaluates accounting, audit, claims management, taxation, and other fiscal programs and/or projects.

4. Assists in coordination and development of the Department's budget, requiring justifications and consideration of funding and service levels.

5. Serves as a subject matter expert and uses technical and analytical expertise to develop findings.

6.

Develops, implements, and evaluates services and programs to ensure adherence to strategic and performance goals; manages work systems and processes; maintains and updates procedures; researches trends and best practices in the fiscal unit of the office; and recommends and implements operational and /or program changes.

7. Develops and administers budgetary and procurement processes; manages contracts; researches and analyzes financial information; makes resource allocation recommendations; and implements resource allocation decisions.

8. Troubleshoots and resolves program or work unit issues and keeps departmental leadership informed of issues/resolution.

9. Organizes, directs, supervises, and coordinates the production of various comprehensive financial, management, and statistical reports for planning, projections, and reporting; and/or making recommendations to departmental leadership.

10. Assists in monitoring and reporting to the County Executive Office and/or County Board of Supervisors fiscal issues and solutions impacting the department.

11. Assists in analyzing new legislation or changes in regulations to determine impact on the Department's finances and operations. Coordinates with managers and executives accordingly and participates in devising strategies for complying with changes.

12. Supervises the fiscal staff of the office and is responsible for conducting staff training, assigning and reviewing staff work, employee development, discipline and performance evaluations.

13. Coordinates work with the general public, County staff, external agencies, etc.; may represent the County on various professional committees; and may prepare and make presentations to the public, elected officials, boards, and/or other stakeholders.

14. Performs other related duties as required.

Qualifications

Education and Experience

The knowledge, skills, and abilities listed below may be acquired through various types of training, education, and experience. A typical way to acquire the required knowledge and abilities would be:

• Equivalent of a bachelor's degree from an accredited four-year college or university in accounting, finance, business administration, economics or a related field; AND,
• Five (5) years of progressively responsible professional experience in fiscal management, including responsibility for budget development and monitoring, grant preparation and oversight, and contract management, including at least two (2) years as a supervisor or manager.

Additional Requirements: For specific positions, possession and maintenance of a valid California driver’s license and the ability to meet automobile insurability requirements of the County or the ability to provide suitable transportation needs as a condition of continued employment.

May be required to work a varied schedule of hours, which may include evenings, weekends, and holidays.

Knowledge of:

• Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP).
• Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB).
• Principles and practices of accounting, tax, claims management, auditing, and collections.
• Principles and practices of financial planning and analysis, investment portfolio management, cost and revenue management, and cash management.
• Principles and practices of administering payroll and benefits programs.
• Principles and practices of managing fiscal services programs and projects related to accounting, tax, auditing, medical billing, claims management, and collections.
• Principles and practices of public administration and program management, including strategic planning, implementation, and evaluation.
• Management principles, practices, and techniques.
• Principles and practices of governmental accounting, fiscal management, budgeting and auditing.
• Principles and practices of program planning and administration.
• Personnel management principles and practices, including employee supervision, training, and evaluation.
• Principles and practices of group facilitation, conflict resolution, and consensus building.
• Principles and practices of procurement and contract administration.
• Principles and techniques of effective oral presentations.
• Applicable federal, state, and local laws, codes, regulations, and standards.
• Business systems, equipment, and applications relevant to the area of assignment.

Ability to:

• Manage fiscal compliance operations related to accounting, auditing, claims management, and collections programs and services.
• Manage budget development and related programs and projects.
• Manage programs and projects related to financial planning and analysis, cost and revenue management, and cash management.
• Oversee adherence to quality assurance and standards.
• Interpret, monitor, and report financial information and statistics.
• Manage assigned operations/programs; ensure ongoing compliance with strategic objectives and performance measures.
• Develop and implement policies and procedures.
• Manage and evaluate assigned staff, including training, coaching, participating in the development of goals and strategic objectives, coordinating deadlines, prioritizing work demands, and assigning/monitoring work.
• Analyze and evaluate operational programs, projects, and procedures.
• Plan, organize, coordinate, and supervise changes and improvements in public agency projects and studies.
• Manage budgets, contracts, grants, and resource allocation.
• Interpret, monitor, and report financial information and statistics.
• Oversee the implementation of, and adherence to, quality assurance activities and standards.
• Research, recommend, and implement industry trends, solutions, and best practices.
• Resolve complex problems within area of assignment.
• Prepare and oversee the preparation of reports, grant proposals, documents, and presentations.
• Make presentations to stakeholders, elected officials, County leadership, and the public.
• Collaborate with program stakeholders, elected and appointed boards, the public, and internal leadership.
• Interpret and apply applicable laws, codes, regulations, and standards.
• Communicate effectively, clearly, and concisely.

• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with a diverse range of individuals, including but not limited to coworkers, subordinate staff, supervisors, other managers, professional agencies, and the general public.

Additional Information

APPLICATION & SELECTION PROCESS:

• Review applications and supplemental questionnaire to determine those applicants who meet the employment standards.
• Candidates who are successful in the selection process will have their names placed on the employment list.

Recruiters will communicate with applicants by e-mail during each step in the recruitment process.

Applicants are reminded to check spam filters continuously during the Recruitment & Selection Process steps listed above to ensure they do not miss required deadlines.

REASONABLE ACCOMMODATIONS: The County of Santa Barbara is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to applicants.

Qualified individuals with disabilities who need a reasonable accommodation during the application or selection process should contact the recruiter listed on the job posting.

We require verification of needed accommodation from a professional source, such as a Medical Provider or a learning institution.

Conditional Job Offer: Once a conditional offer of employment has been made, candidate will be required to successfully complete a background check, which includes a conviction history check, and satisfactory reference checks.

The appointee will be subject to a post-offer medical evaluation or examination.

Disaster Service Worker: Pursuant to Governmental Code section 3100, all employees with the County of Santa Barbara are declared to be disaster service workers subject to such disaster service.

Activities as may be assigned to them by their superiors or by law. Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Statement

The County of Santa Barbara provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants and prohibits discrimination, harassment, and retaliation of any type with regard to any characteristic or status protected by any federal law, state law, or Santa Barbara County ordinance.

The County continues to be committed to a merit-based selection process and to eliminating barriers to attracting and retaining top qualified candidates.

The County has a long-standing practice of providing a work environment that respects the dignity of individual employees and values their contributions to our organization.

APPLICATION AND SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONNAIRE DEADLINE: February 12, 2026 at 4:59 PM PST. Applications and job bulletins can be obtained 24 hours a day at www.sbcountyjobs.com.

Erin Kuhn, Talent Acquisition Analyst II, erkuhn@countyofsb.org