Sheriff's Office Finance Director

Full Job Description

Under direction of the Major/Chief Operations Officer, this position directs the overall strategic management of the agency's financial services division and oversees the performance of complex department-wide financial and accounting activities. Provides leadership, oversight and direction and assists in planning, organizing, directing, implementing and evaluating departmental functions and operations in accordance with State, Federal and Local laws. Assists with planning and developing policy, procedures and programs. Assists in development of strategies to accomplish goals and objectives of the department to improve effectiveness and efficiency of services. Directs activities through subordinate managers and staff.

Distinguishing Characteristics

This is a management level job classification within the Management job family. Incumbent performs a wide range of highly complex duties that requires the application of standard financial theories, principles and techniques. This classification performs highly complex work planning, directing and managing the financial staff and operations of the department, and requires appropriate skill levels including advanced management, computer, analytical, and communication skills. The incumbent in this classification has a broad scope of operational and staff responsibility and manages all aspects of the department's financial reporting, budgeting, financial trend analysis and all other financial activities. This classification is distinguished from other financial job classifications in that incumbents typically have authority for training, developing and evaluating other financial and/or accounting staff, recommending individuals for hire, in addition to managing the everyday operational aspects of a financial division. Duties require the highest degree of initiative and independent judgment. This classification performs duties within the Travis County Sheriff’s Office and may require a flexible work schedule in order to meet the needs of the department.

Requirements

Plans, directs, implements and evaluates all operational aspects of finance, accounting, financial reporting and budgeting for a department.

Oversees and directs preparation of, reviews, and evaluates financial reports and information. Directs activities related to departmental purchasing or other functions.

Direct, plan, coordinate, organize, analyze and report on audits of financial and internal control systems. Review internal and external audit reports and evaluate degree of compliance, develop financial strategies and controls necessary to strengthen areas necessary to mitigate risk.

Responsible for staffing needs related to the department’s financial positions, including recommending individuals for hire, responsibility for training, developing, performance evaluation and disciplinary actions of the financial staff consistent with department process.

Identifies and addresses problems or conflicts. Provides training to departmental staff in financial related functions.

Monitors and confirms activities are consistent with financial and other goals and objectives.

Seeks and creates opportunities for improved performance, learning and development of staff to enhance operational efficiencies and effectiveness to ensure quality services are provided.

Conducts strategic financial planning. Forecasts future budgeting, technology, and other needs and makes recommendations. Researches new financial processes, develops financial policies and procedures to meet changing needs.

Conducts specialized financial analysis and reports for the department. Analyzes historical revenue and expenditure trends and forecasts future trends. Prepares and presents recommendations to other high-level management and external organizations as applicable.

Oversees and develops annual departmental budget submission. Monitors expenditures and revenues and directs preparation of budget transfers, as required.

Serves as primary financial resource for departmental management and staff.

May represent the department before public and elected officials, other departments, staff, external organizations and the public and responds to financial inquiries, as applicable.

Provides technical information, presents solutions to financial problems and shares information to remain abreast of laws, regulations, trends and developments.

Oversees identification and development of performance measures for department to ensure alignment with short- and long-range goals and objectives.

Conducts needs assessments to monitor and improve service delivery of the Finance division. Demonstrates continuous effort to improve operations and seamless customer service, including plans for future department services and budgetary requirements.

Collaborative interaction with Travis County officials regarding initiatives related to financial and budgetary needs of the department.

Presents technical and financial information clearly and logically in a manner that is easily understood to department management, staff, and various, diverse audiences.

Collaborates on a regular basis with policy makers to ensure consistency of plans and projections with local standards, legislative mandates and community expectations.

Ensures compliance with Federal, State, and Local codes, county policies, and directives from the department head.

Performs other job-related duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Education and Experience:
Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting or a directly related field from an accredited university AND nine (9) years of increasingly responsible professional level financial analysis or accounting experience, including five(5) years of management experience. Master’s degree in Finance, Accounting or a directly related field may substitute for two (2) years of the required experience.
OR,
Any combination of education and experience that has been achieved and is equivalent to the stated education and experience and required knowledge, skills, and abilities sufficient to successfully perform the duties and responsibilities of this job.

Licenses, Registrations, Certifications, or Special Requirements:
Applicants are required to attach a resume with the online application.

Preferred:
Certified Public Accountant (CPA), Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) or other relevant Certification. Valid Texas Driver’s License.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Knowledge of:

• Management and supervisory principles, practices and techniques.
• Policies, practices, procedures and terminology of assigned function.
• Federal, State, Local and County applicable laws, rules, regulations and guidelines.
• Generally Accepted Accounting Principles(GAAP) and standardized financial, accounting and auditing practices.
• Budget planning, development, preparation and monitoring.
• Manual and automated systems relating to assigned function.
• Modern office practices, procedures and methods.
• Computer equipment to include word processing, spreadsheets, databases and a variety of software packages.
• Business letter writing, grammar and punctuation, and report preparation.
• May be required to develop knowledge of and adhere to federal and state laws requiring the confidential handling of certain health information.

Demonstrated Skill in:

• Managing staff, allocating resources and evaluating programs.
• Problem-solving and decision-making.
• Developing financial spreadsheets and financial trend analysis.
• Reviewing and completing professional financial reports.
• Long range planning and evaluating financial processes.
• Developing financial policies and procedures.
• Both verbal and written communication, including presentations.

Ability to:

• Work independently.
• Manage time well, perform multiple tasks and organize diverse activities.
• Set priorities and manage the program operations.
• Analyze, calculate, forecast and interpret financial data and identify and resolve errors.
• Supervise, lead, motivate, train, develop and evaluate employees at all levels within span of control.
• Negotiate conflict and create collaborative solutions.
• Develop short range and long term plans to meet and facilitate the vision set by the department head; effectively communicate the vision, plans and goals to employees at all levels.
• Maintain professional ethics and personal integrity, representing the department and the County in a professional manner.
• Direct and interpret quantitative, financial and systems analysis of business problems.
• Develop or lead others in developing or changing programs to foster increased efficiency and effectiveness.
• Evaluate impact of a policy, procedure, plan and/or program, by itself and in relationship to other policies, procedures, plans or programs.
• Work in diverse, multi-faceted organization.
• Create and successfully manage organizational change.
• Develop and interpret policies, procedures, codes, ordinances, regulations, laws and contracts.
• Write complex reports and business correspondence, including graphs and charts.
• Effectively present information to senior management, the Juvenile Board, and employees utilizing tact and diplomacy.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with department staff, and other County employees and officials.

Additional Information

Physical requirements include the ability to lift/carry up to 25 pounds occasionally, visual acuity, speech and hearing, hand and eye coordination and manual dexterity necessary to operate a computer and office equipment. Subject to standing, sitting, walking, climbing, crawling, bending, stooping, crouching, kneeling, pushing, pulling, reaching, twisting, balancing, repetitive motion, and squatting to perform the essential functions.

Travis County employees play an important role in business continuity. As such, employees can be assigned to business continuity efforts outside of normal job functions.

Work Hours: 8 am - 5 pm, Monday-Friday.

Location: Austin, TX

Department: Sheriff

Criminal, Driving, Education, and Employment Background Checks Required.
Drug Test, Alcohol Test

For updates or questions on this position, contact: Monica.Risaliti@traviscountytx.gov


This job description is intended to be generic in nature. It is not necessarily an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities. The essential duties, functions and responsibilities and overtime eligibility may vary based on the specific tasks assigned to the position.