Director of Financial Operations

General Purpose

This is a highly responsible professional and administrative position involving planning, organizing, conducting, and directing the activities of the financial operations of the Office of the Clerk/Treasurer within the City of Burlington, Vermont.

The Director of Financial Operations (DFO) shall be responsible for budgeting, accounting, purchasing, payroll, capital projects, and grants management for the City, as well as supervising all financial staff and supporting all governing bodies.

Hence, this position includes, but is not limited to accounting and internal control; coordination of budget preparation; bidding processes and procurement policies; reimbursement and investment of City funds; debt management; ensuring compliance with finance policy and/or protocol of other departments; and other fiscal activities of the City of Burlington.  The Chief Financial Officer is also responsible for oversight of all City insurance policies including medical, dental, liability and worker’s compensation.

The duties and responsibilities of the DFO range from making leadership and financial decisions to supervising accounting functions such as account reconciliation, cash management, accounting for various departments and City funds, monthly financial reports, year-end reports, bank reconciliation, financial analysis, and internal audits.  The work involves the regular exercise of independent judgment and initiative based on knowledge of the City’s policies and procedures and considerable knowledge, skill, and ability in every phase of municipal accounting and control functions.

Essential Job Functions

• Supervises and participates in the preparation of 1) monthly revenue and expenditure reports; 2) monthly, quarterly, and annual City reports; 3) Federal/State reports; and 4) various analysis reports requested by various Department Heads, Boards, Committees, and/or Commissions.
•  Maintains cash flow, directs investments of the City.  Exercises discretion as to what investment vehicles to use, what depository to choose and what date an investment will mature. Exercises discretion as to when short-term borrowing should be converted to permanent bonding.
•  Oversees capital projects, participates in change order negotiations and ensures that expenditures are consistent with the scope of projects.
•  Establishes office procedures, assigns and supervises staff handling accounts payable, revenue collections, and payroll functions.
• Conducts or coordinates audits of company accounts and financial transactions, including workers’ compensation, to ensure compliance with state and federal requirements and statutes.
• Oversees liability, auto and property loans, prepares 1099 forms, as needed, makes payments, tracks deferred loans.
• Delegates authority for the receipt, disbursement, banking, protection, and custody of funds, securities, and financial instruments.
• Directly supervises and closely participates in the preparation of all City budgets.        Evaluates expenditures in accordance with budgets and confers with the City’s Mayor, Department Heads and relevant Board of Finance.  Prepares Finance, Bond and Interest, Capital, and fringe benefits budgets.
• Prepares narrative and statistical reports for the Mayor and the Board of Finance.
•  Directs, confers, and coordinates audit process including preparing of CAFR (Comprehensive Annual Financial Report).
• Plans and evaluates financial management procedures and implements such procedures.
• Directs maintenance of Fixed Asset inventory.
• Monitors portfolio of various funds in accordance with established policies.
• Confers with bond counsel for the issuance of long-term and short-term borrowing and prepares necessary paperwork for bond authorizations.
• Coordinates grant financial reports including timely financial reporting to various agencies.
• Prepares pension requests and oversees retirement benefits for all City employees.
• Participates as a member of the management team during union contract negotiations, providing financial guidance.
• Reviews, tracks, and processes all insurance claims.  Directs, with help of insurance broker, all medical insurance requirements.
• Reviews literature and publications, and attends seminars, professional meetings and conferences to maintain current information on professional programs and services.
• Ability to work weekends and evenings, as required, including, but not limited to, City Council Meetings (including Committee meetings), City Meetings, and public hearings, as well as Board of Finance meetings.
• Regular attendance is a requirement of this position.
• The duties listed above 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 the position.

Qualifications/Basic Job Requirements

• Ability to actively support City diversity, equity, and cultural competency efforts within stated job responsibilities and work effectively across diverse cultures and constituencies.
• Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion as evidenced by ongoing trainings and professional development.
• Proof of COVID-19 vaccination required, reasonable accommodations will be considered.
• Bachelor’s Degree in Business or related field, Master’s Degree preferred.
• Preference given for candidates that maintain professional designations such as CPA or CGFM
• Previous experience in a role such as Chief Financial Officer, Chief Operating Officer, Vice President of Finance/Accounting or equivalent for a minimum of five (5) years.
• Experience in Municipal Government preferred.
• At least five (5) years of supervisory experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• A strong working knowledge of the day-to-day operations of the New World/Tyler Technologies Financial Management System is preferred.
• Excellent leadership presence and skills.
• Thorough knowledge of the applicable laws and policies governing municipal finance practice and procedures.
• Thorough knowledge of principles and practices of municipal accounting and of Generally Accepted Accounting Procedures.
• Considerable knowledge of the operations of municipal departments from an accounting perspective.
• Considerable knowledge of the principles and methods of organization, management, and supervision of a large department and considerable ability to lead a large financial department.
• Strong ability to organize and express thoughts and ideas through oral and written communications.
• Considerable knowledge of computers and computer systems.  Skill in the use of personal computer for word-processing, data base, or spreadsheet applications.  Skills in managing a financial software system for all City operations that particularly, the New World/Tyler financial management software suite is preferred.
• Considerable ability to read, analyze and interpret financial reports and legal documents and to effectively present information to top management, public agencies, Boards, Committees, and Commissions.
• Considerable ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts and draw valid conclusions.
• Considerable knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, leadership techniques, and coordination of people and resources.
• Good knowledge of investment procedures and state guidelines.
• Considerable ability to make financial decision with little or no guidance.
• Ability to plan, organize, and direct comprehensive financial programs.
• Ability to accurately deal with accounting, statistics and financial reporting, to maintain efficient and effective financial systems and procedures, and to prepare and analyze complex financial reports, as needed.
• Ability to accurately account for City funds.
• Considerable ability to deal tactfully and effectively with the general public and coworkers and to establish and maintain effective working relationships with City Officials, state and other public officials, residents, other departments and agencies, supervisors, subordinates, co-workers, associates, attorneys and members of the general public.
• Ability to: 1) perform multiple tasks with interruptions, 2) meet deadlines, 3) perform duties promptly with attention to detail and accuracy, 4) learn the special laws and regulations pertaining to assigned work, 5) prioritize and organize work, 6) supervise; and 7) organize and express thoughts and ideas through written and oral communication.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and make routine office decisions in accordance with established policies and procedures.
• Ability to adjust quickly to changing priorities in a sometimes stressful environment.
• Ability to solve practical problems, deal with a variety of concrete variables and effectively present information and respond to questions from attorneys, Board members and the general public.

Promoting a culture that reveres diversity and equity

The City of Burlington is proud to be an equal opportunity employer, and we are strongly committed to creating a dynamic and equitable work-force that mirrors the population and world that we serve. We do not discriminate on the basis of political or religious affiliation, race, color, national origin, place of birth, ancestry, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, crime victim status, veteran status, disability, HIV positive status, or genetic information in employment or the provision of services.

In addition to being an equal opportunity employer we actively encourage applicants who can contribute to our growing diversity to apply.

Applications for our employment opportunities are only accepted online through our Government Jobs website.

For accessibility information or alternative formats, please contact Human Resources Department at 802-540-3057 or careers@burlingtonvt.gov.