Utilities Fiscal Manager

Salary : $110,339.38 - $152,238.18 Annually
Location : Bellevue, WA
Job Type: Regular
Job Number: 24-00067
Department: Utilities
Division: UT RMCS FinancialMgmt
Opening Date: 03/04/2024
Closing Date: 4/8/2024 11:59 PM Pacific
Come Join the City of Bellevue!
Please fill out your application as fully as possible. The City evaluates candidates based on the information provided in the online application only. Do not submit resumes and cover letters. Read the "Hiring Process" section below to learn more.
Job Summary
Bellevue Utilities is a future-focused, agile, and knowledgeable organization providing valued, sustainable services to the community for current and future generations. Our mission is to actively support public health and safety, quality neighborhoods, and a healthy and sustainable environment and economy by effectively managing drinking water, wastewater, storm and surface water, and solid waste.
We have an exciting opportunity for you as Fiscal Manager. This position will be member of the Utilities management team and will lead the Utilities Department's financial planning, budget development and monitoring, and accounting services. The Utilities Fiscal Manager leads the Utilities Fiscal team of four (4) people and provides oversight over:

• Budget development and monitoring
• Utility rate development
• Long range financial forecasting
• Development and preparation of financial and management reports
• Financial analysis
• Development and maintenance of financial systems
• Development and application of internal controls
• Managing of accounting services - including grant accounting, accounts receivable & accounts payable

Essential Duties and Responsibilities
The Fiscal Manager will be responsible for the following:
Managing/leading the Utilities Fiscal team consisting of 2 senior budget analysts, and 1 Senior accounting associate and a financial program administrator, position co-managed with the RMCS Business Services Manager.
1. The Fiscal Manager is responsible for directing and leading the Fiscal team's Budget Development activities including:

• Developing the Utilities capital and operating budgets for four (4) lines of business (water, sewer, stormwater, and solid waste)
• Developing the rates for three (3) lines of business (piped utilities)
• Developing a six-year financial and rates forecast for three (3) lines of business.
• Developing the 75-year long range financial plan to pay for system infrastructure replacements.
• Facilitating the budget development process by building the tools and processes to:
  • Capture the budget requests at the line-item detail level for each workgroup across the department.
  • Rolling up these budgets asks into program level expenditures for budget decision making by the executive team.
  • Developing rate scenarios to finance different budget scenarios.
  • Transmitting the department's final budget requests at the line-item level into the City's budgeting system
  • Develop materials to process the proposed budget and rates through a Citizen Advisory Commission (Commission) who review our budget and rates in detail. The culmination of this work results in the Commission developing a recommendation to the City Council on Utilities' proposed budget and rates.
  • Develop materials for the executive team to present the proposed budget and rates to the City Manager and City Council. The City Council is the ultimate body that adopts the budget and rates.
  • Develop the materials on Utilities budget and rates for presentation to the community.
  • Communicate the adopted budget to the department - for each functional manager to understand the budget for implementation purposes.

2. Budget Monitoring activities including:

• Monitoring the operating and capital budgets for four (4) lines of business
• Working with workgroup managers to monitor their budgets on a monthly basis.
• Reporting of budget status to Utilities leadership and City finance department.

3. Directing the completion of Fiscal Studies/Analysis including, using either internal or consultant resources:

• Cost-of-service studies
• Connection Charge studies
• Ad hoc financial analysis
• Business case analysis

4. Overseeing administration of ongoing Financial Programs including:

• Customer assistance programs for low-income customers
• Connection fees collection

5. Overseeing Utilities accounting functions including

• State & City tax filings.
• Accounts payable / receivable
• Internal controls
• Miscellaneous fees collection

The Fiscal Manager is also a member of the Resource Management and Customer Service Division management team and a member of the Utilities leadership team - manager/supervisors across the department.
SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED:

• Works under the general supervision of the Utilities Assistant Director for Resource Management and Customer Service (RMCS).
• Exercises supervision over program staff of four (4) individuals.

WORK SCHEDULE:
This position is Hybrid / Flex Schedule eligible with 3 days on-site required.
Qualifications
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES AND COMPETENCIES:

• Knowledge of concepts, laws, principles, practices and techniques of accounting, auditing, and financial programs, including budget preparation and administration; principles and practices of personnel management and supervision; organization and management; and administration and legislation analysis and implementation.
• Knowledge of rate development, internal service funding, and reserves management.
• Knowledge of databases and spreadsheet programs utilized by the City, knowledge of use of City's central financial information system.
• Knowledge of principles and practices of public sector organization and program operations.
• Experience in developing and monitoring revenue and expense budgets and financial and rates forecasts, preferably for public entity.
• Experience in developing strategies for financial management.
• Ability to successfully manage/lead financial projects from initiation to closing.
• Ability to plan and organize work.
• Ability to conduct complex administrative duties, analyses processes and issues, and develop recommendations for improvement or resolution.
• Ability to analyze and interpret a variety of legal, statistical, narrative data ranging from simple to very complex.
• Ability to exercise good judgment.
• Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing; establish and maintain effective working relationships; create collaborative working environment and open communication.
• Ability to supervise professional, paraprofessional, and clerical employees engaged in a wide variety of projects, programs, and systems.
• Ability to follow oral and written directions, policies, procedures.

EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE, AND OTHER REQUIREMENTS:

• Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with a degree in Finance, Accounting, Business or Public Administration or related field.
• Seven or more years of progressively responsible related experience in finance, accounting, budgeting, investments, fiscal policy analysis or related field, with experience in the public sector.
• Experience with utility rates and financial planning.
• Or any equivalent combination of education, experience, and training that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities.

Supplemental Information
PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
The physical demands and work environment described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Work involves walking, talking, hearing, using hands to handle, feel or operate objects, tools, or controls and reach with hands and arms.
• Vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.
• The employee may be required to push, pull, lift, and/or carry objects up to 40 pounds.
• The noise level in the work environment is moderately quiet.

For questions regarding this position please contact Scott Pickard at spickard@bellevuewa.gov
HIRING PROCESS
The City evaluates candidates based on the information provided in the online application only. Do not submit resumes and cover letters. To evaluate all candidates fairly and equitably, the City will make all applicants anonymous when we are screening the applications. We will redact information from our application such as your name, address, and other demographics. To help us, please complete the online application form as fully as possible.

• Answer the Questions when requested and can be found on the Questions tab of the Job posting.
• We do not accept resumes and cover letters during the anonymous application screening stage, unless otherwise stated in the job description.
• Applicants advancing to the next stage may be required to provide a cover letter, resume, writing sample, and references.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

• All candidates will be required to establish employment authorization and identity at the time of hire. The City is not able to sponsor work visas.
• All positions the completion of references checks, including at least one prior supervisor.
• Some positions may require completion of a criminal background check prior to start employment
• Some positions may require obtaining a commercial driver's license (CDL), licensures, or additional certifications.

At the City of Bellevue, you'll be part of a team committed to providing exceptional customer service, upholding the public interest and advancing the community vision. The five essential and enduring principles that guide our individual actions, our interactions, and our decision making in the City of Bellevue organization is: exceptional public service, stewardship, committeed to employees, integrity, and innovation. You'll work in an environment that is innovative, collaborative, future focused, and committed to excellence. Bellevue welcomes the world. Our diversity is our strength. We embrace the future while respecting our past. It's what makes the City of Bellevue an exciting place to work, live, and explore.
Have we piqued your interest yet? Come join our team! The City of Bellevue supports workplace diversity. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, marital status, national origin, genetic information, disability, age, veteran status, or any other protected status. Persons needing assistance with the application process may call the Human Resources Office at 425-452-6838 or If you are invited to participate in the selection process and need ADA accommodations, please notify HR before you are scheduled for an interview or testing.
The City of Bellevue participates in the E-Verify program. Learn more about the E-Verify program.
For any technical difficulties with your application, please contact the NEOGOV support line at 855-524-5627.
** Please be sure to check your junk folder for any messages that may be sent to you about this recruitment.**
The City of Bellevue offers employees a comprehensive benefits package providing choice, flexibility, and value!
Please Note: Seasonal, part-time, and variable employees are not eligible for the below benefits except for mandatory participation in the retirement plan assigned to the position, which will be the Municipal Employees Benefit Trust (MEBT 2) retirement plan or the Washington State Public Employees Retirement System (PERS) retirement plan and any other benefits as required by law.
The following summary applies to fully benefited positions:
Medical
Employees are offered a choice of medical coverage through the City's self-insured Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) plan or Kaiser Permanente (HMO).
Dental
Employees are offered a choice of two dental carriers with plans that offer regular checkups, x-rays, fillings, and crowns. Orthodontia is available through one of the carriers.
Vision
Employees are offered a choice of vision coverage through an annual exam-only plan or a buy-up plan which includes an annual eye exam and hardware coverage.
Retirement Plans - Employees are offered three retirement plans:

• Washington State Department of Retirement Systems (DRS): Mandatory participation (PERS, LEOFF or PSERS), depending upon eligibility.
• City of Bellevue Municipal Employee's Benefit Trust (MEBT): Optional participation in this 401(k) retirement savings plan with employer match contributions that vest on a 3-year schedule.
• Deferred Compensation Program (457 DCP): Optional participation in the supplemental Deferred Compensation Program also administered by DRS that allows tax-deferred savings into a variety of investments options.

Other benefits include:
More detailed information about our employee benefits is available at

• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs)
• Life/Accidental Death and Dismemberment (AD&D) Insurance
• Long Term Disability (LTD)
• Survivor Income
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• 11 observed holidays per year plus 2 additional personal holidays, vacation (standard accrual of 12 days a year), and sick leave (accumulated at the rate of one day per month)
• An ORCA Card bus pass
• On-site fitness center, and self service food/coffee options
• Career development and training programs
• Tuition Reimbursement Program
• Employee Resource Groups (ERGs)

Paydays