Sonoma Water Finance Manager

Job Description:

Sonoma Water Finance Manager

Description

Position Information

Bring your financial planning and budgeting experience to the Sonoma County Water Agency

(Sonoma Water) and become a Sonoma Water Finance Manager!

At Sonoma Water, this Finance Manager is an integral lead member of a collaborative team who prepares complex budgets, long-range financial plans, performs fiscal functions for over 60 unique funds, prepares utility usage rates and supporting data, and develops and reviews financial data and narratives for publicly viewed documentation. This position also assists the Financial Services Division Manager in fiscal-related projects such as strategic plan implementation, approving vouchers and purchase requisitions, and researching and providing recommendations for general programs and operations. As a Sonoma Water Finance Manager, you will also review consulting and grant agreements to verify that the scope of work, schedule, and budget align and are compliant with funding requirements. Additional responsibilities include:

• Developing the water transmission system budget and rates, sanitation rates, Proposition 218 Notices, Sanitation Ordinances and Resolutions, and amendments to rate studies for eight sanitation districts and zones
• Ensuring adherence to financial laws, regulations, county policies, bond covenants, and the terms of loans, letters of credit, and other financial instruments.
  
• Reviewing and developing financial data for grants, including fiscal narratives for agreements and agenda items
• Designing and preparing financial reports for management
• Developing improvements to budget tools, forms, communications, workflow processes, and reports, including close coordination with managers from other divisions
• Implementing the Sanitation Rate Relief Program for residential rate payers and assisting the Division Manager in developing creative financial incentive programs to assist customers
• Supervising up to four direct reports (including recruitments, mentoring, training, performance management, and reviewing/oversight of work) and providing back-up supervision in the Division manager's absence

The ideal candidate will have excellent organizational and communication skills, work well in a collaborative, high-functioning team environment, and possess many of the following:

• Experience issuing water and sewer revenue bonds and securing letters of credit and other financial instruments
• Expertise in financial and cost accounting theory, principles, and practices, including long-term financial planning, debt capacity, and complex spreadsheets
• Experience with state and federal grants, bond financing, and loans, as well as utility budgets, finances, and rate setting
• Significant budget experience and general program, administrative, and operational analysis skills, including managing quantitative financial data, charts, reports, tables, budgets, and financial plans
• The ability to interpret complex financial models from credit rating agencies, and also run intricate financial models, develop and input financial scenarios, summarize financial modeling results, and present to the Division Manager, upper management, the Board, and outside entities
• Experience writing and editing technical reports, along with c reating and analyzing relational databases and spreadsheets
• The ability to develop more than a dozen presentations annually and support the Division Manager in delivering presentations to the Board, city and town councils, water boards, public agencies, and various advisory boards and committees
  
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, especially Excel, Enterprise Financial System (EFS), and business technology skills to efficiently work with large amounts of data to create complex reports

About Sonoma Water Sonoma Water is a special district formed by the California State Legislature in 1949 and is responsible for providing a safe and reliable water supply to its customers in Sonoma and Marin counties. Sonoma Water also maintains 75 miles of flood control channels and provides sanitation services. Employing approximately 250 employees, Sonoma Water consists of four divisions, including Engineering & Resource Planning, Environmental Resources, Business Services & External Affairs, and Water/Wastewater Operations & Maintenance. Sonoma Water supports the concept of environmental sustainability, focusing on renewable power sources, and strives to be a leader in its water use efficiency and fishery restoration programs.

Employees of Sonoma Water are employees of a special district and are not subject to the provisions of the Civil Service Ordinance of the County of Sonoma.

What We Offer

Working at the County of Sonoma offers expansive opportunities for growth and development, the ability to be a part of a challenging and rewarding work environment, and the satisfaction of knowing you're working to better our communities. You can also look forward to flexible work arrangements and excellent benefits* including:

• Hybrid Telework - A schedule that meets the needs of our staff, department operations, and the communities we serve may be available depending on the assignment
• Salary Advancement- A salary increase after 1,040 hours (6 months when working full-time) for good work performance; eligibility for a salary increase for good performance every year thereafter, until reaching the top of the salary range
• Paid Time Off- Competitive vacation and sick leave accruals, 12 paid holidays, and an additional 8 floating holiday hours per year
• Staff Development/Wellness Pay- Annual benefit allowances of up to $2,000 and ongoing education/training opportunities
• County Paid Health Premium Contributions- 100% premium contribution for the majority of employee-only and employee + family health plan options
• Post-Retirement Health Reimbursement Arrangement- County contributions to help fund post-retirement health insurance/benefits
• Retirement- A pension fully integrated with Social Security
• Incentive Retirement Savings Plan (IRSP) and 457 Voluntary Deferred Compensation- 3% of salary County contribution to a 401(a), in addition to the County matching up to 1% of base salary in 401(a), based upon employee contribution
• Paid Parental Leave- May be eligible for up to 8 weeks (320 hours) after 12 months of County employment
• Student Loan Debt Relief- County employees may be eligible for Public Service Loan Forgiveness through the U.S. Department of Education

*Salary is negotiable within the established range. Benefits described herein do not represent a contract and may be changed without notice. Additional information can be found in the Salary Resolution (SalRes) and our Employee Benefits Directory .

Sonoma Water is currently recruiting to fill a Sonoma Water Finance Manager position. This employment list may also be used to fill future full-time, part-time, or extra-help positions as they occur during the active status of the list. Qualified County employees who wish to be considered for future positions should consider applying to this recruitment . The formal title for this position is Administrative Services Officer II.

Application submissions require the Supplemental Questionnaire be completed.

Minimum Qualifications

Experience: Normally, three years of progressively responsible experience in a professional, human resources, administrative, fiscal staff position, including at least one year of experience supervising professional, administrative or technical staff would provide such an opportunity.

Education: Academic coursework which would provide the opportunity to acquire the knowledge and abilities listed. Normally, coursework in public administration, business administration, management, accounting, statistics, human resources or closely related courses would provide such an opportunity.

License: Possession of a valid driver's license at the appropriate level including necessary special endorsements, as required by the State of California to perform the essential job functions of the position.

The position advertised on this announcement does not require possession of a valid California Driver’s License.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Considerable knowledge of: principles and practices relating to modern budget, programs and systems management; human resources issues and the functions and complexities of occupations found in the assigned department; the operations and functions of county government; research methodology, report writing and basic statistics, and their application; effective personnel and supervisory techniques; modern office methods and procedures.

Working knowledge of: group dynamics as it relates to public organizations; written and oral communications, including language mechanics, syntax and English composition; purchasing, ISD, safety, organizational analysis and their impact on departmental operations; the use of electronic information equipment and specific systems as used within the department.

Ability to: plan and organize research and statistical work relating to the various aspects of administration, budget and general management matters; understand, interpret and apply rules, regulations, ordinances, and federal, state and local legislation; effectively communicate orally and in writing, and present conclusions before advisory and policy bodies; effectively supervise the work of professional, technical and office support staff; establish and maintain effective working relationships with County management personnel, employees, and the public in carrying out sound management policies; understand and manage human resources functions; perform data collection, interpretation and evaluation pertaining to administrative, fiscal and management matters; persuade, rationalize, and project consequences of decisions and/or recommendations; analyze administrative problems, budgets, and a variety of programs, systems and procedures; use electronic information equipment and specific systems as used within the department.

Selection Procedure & Some Helpful Tips When Applying

• Your application information and your responses to the supplemental questions are evaluated and taken into consideration throughout the entire selection process.
• You should list all employers and positions held within the last ten years in the work history section of your application. Be as thorough as possible when responding to the supplemental questions.
• You may include history beyond ten years if related to the position for which you are applying. If you held multiple positions with one employer, list out each position separately.
• Failure to follow these instructions may impact your competitiveness in this process or may result in disqualification.

Please visit Getting a Job with the County of Sonoma to review more detailed information about the hiring process, including the application process, examination steps, and department selection process.

Application submissions require the Supplemental Questionnaire be completed.

Responses to supplemental questions will be scored using position-specific criteria. Please provide specific and detailed responses of a reasonable length to allow for a thorough assessment of your qualifications. Responses that state, "See Resume" or "See Application" may be considered insufficient and therefore may not be scored.

The selection procedure will consist of the following examination:

An Application and Supplemental Questionnaire Appraisal Examination (weight 100%) will be conducted to evaluate each applicant's application and supplemental questionnaire for satisfaction of minimum qualifications (pass/not pass); and for educational coursework, training, experience, knowledge, and abilities which relate to this position. Each applicant will be evaluated based on the following criteria:

• Relevance of work history, related experience, and achieved level of education and/or training as described in the application and responses to the supplemental questions.

Candidates demonstrating possession of the minimum qualifications will be placed on an employment list in order of most qualified to least qualified based on the achieved score received in the Application and Supplemental Questionnaire Appraisal Examination which evaluates the education, training, experience, skills, knowledge, abilities, and other qualifications that you demonstrate in your application and/or response to the supplemental questionnaire. Please be aware that resumes and cover letters are not typically evaluated in the Application and Supplemental Questionnaire Appraisal Examination. Scores may be adjusted based on such factors as the number of candidates, anticipated vacancies, past practice, and natural breaks in the scores achieved by this group of candidates.

Additional Information

A background investigation is required prior to employment. Candidates referred to departments for a selection interview are typically required to sign authorization and release forms enabling such an investigation. Failure to sign prescribed forms will result in the candidate not being considered further for that vacancy. Reference information will not be made available to applicants.

Additional requirements, such as successful completion of a physical exam, drug screen, etc., may apply, depending on the duties and responsibilities of the position. If you receive a conditional job offer for the position, the requirements upon which the offer is contingent will be outlined in the conditional job letter. You may also review the Job Classification Screening Schedule to determine the requirements for this position.

How to Apply

Applications are accepted online at www.yourpath2sonomacounty.org . Paper applications may be submitted by person, fax (707-565-3770), email, or through the mail. All applications and appropriate supplemental information as outlined in the job bulletin must be received by the time and date specified on the first page of this job announcement. Applications received after the recruitment closes will not be accepted.

The County of Sonoma values diversity and is dedicated to creating a workplace environment that provides individuals with a sense of belonging. We are committed to having a diverse workforce that is representative of the communities we serve. The County is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer where all aspects of employment are based on merit, competence, performance, and business need.

HR Analyst: JT

HR Technician: VH

Important Note: Benefits described herein do not apply to Extra Help positions.

County of Sonoma Benefits: Management*

These are some of the excellent benefits the County offers:

Paid Time Off: Competitive vacation accrual and sick leave accruals; additional management leave annually; 12 paid holidays, and an additional 8 floating holiday hours per year; and may be eligible for up to 8 weeks (320 hours) of Paid Parental Leave after 12 months of County employment.

Health Plan: Choose from nine health plans (three HMOs, three deductible HMOs, and three HSA-qualifying plans) with a generous County contribution to the premium (the contribution amount varies by bargaining unit). For more information, please see the appropriate MOU.

Retirement: Fully integrated with Social Security. For more information regarding eligibility, retirement contributions, and reciprocity with prior public service, please visit https://scretire.org/active-/-deferred/when-you-are-hired .

IRS 457 Plan: Pre-tax employee contribution up to the IRS annual maximum.

Retiree Medical: County contribution to a Health Reimbursement Arrangement to help fund post-retirement employee health insurance/benefits.

Student Loan Debt Relief: County employees may be eligible for Public Service Loan Forgiveness through the U.S. Department of Education.

Plus, excellent dental, vision, disability, life insurance, professional development, and more.

For answers to specific questions regarding the employment process and more details about benefits or retirement, please contact Human Resources at (707) 565-2331. Additional details about benefit and compensation packages can be found in the MOUs located at Labor Agreements & Salary Resolution . For specific information about health and welfare benefits, including plan options, coverage, and premium amounts, go to Human Resources or contact the Human Resources' Risk Management-Benefits Office at benefits@sonomacounty.gov or (707) 565-2900.

*Important Notes: Benefits described herein do not represent a contract and may be changed without notice.

Closing Date/Time: 1/27/2026 11:59 PM Pacific

Salary:

$122,827.01 - $149,291.69 Annually