ABOUT OREGON CASCADES WEST COUNCIL OF GOVERNMENTS (OCWCOG)

The Oregon Cascades West Council of Governments (OCWCOG) is governed by a Board of Directors, with one locally elected official, representing each member government. OCWCOG was formed in 1970 as a voluntary association of governments. Our members include the three counties, 20 cities, the Port of Newport, and the Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians. Geographically, OCWCOG spans a Region from the crest of the Oregon Cascade Mountain Range to the Pacific Ocean. OCWCOG helps communities collaborate to solve problems and connects member governments, businesses, and individuals with a wide array of resources.

As an Oregon intergovernmental entity, OCWCOG carries out a variety of local, State, and Federal programs. OCWCOG can provide for, or on behalf of, its member governments any service that they are authorized to provide. A few examples include helping businesses find appropriate capital, helping seniors and persons with disabilities plan for independent living, or coordinating local road improvement priorities. Most of its funding is provided by way of contracts to administer specific services. More information is available at OCWCOG’s website, www.OCWCOG.org.

Currently, OCWCOG employs a staff of about 180. Non-management employees are represented by the Service Employees International Union (SEIU). OCWCOG maintains offices within each of our Counties, with the administrative staff and the majority of employees working out of the OCWCOG- owned Cascades West Center in Albany. The OCWCOG facility in Toledo is home to our Senior and Disability Services (SDS) staff that serves clients in Lincoln County. A leased space in Corvallis houses both SDS staff, Benton County Veterans Services and staff that support the Corvallis Area Metropolitan Planning Organization and community and economic development.

SUMMARY OF POSITION

Serves as the Fiscal Officer of Oregon Cascades West Council of Governments (OCWCOG). Oversees agency accounting operations and assures compliance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), Generally Accepted Government Auditing Standards (GAGAS) Oregon Budget Law, State of Oregon Procurement and Purchasing rule, and rules regarding contracts and grants received and/or administered by the agency. Consults with Senior Leadership and prepares the agency Annual Work Program and Budget and Supplemental Budgets in accordance with Oregon Budget Law. Provides data to assist in agency related purchases and provides management assistance, information and analysis to agency management and staff. Reviews and evaluates all financial operations, procedures in order to make timely recommendations for improvements to the Executive Director. Provides regular budget status summaries to the Finance Committee and Full Board. Conducts assigned research and administrative studies and prepares reports and recommendations. Manages and supervises a team of professional accounting, finance and Contract staff. Serves on the Senior Leadership team and is a member of the agency management bargaining team.

ESSENTIAL JOB DUTIES

• Directs and manages all financial activities of the organization: auditing, budgeting, financial statements and reports, purchasing, cash management, investments, treasury and banking according to GAAP and GAGAS.
• Prepares, coordinates, and assists external auditors in the preparation of the agency annual Single Audit Report with required supplementary information and supporting schedules.
• Directs preparation and administration OCWCOG’s Annual Work Program and Budget applying knowledge of various grants, funding contracts, planning and development programs, in accordance with Oregon Budget Law.
• Directs grant and contract administration in compliance with stated guidelines and federal OMB Circulars especially 2 CFR 200 Uniform Guidance.
• Provides analysis of budget, including forecasting revenues and tracking revenues and expenditures. Provides confidential budget analysis to the Senior Leadership and program staff.
• Assists with the planning and staffing efforts of the agency.
• Established timelines for completion of financial statements to ensure availability of timely information for monthly budget to actual reviews.
• Monitors the agency’s accounting and internal control functions and procedures, and maintains integrity of the fund accounting system.
• Responsible for maintaining agency accounting software, including updates and periodic review of agency needs as they relate to the software.
• Prepares and reviews annually the agency indirect cost allocation and rate plan assuring sufficient indirect rate to cover indirect expenses
• Assumes responsibility for completion and review of balance sheets, income statements and budget to actual reporting.
• Consults regularly with program directors to determine information needs and ensures timely preparation of both internal and external reports.
• Develops and monitors internal Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) for agency accounts functions.
• Designs, reviews and implements internal control relevant to the preparation and fair presentation of financial statements.
• Reviews all grant proposals, grant budgets and financial reports prior to submission for compliance.
• Responsible for contract and grant compliance including reporting requirements to ensure timely invoicing and payment.
• Coordinates with Senior Leadership and/or staff vested in contracts and grants, including review and evaluation of current processes for tracking billable project hours and billable rates.
• Manages staff responsible for the financial administration of contracts and grants, including review and evaluation of current processes for tracking billable project hours and invoicing.
• Assists the Executive Director with the preparation and presentation of financially related policies, issues and processes to be presented to staff, management, and the Board.
• Evaluates processes and develops procedures for all accounts payable, accounts receivable and cash handling functions to ensure efficiency and accuracy.
• Evaluates processes and develops procedures for all payroll related functions to ensure efficiency and accuracy.
• Oversees the administration of employee benefits and ensures funds are administered appropriately.
• Develops and maintains agency purchasing process to ensure compliance with State purchasing and contracting law.
• Develops and monitors strategic goals for resource development in order to diversify agency funding streams.
• Ensures that all alternative funding sources solicited meet the agency’s requirements and are lawful.

OTHER JOB DUTIES

• Provides trainings as needed to various management staff regarding budgeting, accounting software, including preparation of required reports.
• Serves as agency's Deferred Compensation Plan Administrator.
• Serves as a member of the agency labor negotiations team.
• Serves on various work committees as assigned.
• Other related duties as directed by the Executive Director.

WORKING ENVIRONMENT

• Work is performed primarily in an office environment utilizing a personal computer, telephone and a variety of office equipment.
• Position requires sitting for long periods of time and performing extensive computer work and ten-key work. Frequent travel is required to meetings events and out of state conference or peer exchange.
• Attendance at occasional evening meetings.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED:

• Receives general supervision from the Executive Director.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Supervises assigned Finance and Contract staff.

The Ideal Candidate Profile

• The ideal candidate will be a consensus builder with a strong technical background and leadership skills, able to identify opportunities to build agency resilience through sound fiscal management. Familiarity with the provision of human services and with natural resource issues further strengthens their resume.
• The ideal candidate will have well-honed communication skills, including the ability to deliver public presentations, craft written material for diverse audiences, and facilitate single event and multiple meeting processes.
• The Finance Director will not only provide vision and direction to a team of finance professionals. The ideal candidate will have the ability to support this group of talented, experienced and motivated individuals to sustain their commitment and creativity in an era of limited resources and public concern about the value of governmental services.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Experience & Training

Graduation from a four-year college or university (Graduate degree in one or more of these areas preferred) in Business Administration with Accounting or Finance major, or related field. At least six years of progressively responsible experience, including four years as a manager of a related body of work; or, a satisfactory combination of equivalent education, training and experience which demonstrates the knowledge, skills and abilities to perform the duties of the job. Experience at the managerial level to include a broad knowledge of all or most of the following: state and federal finance and contract laws and practices, budgeting, financial analysis and business loan programs.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Thorough knowledge of general accounting principles and practices;
• Thorough knowledge of standard governmental auditing techniques and procedures;
• Thorough Knowledge of local governmental budget law and budget preparation;
• Knowledge and experience in intergovernmental contracting;
• Knowledge of confidentiality rules;
• Knowledge of state and federal records retention laws and rules;
• Knowledge of and skills in agency utilized software applications;
• Ability to perform mathematical calculations rapidly and accurately;
• Ability to maintain complex bookkeeping and compile information and statistics for clear and concise management reports;
• Ability to prepare, analyze, and interpret mathematical reports and data, identify errors and track errors through the accounting system;
• Excellent communication, interpersonal and management skills;
• Ability to work independently within assigned area of responsibility;
• Ability to operate and knowledge of personal computers;
• Ability to design and implement various spreadsheets and reports;
• Ability to effectively communicate financial information orally, visually, and in writing;
• Ability to operate a calculator with speed and accuracy;
• Ability to cope with stressful deadlines;
• Ability to motivate, train and supervise staff; and ability to apply problem-solving techniques;
• Ability to develop and implement individual work plans;

Licenses, Certificates, & Other Requirements

• Possession of a Valid Oregon Driver’s License, or the ability to obtain reliable transportation in order to travel throughout the three county area.
• If you are offered employment, the offer will be contingent upon the outcome of a criminal records check, and the information will be shared with Human Resources. Any criminal history will be reviewed and could result in the withdrawal of the offer or termination of employment.
• This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by an employee occupying this position. Employees are required to follow any other job-related instructions and to perform any other job-related duties requested by their supervisor.
• Requirements are representative of minimum levels of knowledge, skills and abilities. To successfully perform this job, the employee will possess the abilities or aptitudes to perform each duty proficiently.

TO APPLY

• You must submit the following application materials to be considered as a viable candidate:
• The position will remain open until filled. Interested candidates should submit a resume and a cover letter describing their experience related to the competencies listed in the Ideal Candidate Profile section.
• SUBMIT only the required materials. Reference letters or work examples should be kept for interviews.

Veteran’s Preference – OCWCOG provides qualifying veterans and disabled veterans with employment preference in accordance with Oregon law. Veterans may claim preference by submitting an OCWCOG Veteran’s Preference Form (available on the OCWCOG’s website at www.OCWCOG.org/Careers) and the required documentation with his/her application material.

Our first application screening is scheduled for August 9, 2021. We cannot guarantee that we will consider applications received after the first screening date. We encourage interested applicants not to delay in applying. Applicants who most closely match the Ideal Candidate Profile and meet minimum requirements for the position will be interviewed.

If you have any questions please contact HR at hrrecruit@ocwcog.org. In the subject line please include the position title and the posting number.

The Position Number for this position is 202120.