Chief Financial Officer

South Metro Fire Rescue is looking for a proven, strategic financial leader with a successful track record of building and leading a governmental financial function. The successful candidate must possess a demonstrated ability to develop strong relationships, effectively influence, and drive results as a trusted partner to the Fire Chief, as well as the executive team and all divisions and bureaus in the organization. Strong senior leadership and experience working with a sophisticated board of directors is required. Must possess excellent leadership, people management and organizational skills, with a demonstrated ability to motivate in a team-oriented and collaborative work environment.

REPORTS TO: Fire Chief

DIVISION: Executive

FLSA CLASSIFICATION: Exempt

SALARY RANGE: $201,979 to $242,182

GENERAL POSITION SUMMARY:

The Chief Financial Officer serves as a member of the South Metro Fire Rescue’s executive management team and is responsible for providing strategic leadership to the Finance Bureau in a manner consistent with organizational values. This position ensures the financial health of the district while developing and executing the financial strategy and serves as the senior financial advisor to the SMFR Board of Directors, the Fire Chief, and other executive team members.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: (The following statements are illustrative of the duties and responsibilities of the position and do not list every duty that may be required of the employee for this position. The District retains the right to change the duties and responsibilities of the position at any time without notice.)

Leadership and Management:

• Serves as an integral member of the Executive Team assisting the Fire Chief in establishing and providing strategic direction for the organization ensuring the Board of Directors and community needs are met.
• Coordinates all the operations of the assigned bureau, establishes goals and objectives, and develops short- and long-range plans; works to achieve maximum, positive impact in the operation of the bureau with the intent to foster professional development and performance optimization to support SMFR’s primary mission.
• Provides leadership and a commitment to excellence by inspiring, empowering, and motivating personnel; participates in the selection and training of employees; creates a culture of accountability, candor, inclusion, and transparency; evaluates performance; provides coaching and mentoring; takes corrective measures, including disciplinary actions.
• Provides organizational leadership by leading up and leading laterally to foster continuous development and professional growth through the organization.
• Lives the SMFR culture and models organizational values; creates a welcoming culture of inclusivity, accountability, candor, inclusion, and transparency; builds and strengthens relationships with all members of the organization.
• Provides management, supervision, and coordination of personnel assigned to the assigned bureau, including scheduling, and assigning work; allocates resources; assists in the coordination of contracted personnel, e.g., instructors, vendors, etc.
• Develops, implements, and enforces policies and procedures related to employee performance and professional development within the bureau; recommends and implements changes to improve efficiency and operational effectiveness.
• Monitors and evaluates the efficiency and effectiveness of service delivery methods and procedures; allocates resources; initiates, coordinates, and enforces systems, policies, and procedures.
• Plans, directs, and coordinates work activities; assigns projects and programmatic areas of responsibility; assesses and monitors workload; reviews and evaluates work methods and procedures; meets with staff to identify and resolve problems.
• Explains, justifies, and defends programs, policies, and activities; negotiates and resolves sensitive and controversial issues.
• Participates in the selection of staff; orients and trains employees, developing personal growth opportunities.
• Maintains a safe and healthy working environment by establishing and enforcing organization values, adhering to legal requirements.

Financial:

• Directs all financial activities of SMFR including treasury, budget, payroll, tax, and accounting functions; oversees all phases of fund accounting, payroll, and billing.
• Provides leadership and direction to the Board of Directors, Fire Chief, and the Executive Team in developing and implementing the annual budget including determining budget format and fund availability.
• Provides leadership and direction regarding strategic, long-range financial planning; conducts long term analyses and determines options to be explored.
• Participates on the Executive Team, Pension Board, and Benefits Committee.
• Oversees the financial records of SMFR; ensures compliance with data storage and records retention laws and regulations.
• Advises the Fire Chief and Executive Team on financial matters related to Working Agreement negotiations.
• Monitors accuracy of financial information and determines proper accounting policies and procedures; works with auditors to ensure proper accounting methods are being used.
• Directs the preparation of the financial reports and agendas for Board Meetings including determining items to be discussed and items needing resolution; delivers the monthly financial report for all funds and expenses.
• Manages investments made by the SMFR including short term cash, volunteer pension funds, and capital projects; provides direction on specific investments by working with brokers/dealers to determine best investments for SMFR’s needs.
• Determines and analyzes debt options and makes recommendations to the Board of Directors, the Fire Chief and the Executive Team; manages the debt for SMFR by working with underwriters/investment bankers.
• Determines material to be included in all official statements.
• Directs the billing and collecting of ambulance transport revenues; leads the relationship with the District’s third-party billing agency to ensure compliance with Medicare and Medicaid laws and regulations.
• Establishes appropriate fee structures and amounts for SMFR’s various programs including fees related to; construction and permitting, wildland billing, training, and ambulance transport.
• Advises members of the Benefits Committee in matters related to salaries, benefits, general administrative expenses, and the budget.
• Confers with legal counsel on matters related to contracts and agreements. Oversees risk management functions and programs, including, loss prevention, property, casualty, auto and general liability insurance; coordinates with directors and subject matter experts on other loss control measures including safety, policies and procedures, and workers’ compensation insurance; manages insurance claims and works with insurance carriers to ensure timely filing and resolution of claims; assists with the preparation and coordination of responses to interrogatories in lawsuits in coordination with the Fire Chief, Human Resources Director and the District’s attorney.
• Performs other related duties as needed.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE, LICENSES & CERTIFICATIONS: (An equivalent combination of education, training, and experience that demonstrates the ability to perform the duties of the position is qualifying.)

• Bachelor’s Degree in Finance, Accounting, Public Administration, Business Administration, or a related field is required. Master’s Degree preferred.
• Minimum of seven (7) years of finance experience.
• Minimum of three (3) years of experience in governmental accounting.
• Minimum of five (5) years supervisory experience.
• Possess and maintain a valid Colorado Driver’s license with an acceptable driving record in accordance with the SMFR’s Driving Records Policy.
• Records Policy.
• Must obtain CPR certification within one (1) year of hire.

NECESSARY KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

• Strong knowledge of fire department management and administration theories, practices, and techniques including budgeting, staffing, and strategic planning.
• Must thoroughly understand applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations as they apply to fire services, emergency medical services, building and fire codes, personnel law, safety regulations, National Fire Protection Association standards, local municipal codes and departmental rules, regulations, and standard operating procedures.
• Ability to interact well with a diverse population with outstanding interpersonal and communication skills.
• Skill in giving presentations and in facilitating group discussions.
• Ability to maintain composure in difficult situations.
• Ability to gather relevant data, analyze problems, evaluate alternatives, make sound judgments, develop conclusions, and present complex findings to a variety of audiences.
• Ability to select, supervise, train, motivate and evaluate staff; ability to provide goals,
• direction, and effective leadership.
• Knowledge and skills in managing people and processes.
• Must have strong communications skills, both verbal and written, and the ability to interact well with staff, employees, citizens, and command staff members of other departments.
• Strong organizational skills and ability to effectively manage multiple priorities.
• Ability to maintain effective working relationships.
• Ability to manage interpersonal and organizational conflict and create a team-
• oriented, collaborative environment.
• Demonstrated commitment to valuing and respecting diversity, with an understanding of how to effectively incorporate diversity initiatives into the organization.
• Demonstrated ability to develop partnerships and work with a variety of people and cultures who work on different shifts and in various geographic locations.
• Knowledge of principles and equipment related to fire and medical emergency response.
• Ability to provide goals, direction, and effective leadership for assigned programs and staff.
• Skill in providing effective, fair, and impartial evaluations for personnel, including disciplinary actions.
• Skill in demonstrating critical thinking and functioning under extreme stress.
• Ability to operate District vehicles.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED:

• Works under the general direction of the Fire Chief.

SUPERVISION EXERCISED:

• Supervises the personnel in the Finance Bureau.

EQUIPMENT AND SYSTEMS:

• Requires frequent use of equipment, including personal computer (including various software packages, database, and spreadsheet programs), SMFR vehicles, calculators, telephones, facsimile machines, copy machines, printers, and other general office equipment.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to perform climbing, balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, crawling, reaching, standing, walking, pushing, pulling, lifting, grasping, feeling, talking, hearing, seeing and repetitive motions, exerting up to 20 pounds of force frequently, and/or up to 10 pounds of force constantly to move objects.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close and distance vision acuity and the ability to adjust his or her focus, allowing a broad field of vision.

WORK ENVIRONMENT AND GENERAL INFORMATION:

• The primary duties of this job are performed in a climate-controlled office environment. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

BENEFITS:

South Metro Fire Rescue’s compensation philosophy is designed to attract and retain highly skilled and motivated employees. As such, SMFR’s compensation is more than base pay. All regular fulltime SMFR employees enjoy a total compensation package including: base wages, leave accruals, medical, dental, vision and life insurance employer paid premiums, Retiree Health Savings, Death & Disability and employer paid pension contributions as well as a positive work culture including a robust Fitness, Wellness and Rehabilitation Program, educational opportunities and support, job security and other positive non-monetary values which are intended to collectively position SMFR as an employer of choice in its geographic area. SMFR recognizes that being an employer of choice has different meaning to different people depending on what elements a person highly values. But SMFR's overall goal is to be a great place to work.