Assistant Director - Finance

The Department of Housing Services is looking for a dynamic Assistant Director - Finance  to oversee our growing finance and accounting team under the guidance of the Executive Director. Thanks in part to new, ongoing revenue from the Supportive Housing Services tax measure, our next Assistant Director - Finance will guide our financial growth as we expand our operations, contracting, and administrative capacities to successfully steward these new and existing critical resources. Please note: In most Public Housing Authorities that are not embedded within another government structure, the position is at a Director’s level.

The ideal candidate has robust senior leadership and finance/accounting experience, especially with federal grants, affordable housing, homeless programs, and full-cycle finance. Direct experience with the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) program is helpful, while a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) license is preferred.

The Department of Housing Services is an innovative and integrated organization comprised of our Moving to Work (MTW) Housing Authority (a component unit of Washington County), Homeless Programming team, and affordable housing development operations. This integrated team model allows the Housing Department to quickly and effectively respond to our community’s housing assistance, affordable housing and homeless needs. Our team strives to center equity, diversity and inclusion and this position will have the opportunity to infuse these values in our yearly budgeting process and financial reporting practice.

Washington County values a culture of equity, diverse perspectives, and life experiences. Our organization embraces innovation, collaboration and work-life harmony.  We offer job stability, a comprehensive benefits package, and an opportunity to serve and support our diverse community. We are an equal opportunity employer with a commitment to diversity and an inclusive workforce. Women, minorities, veterans, and people with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

ESSENTIAL JOB DUTIES

Direct Housing Accounting Staff

• Develop and implement goals, objectives, policies, and priorities for administered financial programs and the accounting team.
• Oversee the management of assigned divisional personnel, including planning and delegating work required for efficient and safe operations, conducting performance evaluations, and initiating and implementing disciplinary actions. 
• Ensure staff are properly trained and division managers provide training and coaching, enforce policies, make sound hiring and termination decisions, and resolve employee relations issues.
• Cultivate a culture of teamwork and communication.
• Create a positive, supportive workplace that promotes the organizational values of diversity, equity and inclusion and actively promote an environment respectful of living and working in a multicultural society.

Assume Leadership for Accounting Operations

• Select and apply accounting principles based on experience and applicable policy.    
• Perform risk assessments and implement new tools and procedures to mitigate risk.   
• Prepare and communicate accurate, timely, and useful financial statements and other fiscal reports required by management, governmental agencies, partners, investors, trustees, lenders, and other users of financial information. 
• Consult with senior management on financial and accounting issues; advise the Executive Director on these matters.
• Serve as lead or agency representative on a variety of boards, commissions, and committees.
• Attend and participate in professional group meetings.  
• Stay current on new trends and innovations in the field of finance and accounting for housing authorities.
• Oversee Department managers responsible for the following functions with the Department and the housing authority: Accounts Receivable, Accounts Payable, General Ledger policies and procedures, grants and contracts, payroll and benefit administration, budgeting, and financial reporting.

Serve as Technical Lead for Housing Finance Software

• Act as lead department point of contact for software implementations, upgrades, reporting, security, etc.
• Serve as backup administrator for electronic banking systems.
• Implement and maintain systems for tracking audits, including audits, audit dates, findings, impacted areas, financial implication, etc.
• With assistance from the accounting managers, implement and maintain systems for budget input and tracking. 

Oversee Development and Implementation of Accounting Policies and Procedures

• Direct staff in formulating and documenting accounting policies and procedures.
• Ensure financial records accurately reflect the business transactions of the organization and in compliance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP).
• Recommend and administer policies and procedures.
• Ensure that adequate systems of internal control are in place to provide accurate accounting records and to safeguard assets.
• Document internal controls and recordkeeping practices.
• Ensure finance and accounting staff are trained in all areas pertinent to their job.
• Ensure other divisions have adequate training from the Department on fiscal responsibility, budgeting, accounting procedures, and financial reporting, as required.

Oversee Department and Housing Authority Audits

• Ensure accuracy and integrity of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and Internal Revenue Services (IRS) reporting as related to Multifamily Affordable Housing Development (e.g., tax exempt bonds, tax credits).
• Manage the planning and coordination of audits, tax reviews, governmental reviews, and other third-party evaluations of department finances.
• Authorize disbursements of funds, as required.

Oversee Department and Housing Authority Budget Process

• Oversee the development and administration of the Department and Housing Authority budgets.
• Oversee the forecast of funds needed for staffing, equipment, materials, and supplies
• Monitor and approve expenditures and implement adjustments.
• Oversee the reconciliation of and accounting for Federal moneys used; make financial adjustments and report results.
• Work with managers throughout the department and housing authority to complete budgets on time.

Assistant Director -  Finance is a working title. The position is classified as an Assistant Director of Housing Services. Washington County organizes its positions into classifications, which are typically written broadly. To see a full listing of job duties for this position, please see the job classification: Assistant Director of Housing Services.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education and Experience:

•  A Bachelor's Degree in public administration, business administration, finance, urban planning, community development, or a related field AND four (4) years of experience in public sector or nonprofit management and leadership, of which three (3) years of experience must be in a direct supervisory or management capacity; OR
• Eight (8) years of experience in public sector or nonprofit management or leadership, of which three (3) years of experience must be in a direct supervisory or management capacity.

Preferred Qualification:
Though not required to apply, preference will be given to candidates who hold a current Certified Public Accounting (CPA) License.

Additional Licenses, Certificates, Physical Abilities, and Specialty Requirements: 

• Must pass a criminal background investigation.
• Possession of, or the ability to obtain within one (1) year of hire, a Public Housing Manager certification; AND
• Possession of, or the ability to obtain within one (1) year of hire, a HCV (Housing Choice Voucher) management certification; AND
• Must have the ability to attend required offsite meetings throughout the County.

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION

Washington County is committed to using a Merit Based System in which recruiting, selecting, and advancing employees is based on their relative knowledge, skills, and abilities.
 
Selection Process: 
1. Week of August 20, 2023: A minimum qualificaiton evaluation of training and experience of submitted application packets will be performed by Human Resources.
 
2. Week of August 27, 2023 : A Subject Matter Expert (SME) Panel will perform an evaluation of experience and training taken from your employment application materials including responses to the supplemental questionnaire.
 
3. Our goal is to schedule oral panel interviews with candidates that successfully passed the SME evaluation step as soon as possible.
 
Please note: candidates that are successful in the evaluation process may have their applications referred for additional vacancies in the same classification, or job family. 
 
Veterans' Preference 
If you are a Veteran and would like to be considered for a Veterans' preference for this recruitment, please review instructions using this link: Veterans' Preference Points (Download PDF reader) (Download PDF reader) (Download PDF reader) (Download PDF reader)(Download PDF reader)(Download PDF reader). 
 
Accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act 
Reasonable accommodation is available to anyone whose specific disability prevents them from completing this application or participating in the selection process for this recruitment. To obtain confidential assistance please contact Human Resources 503-846-8606, or e-mail: hr@washingtoncountyor.gov  at least 48 hours before any step in the recruitment and selection process for which you feel you need accommodation.
 
Status of Your Application 
You will be advised by e-mail of your status at each step in the application process, from initial application to final employment disposition. Please note that Washington County communicates with all candidates via email. If you "opt out" or "unsubscribe" of email notification from notices in NEOGOV it will impact our ability to communicate with you about job postings.
 
Questions (?) Regarding This Recruitment 
Gregory Garabedian, Talent Acquisition Business Partner 
Gregory_Garabedian@washingtoncountyor.gov