UNIQUE OPPORTUNITY
The City of Livingston is seeking an innovative, collaborative and service-oriented professional to serve as its Finance Director. This is a wonderful opportunity to play a significant role in the leadership of this California community rich in history, culture and diversity. Livingston is a city that values and preserves its scenic beauty and provides a variety of intellectual, educational, cultural, recreational, historic and economic opportunities to its diverse population and visitors.
THE CITY OF LIVINGSTON
Livingston was founded in 1871 and incorporated in 1922. Livingston lies in the fertile San Joaquin Valley between Merced and Modesto. Its current population is 14,410 The Valley’s spectacular views forms the backdrop to the community. Like the rest of the valley, it has long, dry summers and mild winters, alternating between fog, rain and sun. Livingston is considered a primary hub of the agriculture community due to its fertile soil.
Agriculture has been Livingston’s primary industry. The grape industry and later Gallo Wineries have achieved worldwide prominence as do the sweet potato and almond industries. Livingston is home to the world headquarters of Foster Farms and has the largest poultry plant in the world within the city limits.
Livingston is a city on the move and is in a period of transition and transformation due to new residential and commercial development. The community is rapidly becoming a premier ethnically diverse, residential, commercial and industrial center in Merced County and the Central Valley. A new train stop in Merced will bring people and business to the city. It is strategically located along one of California’s major freeway arteries and is just two hours from the San Francisco Bay, the Pacific Coast, and the majestic Sierra Nevada mountains.
Merced County covers 2,000 square miles and has a population of 247,000. Livingston is intertwined with the economy of Merced County which is enjoying an industrial renaissance that has brought approximately 3,000 new jobs with an estimated impact of $100 million into the County the past 2 years.
GOVERNANCE
Livingston operates as a General Law City, provides for a City-Council manager form of government, which clearly distinguishes the legislative powers of the City Council from the Administrative powers of the City Manager. The City Council has five members, including the Mayor and a Mayor ProTem. The citizens elect council members for four-year, overlapping terms. The Mayor is elected for a two-year term, and the Mayor Pro-Tem is elected by the council members. The City Council has authority to adopt ordinances, resolutions, policies and regulations and establishes policies for the effective and efficient delivery of municipal services to the City. The Council also adopts the annual budget, appoints the City Manager, and establishes goals, objectives, and performance measures for the city government and City Manager. The City Manager oversees the work of all staff members, consultants, and City departments.
MISSION STATEMENT
The Mission of the City of Livingston is to (1) protect the health, safety and welfare of the residents; (2) ensure high quality residential, commercial and industrial development that preserves the community’s character and is in harmony with the City’s unique small town environment; (3) deliver high quality, responsive and customer-orientated City services in an efficient and effective manner; (4) develop, and encourage a culturally diverse community and (5) promote an economically diversified commercial and industrial sector to promote a vibrant City economy and ensure the future financial stability of the City
THE POSITION
Under the direction of the City Manager, the Finance Director plans directs, manages and oversees the activities and operations of the division; coordinates assigned activities with other City departments/divisions and outside agencies; and provides expert assistance to the City Council, City Manager and others. The Finance Director oversees the operational areas of financial management, budget preparation, personnel management, risk management, state and federal reporting, and special projects and studies. The Director oversees eight full-time employees in Finance and Human Resources.
THE FINANCE DIVISION
The Livingston Finance Division is part of the City Manager’s office. Under the City Manager’s office are the Deputy City Clerk and Administrative Service Functions. Under Administrative Services are the Finance and Human Resources Division. The Finance Division is responsible for budgeting, payroll, purchasing, information systems, records maintenance, personnel administration, contract administration, and the administration of state and federal funds. In addition to preparing the annual budget, the Finance Director also prepares a five year fiscal model. The current annual budget is $81.6 Million. The finance division is responsible for providing trustworthy financial services and accurate financial information. It plans, directs, monitors and improves the fiscal operations of the City. Division employees prepare financial statements for the annual financial audit and provide financial support for the preparation by the City Manager’s office of the annual budget. Personnel perform various accounting functions including accounts receivable, accounts payable, utility billing, general ledger, and other general accounting functions. The division collects City business license fees and is responsible for billing and collection of monthly utility bills. The Finance Division makes debt service payments, invests the City’s idle cash, and present monthly financial statements for the City Council, City Manager and department heads.
IDEAL CANDIDATE
The next Finance Director:
Has a strong finance/accounting background.
In depth knowledge of critical position skills, including budgeting, long-term forecasting, auditing, fund accounting, debt service, fixed assets, accounting, year-end entries, debt service, and cost accounting.
Proficient with financial reporting (building the CAFR), writing staff reports, budget narratives, financial report narratives.
Strong managerial experience, including mentoring.
Comfortable setting expectations and following through the progressive discipline process.
Works collaboratively with other divisions/departments and agencies.
Understands the “big picture”, but is also detail oriented.
Effective, confident communicator with the finance team and other staff. Strong listening and interpersonal skills; embraces proactive communication and sharing of information throughout the organization.
The ideal candidate will have significant experience and a proven track record in local government finance. Candidates who have experience in a jurisdiction of similar makeup and complexities will be favorably considered.
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE
Any combination of experience and training that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities is:
Bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, business administration, public administration or related field.
Seven years increasingly responsible accounting experience involving the review, analysis, maintenance and adjustment of a variety of funds, budgets and accounts including two years in an administrative capacity in municipal or government operations.
Desirable Licenses, Certifications and other Requirements:
Certified Public Accountant (CPA) is desirable but not required.
Master’s degree in accounting, finance, business administration, public administration or related field is desirable but not required.
Current Issues and Priorities
In preparation for the recruitment of the Finance Director, the City Manager has identified the following current short- and long-term issues and priorities that will require the energy, commitment, and expertise of the successful candidate:
· Establish and update financial policies.
· Document existing processes: budget; audit; fixed assets; reconciliations.
· Review current processes for budgeting and reporting and identify efficiencies from automation.
COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS
The salary range for the position is $115,954.04 to $140,942.86 depending on qualifications and experience. Salary is complemented by an attractive benefits package that includes:
Retirement: CalPERS 2% @ 55 classic employees, city pays 1% of employees 7% portion; 2% @ 57 employees new to CalPERS. Employee pays the full CalPERS contribution. The city does not participate in Social Security, except for the mandatory 1.45% Medicare contribution.
Deferred Compensation: 457 deferred compensation program available.
Health Insurance: Medical, dental, vision insurance offered to employees. Various insurance plans are offered, plus the opportunity to contribute to a Flexible Spending Account .
Group Life Insurance and Accidental Death and Dismemberment Plan:100% paid by the City, capped at $130,000.
Vacation: 80 hours per year.
Holidays: 12 days per year, plus two floating holidays.
Sick leave: 96 hours per year
Administrative Leave: 110 hours per year.
APPLICATION AND SELECTION PROCEDURE
The final filing date for this position is Friday, July 7, 2023.
To be considered please submit a City of Livingston employment application, your resume, cover letter, and three professional references, who will not be contacted in the early stages of the process.
Resume should reflect years and months of employment including beginning/ending dates.
Go to our website www.cityoflivingston/jobs to learn more about the position.
To submit your application: email acruz [at] livingstoncity.com (acruz[at]livingstoncity[dot]com) mail 1416 C Street, Livingston, CA 95334.
For questions contact Arcelia Cruz at acruz [at] livingstoncity.com (acruz[at]livingstoncity[dot]com)
The City of Livingston is an Equal Opportunity Employer and welcomes applications from all qualified applicants. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, medical condition, disability or sexual orientation.