Deputy Finance Director With Grants Responsibility

Job descriptions/specifications are intended to indicate the essential functions and levels of work difficulty of the position and are not intended to describe in detail all of the position's specific duties and responsibilities nor exclude other duties of similar level or difficulty. Additionally, it is not intended to limit management's rights to assign, direct, and control the work of employees under their supervision.

DEFINITION

Under direction of the Finance Director, serve as the Deputy Finance Director and perform work requiring consistent exercise of discretion and judgment by performing a broad range of professional accounting tasks; assist the Finance Director in tasks required for preparation and administration of the City budget and financial statements; provide training and functional supervision of department staff. This position performs complex and sensitive professional work related to financial and grant reporting, grant seeking, grant administration, and coordinating grant management activities on a citywide basis, both during regular operations and in a post-disaster environment. The position is responsible for grant identification, preparation, management, and administration to ensure successful financial outcomes. The position reports to the Finance Director.ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

(Essential functions are those functions that the individual who holds the position must be able to perform unaided or with the assistance of reasonable accommodation.)

• Serve as a representative of the City of Mesquite, demonstrating a positive attitude and progressive actions through the display of professionalism, courtesy, and appropriate tact and discretion in all interactions with other employees and with the public.
• Administer city-sponsored grants, funding opportunities, related grant financial monitoring, and reporting.
• Research and identify grant funding opportunities and sources that match city funding needs - federal, state, and local.
• Facilitate research, development, review and editing of agency grant proposals, prepare, submit and manage grant proposals.
• Assist in the citywide annual budgeting development process including grants and other financial resources.
• Perform general financial accounting and reconciliations specifically related to grant expenditures, prepare the Schedule of Federal Expenditures (SEFA), and assist with financial statement preparation and other summary reports.
• Maintain a calendar of grant submissions and other deadlines, and remain in contact with grant-making organizations in order to be able to supply additional supportive material.
• Oversee all grant-related efforts and compliance citywide with grants.
• Assist with the preparation of the City's annual financial statements and coordinate with the City's outside auditor regarding the associated audit report.
• Oversee day-to-day department operations in the absence of the Finance Director.
• Supervise subordinate employees and provides them with regular reviews and general guidance; develop training programs and provide effective and positive motivational leadership.
• Serve as a grant liaison and resource to other city departments, divisions, and public and outside agencies.
• Participate in citywide committees and meetings to provide expert consultation on grant funding and financial activities.
• Review proposed federal and state legislation for impacts to City-related funding sources
• Maintain a variety of automated record keeping in both financial and grant areas.
• Dependable and meet acceptable attendance requirements at all times
• Follow all applicable safety rules and regulations.

OTHER JOB FUNCTIONS

• Protect confidential information by preventing unauthorized release, both verbal and/or writing.
• Perform other related duties and responsibilities as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

The degree of knowledge and ability as outlined under this section is that which is necessary to satisfactorily perform the essential functions of this position.

Knowledge of:

• English usage, spelling, grammar and punctuation.
• Principles, practices, and procedures of public administration and grant program funding and implementation.
• Sources of information regarding grants.
• The functions of the various city departments to facilitate grant sourcing.
• Methods of research, analysis, and report preparation.
• Principles and practices of contract administration as it applies to grant funding.
• Advanced knowledge of common office computer hardware and software, including database, spreadsheets, word processing and email.
• Accounting and auditing principles relating to grants administration.
• Pertinent federal, state and local laws, codes, regulations.
• Federal disaster recovery funding sources (e.g., Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR), the Economic Development Administration's (EDA) Disaster Relief Opportunity, and the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP))
• Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), Government Accounting Standards Board (GASB) rules, regulations, guidelines and governmental reporting standards as required by GASB 34.
• Obtain working knowledge and familiarity with City ordinances as well as Nevada Revised Statutes (NRS) and Nevada Administrative Codes (NAC) pertaining to financial and grant management, administrative regulations and requirements.
• Rules, regulations, policies, and procedures of a municipal finance department.
• Principles and practices of municipal budget preparation and administration.
• Principles and practices of governmental accounting and the regulation governing the reporting of municipal government financial activities.

Skills in:

• Collect, interpret, analyze and evaluate narrative and statistical data pertaining to policy, fiscal, and department operation matters.
• Analyze policies, regulations, projects, activities, and methods.
• Writing clear, structured, articulate, and persuasive proposals and editing grant proposals; researching new funding sources.
• Managing complex information, to include, strong analytical skills and problem solving.
• Producing written documents with clearly organized thoughts using proper sentence construction, punctuation, spelling and grammar.
• Interpreting, applying and explaining pertinent federal, state and local laws, codes, regulations, policies and procedures.
• Preparing, presenting and maintaining complete, accurate and concise correspondence.

Ability to:

• Work independently with minimal supervision.
• Use initiative and independent judgment within established guidelines.
• Plan, organize and prioritize assignments.
• Manage multiple assignments.
• Meet critical deadlines.
• Understand and carry out complex written and verbal instructions.
• Conduct detailed research, compile statistics and analyze data.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work; using tact, discretion and prudence dealing with a variety of individuals from various socioeconomic, ethnic and cultural backgrounds.
• Maintain confidentiality of information and documents.

Experience, Education and Training:

Any equivalent combination of training, education and experience, which provides the individual with the required knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the job. A typical way to obtain the required knowledge and abilities would be:

Education: Bachelor's degree in finance, accounting, business or public administration or a field related to the essential functions from an accredited college or university is strongly preferred.

SUBSTITUTIONS: An applicant may utilize either of the following options as a substitution to qualify:

• Any combination of education, training and experience in business, public administration, grant writing, or a related field.

Experience: Five (5) years of experience in the areas of essential functions including overseeing finance and grants, of which two (2) years preferred with a municipal government.

Training:

License or Certificate: Must possess at the time of employment and continuously throughout employment a valid Nevada or "border state" driver's license, as defined by NRS 483.

Competencies:

Professionalism- Models core values by being honest, respectful and positive; continuously demonstrates the core values of the city; supervisory actions are collaborative whenever possible and intended to grow the city's capacity at an individual, unit, division and/or department level.

Managing Performance- Takes responsibility for own and assigned employees' performance, by setting clear goals and expectations, tracking progress against the goals, ensuring regular feedback, and addressing performance problems and issues promptly.

Strategic Thinking- Effective performers act with the future in mind. They plan and make decisions within the framework of the City's strategic intent. They know and understand the factors influencing strategy (e.g., core competence, customers, and the organization's current strengths and limitations). They consider future impact when weighing decisions. They constantly think in terms of continually improving City services.

Visioning- Effective performers are imaginative. They are able to create a vision of a preferred future for their teams. They communicate it clearly and enthusiastically in such a way that others are attracted to it. They are able to bring the vision to life for team members.

Diplomacy- Effective performers work well within the City's power network. They are perceptive to social cues in the environment. They recognize personal agendas. They are skilled at handling situations without arousing hostility and are able to navigate the political water of the City. They forge coalitions and know how to stay viable within the system.

Business Thinking- Effective performers see the City as a series of integrated and interlocking business processes. They understand general business concepts that govern these systems and their interfaces. They create and/or realign these systems in response to changing needs. They understand that a change in one process can have dramatic and unintended impact across the entire City. They are adept at using these interdependencies to synergistic advantage.

Risk-Taking- Effective performers have a history of, and propensity for, taking calculated changes to achieve goals. They find a balance between analysis and action. When they fail, they accept it, learn from it, and move on to the next challenge.

Financial Acumen- Effective performers understand the financial framework of the City. They establish and monitor appropriate financial measures (e.g. , balance sheet, income statement, cash flow, etc.). They interpret and use financial data to make informed business decisions.

Presentation Skills- Effective performers are able to organize and deliver public speeches that effectively inform or persuade audiences. They are adept at using current presentation technologies and media formats. They are able to field audience questions comfortably and confidently.

Assertiveness- Effective performers readily offer opinions and take action even when their position may be unpopular. They are willing to challenge others appropriately when required. They are self-confident - they trust their own judgment and are not overly dependent upon the approval of others.

Global mindset- Effective performers see the City's business in a global context. They look beyond their own borders for opportunities for continuous improvement.

Leader Identification- Effective performers identify with the role of leader and enjoy positions of responsibility and the exercise of authority. They understand that management is a distinct vocation and choose to be in a leadership position.WORKING CONDITIONS

Work is performed under the following conditions:

Physical Requirements:

Duties require sufficient mobility to work in a typical office setting, use standard office equipment, and be capable of traveling to and from various work sites or other City locations; sustained posture in a seated position for prolonged periods of time; occasional stooping, twisting, bending, kneeling, and reaching; vision to read printed materials and a VDT screen, and hearing and speech to communicate in person or over the telephone; endurance sufficient to maintain efficiency and energy through work day. Must be able to attend off-site/out of town training occasionally, handle stressful situations and must be able to carry/lift/push or pull loads of up to 25lbs. Attend meetings outside of normal working hours.

Dealing With Difficult People:

Employee will have to deal with difficult people from time to time in the performance of this job. Accordingly, good people skills are necessary.

Background Investigation: Employment is contingent upon successful completion of a background investigation.

The City of Mesquite is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the City will provide reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals. The City of Mesquite encourages both incumbents and individuals who have been offered employment to discuss potential accommodations with the employer.

Revised & Approved: January 2025gm