City of Newton – Finance and Administration Director of Public Works

Primary purpose:

Under the direction of the Commissioner of Public Works, manages the day to day administrative and financial operation and all related functions for the Department of Public Works. Oversees and maintains the departmental budget across all divisions. Provides supervision to approximately fifteen (15) staff, including unionized staff. Must be a motivated and driven individual with a desire to overcome new challenges, create innovative processes, mentor employees, and support others.

Supervision:

Supervision Received: This position reports to the Deputy Commissioner of Public Works and the Commissioner of Public Works. The Director completes work in accordance with established departmental and City policies, standards, and expectations.

Supervision Given: Leads and supervises the Finance and Administration Divisions of Public Works, which consists of approximately fifteen employees including union staff. The Director is responsible for training, directing, and assisting personnel, as well as managing costs and methods as required by the Commissioner of Public Works.

Essential Functions:

(The essential functions or duties listed are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed.  The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position.)

• Manage the department’s budgeting and financial operations, including operating budget, state funding, grant budgets and capital budgets.
• Lead and supervise all department finance staff including Financial Analysts, Utilities Billing staff, Accounting staff, and Payroll staff.
• Authorize and approve all procurement, payables, payroll, and financial activity for the department.
• Analyze proposed operating budget requests and participate in negotiation of budget issues with members of the executive team. Conduct sensitivity analysis, revenue forecasting, and rate restructuring of three utility enterprise funds.
• Work closely with all managers to track and oversee operating/project budgets and ensure sound business practices throughout the department.
• Provide budget and account information analysis for the Commissioner, Comptroller, and Mayor’s Office. Report on the financial status of large capital projects.
• Develop financial models, conduct benchmarking, and perform performance analysis.
• Create presentations, manages the preparation, administration, and renewal of various grants from state and federal agencies.
• Reports on the financial status of large capital projects by department.
• Develop financial models, conduct benchmarking and performance analysis.
• Create presentations and Ad-Hoc reports for Mayor, Chief Financial Officer (CFO), Chief Operating Officer (COO), Department Heads, and City Council.
• Oversee contract management functions, including writing contract specifications and working with the Purchasing Department to award contracts in accordance with applicable statutes.
• Plan, control, administer, and direct all human resources functions for the department.
• Create and monitor department performance measures and internal systems to ensure accountability.
• Performs other related duties as assigned by the Commissioner of Public Works.
• Attends and participates in Department and other meetings internally and externally as well as various special events.
• Performs similar or related work as required, directed or as situations dictate.

Qualifications:

(To perform successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals to perform the essential functions. We encourage all candidates who feel they are capable of successfully performing the responsibilities as outlined in this position description, regardless of the qualifications listed below to apply.)

Education, Training and Experience: 

Bachelor’s Degree in accounting, business management, or a related field required, master’s preferred. Five (5) years of experience in business operations and finance and five (5) years of supervisory experience required, or any equivalent combination of education and experience.

A strong commitment to public service is required.

Knowledge, Ability and Skill:   

Knowledge: Knowledge of finance, accounting, strategic planning, municipal budgeting and planning, contract management, human resources, and staff management. Knowledge of federal, state, and local laws and best practices related to municipal finance. Knowledge of personal computer hardware and software.

Ability: Ability to provide strong leadership and implement departmental change, ability to set priorities; ability to follow through on ideas; ability to manage multiple tasks in a detailed, accurate and timely manner. Must be able to represent the Department of Public Works effectively and to advocate for the department in a variety of situations requiring knowledge, negotiation skills, diplomacy, and tact.  Must be capable of exercising independent judgment. Ability to prepare and manage budgets, departmental finances, department contracts and grants. Ability to train, supervise and evaluate employees effectively. Ability to communicate clearly and concisely both orally and in writing.

Skill: Good finance, accounting, and strategic planning skills; strong organizational and record-keeping skills; strong management skills; excellent oral and written communication skills. Experience working with various computer and finance programs to maintain accurate financial records.  Must be able to respect/preserve confidentiality.

Work Environment

The work environment involves a typical office environment. Employee may be required to visit offsite Public Works Department offices. Employee may be required to work beyond normal business hours to attend evening meetings.

Operates computers, printers, facsimile machine, copier, calculator, telephone, and standard office equipment.

Has frequent contact with other City departments, current employees, and vendors/service providers.

Has access to all department-level confidential information, which requires the application of appropriate judgment, discretion, and professional office protocols.

Typical office environment with climate control. There is minimal risk of serious injury.

Physical skills and effort

(The physical demands described here represent those requirements that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.)

Tasks require the ability to exert light physical effort in sedentary to light work, which may involve some lifting, carrying, pushing and/or pulling of objects and materials of light weight (5 – 10 pounds). Tasks may involve extended periods of time at a keyboard or workstation. Some tasks require the ability to perceive and discriminate sounds and visual cues or signals. Some tasks require the ability to communicate orally. Requires the ability to operate, maneuver and/or control the actions of equipment, machinery, tools, and/or materials used in performing essential functions.

Performance Standard

Employees at all levels are expected to effectively work together to meet the needs of the community and the City through work behaviors demonstrating the City’s values. Employees are also expected to lead by example and demonstrate the highest level of ethics.

(This job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee and is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer and requirements of the job change, subject to collective bargaining obligations, where applicable.)

THE CITY:

The City of Newton is a wonderful place to live and work. Newton has safe and attractive neighborhoods, an excellent public school system, an active community life, multiple transportation systems, proximity to Boston and a well-managed and financially strong City government. The City of Newton has a population of approximately 88,900, with 32,600 housing units and occupies a land area of 18.3 square miles. Newton is principally suburban-residential in character. Unlike many other communities that are established around a single Main Street or downtown, Newton is comprised of thirteen distinctive villages. Newton has a diversified economic base with approximately 4,700 establishments employing approximately 79,500 people. Newton is special in many ways. It is home to a variety of private secondary and post-secondary schools including a portion of Boston College, Lasell University, William James College, Hebrew College, and the UMass Amherst – Mount Ida Campus.  The longest stretch of the Boston Marathon runs through the City, including the well-known Heartbreak Hill. Newton-Wellesley Hospital, part of the Mass General Brigham health care system, serves as an important partner to the City. In September 2018, Newton was again ranked #1 in Massachusetts as the best place to live and #12 in the U.S.

OUR GOVERNMENT:

Newton has what is known as a “strong Mayor” form of government with the Mayor having the executive and administrative powers of the City. The legislative branch is comprised of 24 City Councilors. Mayor Ruthanne Fuller was sworn in on January 1, 2018 after serving on the City Council. She ran on a platform of providing Newton’s children with a top-notch education in an inclusive environment where empty nesters, seniors, young families, and people of diverse incomes can live together in vibrant villages and neighborhoods. Mayor Fuller is committed to keeping Newton safe, improving the city’s infrastructure, addressing climate change, providing excellent and responsive city services, and fostering art, culture and community life. The first female Mayor of Newton, she is a tireless advocate for all the city’s residents and is committed to making sure the city is welcoming, inclusive and diverse. The City of Newton was evaluated by Moody’s Investors Services in February 2020 and assigned its highest rating of AAA. Newton was thus well-positioned to weather the pandemic and economic downturn.

AS AN EMPLOYER:

The City of Newton believes that its employees are its greatest asset.  To that end, we are committed to supporting our employees by providing competitive wages and growth, a comprehensive benefits package which includes a defined municipal pension plan, quality health and dental insurance plans, generous paid leave benefits, paid holidays, and access to supplemental benefits such as deferred compensation, short term disability plans, flexible spending accounts, and other employee benefits.  We also provide access to an Employee Assistance Program and access to employee training and professional development opportunities.  We continuously work to review and expand upon our benefit offerings.  We encourage you to visit our Human Resources Department website to learn more about our organization and benefits which are available to our employees.  And as always, you are encouraged to reach out to our dynamic HR Team by emailing hr@newtonma.gov.

Human Resources Diversity Statement

We recognize our workforce is a source of strength that is vital to our ability to effectively serve the City of Newton’s diverse community. We will:

•   Actively recruit, develop, and retain a diverse and talented workforce.
•   Proactively address discrimination through education and in partnership with other departments and leaders.
•   Serve as a role model to celebrate and nurture diversity.
•   Foster inclusion by staying curious and clarifying assumptions.
•   Evaluate and develop policies and practices that reflect the diverse nature of our workforce.
•   Build and strengthen accountability at all levels to support diversity efforts.

• Health insurance – 70% employer sponsored
• Dental insurance – basic option and high option
• Tuition Reimbursement – up to $500 per semester, per course
• Flexible Spending Accounts – pre-tax monies taken from your paycheck to pay for certain health and dependent care expenses. The City also offers a commuter benefit.
• 457 Deferred Compensation plans
• Metro Credit Union
• Verizon Wireless discount
• Employee Assistance Program
• Generous paid leave time benefits and paid holidays for this group:
  • 12.5 paid holidays
  • 3 weeks of vacation time/year (new employees in this group accrue vacation time)
  • Accrue 15 special leave days per year (sick time), 5 of which can be used for personal business
  • 2 floating holidays per year (prorated if new employee begins mid-year)
• City Retirement (Mandatory)
• Weekly Direct Deposit
• Opportunity to serve the public and join a dynamic team of dedicated employees