City of Long Beach, CA
City of Long Beach, California, United States
May 21, 2024
Full Time
DESCRIPTION THE COMMUNITY Ideally located on the Pacific Ocean south of Los Angeles, adjacent to Orange County, the City of Long Beach, California (population 470,000) is frequently described as a series of strong, diverse interwoven smaller communities within a large city. Enjoying an ideal Southern California climate, Long Beach is home to an abundance of cultural and recreational options. The Long Beach Convention Center, Aquarium of the Pacific, Queen Mary, and the annual Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach, plus a wide variety of other attractions (two historic ranchos, three marinas, and five golf courses), serve to draw 6.5 million visitors a year. The City is also home to California State University, Long Beach and Long Beach City College. Cal State Long Beach is the second largest university in the state and was recently ranked the No. 3 best-value public college in the nation. Serving the K-12 student population, the Long Beach Unified School District consistently ranks among the Top 10 urban school districts in the country. Covering approximately 50 square miles, Long Beach is supported by a wide mix of industries with education, health and social services, manufacturing, retail trade, and professional services comprising the highest representation. Long Beach was named by America’s Promise Alliance as one of the 100 Best Communities for Young People two years in a row. While it offers all the amenities of a large metropolis, many say Long Beach offers the added benefit of having maintained a strong sense of community and cohesiveness despite its growth. Long Beach is the seventh largest city in California and has been referred to as the "most diverse city" in the country by USA Today. A superb climate, quality schools, a vibrant downtown, and a wide variety of neighborhoods help make Long Beach one of the most livable communities in the country. CITY GOVERNMENT Long Beach, a charter city formed in 1897, is governed by nine City Council members elected by district and a city-wide elected Mayor. Other elected officials include the City Attorney, City Auditor, and City Prosecutor. The elected officials are elected to staggered four-year terms. The City Council appoints the City Manager, City Clerk, and Police Oversight Director. The City Manager is responsible for the efficient administration of all City departments, excluding those under direction of a separately elected official, Board, or Commission. Long Beach is one of only three cities in California with its own Health Department and one of the very few municipalities with its own Utilities (Water and Gas) and Energy Resources Departments. The City is supported by a FY 2024 total budget of $3.3 billion with a General Fund budget of $719 million. More than 6,000 full and part-time employees support municipal operations with the majority being represented by twelve employee associations. To learn more about the City of Long Beach, go to: https://www.longbeach.gov/ THE DEPARTMENT The Department of Financial Management, with 267 authorized permanent positions, oversees the City’s financial and fleet services operations (each constituting about half of the department’s employees) and serves as a financial adviser to the City Manager and City Council. The Department is organized into the following bureaus: Administration City Controller/Accounting Budget Management Business Services Commercial Services Fleet Services City Treasurer The Department’s mission is to help the City Manager, Mayor and City Council keep the City financially strong, and to provide high quality fleet operations. The Department maintains an informal, relaxed and personable work environment that promotes high productivity and integrity as well as best in class policies and procedures. THE BUREAU The Fleet Services Bureau’s purpose is to provide vehicle and equipment acquisitions, preventive maintenance, unscheduled repair and fueling services to City departments so they can have safe, reliable, and cost-effective equipment and vehicles to accomplish their operational goals and purpose. Fleet Services’ Towing Division provides towing and lien sales for unclaimed property. Core functions include fleet operations and acquisitions (vehicle purchase, outfitting, and auction; green fleet sustainability strategy and policy coordination; electric vehicle (EV) and charging infrastructure planning and deployment; fleet performance and efficiency analysis; preventive maintenance and unscheduled repair; and City fuel and fuel storage management) and towing and lien sales (City vehicle towing and roadside service and City vehicle and property auction). Fleet Services accounts for half of the Financial Management Department’s employees, and 70 percent of the Department’s budget. The City of Long Beach Fleet has regularly received recognition from national publications such as Government Fleet magazine and National Association of Fleet Administrators (NAFA). In 2024, the City was awarded the No.1 Leading Fleet in the country by Government Fleet. In 2023, the City was recognized as the No. 5 Leading Fleet in North America, and was awarded second place in the 2023 Green Garage Awards as well as the No. 2 Greenest “Garage” in North America by the National Association of Fleet Administrators (NAFA). These awards recognize the most progressive and environmentally committed and innovative vehicle fleet maintenance garages in the nation. In addition, these awards acknowledge environmentally friendly fleets that prioritize sustainability and lower carbon footprints throughout their operations and showcase their best practices for eco-friendly vehicle fleet maintenance garages. Fleet Services Bureau takes pride in setting and maintaining industry standards, while upholding innovation as the future of fleet vehicles evolves. THE POSITION The Fleet Services Finance Officer is an unclassified, at-will position that reports to the Manager of the Fleet Services Bureau. The position is responsible for capital planning/ACF infrastructure long-term financial programs; preparation of the Bureau’s annual budget, financial statements, and the Citywide cost-allocation model assigning vehicle and equipment costs to Fleet’s various internal City department clients; oversight of contracts, purchasing agreements, accounts payable and receivable operations, and grants; as well as facilitating operational and process improvements. The position is also heavily invested in the City’s transition to Zero-emissions vehicles, planning and implementation of associated infrastructure, and communication with stakeholders. The position supervises seven staff members in the Administration Division of the Bureau, and often serves as Acting Fleet Services Bureau Manager when necessary. There are four other divisions supported within the Bureau: Fleet Maintenance, Fleet Acquisitions, Fleet Fuel and Underground Storage Tank (UST) Operations, and Towing and Lien Sales. For additional information about the Fleet Services Bureau, please refer to th is informational video and https://www.longbeach.gov/finance/fleet-services-bureau/recruitment/ . THE IDEAL CANDIDATE The Fleet Services Finance Officer will be a seasoned supervisor or manager who has a demonstrated ability to provide strong leadership in an active and diverse operational environment and possesses strong organizational and interpersonal skills. The ideal candidate will be customer service oriented with a history of effective partnerships and responsiveness; providing creative solutions to solving problems and resolving conflict. Preferred skills include the ability to fit well within an energetic and dedicated team, manage diverse priorities and projects, and embody the attributes of principled leadership: trusteeship, values, ethics, commitment, honesty, involvement, and vision. The ideal candidate will have experience with financial/accounting oversight, budget development, revenue management, contract administration and the ability to collect, compile, and analyze information and develop accurate reports. The ideal candidate will have strong oral and written communication skills. EXAMPLES OF DUTIES Duties of this position include, but are not limited to: Manages, monitors and reports on all governmental funds for the Fleet Services Bureau; Prepares and manages the Bureau’s annual budget and long-term financial plan/model; Manages, coordinates and administers fiscal analysis, accounting, billing, and cash management; Prepares the Bureau’s annual budget, financial statements, and the Citywide cost-allocation model assigning vehicle and equipment costs to Fleet’s various internal City department clients; Oversees and approves contract execution, City Council letters, invoicing and other procurement related processes; Reviews and reconciles monthly expenditures and revenue with purchases, budget amounts, and year-end estimates to close; Supervises seven employees in the Administration Division; Performs analyses and provides information to Bureau management and other City departments with regard to financial status, contracts, payments and property. REQUIREMENTS TO FILE MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS The Department of Financial Management invites candidates who meet the following minimum requirements: EDUCATION Graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Public Administration, Finance, or a closely related field. Candidates may substitute experience offering specific and substantial preparation for the duties of the position for the required education on a year-for-year basis. *Required documents, such as transcripts, degrees, certificates, or licenses, must be uploaded to the online application in PDF format at the time of filing. Any documents submitted must contain either the applicant's name or other identifying characteristics on the document. Proof of education for academic degrees should indicate the type of degree and date of degree conferral. Candidates who possess degrees or units from outside the United States must attach proof of educational equivalency at the time of filing. EXPERIENCE Three (3) years of paid, full-time equivalent, progressive finance experience such as collecting, compiling and analyzing financial, statistical and technical data or equivalent analytical skills. One (1) year of the required experience must have been gained in a lead or supervisory level position that relates to duties of this position. A California Class “C” Driver License is required. DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS Experience in multi-fund budget management and development of at least $20 million budgets; Experience with enterprise resource planning or comparable accounting software; Experience with rate/fee structure analysis and development; Experience with procurement and cooperative agreements; Master's degree in Business Administration, Public Administration, Accounting, Finance or related field is preferred. SELECTION PROCEDURE This recruitment will close at 11:59 PM Pacific Time on Wednesday, June 19, 2024. To be considered, please submit an online application, including a cover letter, resume, and proof of degree (if qualifying with a degree) in PDF format. Applications that fail to include all necessary documents will be considered incomplete and will not be taken into consideration. Applications will be reviewed for depth and breadth of experience, and for level and relatedness of education. The most qualified candidates will be invited to participate in further selection procedures. For questions regarding this recruitment, please contact Kimberly Cervantes at (562) 570-5494. The City of Long Beach is an Equal Opportunity Employer . We value and encourage diversity in our workforce. The City of Long Beach is committed to creating a workplace where every employee is valued for who they are. Having our workforce reflect the diversity of our community at various levels of the organization is a continuous goal embraced by our departments, management staff, and policymakers. To support efforts of fairness and diversity, City Leadership is committed to incorporating equity and inclusion into our work by supporting staff and community partners. We are committed to promoting transparency by publishing updated demographic information for employees, including workforce diversity data and pay by race and gender. The City of Long Beach intends to provide reasonable accommodations in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. If a special accommodation is desired, or if you would like to request this information in an alternative format, please call Kimberly Cervantes at (562) 570-5494. The City of Long Beach offers its employees opportunities to grow personally and professionally.As a permanent employee, you are eligible to receive fringe benefits that include: Retirement: California Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS) defined benefit retirement plan, which is coordinated with Social Security. The benefit is 2.5% or 2.7% (depending on hire date) @55 for "Classic" members and 2% @62 for new members as defined by PEPRA, subject to the compensation limitations set by PERS. Both the City and the employee contributes toward CalPERS retirement contributions. The city also participates in Social Security. Health and Dental Insurance: The City offers the choice of HMO and PPO plans. The city pays major portion of the premium for employee and dependents depending on the health/ dental plan selected. Life Insurance: City-paid term life insurance policy equal to three (3) times annual salary to a maximum of $500,000. Disability Insurance: City-paid short-term and long-term disability insurance. Management Physical: Annual City-paid physical examination. Vacation: Twelve (12) vacation days after the first year of service; 15 days after four years, six months of service; 20 days after 19 years, six months of service. Executive Leave: Forty (40) hours Executive Leave per year. The City Manager has discretion to grant an additional 40 hours each year. Sick Leave : One day earned per month; unlimited accumulation; conversion upon retirement to cash credit toward health and/or dental insurance premiums, or to pension credits. Holidays: Eleven (11) designated holidays per year, plus four personal holidays to be used at the employee's discretion. Transportation Allowance: Monthly allowance is allocated by classifications below; Department Head $650.00 Deputy Director/Manager/Director (Harbor/Utilities) $550.00 Division Officer/Superintendent/ Chief of Staff / Administrator / Principal DCA $450.00 Assistant to Executive / Executive Assistant / Executive Secretary/ Executive Support Staff $300.00 Deferred Compensation Plan: Optional for employee contribution to a supplementary retirement savings program available through Mission Square Retirement formerly ICMA-RC Retirement Corporation). Classic CalPERS Members: The City will contribute a maximum of up to two percent (2%) of base salary* for all qualified Classic CalPERS members. Public Employees’ Pension Reform Act (PEPRA) CalPERS Members: Effective the second full pay period following City Council adoption, the City contribution will increase from two percent (2%) to three percent (3%) of base salary* for all qualified PEPRA CalPERS members. Flexible Spending Account (FSA): Optional election for employees to reduce taxable income for payment of allowable childcare or medical expenses. Flexible/Hybrid Work Schedule: Available (subject to City Manager approval). Paid Parental Leave: The City provides one hundred and sixty (160) hours of Paid Parental Leave at 100% of salary, for the birth, adoption or foster placement of a child, regardless of the gender, marital status or sexual orientation of the parent. Closing Date/Time: 6/19/2024 11:59 PM Pacific