The Position
The City of Oakland is an equal opportunity employer that values workforce diversity, inclusion, and equity. Oakland has a long history of activism around issues of justice and equity. Both oppression and this resistance to oppression have shaped the city’s historical roots and the lives of its residents to this day. As public servants in one of the most diverse cities in the nation, we strive to develop employees who understand the harm and impacts of systemic inequity to create lasting, meaningful outcomes for everyone. Oakland strives to establish an environment that embraces the richness of culture, community, and individualism of employees.
Why join the City of Oakland Finance Department? The Finance Department provides quality government financial services to the City of Oakland. We manage the City’s financial affairs with the highest degree of customer service, honesty, and integrity. We value teamwork, trust, accountability, and fiscal responsibility. The Principal Financial Analyst position is a supervisory classification in the Controller’s Bureau of the Finance Department and will support citywide financial reporting and oversight of internal controls .
We are looking for someone who is: - Experienced in governmental accounting and financial reporting. You have participated in governmental financial audits and possess strong analytical and accounting skills.
- A strong communicator. You can convey complex financial topics orally and in writing to both general audiences and technical experts.
- A proven leader. You are experienced in supervision of financial staff and can inspire public employees to a ccomplish shared goals and reach their full potential.
- A skilled analyst and user of financial data. Y ou are accustomed to utilizing a variety of financial systems and data sources to conduct analyses , draw conclusions , and support decision-making.
- A productive and efficient manager. You can accomplish a large vol ume of work with limited resources and know how to maximize the effectiveness of your staff.
What you will typically be responsible for: - Managing citywide financial reporting efforts .
- Preparing staff reports for City Council and ad hoc analyses of financial topics.
- Responding to audit requests and assisting with intergovernmental relations.
- Providing direction to Accounts Payable and Accounts Receivable units.
- Assisting with staff recruitment and training.
- Supervising and coordinating the work of staff.
Read the complete job description by clicking this link: Principal Financial Analyst - Class Specification Bulletin
*Click on the link below to see a video on what it's like to work for the City of Oakland!
Working for the City of Oakland
A few reasons you might love this job: - You will join a team of collaborative experts with a deep knowledge of municipal financial systems and practices.
- You will have the opportunity to master governmental financial reporting and lead a team of capable staff.
- You will have opportunities for advancement to management positions.
- You will be part of an organization devoted to supporting the finances of a vibrant, growing City .
- You will be supported by a management team that has earned a reputation for high performance and responsiveness to team member and City priorities .
A few challenges you might face in this job: - You will need to quickly learn new systems and duties while facing multiple deadlines .
- You will need to develop relationships with individuals from across the City to succeed.
- You will receive urgent requests with short turnaround times and will be expected to manage your time effectively.
Competencies Required:- Analyzing & Interpreting Data: Drawing meaning and conclusions from quantitative or qualitative data
- Critical Thinking: Analytically and logically evaluating information, propositions, and claims
- Reading Comprehension: Understanding and using written information
- Legal & Regulatory Navigation: Understanding, interpreting, and ensuring compliance with laws and regulations
- Professional & Technical Expertise: Applying technical subject matter to the job
- Using Technology: Working with electronic hardware and software applications
- Attention to Detail: Focusing on the details of work content, work steps, and final work products
- Handling Stress: Maintaining emotional stability and self-control under pressure, challenge, or adversity
- Innovative Problem Solving: Identifying and analyzing problems in order to propose new and better ways of doing things
- Professional Integrity & Ethics: Displaying honesty, adherence to principles, and personal accountability
- Writing: Communicating effectively in writing
- Building & Maintaining Relationships: Establishing rapport and maintaining mutually productive relationships
- Leadership: Guiding and encouraging others to accomplish a common goal
- Teamwork: Collaborating with others to achieve shared goals
- Project Management: Ensuring that projects are on-time, on-budget, and achieve their objectives
Minimum Requirements for Application
This recruitment will produce two eligible lists. The restricted list will be for full-time, permanent part-time, or part-time City and Port of Oakland employees who meet the minimum qualifications. The open list will be for all other applicants who meet the minimum qualifications.
Any combination of education and experience that is equivalent to the following minimum qualifications is acceptable.
Education: A Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in business or public administration, economics, finance, accounting or closely related field.
Experience: Five (5) years progressively responsible experience performing computerized financial analysis, forecasting or budgeting in local government or other fiscally complex organization including one (1) year of experience in a supervisory or lead role.
Supplemental Information
The Recruitment Process:
The City of Oakland works with a Civil Service system. Applicants apply online, and HR staff reviews their experience, education, and training listed on the application against the “minimum qualifications” listed for each position.
Candidates who demonstrate that they meet the minimum qualification requirements are then invited to participate in an assessment process (or testing) to measure their knowledge, skills, and abilities in job-related areas.
Candidates who do not demonstrate that they meet the minimum qualification requirements will have an opportunity to request a final review. Candidates must request a final review within 5 business days of being notified that they did not meet the minimum qualifications.
In the final review, candidates may clarify information already provided on their application. No additional work history, education, or certifications will be accepted. Any decisions made during this review process will be final.
For this recruitment, all qualified applicants will be sent a writing exercise, which will then be evaluated and rated by subject matter experts. The tentative date that the writing exercise will be sent to you for completion is the week of June 3, 2024.
For some recruitments, more than one type of assessment may be used. Depending on the number of candidates who pass the first assessment (writing exercise) you may be asked to complete a secondary assessment before the recruitment is finalized. If a secondary assessment is scheduled, you will be notified by email with specific details. If a secondary assessment is not scheduled, department hiring interviews will occur during this time frame.
Candidates who pass each stage in the process will be placed on an eligible list. Some candidates may receive extra points, for example, if you are a Veteran with an honorable discharge, or if you are a current City of Oakland resident. If you’re applying to a “restricted” posting and you are eligible as a current City employee, you may also receive additional points for your City service. Extra points are only applied to passing scores, so if you do not pass every element of the testing process, you cannot use extra points to pass.
The City of Oakland reserves the right to modify the selection process and date of examination as necessary to conform to administrative or business necessity. The information contained in this announcement is subject to change and does not constitute either an expressed or implied contract.
What’s in it for you? - Work/Life Balance: 37.5 hour work weeks, and a flexible/hybrid remote schedule (in-person work is required for the training period, usually for about a month)
- 15 paid holidays
- Vacation: 2 weeks per year minimum with the ability to accrue more depending on public sector years of service
- Management Leave : 1 week per year with potential for one additional week depending on performance
- Retirement: CalPERS (California Public Employees’ Retirement System) with a pension formula of 2.5% @ 55 (for Classic CalPERS members) and 2% @ 62 for new CalPERS members. Classic Employees contribute 8% of pre-tax wages. The City of Oakland does not participate in Social Security
- Health: The City of Oakland pays the full cost of employee and eligible dependent coverage at the Kaiser rate. Other plans include Anthem, Blue Shield, United Health Care, and other HMO and PPO plans
- Dental: Delta Dental full premium for employees and eligible dependents
- Vision: VSP full premium for employees and eligible dependents
- Sick leave: Employees accrue 12 days per year
- Deferred Compensation: 457(b) pre-tax plan and an after-tax ROTH 401(k)plan
- Other benefits include a Flexible Spending Account, Wellness Program, Employee Assistance Program, Tuition Reimbursement, Life Insurance up to $200k & Employee Training.
Applicants are required to submit criminal history information upon request after receiving a conditional offer of employment. If the requested information is not furnished in a timely manner, applicants will not qualify for further consideration and will be removed from the eligible list. Disaster Service Workers All employees are designated Disaster Service Workers through state and local law. Employees are required to complete all Disaster Service Worker-related training as assigned and to return to work as ordered in the event of an emergency.
How to Apply Apply prior to the closing time of the job announcement and allow at least two to three hours to submit your application if you are a new user of the system. APPLICATIONS ARE ACCEPTED ONLINE ONLY. You may apply and view current openings by visiting our employment opportunities webpage at:
http://agency.governmentjobs.com/oaklandca/default.cfm.
If you do not have access to a computer, there are computer stations available at any City of Oakland Public Library. There are also workstations at the Human Resources Management Department, 150 Frank H. Ogawa Plaza, 2nd Floor, Oakland, CA 94612. Workstations are available during regular business hours (normally 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.).
Our online application system is provided by GovernmentJobs. If you have problems while applying online, please contact GovernmentJobs Live Applicant Support at (855) 524-5627 between 6:00 AM and 5:00 PM Pacific Time, Monday - Friday. You may also call the City of Oakland Human Resources Management Department during regular business hours at (510) 238-3112 for information; however, we are unable to provide technical support for the online application system. For recruitment-specific questions, please contact Cynthia Ng at cng@oaklandca.gov.
The City of Oakland is committed to the wellbeing of its employees and offers comprehensive health and wellness services along with an array of other benefits for most positions. Benefits may include*:
• CalPERS Medical
• Dental
• Vision
• Medical Waiver Plan - Cash-In-Lieu
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Commuter Benefits
• Group & Supplemental Life Insurance
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Guaranteed Ride Home (GRH)
• Pension Benefits
• Deferred Compensation
* Specific benefits may vary depending on the assignedspecific bargaining unit. Information regarding most benefits can be reviewed here: Employee Benefits Information Current MOUs may be reviewed here: City of Oakland Labor Agreements
Closing Date/Time: 5/19/2024 11:59 PM Pacific
