Finance and Administration Director

Mission: Fort Bragg is a small town nestled between the coast and the redwoods with a strong sense of community that seeks to preserve its environment while providing resilient public facilities and infrastructure and supporting a safe and vibrant economic, multi-cultural, and recreational experience for both locals and visitors alike.

Vision: Fort Bragg, a California coastal destination with rich natural resources and rugged beauty, is transforming our future by weaving together our people, ecosystems, and economy to create community prosperity. We are making our mark in the 21st Century by creating climate-ready water and energy independence, housing and economic opportunities, accessible health care, community public safety, and education for all.

We are guided by the following Core Values:

Innovation: We highly encourage creativity and forward-thinking solutions to meet the evolving needs of our city.

Honesty & Integrity: We believe in transparent, honest, and ethical interactions with our community and stakeholders.

Service-Oriented: We are responsive to the public and to each other to demonstrate our genuine commitment to creating a Fort Bragg that Serves us today and readies us for a successful tomorrow.

Fair & Ethical: principles and practices, Fort Bragg promotes an inclusive community culture of unity and equality that openly invites everyone to enjoy our unique coastal enclave.

Collaboration: nourishes civic pride and celebrates the diversity of our city and the meaningful municipal services that our residents and businesses rely on.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Finance and Administration Director is a full-time, at-will position serving under the general administrative direction of the City Manager. This position provides leadership, management, and coordination across core administrative and financial functions of the City. The Director is responsible for the direct supervision and oversight of the Finance Department and the Human Resources Division, ensuring the integrity of the City’s financial management and the effectiveness of its personnel systems.

Key responsibilities include coordinating and supervising the City’s annual operating and capital budget processes; overseeing fiscal policy development, accounting, payroll, benefits administration, and risk management; directing recruitment, employee relations, and labor compliance functions; and ensuring adherence to legal, financial, and personnel requirements. The position also facilitates the City’s Information Technology Advisory Committee and Safety Advisory Committee, coordinates legislative and organizational initiatives, and provides administrative support for citywide projects and programs.

This role requires strong leadership, financial acumen, and human resources expertise to support the City’s organizational effectiveness and long-term fiscal sustainability.

TYPICAL DUTIES & ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

The Finance and Administration Director provides leadership, financial stewardship, and organizational support across the City’s administrative and operational functions. This position advances City Council priorities and City Manager initiatives while fostering a culture of accountability, innovation, and collaboration. Duties and responsibilities may include, but are not limited to:

Leadership, Policy, and Council Priorities

• Provide advice and counsel to the City Manager on policy, organizational, and procedural matters to strengthen the effective administration of City government.
• Facilitate and coordinate interdepartmental initiatives, projects, and concerns to ensure City Council goals, strategic priorities, and City Manager initiatives are implemented effectively.
• Review City Council agenda items, prepare staff recommendations, and ensure Council direction is carried out across departments.
• Represent the City Manager’s Office in meetings with departments, community groups, partner agencies, and state/federal representatives.
• Support the City’s legislative advocacy program and assist in advancing proactive public relations efforts to strengthen community trust.
• Attend various committee and community meetings as assigned by the City Manager.

Financial Management and Treasury Functions

• Serve as Treasurer for the City of Fort Bragg
• Plan, organize, and direct all financial operations of the City, including long-range financial planning, accounting, payroll, purchasing, utility billing/collection, licensing, investment management, debt financing, and grant/tax administration.
• Develop and implement fiscal policies, objectives, and priorities that promote transparency, accountability, and long-term sustainability.
• Coordinate preparation, presentation, and administration of the City’s annual operating, enterprise, and capital improvement budgets; monitor revenues, expenditures, and fund balances; and prepare forecasts and reports.
• Direct the City’s accounting systems and ensure compliance with GASB standards; oversee audits and ensure compliance with applicable laws and regulations.
• Manage treasury functions including investment of City funds, debt issuance, assessment districts, lease-purchase programs, and bond financing.
• Provide financial analysis, problem-solving, and cost-benefit evaluations to support Council decision-making, capital projects, and contract negotiations.

Human Resources, Team Building, and Organizational Development

• Plan, organize, and direct Human Resources functions, including recruitment, classification, compensation, benefits, labor relations, employee development, and risk management.
• Manage collective bargaining processes with employee groups and foster positive employee relations.
• Review employee performance reports and oversee personnel actions to ensure consistency with City policy and legal requirements.
• Promote organizational effectiveness by building strong, high-performing teams through coaching, professional development, and initiatives that support a values-driven workplace culture.
• Lead efforts to strengthen team cohesion, problem-solving, and cross-departmental collaboration to improve service delivery and innovation.
• Conduct organizational reviews and recommend reassignments, consolidations, or process improvements to enhance efficiency and effectiveness.

Administration and Interdepartmental Support

• Supervise professional, technical, and support staff engaged in finance, human resources, and administrative support functions.
• Maintain strong relationships with department heads and staff to support operational planning, team development, and problem resolution.
• Use conflict resolution and mediation skills to address interdepartmental and community issues.
• Assist departments with operational planning, organizational effectiveness, and the achievement of City Council and City Manager initiatives.
• Attend City Council, committee, and community meetings; present reports, updates, and financial information as needed.
• Respond to public inquiries and ensure effective communication between the City Manager’s Office, operating departments, and the community.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

The Finance and Administration Director provides leadership, financial stewardship, and organizational support across the City’s administrative and operational functions. This position advances City Council priorities and City Manager initiatives while fostering a culture of accountability, innovation, and collaboration. Duties and responsibilities may include, but are not limited to:

Leadership, Policy, and Council Priorities

• Provide advice and counsel to the City Manager on policy, organizational, and procedural matters to strengthen the effective administration of City government.
• Facilitate and coordinate interdepartmental initiatives, projects, and concerns to ensure City Council goals, strategic priorities, and City Manager initiatives are implemented effectively.
• Review City Council agenda items, prepare staff recommendations, and ensure Council direction is carried out across departments.
• Represent the City Manager’s Office in meetings with departments, community groups, partner agencies, and state/federal representatives.
• Support the City’s legislative advocacy program and assist in advancing proactive public relations efforts to strengthen community trust.
• Attend various committee and community meetings as assigned by the City Manager.

Financial Management and Treasury Functions

• Serve as Treasurer for the City of Fort Bragg
• Plan, organize, and direct all financial operations of the City, including long-range financial planning, accounting, payroll, purchasing, utility billing/collection, licensing, investment management, debt financing, and grant/tax administration.
• Develop and implement fiscal policies, objectives, and priorities that promote transparency, accountability, and long-term sustainability.
• Coordinate preparation, presentation, and administration of the City’s annual operating, enterprise, and capital improvement budgets; monitor revenues, expenditures, and fund balances; and prepare forecasts and reports.
• Direct the City’s accounting systems and ensure compliance with GASB standards; oversee audits and ensure compliance with applicable laws and regulations.
• Manage treasury functions including investment of City funds, debt issuance, assessment districts, lease-purchase programs, and bond financing.
• Provide financial analysis, problem-solving, and cost-benefit evaluations to support Council decision-making, capital projects, and contract negotiations.

Human Resources, Team Building, and Organizational Development

• Plan, organize, and direct Human Resources functions, including recruitment, classification, compensation, benefits, labor relations, employee development, and risk management.
• Manage collective bargaining processes with employee groups and foster positive employee relations.
• Review employee performance reports and oversee personnel actions to ensure consistency with City policy and legal requirements.
• Promote organizational effectiveness by building strong, high-performing teams through coaching, professional development, and initiatives that support a values-driven workplace culture.
• Lead efforts to strengthen team cohesion, problem-solving, and cross-departmental collaboration to improve service delivery and innovation.
• Conduct organizational reviews and recommend reassignments, consolidations, or process improvements to enhance efficiency and effectiveness.

Administration and Interdepartmental Support

• Supervise professional, technical, and support staff engaged in finance, human resources, and administrative support functions.
• Maintain strong relationships with department heads and staff to support operational planning, team development, and problem resolution.
• Use conflict resolution and mediation skills to address interdepartmental and community issues.
• Assist departments with operational planning, organizational effectiveness, and the achievement of City Council and City Manager initiatives.
• Attend City Council, committee, and community meetings; present reports, updates, and financial information as needed.
• Respond to public inquiries and ensure effective communication between the City Manager’s Office, operating departments, and the community.

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION

Constant reading and listening; frequently sitting in an office chair, generally working longer than eight-hour days, must be alert to actively participate in meetings; may work 12 to 20-hour shifts during disaster management, assisting the City Manager.