Controller

Northern Wasco County PUD is looking for a Controller to join our vibrant and growing utility team. This exempt, full-time position (40 hours per week) offers a flexible hybrid/remote schedule and the option of a 4/10 workweek. 

GENERAL SUMMARY: 

The Controller is responsible for NWCPUD’s financial management, reporting, and accounting systems.  Oversee NWCPUD’s financial policy, annual audit, public financing, budgeting, long term financial planning, all accounting activities, and other key financial objectives in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) and adheres to standards set by the Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB) and follow Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). Ensure compliance with Federal, State, and local laws, regulations, codes, and/or standards. Provide visible and confident leadership of the accounting staff and set and enforce high standards for performance, professionalism, integrity, and business ethics. Lead, inform, empower, and motivate NWCPUD personnel to meet and exceed identified goals and objectives.

SUMMARY OF BENEFITS: We are proud to offer a comprehensive and very competitive benefits package including but not limited to:

• Generous PTO Accruals


• 11 Paid Holidays


• 100% employer-paid premium for Medical/Rx/Dental for individual and/or family coverage


• 100% employer-paid premium for vision coverage for individual and/or family coverage


• 100% employer-paid Basic Life Insurance 2X annual salary


• 401(k) 7.5% base + 7.5% match = 15% total possible employer contribution


• 457(b) 


• 100% Employer paid Short Term Disability and Long Term Disability


• HRA VEBA


• Business Travel Insurance


• Voluntary benefits

GENERAL ACCOUNTABILITIES AND ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: 

• Oversee and direct all accounting and finance related objectives of NWCPUD and take steps necessary to preserve and verify integrity of accounting/financial data.
  


• Develop, implement and ensure financial policies, Administrative Rules (AR’s), Standard Operating Procedures (SOP’s) and resources are aligned with NWCPUD business directives and Strategic Plan. 
  including but not limited to, establishing and enforcing proper accounting methods and principles, improving systems and procedures and initiating corrective action. 
  


• Manage and oversee the daily operations of the accounting department including month and year-end processes, cash forecasting, short term investments, budget to actual variance analysis, external reporting, and compliance of debt expenditures.
  


• Oversee preparation of the annual operating budget, capital expense, cost of service analysis, and long-range financial planning initiatives.
  Collaborate with staff and Chief Financial Officer with the preparation of budget documents.   
  


• Assign projects and direct staff to ensure compliance and accuracy to meet financial accounting objectives; establish
  and maintain fiscal files and records to document transactions; prepare and file external compliance reports with the appropriate agencies and coordinating and completing annual audits. Ensure accurate, timely reports are provided to management, staff, NWCPUD Board, and applicable federal and state agencies.
  


• Manage all compliance aspects of outstanding bond issues and related agreements, including covenants, reserve requirements, arbitrage testing, and annual continuing disclosure requirements.
  


• Monitor counterparty activity to ensure they are maintaining the appropriate credit rating that is required by contractual agreements.  Collaborate with appropriate departments to monitor credit exposure; determine if service deposit agreements, irrevocable letters of credit, and cash deposits are maintained at the appropriate levels. 
  


• Assist with renewing and maintaining the districts credit facilities, initiate letters of credits, and manage banking services with partnering banks.
  


• Work with financial advisors, bond council and other principals on matters related to selling bonds and acquiring bank loans.
  


• Assists Finance staff and other departments with highly complex analyses and studies on a wide range of financial, budgetary, variances, trends, rate setting and other organizational issues in support of the District goals and objectives. Works with end-users to understand data and analysis needs and develop technical requirements.
  


• Provides an expert level of designing, implementing, maintaining and using spreadsheet and/or system models for scenario analysis.  Accurately interprets the results of the analysis and provides meaningful decision-making information to management. Serves as a subject matter expert on model design and usage.
  


• Analyzes power and financial data with desktop computers and online resources and provides guidance to staff that create desktop dashboards for departments that rely on analytical information.
  


• Maintain open communication with the Chief Financial Officer and employees. Provide leadership that encourages open communication and employee participation in carrying out NWCPUD’s strategic plan, mission, goals, core values, and objectives through individual and team performance.
  


• Resolve inquiries, concerns, and/or complaints affecting sensitive or complex financial or rate-related matters across all departments. Maintain consistency, accuracy, accountability, and collaboration by participating in and/or coordinating the exchange of information within the department. 
  


• Participate in the recruitment, selection, and retention of department personnel. Monitor, manage, and evaluate performance of direct reporting staff and work processes to ensure continuous improvement and increased contribution to NWCPUD’s success. Hold employees accountable for working safely, consistently, productively, and in compliance with NWCPUD policies and work rules in pursuit of department and organizational goals. 
  


• Lead, motivate, encourage, and support employee professional growth and development. Coach, develop, and improve employee performance through effective communication, documentation and feedback, performance assessments, and other positive performance supervisory strategies designed to increase individual productivity and overall team performance.   


• Plan, prioritize, and complete all assigned tasks in a timely and efficient manner while adjusting for changing priorities and availability of resources.  


• Communicate in a professional, respectful, and courteous manner with all employees, contractors, customers, and others with whom we may work. Contribute to a successful and productive work group through positive interactions, active listening, meaningful collaborations, and the constructive exchange of ideas designed to meet or exceed the organization’s strategic goals.  


• Attend meetings, conference calls, trainings, and District Board meetings as required or necessary.
  


• Demonstrates cultural competency through respectful, inclusive work habits and through the valuing and welcoming of cultural differences in all position responsibilities.


• Supports the District’s mission to serve our customers and foster a safe and positive work environment by personally exhibiting behavior that a


• Aligns with the District’s Core Values & Beliefs.


• Must perform the duties of this position in a safe and efficient manner and follow all safety regulations and protocols.
  


• Other duties as assigned. 

Secondary Functions:

• Advise and assist in promoting positive public relations for the PUD by participating in public affair events and developing increasing understanding and acceptance of the District by the public


• Assist Accounting and purchasing staff in duties during high volume work times and/or when needed.
  


• All PUD employees are expected to work outside of normal business hours when required during emergency restoration activities and to accomplish other special projects.  

Skills/Knowledge/Abilities:
PLEASE NOTE: This position requires the use of various tools/equipment that are related to performing the essential functions of this job. 

• Working, well-rounded knowledge of principles and best practices related to employee development, public administration, project management, reporting, budgeting, finance, accounting, rate design, costing procedures, cost of service development, and counterparty exposure,
  


• Ability to model complex financial arrangements and present outputs of the analysis simply, clearly, and
  accurately to a diverse group of stakeholders including customers, managers, and board members.
  


• Demonstrated skill and competence in presenting information and providing recommendations and solutions, including the use of software programs required for presentation and/or project management.   


• Working knowledge of Federal, State, and local laws, rules, regulations, codes, and/or statutes applicable to NWCPUD and its provision of utility services.
  


• Excellent oral, written, and interpersonal communication skills necessary to communicate clearly and effectively with internal and external customers, vendors, contractors, and other diverse audiences while providing outstanding customer service.
  


• Strong technical, troubleshooting, problem solving, research, organizational, and analytical skills, combined with the ability to prioritize tasks and meet established deadlines.  


• Ability to multitask is also essential while remaining flexible with changing priorities and deadlines.
  


• Well-reasoned decision making with a high attention to detail regarding organization, planning, workflow, and project prioritization to ensure tasks are completed efficiently and accurately.   


• Highly ethical, self-motivated individual with ability to work independently and/or with limited direction, as well as cooperatively in a team environment, while consistently demonstrating collaborative, respectful, and productive work habits.
  


• Ability to exercise discretion when involved in highly confidential and sensitive matters. 

Supervisory and/or Functional or Technical Responsibility or Oversight: 

• Provides general performance expectations to exempt and non-exempt level employees by supporting goal definition and establishing performance expectations. 
  


• This position oversees the Accounting Supervisor. 

QUALIFICATIONS:
Recommended Education, Training & Experience (includes licenses or certifications): Other combinations of education and/or experience demonstrating the knowledge, skills, and abilities required to do the work will also be considered. 

Education/Experience: 

Required: 

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Accounting, Finance, or related field from an accredited college or university; or an equivalent combination of experience and training that demonstrates the required knowledge, skills, and abilities may be qualifying.
  


• A minimum of eight (8) or more years of progressive experience in one or more of the following financial areas: Accounting, Finance Controller, or Auditor including five (5) or more years as Accounting Manager, Accounting Supervisor, or Finance Manager.  


• Significant progressive knowledge and experience of generally accepted accounting principles GAAP, GASB, accounting systems, and cost analysis.

Preferred: 

• Master’s degree in business related field from an accredited college or university.
  


• Working knowledge of the utility industry, including five (5) or more years in a leadership role. Experience in governmental accounting or treasury.
  


• Certification in one of the following: Certified Public Accountant (CPA), Certified Management Accountant (CMA), or Certified Government Finance Officer (CGFO), or similar certification

Job Scope:  

• Works on extremely complex non-routine assignments where analysis of situations or data requires an evaluation of intangible variables. Exercises judgment in developing methods, techniques, and evaluation criteria for obtaining results.
  


• Guide activities and decisions that affect work accuracy, reliability, service quality, systems, or operations with moderate to significant financial impact and moderate impact to the public, policyholders, business partners, and other customers through multiple contacts or activities that require relationship management and impact on the District's image and reputation.
  


• Provides input to and directly supports strategic direction of the organization.
  


• Decisions focus on monthly, annual, and long-term activities to create and define goals and processes to achieve assigned objectives.
  


• Responsible for functional area(s), works through teams or non-direct reports to achieve objectives. Provides input on defining policies, procedures, and objectives for accomplishing work within the functional area and/or program and monitors achievement of objectives.
  


• Tasks and information relative to this position are of a confidential and/or sensitive nature requiring strict confidentiality and professional conduct.
  


• Priority of tasks or projects can change quickly and might require multiple projects being worked at the same time while waiting for additional information or direction of project. 

Mental or Visual Demand: Concentrated mental and/or visual attention; the work involves performing complex tasks to very  

close accuracy and quality specifications; or a high degree of hand and eye coordination for 

sustained periods. 

Working Conditions: The job is typically performed under very comfortable working conditions; any disagreeable  

elements are generally absent during normal performance of job. 

Physical Requirements:  Requirements are those consistent with normal office administrative or clerical positions such as sitting, standing, walking, keyboarding. May push up to 50lbs, and/or lift, pull, or carry up to 25lbs. 

This organization believes that each employee makes a significant contribution to our success.  That contribution should not be limited by the assigned responsibilities.  Therefore, this job description is designed to outline primary duties, qualifications, and job scope, but not to limit the incumbent nor the organization to just the work identified.  It is our expectation that each employee will offer their services wherever and whenever necessary to ensure the success of our endeavors. Northern Wasco County PUD reserves the right to revise or change job duties and responsibilities. This job description does not constitute a written or implied contract of employment.

**Northern Wasco County PUD is an Equal Opportunity Employer