An Equal Opportunity Employer:
Chief Financial Officer – Washoe County School District
SALARY AND BENEFITS INFORMATION:
• $136,662 annually
• 20 days of vacation, 15 days of sick leave, and 11 holidays
• Medical, dental, vision and life insurance benefits are provided (for a single employee selecting the PPO plan, these benefits are at no cost to the employee)
• WCSD contributes 23.75% of annual salary into the Nevada Public Employees’ Retirement System (PERS)
• There is no state income tax in Nevada and public employees do not pay social security
ABOUT THE WASHOE COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT
“Every Child, by Name and Face, to Graduation”
In September 2010, Washoe County School District (WCSD) embarked on a new journey, outlined in “Envision WCSD 2015: Investing in Our Future”, a new strategic plan focused on education reform, strategic planning, taking action, and delivering results, to ensure that all of our students graduate college and highly-skilled ready for the 21st century. Since then, we have increased graduate rates, increased test scores, and reduced the achievement gap.
Under the leadership of Broad Superintendents Academy Alumnus Pedro Martinez, WCSD currently serves approximately 63,000 students at 63 elementary schools, a special education school, 15 middle schools, and 12 comprehensive high schools.
ABOUT THE BUSINESS AND FINANCIAL SERVICES OFFICE
“Funding Our Children’s Aspirations”
We get the job done. Organized into three departments – Budget, Accounting and Purchasing - we are a group of experienced and motivated individuals who work together to ensure that funding is available for the education of WCSD children and resources are maximized. Through fiscally responsible practices and award-winning purchasing and accounting procedures, we make sure WCSD’s future is financially stable and secure.
ABOUT THE POSITION:
Under direction of the Superintendent, the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) assists the Superintendent in achieving district objectives and carrying out policies established by the Board of Trustees and provides overall planning, direction, control, and evaluation of district activities with regard to WCSD’s financial concerns. The CFO’s primary functions include forecasting, budget planning and maintenance, fiscal monitoring and provision of financial services that meet the needs of teachers and support staff.
Additionally, the CFO will:
• Serve as a member of the Superintendent’s Leadership Team contributing knowledge and expertise to WCSD’s decision-making processes
• Oversee the development and maintenance of WCSD’s budget to assure that there is a sound financial plan and sufficient and continuous flow of funds
• Develop, issue, monitor and coordinate required fiscal reports in accordance with established Nevada Revised Statutes and WCSD policies
• Establish, implement and interpret fiscal and budgetary policies and procedures
• Assure efficient and high quality delivery of services through coordination of Accounting, Budget and Purchasing departments
• Regularly obtain feedback from administrators and other district staff, members of the Board of Trustees, members of the community, and vendors, to continually improve the Finance Office, to supervise and provide fair and meaningful employee evaluations, including development and monitoring of improvement plans and recommendations for termination of employment
• Prepare revenue models to provide an appropriate base for revenue decisions
• Prepare financial information for bond sales for funding capital (infrastructure) projects
• Provide pertinent information, progress reports, and recommend necessary actions concerning business and finance services to the Superintendent.
• Act as a primary liaison to the Nevada State Executive and Legislative branches for financial matters including state appropriations, state funding of school districts and tax policy, and testify before the Nevada State Legislature as needed
• Direct WCSD’s investment program in accordance with the Nevada Revised Statutes and district policy, regulations and procedures
• Provide financial information and testimony during negotiations, arbitration, and fact-finding
• Monitor WCSD’s financial performance to assure program continuity and compliance with board, community and state expectations
• Provide financing for WCSD’s capital improvement needs including:
o Development of projections of monetary funds based on capital needs expressed by the Board of Trustees
o Development of bond, debt-funded, pay-as-you-go, and/or short-term loan financing mechanisms to accommodate expressed needs
o Retention of financial and legal consultants to assist in capital financing
o Development of election questions and accurate and pertinent information for the electorate in preparation for the election
o Initiation and accomplishment of sale of bonds or other financing mechanisms to achieve necessary proceeds
o Monitoring progress of capital program and adjusting financing as necessary
• Serve as an articulate, informed spokesperson for WCSD at speaking engagements and in the development of written documents describing district programs
• Mediate and resolve conflicts related to areas of responsibility which involve patrons, parents, students, staff, vendors, and/or contractors
Requirements:
• Master’s degree or equivalent from an accredited college or university in business, finance, accounting or public administration or other area related to responsibilities; CPA preferred
• At least five (5) years of progressive administrative experience in financial management for large complex organizations; experience in financial management for large public agencies preferred
• Manage multiple reporting relationships, multi-task projects and responsibilities and successfully direct business operations to deliver results and projects in a timely manner
• Excellent planning, analytical, interpersonal and communication (written and oral) skills
• Strong computer skills with the ability to learn new software programs and drive both system and systemic changes
• Attention to detail, organized and possess a desire for continuous improvement, including challenging the status quo, thinking outside-the-box and developing innovative and creative solutions
• Possess, or have the ability to obtain, a valid Nevada driver’s license with a driving record acceptable to WCSD
In addition to the requirements above, an ideal candidate will also:
• Possess experience and knowledge of principles and practices of governmental accounting
• Possess knowledge of functions and operations of a large public school district
• Possess knowledge of issues and effective business practices in the areas of finance, budget, accounting, payroll and purchasing and applicable Federal and State legislation and regulations
• Be able to work effectively with state and local officials on behalf of the interests of WCSD
• Possess knowledge (or ability to acquire knowledge) of major trends and policy issues facing public education nationally and in Nevada
• Demonstrate effective human resources issues and practices, supervisory principles and practices, and sound leadership skills
• Facilitate and promote collaborative decision making, but make effective, informed and data-driven independent decisions when a situation requires
• Analyze complex situations and synthesize diverse information
• Promote consensus in groups of individuals with diverse interests and values
• Provide guidance and direction to staff, including timely and constructive feedback, development opportunities, and recognition of successes
• Organize and coordinate work load to work effectively with all parties
• Facilitate conflict resolution; as well as establish and maintain effective working relationships with a variety of others both within and outside the district
THIS JOB SPECIFICATION SHOULD NOT BE CONSTRUED TO IMPLY THAT THESE REQUIREMENTS ARE THE EXCLUSIVE STANDARDS OF THE POSITION.
Office of Human Resources
Washoe County School District
425 East Ninth Street
P O Box 30425
Reno, NV 89520-3425
(775) 348-0321
Fax (775) 348-0389
