Chief FInancial Officer

Published on by for West Valley Water District

Chief FInancial Officer

AN OUTSTANDING
CAREER OPPORTUNITY
The West Valley Water District (WVWD)
is seeking a collaborative, engaging
and highly qualified Chief Financial
Officer (CFO) to lead the district’s fiscal
management. The CFO will be a key
executive responsible for leading the
district’s financial operations as the
District continues its transformation
into a best in class water utility that
fosters a great work culture and
provides outstanding water services to
all customers and partners of the West
Valley Water District. 
CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER (CFO)

THE DISTRICT
West Valley Water District Governance
The West Valley Water District is governed by a five-member Board of Directors, elected by districts for four year staggered terms. The Board of Directors elects a Board President and Vice President from among the
five members, and they both serve two-year terms. The Board develops the policies that governs the district.
Meetings are publicly noticed, and citizens are encouraged to attend.
A General Manager is appointed by the Board of Directors to oversee the day-to-day operations of the
District in accordance to the policies and procedures established by the Board. The District has a total budget
of $65 million including approximately $32 million allocated annually for capital improvement projects (CIP)
and capital expenditures. The District employs approximately 88 individuals in support of District operations
and support functions.


District Services
The district provides water service to approximately 23,667 connections within its thirty-one (31) square mile
service area, located in southwestern San Bernardino County with a small area of northwestern Riverside
County. The service area encompasses one half of the City of Rialto, portions of Bloomington, Colton,
Fontana, Jurupa Valley, and some of the unincorporated areas of San Bernardino and Riverside counties.
Residential customers represent 93% of the district’s customer base and consume approximately 66% of the
water provided by the district. The district currently has a total of 17 groundwater wells with a maximum
production capacity of approximately 42,000 acre-feet per year. The district also operates a surface water
treatment plant with a capacity of 14.4 million gallons per day (MGD) and a biological treatment plant for
perchlorate destruction with a capacity of 3.9 (MGD). The district’s water distribution system consists of 376.2
miles of transmission and distribution mains, approximately 23,000 service connections, 23 extraction wells,
24 reservoirs, and 12 pump stations.


West Valley Water District obtains water from both local and imported sources to serve its customers. Over
half (51%) of the district’s water originates from its own groundwater basin wells. Additional groundwater
(17%) is purchased from San Bernardino Valley Municipal Water District through the Base Line Feeder Project.
This water also comes from local wells in the Bunker Hill Basin. The district obtains 18% of its surface water
from Lytle Creek in the San Bernardino Mountains. This water is treated through the District’s Oliver P. Roemer
Water Filtration Facility. The remaining water (14%) is purchased from the State Water Project through San
Bernardino Valley Municipal Water District. This water is also treated through the District’s Oliver P. Roemer
Water Filtration Facility.
WEST VALLEY WATER DISTRICT HAS BEEN RECOGNIZED IN MOST
RECENT YEARS
• Special District Leadership Foundation’s District Transparency Certificate of Excellence
• Association of California Water Agencies/Joint Powers Insurance Authority President’s Special
Recognition Award
• California Municipal Treasurers Association Investment Policy Certification
• Government Finance Officers Association Certificate of Achievement in Excellence for Financial Reporting
• Government Finance Officers Association Distinguished Budget Presentation Award
CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER (CFO)

THE OPPORTUNITY
Chief Financial Officer (CFO)
Under direction from the General Manager and/
or Board of Directors, the CFO provides leadership
and management for all financial functions
including budgeting, accounting, billing, and
customer service and purchasing functions of the
District including information and communication
systems for these functions; invests and protect the
District’s assets; maintains effective internal fiscal
controls and investment policies; provide highly
responsible and complex administrative support to
executive leadership; and perform other duties as
required or assigned.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities
The duties and responsibilities listed below are
intended to provide a representative list of the various
types of work that may be performed. Specifications
are not intended to reflect all duties performed within
the job class, and incumbents may expect to perform
other related or similar duties.
• Plans, organizes, coordinates and directs the
financial, accounting, billing, customer service
and public relations related administrative
functions of the district in accordance with Board
policies.
• Assists the General Manager, Assistant General
Manager, Board of Directors, and Board
Committees with long range financial planning,
protection of the district’s assets, and maintenance
of adequate internal financial controls.
• Assists the General Manager with the analysis,
preparation, presentation, justification and
administration of the district’s budget and
financial statements.
• Oversees and directs, with the auditor, the
preparation and issuance of the WVWD’s annual
financial reports.
• Oversees and directs cash flow, bond issues,
investment activities and assessments for
community facility districts.
• Oversees the information systems and
communication systems for areas of
responsibility; identifies and coordinates technical
advancements.
• Attends and participates in District Board meetings,
professional organizations, and community
meetings; prepares and presents reports.
• Participates in employee selection; directs, trains,
develops, evaluates, and disciplines subordinate
staff up to and including termination, subject to
District policies and practices.
• Serves as a District representative with other local,
regional, and governmental agencies.
• Performs special analytical studies; initiates and
participates in the analysis and preparation of water
rate studies, rate structures and other revenue
enhancement programs; and prepares reports
and internal policies/procedures as directed by
the General Manager and in accordance with
Board direction.
• Performs internal audits of District activities;
recording of assets and adjusting entries and
insures accurate posting to the general and
subsidiary ledgers.
• Monitors legislation effecting areas of responsibility
and implements necessary changes.

CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER (CFO)

• Responds to and resolve sensitive and complex
community and organizational inquiries and
complaints.
• Assists in the negotiation of terms of agreements,
contracts and other documents on behalf of the
district.
• Identifies, maintains, and implements
opportunities for cross-department coordination
for effective operations; encourages continuing
education and development of personnel.
• Develops and maintains a records retrieval system
to compliment financial and statistical reports.
• Oversees the financial administration and
monitoring of the District’s Federal and State
Grants.
• Acts as a liaison with District vendors, contractors,
and debtors.
• Participates in District safety meetings.
• Performs other related duties, as assigned.
Knowledge of:
• Principles, practices, methods and procedures
of budgeting, accounting, controls, auditing,
debt administration and financial management in
accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting
Principles (GAAP).
• Principles of public administration, management,
supervision, training, and performance evaluation.
• Pertinent federal, state and local laws, codes,
regulations and ordinances affecting District
operations and financial activities.
• Application of information technology solutions
in the maintenance of accounting records and
financial administration.
• Principles of business letter writing and basic
report preparation.
• Modern office procedures, methods and
equipment including computers.
• Safe work practices.

Ability to:
• Plan, organize, administer, evaluate and
coordinate the district’s accounting and financial
activities.
• Develop and administer goals, objectives, and
procedures.
• Interpret, apply and explain District policies and
procedures related to Finance, Accounting, Billing
and Customer Service activities.
• Lead and coordinate District budget preparation
and fiscal controls.
• Oversee the preparation of financial reports and
maintenance of ledgers and journals.
• Recommend and implement improvements to
existing District activities.
• Prepare and present comprehensive and concise
written and oral reports.
• Analyze problems, identify, recommend, and
implement solutions.
• Exercise a high degree of managerial and
administrative skills.
• Establish and maintain cooperative working
relationships with others; deal tactfully and
courteously with the public.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally
and in writing.
• Operate a vehicle observing legal and defensive
driving practices.
• Operate standard office equipment, personal
computers, Internet, and Microsoft Office
software products.
• Observe proper safety precautions. 
CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER (CFO)

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Any combination of education, training, and
experience that would likely provide the
knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully
perform in the position is qualifying. A typical
combination includes:
Education:
A Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college
or university in finance, accounting, business
administration or a closely related field;
designation as a Certified Public Accountant is
desirable; a Master’s Degree from an accredited
college or university in finance, accounting,
business administration or a closely related field
is highly desirable.

Experience:

TOP PRIORITIES FOR THE CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER (CFO)
1. Assess (through internal and special audits) the overall financial operation, customer service and
purchasing units, people, and systems, and make recommendations to the General Manager
and Board for an organizational structure that supports the delivery of high-quality financial and
appropriate administrative functions and services while ensuring overall efficiency and best practices.
2. Develop an operational and strategic plan including the development of standard operating
procedures and clear goals and objectives for the district’s financial and administrative activities.
3. Conduct customer service audit/survey to enhance the district’s customer service delivery activities.
4. Review adequacy of financial controls and investment policies and recommend appropriate changes.
5. Assist in improving District’s reputation internally and externally.
CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER (CFO)

THE IDEAL CANDIDATE
The Chief Financial Officer will provide sophisticated financial acumen in the core management functions
of accounting & control, auditing, budgeting & forecasting, financial analysis & planning, debt issuance &
treasury management functions, and risk analysis & management. The ideal candidate should be a selfless
leader who has a deep and granular understanding of all facets related to astute financial leadership in a
complex organization with significant government regulation. Additionally, the next CFO must be able to
oversee purchasing and customer service functions.
Candidates must be visionary, mission driven and skilled at using sound judgement, to make thoughtful and
practical recommendations to executive leadership and policy makers. In addition to being strategic and
tactical, the CFO must be a leader with integrity, values and humility. Of primary importance, WVWD is seeking
a finance executive who embraces an authentic leadership style, possesses strong emotional intelligence and
understands and prioritizes the critical importance that people play in building a successful organization.
The ideal candidate must be an innovative leader who values working with people, is open minded with
superb interpersonal skills and judgement with demonstrated understanding of all financial aspects of an
enterprise operation including rate setting; and financial management associated with capital improvement
projects.
The selected candidate will possess outstanding leadership, management, delegation, and coaching skills.
They must be able to communicate effectively and respectfully to various stakeholders and represent the
District at public meetings. Specific characteristics include:
• Inspirational leadership style with proven ability to manage organizational culture transformation;
• Experience managing a unionized workforce in an organization comparable to the size of WVWD;
• In-depth knowledge and understanding of current and future regulatory and environmental compliance
issues;
CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER (CFO)

• Demonstrated ability and project management experience with managing financial capital planning and
project delivery;
• Excellent people skills and presence to work effectively with and maintain productive relationships with
employees at all levels and with various external stakeholders including local, state, and federal regulators
and the community;
• Good listener who possesses strong communication skills and has the ability to engage well with others;
• Ability to manage a good working relationship with the governing body;
• Credible leader who is a proven change agent and team builder who gets things done; inclusive leader
who is open, fair, trustworthy, and values core competencies of safety, service, and integrity; and values,
supports and empowers staff;
• A track record of thoughtful and strategic workforce and resource management that aligns with
organizational needs and priorities; and
• A responsive, proactive problem solver who is decisive and leads by example.
COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS
West Valley Water District offers an attractive salary and an attractive benefits package to the selected
candidate based on qualifications and experience. The salary range is $143,686 to $235,768.
APPLICATION & SELECTION PROCESS
The Chief Financial Officer recruitment is being conducted by The Hawkins Company (search consultants).
They will review all written materials submitted and will screen and evaluate candidates. Only the most highly
qualified candidates will be invited to participate in an on-site interview. Interested and qualified individuals
are invited to submit a resume and cover letter of interest electronically to wvwd.cfo@thehawkinscompany.
com. Resumes received by Friday, August 19, 2022 will receive first consideration.
Confidential inquiries are encouraged and should be directed to Ms. Yonnine Hawkins Garr at 323-252-1655,
yonnine@thehawkinscompany.com or Ms. Tisa Jones at 213-309-7984, tisa@thehawkinscompany.com

Information

Industry experience

Education: Masters

Seniority: Manager, Director, Professor

Years of experience: 5 to 10 years

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