Water Financial Manager

Job Description

Introduction

Milwaukee Water Works (MWW) is committed to providing the
people of Milwaukee with safe, high-quality drinking water every day. By
continuously investing in our infrastructure and maintaining one of the most
comprehensive water quality monitoring programs in the country, we work to
ensure reliable service and protect the health of our community.
The City of Milwaukee is proud to employ a workforce that is committed to providing exemplary service to the City's residents. If you have a passion for being a part of an inclusive team of public servants, please consider the following opportunity.

Purpose

The Water Financial Manager organizes, coordinates, directs,
and administers the financial activities of Milwaukee Water Works (MWW).

Essential Functions

Fiscal Management

Serve as the utility's fiduciary by ensuring the financial
viability of the utility.
Coordinate with the Office of the Comptroller, Budget and Management
Division, and Office of the City Treasurer to develop the financial picture and
balance sheets for the MWW.
Review the full spectrum of financial statements prepared
for both Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) and Public Service
Commission of Wisconsin (PSC) accounting.
Ensure detailed inventory and cost records are maintained in
accordance with GAAP and PSC accounting requirements.
Use full life-cycle costs to establish and maintain an
effective balance between debt, operations and maintenance expenses, capital
needs, and operating revenues.
Prepare spending and revenue projections and develop
strategies to meet the utility's financial needs.
Manage debt services, financing applications and processing.
Manage various grant applications and reimbursements.
Represent the utility in financial dealings with other
public and private agencies and regulatory bodies; attend and present to Common
Council committees.

Rate and Revenues Management

Prepare MWW applications to the PSC for simplified and
conventional rate adjustments to water rates and associated service charges.
Collaborate with other MWW managers to recommend appropriate
adjustments to water service charges.
Develop and justify MWW requests for rate adjustments and
work with consultants to complete Cost of Service Studies (COSS) required for
conventional rate cases.
Respond to data requests from the PSC, monitor the ongoing
progress of rate cases and oversee the implementation of new water rates and
service charges.
Oversee the billing and collection of $90 million in water
revenue and over $170 million in other municipal services revenues.
Oversee responses to public inquiries from the City Clerk's
Office and complaints from customers through the PSC complaint administration
process.
Direct and oversee the purchase, installation and
replacement of water meters to ensure the appropriate revenue is generated and
collected from water sales.

Business Management

Develop short- and long-term goals for the Business Section
and establish policies to achieve them.
Provide guidance and direction to the Water Accounting
Manager and general management of the Accounting Services work unit; ensure
compliance with GAAP and PSC regulations.
Provide guidance and direction to the Water Business
Operations Manager and general management of the Commercial Services and Meter
Services work units.
Review and implement improvements that will make work
activities more productive and efficient and foster collaboration between work
units and with other sections of the utility.

Budget Management

Analyze spending patterns and work with other section
managers to anticipate future operating and capital needs.
Prepare timely submittals of the operating and maintenance
(O&M) and capital budget to the Budget Management Division (BMD).
Prepare MWW's responses to inquiries from the Legislative
Fiscal Bureau and Finance & Personnel Committee during the budget review
and approval process.
Manage, oversee and direct the annual $110 million Operating
and Maintenance (O&M) budget.

Personnel Management

Provide a productive and collaborative work environment for
employees.
Identify and support educational opportunities for
employees.
Conduct regular meetings with Business Section managers and
supervisors to share information and review business operations.
Support Business Section managers with employee-related
matters, including hiring, performance review, coaching and discipline, as
needed.

We welcome qualified individuals with disabilities who are
interested in employment and will make reasonable accommodations during the
hiring process in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of
1990, as amended by the Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act (ADAAA)
of 2008.

Conditions of Employment

The Water Financial Manager is required to file a statement
of economic interests in accordance with the Milwaukee Code of Ordinances
Chapter 303-Code of Ethics.

Minimum Requirements

Bachelor's degree in business administration, economics,
accounting, or a closely related field from an accredited college or
university.
Five years of supervisory experience in finance, accounting,
municipal general fund finance, or PSC finance.

Equivalent combinations of education and experience
may also be considered.
NOTICE: Please do not attach your academic transcripts
to your employment application. The hiring department will verify candidates'
education as part of the background screening process prior to extending any
job offers.

Desirable Qualifications

Certified Public Accountant (CPA).
Supervisory experience in utility business operations.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities & Other Characteristics

Technical

Advanced knowledge of general accounting and finance
principles and practices.
Ability to learn PSC accounting and finance practices and
procedures.
Ability to learn City budget policies and procedures.
Ability to conduct thorough, impartial, detailed financial
audits to ensure absolute accounting standards compliance.
Ability to implement changes in work processes with
demonstrated improvements and efficiencies.
Ability to collaborate with other managers to secure data,
process contracts and invoices to meet the operational needs of the utility
within the City's financial system.
Ability to read, interpret and apply complex rules and
regulations.
Ability to manage accounting records, finances, and books
for multiple agencies and departments.
Ability to utilize the Microsoft Office Suite software
(e.g., Microsoft Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, and Word) to analyze and present
data and create business correspondence.

Leadership and Supervision

Knowledge of management and supervisory principles and
practices.
Ability to effectively lead and provide guidance to
managers, supervisors, and staff members.
Ability to establish policy and deadlines, set goals and
expectations, assign and review work, monitor employee performance, provide
training and feedback, and address employee problems.
Ability to foster an environment of inclusion wherein all
employees are treated respectfully, are valued for their strengths, and feel
that they can safely express themselves.
Ability to create and develop a diverse work team in which
all members can reach their potential.
Ability to encourage positive cross-sectional operations.
Ability to remain calm in emergencies and other difficult
situations.

Communication and Interpersonal

Written communication skills, including skill in writing
correspondence, policies, reports, and other business-related documents.
Verbal communication skills; ability to speak clearly and
concisely and explain complex concepts to non-technical audiences both large
and small.
Ability to effectively discuss and present financial
statements, financial controls and reporting to all levels of the organization.

Interpersonal skills to work effectively with all levels of
employees, management, other departments and agencies, consultants, elected
officials and the public.
Ability to work cooperatively and effectively with people
whose backgrounds may differ from one's own.
Ability to work effectively in a diverse, collaborative,
team-oriented environment.
Ability to be diplomatic, tactful and courteous even during
challenging situations.

Judgment and Professionalism

Ability to adhere to fundamental principles of ethical
behavior for accounting and finance professionals, including ensuring that
business partners and assigned work groups maintain high ethical standards.
Analytical and problem-solving skills, including the ability
to analyze and report on financial data and to apply knowledge to new or unique
situations and evaluate options to find the best solution.
Ability to work effectively under pressure while handling
multiple priorities.
Detail-oriented and the ability to maintain a high degree of
accuracy and organization.
Ability to meet strict deadlines.
Ability to represent the Utility at various meetings.
Initiative, honesty, integrity, and responsible stewardship
of City of Milwaukee resources.

Current Salary

The current salary range (Pay Range 1MX) is $124,987-$149,086
annually, and the resident incentive salary range for City of Milwaukee
residents is $129,986-$155,049 annually. Appointment above the
minimum is possible based upon level of experience and other qualifications and
is subject to approval.
BENEFITS
The City of Milwaukee provides a comprehensive benefit
program that includes the following:

Wisconsin Retirement System (WRS) Defined Benefit Pension
Plan
457 Deferred Compensation Plan
Health and Dental Insurance
Paid Parental Leave
Comprehensive Wellness Program
Onsite Clinic Services
Onsite Employee Assistance Program
Alternative Work Schedules
Long-Term Disability Insurance
Group Life Insurance
Tuition Benefits
Paid Vacation
12 Paid Holidays
Paid Sick Leave and other paid leaves
Flexible Spending Arrangement
Commuter Value Pass

For full details of the benefits offered by the City of
Milwaukee, please visit h

Requirements

requirements.
Use full life-cycle costs to establish and maintain an
effective balance between debt, operations and maintenance expenses, capital
needs, and operating revenues.
Prepare spending and revenue projections and develop
strategies to meet the utility's financial needs.
Manage debt services, financing