Budget Manager (Finance Director)
Location: Whittier, CA (Hybrid – onsite 3 days/week after probation)
Compensation: $183k to $228k salary range
Position Overview
The
Budget Manager (Director-level) plays a critical leadership role within the Financial Management Department, reporting to the Assistant Department Head. This position oversees the agency’s budgeting, financial planning, long-term modeling, rate-setting, and capital deployment strategy across both wastewater and solid waste operations.
The ideal candidate brings a problem-solving mindset common in engineering environments, paired with strong financial acumen and excellent communication skills. This leader must be comfortable working cross-functionally with operations, IT, engineering teams, and presenting rate structures to Boards and approval committees.
This role replaced a recently promoted internal leader, they aim to fill the position promptly ahead of rate-raising initiatives across 17 districts.
Key Responsibilities
Financial Planning & Analysis
- Lead budgeting, forecasting, long-term financial modeling, cash flow projections, and rate modeling for wastewater and solid waste operations.
- Perform detailed revenue modeling—wastewater revenue collection represents ~70% of agency income.
- Analyze parcel and customer data, industrial client audits, and rate structures.
Capital Planning & Funding
- Collaborate with engineering and operations on Capital Improvement Program (CIP) planning and deployment.
- Support long-term financing initiatives involving state grants, bonds, and coordination with the Grants Administrator.
- Ensure capital is allocated effectively to maintain and enhance the Districts’ fixed assets.
Cross-Functional Leadership
- Oversee a team of 4 direct reports plus a departmental secretary.
- Partner with operations, IT, engineering, and customer service groups to support district-wide initiatives.
- Deliver rate presentations and recommendations to Boards, oversight committees, and internal leadership.
Operational Oversight
- Guide customer service investigations and resolution processes.
- Support revenue collection operations and ensure proper audit controls.
- Maintain strong working relationships across the divisions to ensure financial clarity and transparency.
Qualifications
Required
- Strong FP&A background, including rate modeling and long-term financial forecasting.
- Demonstrated problem-solving ability and analytical rigor—ideally with experience working in engineering-heavy or infrastructure environments.
- Excellent communication skills; comfortable presenting complex rate proposals to Boards and committees.
- Leadership experience managing teams and collaborating cross-functionally.
Preferred
- Experience in municipal finance, utilities, special districts, or public infrastructure.
- Familiarity with capital planning, grants, or bond financing.
- Engineering mindset (not an engineering degree), such as systems thinking, structured problem-solving, and operational awareness.
Not Required
- GASB accounting expertise (covered by internal Controller).
- Professional engineering license or engineering degree.
Work Environment & Culture
- Mission-driven public agency with extremely high stability and long employee tenures.
- Engineering-led organization that values structured thinking and process improvement.
- Collaborative environment with a commitment to public service and environmental stewardship.
Compensation & Benefits
- Salary: $15,000–$19,000 per month.
- Retirement: 2% @ 62 pension plan. (2% x years of service x last year's salary)
- Deferred Compensation: 3% automatic employer contribution + 3% employer match.
- Health Benefits: Up to ~$2,300 monthly medical contribution.
- Time Off:
- 13.5 paid holidays
- 88 PTO hours after 1 year
- 128 hours after 5 years
- 168 hours after 15 years
- 40 hours of sick leave convertible to personal leave
Schedule: 9/80 work schedule (26 additional days off per year).
Hybrid Policy: Up to 2 remote days/week after probation.
Reporting Structure
- Budget Manager (Director)
? Reports to Assistant Department Head, Financial Management
? Peers with Controller
? Oversees 4 staff + 1 departmental secretary
