Assistant Deputy Director - Finance - 920 (Unclassified)

Posting number: 920

Department: 2000 - Public Utilities

Division: 6240 - PU Administrative Services

Job classification: Generic Unclassified Class Spec

Posting type: Open

Categories: Management

Summary

The Assistant Deputy Director of Finance plays a pivotal role in ensuring the robust financial health and strategic integrity of the Water and Wastewater Utility systems within the Public Utilities Department. Reporting to the Deputy Director of Finance, this position is central to managing the financial intricacies of a utility with a substantial annual operating budget of $1.6 billion, guiding financial policy and ensuring fiscal transparency for leadership and stakeholders.

Key Responsibilities:

• Financial Stewardship & Reporting:

Oversee critical financial functions including the preparation and review of comprehensive financial disclosures for official statements, development of strategic financial presentations for City Council, and management of bond offerings that secure the utility's capital needs.

• Metropolitan Wastewater System Financial Oversight:

Directs staff responsible for the annual financial review of expenses for the Metropolitan Wastewater Treatment System (operated in partnership with regional participating agencies). This includes comprehensive financial reporting to member agencies and providing crucial financial expertise and support to the agreement negotiation team.

• Strategic Financial Review & Impact Assessment:

Serves as a key reviewer for the department's major agreements, strategic reports, and presentations. Given the significant financial scope of regulatory compliance, large capital projects, litigation, and inter-agency agreements, this role ensures financial consistency, accurate impact assessment, and adherence to financial policy across the utility. This involves connecting high-level financial implications to broader departmental operations and strategic objectives.

• Financial Policy & Resource Management Education:

Critically, this position is responsible for educating operating and supporting divisions on the principles of sound financial management and resource allocation within the “One Water" department. This ensures their understanding of how costs are structured and supported by two distinct ratepayer systems (Water and Wastewater), aligning operational decisions with overall financial sustainability goals.

This role offers a unique opportunity to directly influence financial sustainability, strategic direction, and overall financial governance of a vital public utility, working at the intersection of policy and practice.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, business administration, public administration, or a related field.
• Minimum of five (5) years of progressively responsible managerial experience, including management of large water or wastewater utilities.
• Knowledge of wastewater conveyance, treatment, disposal, monitoring, and advanced water treatment is highly desirable.
• Demonstrated experience in water and/or wastewater operations.
• An equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered.

The Department:

The Public Utilities Department provides reliable and sustainable water and wastewater services to San Diego. Focusing on efficiency, innovation, and environmental stewardship, the department ensures high-quality water delivery and effective wastewater and stormwater management. The department operates through the Water Utility Fund, Municipal Wastewater Fund, and Metropolitan Wastewater Fund, serving retail, wholesale, and reclaimed water customers. The department is implementing the Pure Water San Diego project, which uses advanced water purification technology to provide a safe, sustainable, and drought-proof drinking water supply for the City. For more information, please visit the Department on the City's website.

The City:

With more than 1.4 million residents, the City of San Diego is the eighth largest city in the United States and the second largest in California. The City of San Diego’s strong economy, diverse population, great educational institutions, unsurpassed quality of life, and world-renowned location make it the ideal place to work, live, and play. With its great weather, miles of sandy beaches, and major attractions, San Diego has something to offer for everyone.

The City’s Mission, as stated in the