MONTGOMERY COUNTY GOVERNMENT Code No. 7920
ROCKVILLE, MARYLAND (Non-Merit)

CLASS SPECIFICATION

DIRECTOR, DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE

DEFINITION OF CLASS:

This is executive level work directing the operation of the Department of Finance. Contacts are with high ranking legislative and executive officials within County Government, officials of equivalent rank in other governmental jurisdictions, and private sector and community organizations or groups. The purposes of the contacts include presenting, justifying and defending controversial positions where conflicting and opposing viewpoints, goals and objectives are strongly advocated and must be reconciled to develop suitable alternatives or arrive at acceptable compromises.

The employee in this class plans, develops, implements, and evaluates fiscal policies and provides for sound and responsible fiscal management for the County Government by directing subordinate managers to: project and monitor revenue levels; collect all County revenue; administer the County's payroll system and central purchasing program; report on the status of fund and grant accounts through a financial management system; pay all obligations incurred on behalf of the County Government; provide internal audits of programs administered by other County departments and offices; provide accounting and reporting services associated with the Employees' Retirement System; issue bonds to finance capital construction; manage County funds through sophisticated cash management and investment programs; and administer the County's Self Insurance Fund to provide comprehensive liability, automobile, worker's compensation, property and other insurance coverage through self-insurance and commercial policies. The work is performed under broadly defined missions and functions and general administrative direction with little technical guidance. The employee exercises full and final accountability for all matters associated with completing work assignments including determining the work to be performed and the methods used. Results of the work are considered technically authoritative and evaluated in terms of the soundness of the County's financial position as determined by outside auditors. Guidelines consist of broad policy directives, and basic legislation which require the employee to use considerable judgment in interpreting the intent of the guidelines and generating specific policies and guidance for use by subordinate managers in developing various components of the County's fiscal management system. The complexity of the work is reflected in the need for planning, directing and integrating a broad range of fiscal management functions, programs, and services. The work requires consideration of issues concerning the projection, collection, expenditure and accounting for all County funds, and development of solutions that accommodate conflicting objectives from a variety of organizations, groups, and individuals. The work of directing the fiscal management program is essential to the mission of the County Government and affects all departments and citizens in the County. The work is primarily sedentary, performed in a typical office setting, and subject to common everyday risks.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES: (Illustrative Only)

Plans, organizes, coordinates, and directs the financial programs, policies, and activities of the County Government.
Assists the County Executive in budget preparation by making preliminary estimates of revenues.
Plans and directs the internal audit and pre audit of all accounts, claims, or demand vouchers presented to the County for payment.
Prescribes the County's accounting systems and the method for monitoring the financial activities of the various County departments and agencies.
Conducts studies of administrative operations to determine the need for the establishment or revision of County, Departmental and Divisional policies and procedures.
Determines the most expeditious means of fulfilling major accounting, auditing, self insurance, purchasing, and investment requirements and assumes final responsibility for their implementation.
Coordinates the activities of the Department of Finance with other agencies of the County Government, the Board of Education, and bi County, State, and Federal agencies.
Supervises the collection of State taxes for Montgomery County.
Manages all County debt including preparation of prospectuses, determination of maturity schedules, and the preparation, marketing, and issuance of various types of bonds, notes or other debt or financing instruments.
Performs other related duties as required.

RECOMMENDED QUALIFICATIONS:

Experience: Extensive (7 years) experience in fiscal management, accounting or other related field, with at least four (4) years in a managerial or supervisory capacity which included responsibility for fund and budget administration, program planning, implementation and administration.
Education: Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Master's Degree in Finance, Accounting, Business Administration or other related field.
Equivalency: An equivalent combination of education and experience may be substituted.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
Extensive knowledge of the principles and practices of public fiscal management.
Extensive knowledge of Federal, State and County laws, rules, and regulations governing fiscal management.
Extensive knowledge of the operation and requirements of the capital markets.
Extensive knowledge of local government functions and organizations.
Skill in planning, developing, implementing and administering a broad range of fiscal management functions and programs carried out by a large number of employees with a wide range of skills.
Skill in negotiating agreements which accommodate the conflicting interests and viewpoints of numerous groups and organizations.
Skill in oral and written communication sufficient to develop defenses and justification of decisions reached.
Ability to attend meetings or perform other assignments at locations outside the office.

LICENSE: None.

MEDICAL GROUP: Medical History Review.

Class Established: February, 1972
Revised: November, 1972
July, 1987
December, 2002