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Water Utility Financial Services Manager

Salary

$136,988.80 - $192,857.60 Annually

Location

Tacoma, WA

Job Type

Non-Classified

Job Number

P0090-25

Department

Water

Opening Date

09/04/2025

Closing Date

9/19/2025 5:00 PM Pacific

+ Description

+ Benefits

+ Questions

Position Description

Tacoma Water (https://www.mytpu.org/about-tpu/services/water/) is seeking an experienced and collaborative Water Utility Financial Services Manager to lead our financial health initiatives. This key role reports to the Customer & Financial Services Section Manager and is responsible for managing the financial functions of the water utility, including overseeing the enterprise budget, developing financial policies, and ensuring compliance with financial standards.

If you are a strategic financial leader with a passion for public service and a track record of success in financial management, we encourage you to apply.

About the Role

As the Water Utility Financial Services Manager, you will be the driving force behind Tacoma Water's financial stability. You will manage a team of professionals with four direct reports, providing leadership and guidance in all aspects of financial planning and analysis. Your work will directly impact the community by supporting fair and equitable rate-setting and ensuring the Tacoma Water’s long-term financial viability.

Primary Responsibilities Include:

+ Financial Leadership: Direct and oversee a team responsible for developing and managing the utility’s operating and capital budgets, long-range financial plans, and demand forecasts.

+ Policy and Rate-Making: Lead the development and implementation of financial and rate policies, including cost-of-service rate proposals and initiatives related to financial equity and customer affordability.

+ Strategic Oversight: Manage the utility’s debt portfolio, maintain relationships with rating agencies and investors, and identify financial risks and opportunities.

+ Collaboration and Communication: Act as the primary interface with City finance divisions, present financial topics to committees and policymakers, and provide policy recommendations to senior management.

+ Team Development: Lead and mentor a team of financial professionals, fostering a culture of excellence, continuous improvement, and professional growth.

+ Subject Matter Expertise: Serve as an expert in budget development, financial reporting, utility rate analysis, and accounting practices, demonstrating exceptional financial management to internal and external stakeholders.

Qualifications

Minimum Education*

Bachelor's Degree in engineering, business or public administration or directly related field.

Minimum Experience*

6 years of professional-level experience in the water industry, public works or directly related utility industry, including 1 year prior at a supervisory level

*Equivalency: 1 year of experience = 1 year of education

Licensing, Certifications and Other Requirements

Washington State Driver's License

Selection Process & Supplemental Information

City of Tacoma Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion

At the City of Tacoma, we're on a mission to make our workforce as diverse and inclusive as the community we serve. We're committed to eliminating racial and other disparities, and we actively seek out candidates from a wide range of backgrounds and cultures. Join our team at the City of Tacoma and help us build a more vibrant, inclusive, and equitable community for all.

The City of Tacoma believes that diversity of thought, background, and experience contributes to our success and innovation. If you’re passionate about this role and our mission, we encourage you to apply. If you have a less traditional background, we want to hear about your transferrable skills and experience. We value a variety of perspectives and are excited to see what you bring to the table.

Apply

Interested individuals should apply online by completing the application and attaching a resume and cover letter by the closing date and time listed on the job announcement. Applications received without attaching the required materials may not progress in the selection process.

Compensation & Benefits

Pay Details:

Hourly Rate: $65.86 - $92.72

Annual Salary: $136,988.80 - $192,857.60

Employee Benefits | City of Tacoma (https://tacoma.gov/government/departments/human-resources/employee-benefits/)

Get Assistance

For assistance with the application process or questions regarding this job announcement please contact the Human Resources office at (253) 591-5400 by 4:00 p.m. of the closing date of the job announcement.

For technical difficulties using the Neogov system, call the applicant support line at 1-855-524-5627 between 6:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Pacific Standard Time. This will allow us to assist you before the job announcement closes.

Communication with the City of Tacoma

We primarily communicate via email during the application process. Emails from Tacoma.gov and/or governmentjobs.com should be placed on your safe domain list to ensure that you receive notifications in a timely manner. As a precaution, you may also want to check your junk email folders.

The City of Tacoma provides excellent medical, dental and vision plans for the whole family; paid holidays and paid leave; participation in the Tacoma Employees' Retirement System (alternate plan for Police/Fire); continuing education and advancement opportunities and a growing variety of City-sponsored health and wellness opportunities and incentives.

Medical Coverage: For eligible employees and their families, including domestic partners and dependent children age 26 or younger.

Dental Coverage: For eligible employees and their families, including domestic partners and dependent children age 26 or younger.

Vision Coverage: For eligible employees and their eligible dependents.

Paid Leave: City employees are entitled to received paid holidays, sick/vacation leave or personal time off (PTO), depending upon union affiliation and appointment type.

Insurance Plans: Employees are covered by a long-term disability plan. Short-term and expanded long-term disability insurance plans are also available to employees. The State Industrial Insurance Act also covers employees.

Deferred Compensation: Income can be set aside on a pretax basis and invested for supplementation of normal retirement income.

Retirement: All employees of the City, except members of the Police and Fire services, Tacoma Rail and certain project employees, are included in the Tacoma Employees' Retirement System. Information on the Tacoma Employees' Retirement System can be found at www.cityoftacoma.org or by calling (253) 502-8200.

Other Employment Information

Direct Deposit: Employees are paid on a bi-weekly schedule by direct deposit.

Salary Increases: Based on satisfactory job performance, the City provides for a regular progression of salary increases for most classifications according to the salary schedule.

Union Affiliation: Many job classifications are covered by union security provisions which require union membership, dues, or payment of equivalent service fees.

Note: The provisions of this job announcement do not constitute an expressed or implied contract. Any provision contained herein may be modified and/or revoked without notice.

01

Do you have an equivalent combination to a Bachelor's degree in engineering, business or public administration or directly related field AND 6 years of professional-level experience in the water industry, public works or directly related utility industry, including 1 year prior at a supervisory level? *Equivalency: 1 year of experience = 1 year of education

+ Yes

+ No

02

Describe your experience with managing public enterprise funds or a large-scale municipal operating and capital budget.

03

How do you balance financial sustainability with public service obligations and ensure the financials align with long-term strategic goals?

04

One of the City's Principles that guides us is Equity. Describe what equity means to you and describe any experience you have working with diverse groups of people.

05

Please tell us how you learned about this job opening.

+ Job Interest Card notification

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+ City of Tacoma employee

+ Online job board posting

+ Word of mouth

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+ Careers in Government

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+ National Diversity Network

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+ Other

06

Please provide specific information regarding how you learned about this job opening. Thank you, your feedback will be used to evaluate our success reaching the public and refine our methods for future job postings.

Required Question

Employer

City of Tacoma

Address

Human Resources Department 747 Market Street Tacoma, Washington, 98402-3764

Phone

253-591-5400

Website

http://www.tacoma.gov

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