Manager of Fiscal Affairs, Level 1 (Police)

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Manager of Fiscal Affairs, Level 1, oversees the Police Department’s daily fiscal and administrative operations, including budgeting, accounting, financial reporting, expenditure monitoring, procurement, accounts payable and receivable, grant administration, and payroll-related fiscal matters. The role manages the preparation, monitoring, and analysis of the department’s budget; provides financial forecasting and reporting; supervises assigned fiscal and accounts payable staff; and coordinates closely with City Finance, Purchasing, Human Resources, the Payroll Manager, grant agencies, and other City departments. This position requires strong expertise in financial management, budgeting, grants, and project coordination, and ensures compliance with applicable financial policies and procedures while maintaining a high level of confidentiality.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS AND DUTIES:

The essential functions or duties listed below are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to the position.

• Direct and oversee the department’s fiscal operations, including budgeting, accounting, financial reporting, expenditure monitoring, and maintenance of internal fiscal controls.
• Assist with the preparation, monitoring, and execution of the annual operating, capital, and grant budgets, including revenue and expenditure analysis, financial projections, budget narratives, and appropriation or transfer requests.
• Review financial records, reconcile discrepancies, and ensure compliance with City fiscal policies, procedures, and procurement regulations.
• Maintain and manage financial records and documentation within the City’s financial systems, including accounts payable, accounts receivable, reimbursements, purchasing, and required fiscal reporting.
• Coordinate year-end closeout and audit activities; serve as primary fiscal resource to staff on budgeting, accounting, procurement, expenditure monitoring, and financial procedures.
• Oversee and administer departmental grants, including budget preparation, tracking, reporting, compliance, and coordination with divisions on grant submissions.
• Manage procurement processes for goods, services, equipment, vendor payments, and departmental requisitions in accordance with City purchasing requirements.
• Manage and direct accreditation-related financial reporting, ensuring standards comply with CALEA requirements for documentation, reporting, and audit readiness.
• Supervise assigned fiscal and business office staff, including work assignment, review, feedback, and training to ensure accurate, timely, and compliant financial transactions.
• Coordinate personnel-related fiscal administration related to  workers’ compensation, 111F, reimbursements, and medical payments.
• Serve as department liaison to the Retirement Board for retiree audits, payouts, and related coordination; assist members and retirees with benefit-related fiscal matters.
• Perform other related duties as required.
  
  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Education/Experience

• Bachelor's degree in accounting, finance, business or public administration, or a closely related field required; master’s degree in public administration, finance, accounting, business administration, or a related field preferred.
• Five (5) to seven (7) years of progressively responsible financial, accounting, budget, grants, procurement, , or fiscal administration experience.
• Experience overseeing, coordinating, or reviewing the work of staff performing fiscal transactions, preferably in a public sector or nonprofit setting.
• Professional financial credentials such as Certified Public Accountant, Certified Government Financial Manager, or Certified Public Finance Officer preferred at hire; if not already held, must be obtained within one (1) year of employment as a condition of continued employment.
• Experience with grant administration, fund accounting, accounts payable, accounts receivable, budget monitoring, financial reporting, or related fiscal processes preferred.
• Background in governmental accounting and finance preferred.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and Word required; PowerPoint experience preferred.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite 365.
• Experience with file digitization, and the ability to learn new software.
• An equivalent combination of education, training, and experience may be considered.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Excellent organizational and interpersonal skills with the ability to prioritize and manage multiple fiscal and program tasks and deadlines simultaneously.
• Ability to work independently under general supervision and remain self-motivated.
• Excellent computer skills including advanced proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite 365, particularly Excel, Word, and Outlook; working knowledge of PeopleSoft Financials and HR, and the ability to learn other relevant financial and data systems such as Questica, Smartsheet, On Duty, Xtra Duty.
• Strong organizational, analytical, planning, problem-solving, and time-management skills, with attention to detail and the ability to manage multiple concurrent tasks and deadlines.
• Ability to review, reconcile, analyze, and explain financial data, identify discrepancies, improve processes, and propose practical solutions.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively with minimal supervision while maintaining accuracy, confidentiality, and sound judgment.
• Effective written, verbal, interpersonal, and customer service skills, with the ability to communicate professionally with staff, vendors, Finance, Purchasing, Human Resources, and department leadership.
• Ability to work and interact effectively with individuals and groups across diverse identities, cultures, backgrounds, and ideologies.
• Commitment to anti-racism, diversity, equity, and inclusion.
• Knowledge of the Cambridge community preferred.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED:

Works under the Director of Administration and Operations; work is governed by applicable financial laws and regulations, municipal financial policies, and departmental procedures, and is reviewed for compliance, accuracy, and financial outcomes through regular reports and meetings.

SUPERVISION EXERCISED:

Provides direct supervision to assigned fiscal and administrative staff including Financial Analyst, Accounts Payable, and other assigned personnel; assigns and reviews work, conducts performance evaluations, and provides coaching and guidance to support staff development; may oversee interns as assigned.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

Work is performed primarily in a busy office environment located within an active public safety facility. 
While the position is primarily administrative, it involves frequent interaction with fire service personnel, and employees may be exposed to emergency response activities, tactical training, apparatus movement, heavy equipment, vehicle maintenance operations, elevated noise levels, and associated sights, sounds, and odors common to a fire department or apparatus facility.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

Work is primarily sedentary and office-based, requiring prolonged periods of computer use and the ability to access, input, retrieve, review, and analyze financial information electronically and in hard copy. This position also requires periodic movement throughout an active fire department facility including administrative offices, apparatus bays, training areas, and other operational workspaces. The work generally requires operation of standard office equipment, including copiers, printers, and scanners; keyboarding; telephone use; writing; occasional bending and reaching; and lifting or carrying books, files, documents, or related office materials weighing up to 10 pounds.

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS:

Please upload the following documents to complete your application:

• Resume
• Cover Letter

The City of Cambridge's workforce, like the community it serves, is diverse. Applicants must have the ability to work and interact effectively with individuals and groups with a variety of identities, cultures, backgrounds, and ideologies.