Watershed Management, Deputy Commissioner of Finance

Posting expires: September 25, 2026

Salary: $189,815

General Description and Classification Standards:

Serves as the top finance and accounting officer for the Watershed Department. Provides leadership and oversight of all accounting, financial planning, and financial management operations within the department. 

Duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to: ensuring both short and long-term financial health and viability of the department; providing assurance related to the delivery of financial-related information to internal management, City Council, bond rating agencies and the department’s stakeholders; assuring proper accounting for customer billing, purchases, and other transactions; and providing financial leadership and oversight of the department’s annual financial audit. . 

Supervision Received:

Direction received is very general and focuses more on long-term and short-term operating objectives. This is a policy-advisory level of management.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

These are typical responsibilities for this position and should not be construed as exclusive or all inclusive.

• Directs management responsibility for the day-to-day operations for the following functional areas: revenue forecasting, budgeting (operations and capital), cash flow management, inter-jurisdictional billing, etc. 
• Directs and prepares the department’s annual budget submission and the department’s detailed 5-year financial plan. 
• Directs and manages the centralized accounting operations within the department, such as approving key journal entries, etc. 
• Provides guidance, direction and assistance to internal staff and the accounting and finance staff within the Bureau of Watershed Management to resolve financial-related issues. 
• Prepares ad hoc financial analysis for the Watershed Management Executive Leadership Team related to numerous topics such as fund balance analysis, etc. 
• Develops and reviews schedules and client-assistance lists which support the department’s external audit.
• May perform other duties as assigned.

The above statements reflect the general duties, responsibilities and competencies considered necessary to perform the essential duties and responsibilities of the job and should not be considered as a detailed description of all the work requirements of the position. COA may change the specific job duties with or without prior notice based on the needs of the organization.

Decision Making

Uses independent judgment and discretion in managing subordinates including the handling of emergency situations, determining and deciding upon procedures to be implemented, setting priorities, maintaining standards and resolving problems.

Leadership Provided

Provides guidance to a varied group of managers and supervisors or may directly supervise a staff of professionals and team leaders engaged in an organization-wide or policy-advisory activity. Guidance should typically be general in nature and focus on objectives, end results, and policies.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

This is a partial listing of necessary knowledge, skills, and abilities required to perform the job successfully, it is not an exhaustive list.

• Knowledge of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), Government Accounting Standards, and best practices in budgeting; and understanding of financial planning, budgeting, funding and capital/debt market and of best accounting practices and standards.
• Skills in organizing resources and establishing priorities; fostering a collaborative work environment in a multi-cultural and multi-ethnic environment; and communicating and interacting effectively with a wide range of constituents in a diverse community.
• Ability to read, analyze and interpret technical journals, financial reports and legal documents; respond effectively to inquiries orally and in writing; and to make effective presentations to City Council, management, public groups, etc.

Minimum Qualifications:

Education and Experience - Master’s degree in finance, accounting, public or business administration (Equivalent professional experience may be considered for substitution for the required degree on an exception basis) 

10 years' of experience in financial analysis, budgeting, accounting or a related area is required 

Licensures and Certifications .

Preferred Requirements - More than 10 years' of experience in financial analysis, budgeting, accounting or a related area is preferred.

Work Environment:

Required physical, lifting, and sensory capabilities are requirements to perform the job successfully. Typical environmental conditions associated with job.

Lifting Requirements: 

Sedentary work: Exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and/or negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects, including the human body.

Light work: Exerting up to 20 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 10 pounds of force to move objects.

Medium work: Exerting up to 50 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 30 pounds of force frequently, and/or up to 10 pounds of force constantly to move objects.

Heavy work: Exerting up to 100 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 50 pounds of force frequently, and/or up to 20 pounds of force constantly to move objects.

Very heavy work: Exerting in excess of 100 pounds of force occasionally and/or in excess of 50 pounds of force frequently, and/or in excess of 20 pounds of force constantly to move objects.[JR1]

It is the policy of the City of Atlanta (“COA”) that qualified individuals with disabilities are not discriminated against because of their disabilities regarding job application procedures, hiring, and other terms and conditions of employment. It is further the policy of the COA to provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities in all aspects of the employment process. The COA is prepared to modify or adjust the job application process or the job or work environment to make reasonable accommodations to the known physical or mental limitations of the applicant or employee to enable the applicant or employee to be considered for the position he or she desires, to perform the essential functions of the position in question, or to enjoy equal benefits and privileges of employment as are enjoyed by other similarly situated employees without disabilities, unless the accommodation will impose an undue hardship. If reasonable accommodation is needed, please contact the Human Resources Director for your department.

The City of Atlanta is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, ender identity, marital status, veteran’s status or national origin, or any other basis prohibited by federal, state, or local law.  We value and encourage diversity in our workforce.