Assistant Deputy Director - Finance

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Job Req ID: 385 

​Department: Rates and Finance Program Management 

Salary Range: $214,032.00 to $214,032.00 

Job Type: Unclassified     

Business Area: Public Utilities 

Personnel Area: PU Administrative Services 

Closing Date: 08/28/2025 

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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: Oversees 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 support divisions on the principles of sound financial management and resource allocation within a "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 the financial sustainability, strategic direction, and overall financial governance of a vital public utility, working at the intersection of policy and practice.

The Department:

 The Public Utilities Department provides reliable and sustainable water, wastewater, and stormwater 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 Strategic Plan is “Every day we serve our communities to make San Diego not just a fine city, but a great City.” The City’s Vision is "Opportunity in every neighborhood, excellent service for every San Diegan". 

As one of the region’s largest employers, the City of San Diego employs nearly 13,000 highly dedicated employees and has a combined Fiscal Year 2025 operating and capital budget of approximately $5.65 billion. Additional information about the City of San Diego can be found on the City’s website.

Benefits:

The City offers a robust benefits package that includes:

• Defined retirement plan, including pension reciprocity, dependent on an employee’s eligibility status (new hire, rehire, etc.). 
• A wide variety of cafeteria-style health and wellness plans or in-lieu cash waiver.
• 11 paid City holidays per calendar year and 1 floating holiday per fiscal year.
• Approximately 176 hours of paid annual leave for an employee’s first 15 years of service, and approximately 216 hours for 16+ years of service.
• Up to 24 hours of paid discretionary leave per fiscal year.
• Up to 320 hours of paid Parental Leave per childbirth or placement of a child.
• Up to 40 hours of paid Bereavement Leave per fiscal year.
• Tuition reimbursement up to $2,000 per fiscal year, and complimentary LinkedIn Learning professional development opportunities.
• Free transit pass (including MTS Trolley, MTS Bus, and all Rapid and Rapid Express bus services).
• Access to premier City golf courses at a discounted rate. 
• Reduced-rate fitness center memberships.
• City-paid life insurance. 

For additional details, please review the Benefits Summary for Unclassified Employees  (Download PDF reader) or contact the Benefits Division of the Risk Management Department at (619) 236-5924. 

Pre-Employment Requirements and Screening Process:

Employment offers are conditional, pending the results of all screening processes applicable to the position. All the processes required by the City of San Diego must be successfully completed before employment begins. Please refer to the City’s pre-employment requirements and screening process webpage for additional information.  Nothing in this job posting constitutes or should be construed as part of an express or implied contract for employment with the City of San Diego. 

Resumes will be screened according to the qualifications outlined above and the most qualified candidates will be invited to interview.   
 
The City of San Diego has an active Equal Opportunity/ADA Program for employment and vigorously supports diversity in the workplace.