Finance Director

Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department -
Tacoma, WA

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Job Details

Full-time
$148,387.20 - $200,740.80 a year

Qualifications

Driver's License
Bachelor's degree

Full Job Description

Job Summary

The Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department is seeking an experienced and quality-oriented Finance Director who is committed to the efficient management of the Health Department’s public resources and assets. This is an appointive, full-time (1.0 FTE) position on the Department’s executive leadership team that leads the Health Department’s Finance team, supports and mentors Finance team leaders, and helps guide the Department’s values, strategic initiatives, and commitment to be an innovative, equitable, and quality-focused organization. The Finance Director plays a key role in safeguarding public funds, optimizing resource allocation, and supporting the Department’s mission to deliver quality services to Pierce County residents in a fiscally responsible manner.

This appointive, advanced managerial classification reports to the Director of Public Health and is responsible for the overall management and supervision of the Finance program. This role is responsible for planning, directing, and managing the Department’s financial activities, including budgeting, accounting, payroll, purchasing, debt management, and financial reporting. The Finance Director develops and implements financial policies, prepares annual budgets, monitors expenditures, manages investments, and ensures compliance with applicable laws, regulations, and accounting standards. The position also provides strategic financial guidance to Leadership Team members, supports capital improvement planning, and leads the preparation of audits and financial statements.

*First application review for this position will be 4/12/2026*

Some of what you'll do:

Direct the financial operations of the Department: Plan, organize, and supervise the operations and personnel of the Finance program, including payroll, grants, contracts and procurement, accounts payable and receivable, financial reporting, audits, general ledger, budget and debt management, cash control and investments.
Direct the Department’s budgeting process: Manage and oversee all budget and accounting operations for the Department, including the timely development of the biannual budget. Monitor the annual budget throughout the year and react to fiscal and budget issues as they arise. Manage and oversee the development and implementation of the operating and capital budgets. Make funding adjustments as necessary to meet business needs.
Serve as the Department’s financial advisor: Provide technical expertise, information, and assistance to the Director of Public Health and the Board of Health regarding financial activities, transactions, and policies. Develop and maintain a comprehensive financial master plan and make strategic recommendations for the Director of Public Health, Board of Health, and staff to use in decision making in coordination with the Department’s capital improvement plan and strategic plan.
Provide executive leadership with advice on the financial implications of business activities. Participate as an active member of the Leadership Team.
Ensure accurate and useful reporting tools: Analyze, prepare, and review a variety of complex reports, financial statements, and accounting and financial management documentation for major financial projects such as the Department’s annual Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR), year-end projections, and management financial review. Ensure accurate and timely reporting of fiscal affairs, including design, implementation and updating of information systems to support budgeting, accounting, and reporting objectives. Direct the preparation and maintenance of a variety of narrative and statistical reports, records, and files related to personnel, payroll, insurance claims and policies, audits, budget, financial impact, and investments.
Identify process improvement initiatives and make recommendations to implement process modifications and enhancements.
Supervise, mentor, coach, and manage Finance staff: Includes hiring, training, timecard/time off approvals, performance management, investigations, and resolution of disciplinary matters. Provide leadership and direction to multi-disciplinary staff. Effectively develop their direct reports. Review and evaluate Finance processes, cross train staff, forecast staffing needs, and allocate resources accordingly. Develop and manage the Finance program’s budget to assure adequate staff, equipment, resources, and other materials to perform the functions necessary in the division.
Oversee the development and implementation of the rate-setting process. Work with Leadership Team on the analysis and evaluation of rate proposals, including making presentations to the Board of Health and general public.
Develop annual and long-term goals and objectives, strategies, and work plans.
Provide timely and accurate analysis of budgets and financial trends and forecasts, including data on the financial health of the Department. Project future possible results and advise on corrective actions to accomplish goals.
Monitor changes in federal, state and local laws and regulations to ensure the Department maintains compliance and is positioned to take advantage of opportunities.
Establish and administer systems for maintaining accountability over grant, trust, and agency funds. Ensure all financial operations have adequate internal controls.
Ensure compliance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) and other relevant standards, federal, state and county laws, codes and policies.
Track and monitor grants and expenditures to ensure financial accountability.
Participate in the development and implementation of policies and procedures for handling accounting and financial activities including pre-audit, posting of expenditures and revenues, payroll, and other related activities.
This work might require you to participate in the Title XIX Medicaid Claiming Program.
Performs other duties as assigned.

Safety & Emergency Preparedness

Adheres to all workplace and trade safety laws, regulations, standards, and practices.
Understands and properly follows established procedures in preventing and responding to unsafe or emergency situations. Identifies and reports potentially unsafe practices or conditions.
Operates equipment, tools, machinery, and vehicles safely and understands processes for reporting an accident or injury.
Understands and applies knowledge and skills necessary to successfully perform assigned emergency response role during an emergency.

When public health responds to an emergency, you may be assigned duties and responsibilities that are outside your regular job description. This may involve responding at any time and reporting to a location other than the department with different working conditions and physical requirements. You are expected to participate in emergency preparedness activities including our emergency notification system, WA SECURES. Drills and real-world events may take place at any time.

What you bring to the table

Advanced knowledge of standard Microsoft Office programs, accounting software, and automated financial systems.
Advanced knowledge of professional government accounting and auditing principles, practices, theories, and concepts to include compliance with reporting and disclosure requirements.
Strong understanding of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), Governmental Accounting Standards (GASB), and Generally Accepted Auditing Standards (GAAS).
Understanding of local, state and federal legislation, policies, and procedures relevant to the body of work.
Knowledge of Washington State BARS, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards, and schedule of expenditures of Federal Award preparation.
Highly skilled in interpreting complex financial data and providing actionable insights.
Skill in interpreting and explaining local, state, and federal laws and regulations.
Skill in preparing narrative, statistical and graphical reports, and correspondence.
Knowledge and skill in maintaining financial information systems.
Strong attention to detail, accuracy, and proof-reading skills. Ability to research and compile information from multiple sources.
Knowledge of quality improvement principles and techniques.
Strong presentation and project management skills.
Skill in building effective and cohesive?teams.?
Skilled in maintaining sensitive and confidential data and using discretion when sharing information.
Skilled in communication:
- Listens to others and communicates in an effective manner.
- Asks questions in ways that enhance the clarity, quality, and reliability of information.
- Understands and learns from what others say, attends to nonverbal cues, and responds appropriately.
- Grasps the meaning of written information and applies it to work situations.
- Conveys ideas and facts using language the audience will best understand, taking into consideration the audience and nature of the information.
- Writes in a clear, concise, and organized manner for the intended audience.

Foundational competencies

Knowing and managing oneself: Understands that all equity, trauma-informed, and restorative practices start with oneself. Exercises a high degree of self-reflection, personal accountability, resilience, flexibility, and adaptability. Is willing to learn, apply, and model agency values and ethical standards.
Restorative practices and conflict resolution: Articulates through words and actions authentic commitment to create an environment in which all people are treated with dignity and respect and afforded equal opportunities and impartial treatment. Centers work inequity and trauma informed and restorative practices to achieve and maintain collaboration and teamwork and to effectively work with historically underrepresented and/or underserved populations to advance community health. Utilizes restorative practices to address harm and promote healing to strengthen relationships between individuals and social connections within communities.
Collaboration and engagement: Provides balanced and objective information to help teammates, partners, and the public understand problems, alternatives, opportunities, and solutions. Works directly with partners within the Department, in the community, and members of the public affected by the work to obtain feedback and understand diverse points of view, concerns, and aspirations. Identifies preferred solutions together, incorporating advice and recommendations to the maximum extent possible.
Evidence informed practices and decision-making: Applies evidence informed practices and methodologies to achieve the greatest impact in delivery of services to internal and external customers and partners. Incorporates the social determinants of health into public health work. Integrates research and evidence into the decision-making process. Seeks to systematically identify and eliminate inequities resulting in differences in health and in overall living conditions. Utilizes evidence informed practices to increase equity in systems and policy. Creates a robust culture of assessment and evaluation and continuous process improvement.
Cross cultural communication and Engagement: Understands that cultural awareness, appreciation, and humility can only occur when you practice curiosity and open-mindedness. Operates with a high level of humility and cultural agility to achieve effective intercultural communication, engagement, and collaboration in the workplace and in the community. Is open to feedback and continuously self-reflects on one’s own actions and responses. Centers personal accountability on the Department’s mission, values, and ethical standards.
Accountability: Owns decisions and is transparent about financial decision-making processes. Fosters trust and collaboration with the Director of Public Health and Leadership Team members. Maintains credibility while driving strategic financial planning and initiatives.
Analytical Thinking: Interprets complex data to make informed financial recommendations and decisions. Assesses the Department’s financial health and identifies potential risks and opportunities. Applies strategic thinking to form goals and objectives.
Integrity and Honesty: Behaves appropriately and honestly in all situations. Demonstrates a commitment to Health Department interests above personal interests. Acts ethically and responsibly in all fiscal matters. Keeps commitments and follows through with promised actions.
Managing and Leading Teams: Maintains a high-performing Finance team. Sets clear expectations for all Finance staff and ensures team and individual accountability. Provides needed support and resources for Finance staff to achieve their deliverables. Fosters a culture of trust and learning within the team.
Adaptability: Adapts financial strategies in response to economic shifts and technological advancements to ensure resilience. Is open to and advances positive change.
Strategic Communication: Clearly articulate—in both verbal and written communications and presentations—financial information and the state of the Department’s financial health to various stakeholders, including staff, Leadership Team, Board of Health, and community partners. Delivers key messages to increase awareness and adoption of Health Department values, goals, and strategies. Develops and implements plans to disseminate information efficiently and effectively to target audiences.
Resilience: Deals effectively with pressure. Bounces back from challenges and maintains focus during difficult times. Navigates economic and financial uncertainties. Able to lead the Health Department through financial crises.
Change Management: Proactively advocates, directs, and influences the adoption of new ideas, methods, services, processes, and products based on knowledge of best practice financial approaches. Ensures effective implementation of required changes.

Who should apply

The items below are the requirements for the job and are relevant to this position. The organization values work experience, lived experience, and education and realizes that people take different paths to acquire knowledge.

Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or Business Management.
8 years of progressively responsible experience in financial management and/or accounting.
5 years supervisory experience.

We will consider any equivalent combination of education and experience that provides the necessary qualifications to successfully perform the duties of the position.

Professional certifications and licensure

Washington State Certified Public Accountant (CPA), CMA or Certified Public Finance Officer (CPFO) preferred.

Working Conditions & Physical Requirements

Work Environment

Work is performed almost exclusively indoors in an office environment. Exposure to hazards is limited to those commonly found in office environments.
Attendance is up to 100% in person.

Physical and Cognitive Demands

Regularly required to sit or stand continuously.
Regularly communicate clearly in-person, over the phone, and via written communication, including communicating with dissatisfied or angry individuals, throughout the duration of a shift.
Capable of reading physical and electronic documents and working for prolonged periods on a computer monitor.
Fine motor skills sufficient to grip and manipulate paper, operate a telephone, and operate a computer mouse and keyboard.
Reaching and gross manipulation capabilities sufficient to pick up and use standard office supplies.
This position may require lifting, carrying, pulling, or moving objects up to 10 pounds consistently, 20 pounds frequently, and exerting up to 30 pounds of force occasionally.
Maintain concentration and attention for extended periods of time.
Regularly follow sequential processes, including long and/or complex processes.
Learn, recall, and apply specialized information.

Tools and Equipment

Duties require the use of standard office furniture and equipment (e.g., desk, filing cabinet, computer, printer, telephone, copy machine, etc.)

Travel

Occasional travel may be required, and is typically local or regional, to meet with clients, conduct business, or attend training.

Click Here for more details on reasonable accommodations, safety, risk management and more.

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Job Summary

What you bring to the table

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