Planning Services Manager

About the Department

Position Duties

• The essential functions listed below are those that represent the majority of the time spent working in this class. Management may assign additional functions related to the type of work of the class as necessary. Budget Administration Coordinates implementation of the City's annual operating budget following adoption by City Council. Coordinates annual budget loading, testing, balancing, and activation within the City's ERP system. Maintains annual budget calendars, schedules, workflows, and implementation procedures. Assists with operating, capital improvement, debt service, grant, and special revenue budgets. Develops budget models, forecasts, and financial analyses. Reviews departmental budget submissions for accuracy and compliance. Assists departments with budget questions and financial analysis. Coordinates budget amendments and budget transfers throughout the fiscal year. Maintains comprehensive budget procedures and documentation. Coordinates with the City Manager’s office on budget implementation. Audit Administration Serves as the City's primary coordinator for the annual external financial audit. Develops, maintains, and updates comprehensive audit workplans, schedules, and supporting documentation. Coordinates completion of audit requests across all City departments. Reviews audit schedules for completeness, accuracy, and compliance. Researches complex accounting issues and prepares supporting analyses. Coordinates responses to auditor inquiries. Assists with preparation of the Annual Comprehensive Financial Report. Coordinates implementation of audit recommendations. Develops procedures that improve future audit efficiency. Compliance & Internal Controls Monitors compliance with Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB) pronouncements. Assists with implementation of new accounting standards. Coordinates compliance with Local Government Commission requirements. Assists departments with grant compliance. Monitors debt covenant reporting. Develops and maintains financial policies and internal control procedures. Evaluates existing processes for efficiency and risk. Documents and develops standard operating procedures. Financial Systems & Projects Leads or coordinates implementation of financial software projects. Coordinates ERP upgrades and testing. Serves as Finance liaison for enterprise software implementations. Develops financial workflows. Coordinates cross-departmental financial initiatives. Identifies automation opportunities. Coordinates implementation of process improvements. Financial Analysis Performs complex financial analyses. Researches, interprets, and recommends implementation of new governmental accounting standards, regulatory requirements, and financial reporting best practices Develops long-range financial projections. Evaluates financial impacts of proposed initiatives. Assists with debt affordability analyses. Prepares reports for executive management. Assists with presentations to Council. Organizational Development Coordinates succession planning initiatives within the Finance Department. Documents institutional knowledge and critical business processes. Provides professional mentoring and technical guidance to Finance staff. Promotes continuous process improvement across Finance operations. Evaluates organizational workflows and recommends operational efficiencies. Serves as subject matter expert on governmental accounting and financial management issues. Representative Projects and Assignments Coordinating the City's annual external financial audit. Coordinating implementation and execution of the annual operating budget within the City's ERP system. Developing and maintaining complex audit workpapers and supporting schedules. Researching and implementing new GASB standards. Coordinating financial aspects of major ERP implementations. Developing internal financial policies and procedures. Monitoring grant compliance and reporting. Coordinating capital project financial reporting. Preparing executive financial analyses. Developing long-range financial forecasts. Coordinating process improvements across Finance operations.
• The essential functions listed below are those that represent the majority of the time spent working in this class. Management may assign additional functions related to the type of work of the class as necessary. Budget Administration
• Coordinates implementation of the City's annual operating budget following adoption by
• City Council.
• Coordinates annual budget loading, testing, balancing, and activation within the City's
• ERP system.
• Maintains annual budget calendars, schedules, workflows, and implementation
• procedures.
• Assists with operating, capital improvement, debt service, grant, and special revenue budgets.
• Develops budget models, forecasts, and financial analyses.
• Reviews departmental budget submissions for accuracy and compliance.
• Assists departments with budget questions and financial analysis.
• Coordinates budget amendments and budget transfers throughout the fiscal year.
• Maintains comprehensive budget procedures and documentation.
• Coordinates with the City Manager’s office on budget implementation.
• Serves as the City's primary coordinator for the annual external financial audit.
• Develops, maintains, and updates comprehensive audit workplans, schedules, and
• supporting documentation.
• Coordinates completion of audit requests across all City departments.
• Reviews audit schedules for completeness, accuracy, and compliance.
• Researches complex accounting issues and prepares supporting analyses.
• Coordinates responses to auditor inquiries.
• Assists with preparation of the Annual Comprehensive Financial Report.
• Coordinates implementation of audit recommendations.
• Develops procedures that improve future audit efficiency.
• Monitors compliance with Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB)
• pronouncements.
• Assists with implementation of new accounting standards.
• Coordinates compliance with Local Government Commission requirements.
• Assists departments with grant compliance.
• Monitors debt covenant reporting.
• Develops and maintains financial policies and internal control procedures.
• Evaluates existing processes for efficiency and risk.
• Documents and develops standard operating procedures.
• Leads or coordinates implementation of financial software projects.
• Coordinates ERP upgrades and testing.
• Serves as Finance liaison for enterprise software implementations.
• Develops financial workflows.
• Coordinates cross-departmental financial initiatives.
• Identifies automation opportunities.
• Coordinates implementation of process improvements.
• Performs complex financial analyses.
• Researches, interprets, and recommends implementation of new governmental
• accounting standards, regulatory requirements, and financial reporting best practices
• Develops long-range financial projections.
• Evaluates financial impacts of proposed initiatives.
• Assists with debt affordability analyses.
• Prepares reports for executive management.
• Assists with presentations to Council.
• Coordinates succession planning initiatives within the Finance Department.
• Documents institutional knowledge and critical business processes.
• Provides professional mentoring and technical guidance to Finance staff.
• Promotes continuous process improvement across Finance operations.
• Evaluates organizational workflows and recommends operational efficiencies.
• Serves as subject matter expert on governmental accounting and financial management issues.
• Coordinating the City's annual external financial audit.
• Coordinating implementation and execution of the annual operating budget within the
• Developing and maintaining complex audit workpapers and supporting schedules.
• Researching and implementing new GASB standards.
• Coordinating financial aspects of major ERP implementations.
• Developing internal financial policies and procedures.
• Monitoring grant compliance and reporting.
• Coordinating capital project financial reporting.
• Preparing executive financial analyses.
• Developing long-range financial forecasts.
• Coordinating process improvements across Finance operations.

Minimum Qualifications

• KNOWLEDGE Comprehensive knowledge of the principles, practices, and standards governing governmental accounting, budgeting, auditing, financial reporting, and public financial administration. Comprehensive knowledge of Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB) pronouncements, generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), North Carolina General Statutes applicable to local governments, Local Government Commission (LGC) requirements, federal grant regulations, and other applicable financial reporting and compliance requirements. Thorough knowledge of governmental budget development, budget administration, capital improvement planning, debt financing, grant accounting, financial forecasting, and long-range financial planning. Thorough knowledge of internal control principles, risk assessment, financial compliance, fraud prevention, and sound governmental business practices. Working knowledge of municipal debt issuance, debt covenant compliance, capital financing, and intergovernmental funding sources. Working knowledge of enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems, governmental financial software, payroll and human resources interfaces, financial reporting tools, and database applications. Knowledge of project management principles and organizational process improvement methodologies. Knowledge of modern office technology including Microsoft Excel at an advanced level and financial analysis techniques. Comprehensive knowledge of the principles and practices of public finance administration including governmental accounting. Comprehensive knowledge of the fiscal policies and statutory requirements governing city funds including City ordinances, Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB) pronouncements, North Carolina General Statutes and federal laws and regulations. Comprehensive knowledge of the City’s administrative, accounting, budgeting, payroll and purchasing policies and procedures. Comprehensive knowledge of the organization and functions of city government and the financial issues that impact them. Thorough knowledge of modern supervisory principles and practices and of the City’s personnel policies and procedures SKILLS Exceptional analytical and problem-solving skills involving complex financial and operational issues. Skill in interpreting governmental accounting standards and applying professional judgment to unique financial transactions. Skill in preparing, analyzing, and presenting complex financial information in a clear and understandable manner. Skill in developing financial models, forecasts, and long-range planning analyses. Skill in coordinating multiple complex projects simultaneously while meeting statutory and organizational deadlines. Skill in developing written financial policies, procedures, workflows, and standard operating procedures. Skill in identifying process improvement opportunities and implementing operational efficiencies. Strong interpersonal and communication skills necessary to work effectively with elected officials, executive management, department directors, auditors, regulatory agencies, and employees throughout the organization. Strong organizational skills with exceptional attention to detail. ABILITIES Ability to independently plan, organize, coordinate, and execute complex governmental financial assignments with minimal supervision. Ability to research, interpret, and apply complex accounting standards, laws, regulations, and governmental guidance. Ability to coordinate the City's annual financial audit and successfully manage multiple concurrent audit requests and deadlines. Ability to design, prepare, analyze, and present complex financial reports and statements. Ability to coordinate implementation of annual operating and capital budgets within the City's financial systems while maintaining data integrity. Ability to lead cross-functional financial projects involving multiple City departments. Ability to develop practical solutions to complex governmental financial problems. Ability to prepare clear, concise, and technically accurate written reports, policies, procedures, and financial analyses. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with City officials, department directors, external auditors, consultants, regulatory agencies, vendors, and the public. Ability to exercise sound professional judgment while maintaining confidentiality and the highest ethical standards. Ability to adapt to changing governmental accounting standards, technology, and organizational priorities. Ability to maintain effective internal controls, ensure compliance with applicable statutes and regulations, preserve institutional knowledge, and sustain continuity of financial operations during periods of organizational transition. Ability to supervise, organize and evaluate the work of employees in the specialized field of accounting and related financial operations in an automated environment. Ability to evaluate financial systems and formulate and install accounting methods, procedures, forms and records. Ability to design and prepare analytical and interpretative financial statements. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with governmental officials, managers, employees, auditors and the general public. Ability to conduct long range fiscal planning. PROFESSIONAL CHARACTERISTICS High degree of professional integrity and ethical judgment. Initiative to independently identify issues and recommend solutions. Strategic thinking balanced with attention to operational detail. Commitment to continuous improvement and organizational excellence. Ability to work effectively under significant deadline pressure. Ability to communicate complex financial matters to both financial and non-financial audiences. Commitment to collaboration across departments to improve organizational performance. Commitment to developing institutional knowledge through documentation, training, and mentoring.

KNOWLEDGE

MINIMUM EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS

• Bachelor’s degree in City and Regional Planning, Civil Engineering, Planning, Landscape Architecture, Geography, Urban Design, Construction Management or related discipline. Five to Seven years of public sector planning or related experience or an equivalent combination of education, training and experience. SPECIAL CERTIFICATIONS AND LICENSES: Must possess and maintain a valid state driver’s license with an acceptable driving history. Possession of American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) certification is highly preferred, or the ability to obtain within 2 years. Certified Floodplain Manager is highly preferred, or the ability to obtain within 2 years. PHYSICAL DEMANDS: Physical demands refer to the requirements for physical exertion and coordination of limb and body movement. Performs sedentary work that involves walking or standing some of the time and involves exerting up to 10 pounds of force on a regular and recurring basis or sustained keyboard operations. UNAVOIDABLE HAZARDS (WORK ENVIRONMENT): Unavoidable hazards refer to the job conditions that may lead to injury or health hazards even though precautions have been taken. None. AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT COMPLIANCE The City of Goldsboro is an Equal Opportunity Employer. ADA requires the City to provide reasonable accommodation to qualified persons with disabilities. Prospective and current employees are encouraged to discuss ADA accommodations with management. STANDARD CLAUSES May be required to work nights, weekends, holidays and emergencies (man-made or natural) to meet the business needs of the City. This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of essential functions and responsibilities that are required of an employee for this job. Other duties, responsibilities, and activities may change or be assigned at any time with or without notice. ESSENTIAL SAFETY FUNCTIONS It is the responsibility of each employee to comply with established policies, procedures, and safe work practices. Each employee must follow safety training and instructions provided by their supervisor. Each employee must also properly wear and maintain all personal protective equipment required for their job. Finally, each employee must immediately report any unsafe work practices or unsafe conditions as well as any on-the-job injury or illnesses. Every manager/supervisor is responsible for enforcing all safety rules and regulations. In addition, they are responsible for ensuring that a safe work environment is maintained, safe work practices are followed, and employees are properly trained
• Bachelor’s degree in City and Regional Planning, Civil Engineering, Planning, Landscape Architecture, Geography, Urban Design, Construction Management or related discipline.
• Five to Seven years of public sector planning or related experience or an equivalent combination of education, training and experience.
• Must possess and maintain a valid state driver’s license with an acceptable driving history.
• Possession of American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) certification is highly preferred, or the ability to obtain within 2 years.
• Certified Floodplain Manager is highly preferred, or the ability to obtain within 2 years.
• Performs sedentary work that involves walking or standing some of the time and involves exerting up to 10 pounds of force on a regular and recurring basis or sustained keyboard operations.
• None.

Benefits

• Benefits Summary The following is a summary of the City of Goldsboro benefits: Vacation Leave : Employees earn vacation leave as follows: Years of Service Days per Year 0 - 4 years 12 5 - 9 years 15 10 - 14 years 18 15 - 19 years 21 20 + years 23 A maximum of 30 vacation days may be carried over from one calendar year to the next. Any excess of 30 vacation days on December 31 of each year may be transferred to employees sick leave balance, provided that they have taken five (5) days of vacation in the calendar year. Holidays : City paid holidays are New Year's Day, Martin Luther King Jr.'s Birthday, Good Friday, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Veteran's Day, Thanksgiving (2 days) and Christmas (3 days). When a holiday falls on a Saturday, the previous Friday shall be observed. When a holiday falls on a Sunday, the following Monday shall be observed. In order to receive a paid holiday, an employee must be on paid status before and after the holiday. Sick Leave: Sick leave is accrued at one day per month or 12 days per year. Employee Assistance Program The Employee Assistance Program is available to all full-time employees and covered dependents on the employee's health insurance plan. Part-time employees who work 30 hours or more per week on a continuous year-round basis are also eligible for EAP services. Employees and dependents each receive three free visits per year. Services include, but are not limited to, financial counseling, depression, mental illness, and end of life/terminal illness. Medical and Dental Insurance: The City of Goldsboro is fully-insured, and provides medical, dental, and vision insurance through the State Health Plan (SHP), MetLife, and Community Eye Care respectively. Medical, dental, and vision coverage is available to all full-time employees. Part-time employees who are scheduled to work 30 hours or more per week on a continuous year-round basis may, if they so desire, purchase available group health through the City for themselves and qualified dependents. The coverage for medical is the first day of the month following the date of employment and dental is effective on the first day of employment, vision insurance is effective the first day of the month following the effective date of employment. Medical insurance is provided to full-time employees at a minimal cost and pro-rated for part-time employees. The types of coverage available are individual (Employees only), Employee/Child, Employee/Spouse, and family. Dental and vision insurance is available at cost to the employee and/or his/her dependents. Premiums are paid through payroll deduction on a pre-tax basis. Life Insurance: All regular employees are provided a basic term life insurance coverage policy in the amount of $20,000.00 at no cost. Wellness Assistance Benefit The City of Goldsboro offers a wellness assistance benefit of $25/month to employees. This can be used to offset the cost of dental insurance or gym membership. Employees must meet eligibility requirements for the State Health Plan and show proof of membership (if gym membership is selected). Flexible Spending Account Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs) provide you with an important tax advantage that can help you pay for health care and dependent care expenses on a pre-tax basis. By estimating your family's health care and dependent care costs for the next year, you can lower your taxable income and save money. The City of Goldsboro offers a FSA through Health Equity. The Flexible Spending Account (FSA) is available to all full-time employees who are scheduled to work 40 hours per week. The FSA is effective the first day of the month following the date of employment. These are some of the expenses FSAs can be used for: medical and dental services, chiropractic services, orthodontia, and the child or adult dependent care. Social Security: The City employees are members of the Social Security System. The employee contributes 6.2% (FICA) and 1.45% (Medicare) for a total of 7.65% of their annual salary and the City contributes the same amount. Social Security benefits include retirement and disability payments and survivor's insurance. Tuition Reimbursement: Tuition reimbursement is available to all full-time employees up to $2500 per fiscal year for job-related courses or required courses leading to a job-related degree. This is subject to department approval and an employee must complete probation before reimbursement is granted. Promotion Opportunities: Employees are encouraged to apply for internal positions. Employment opportunities for current employees are posted on the City's Intranet. Retirement: All employees who are in a regular position that requires 1,000 hours or more of service per year are covered under the North Carolina Local Governmental Employee's Retirement System (NC LGERS). The employee contributes 6% of their annual salary on a tax deferred basis. The City contributes to the employee's retirement account. Eligibility for unreduced monthly benefits begins upon retirement after 30 years of service at any age, at age 65 with 5 years creditable service or at age 60 with 25 years creditable service. Police Officers and Park Rangers may retire at age 55 with 5 years of service and receive an unreduced benefit. Eligibility for reduced monthly benefits begins after you reach age 50 and complete 20 years of creditable service or you reach age 60 (age 55 if you are a firefighter) and complete five years of creditable service. Police Officers may retire early with a reduced retirement benefit after you reach age 50 and complete 15 years of creditable service as an officer. 457 & 401K Supplemental Retirement Plan: The City of Goldsboro offers the NC Supplemental Retirement Plans, 401K and 457. The City contributes 4% to the 401K for all non-sworn full-time employees and 5% for sworn police officers (as approved by the Council) and the 457 plan is voluntary with no contribution by the City. The 457 and the 401k allow employees to set aside funds which is through payroll deduction and is tax deferred. Income tax is due when the deferred earnings are returned to the individual normally at retirement. Worker's Compensation: All City employees are covered under the North Carolina Worker's Compensation Act. This act covers those employees who suffer injuries as a result of an accident while performing duties. The Workers' Compensation program will pay medical expenses and a portion of the employee's salary, after 7 days, if the individual is out of work as a result of a work-related disability. Compensation, Performance Appraisals and Merit Process: The City of Goldsboro is committed to hiring and retaining high quality personnel. As a result, we offer competitive salaries that are consistent with market growth. New hires may serve a six month probationary period upon date of hire and are evaluated in six-month increments. The eligibility for merit is based upon the following criteria: Employee must have an overall appraisal rating of 2.0. Employee should score at least 2.0 in competencies; any competency with a score less than 2.0 will result in employee's ineligibility. Note: The merit eligibility criteria is subject to change at the City Manager's discretion. The appraisal process in the City of Goldsboro includes an evaluation of each employee's duties and responsibilities applicable to their position. Upon completion of the probationary period, employees are evaluated on an annual basis. The appraisal period is from October 1 – September 30 of each year. The City of Goldsboro may provide merit incentives for high performing employees subject to City Council approval.

The following is a summary of the City of Goldsboro benefits

• A maximum of 30 vacation days may be carried over from one calendar year to the next. Any excess of 30 vacation days on December 31 of each year may be transferred to employees sick leave balance, provided that they have taken five (5) days of vacation in the calendar year.
• Holidays : City paid holidays are New Year's Day, Martin Luther King Jr.'s Birthday, Good Friday, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Veteran's Day, Thanksgiving (2 days) and Christmas (3 days). When a holiday falls on a Saturday, the previous Friday shall be observed. When a holiday falls on a Sunday, the following Monday shall be observed. In order to receive a paid holiday, an employee must be on paid status before and after the holiday.
• Employee Assistance Program The Employee Assistance Program is available to all full-time employees and covered dependents on the employee's health insurance plan. Part-time employees who work 30 hours or more per week on a continuous year-round basis are also eligible for EAP services. Employees and dependents each receive three free visits per year. Services include, but are not limited to, financial counseling, depression, mental illness, and end of life/terminal illness. Medical and Dental Insurance: The City of Goldsboro is fully-insured, and provides medical, dental, and vision insurance through the State Health Plan (SHP), MetLife, and Community Eye Care respectively. Medical, dental, and vision coverage is available to all full-time employees. Part-time employees who are scheduled to work 30 hours or more per week on a continuous year-round basis may, if they so desire, purchase available group health through the City for themselves and qualified dependents. The coverage for medical is the first day of the month following the date of employment and dental is effective on the first day of employment, vision insurance is effective the first day of the month following the effective date of employment. Medical insurance is provided to full-time employees at a minimal cost and pro-rated for part-time employees. The types of coverage available are individual (Employees only), Employee/Child, Employee/Spouse, and family. Dental and vision insurance is available at cost to the employee and/or his/her dependents. Premiums are paid through payroll deduction on a pre-tax basis.
• Wellness Assistance Benefit The City of Goldsboro offers a wellness assistance benefit of $25/month to employees. This can be used to offset the cost of dental insurance or gym membership. Employees must meet eligibility requirements for the State Health Plan and show proof of membership (if gym membership is selected). Flexible Spending Account Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs) provide you with an important tax advantage that can help you pay for health care and dependent care expenses on a pre-tax basis. By estimating your family's health care and dependent care costs for the next year, you can lower your taxable income and save money. The City of Goldsboro offers a FSA through Health Equity. The Flexible Spending Account (FSA) is available to all full-time employees who are scheduled to work 40 hours per week. The FSA is effective the first day of the month following the date of employment. These are some of the expenses FSAs can be used for: medical and dental services, chiropractic services, orthodontia, and the child or adult dependent care. Social Security: The City employees are members of the Social Security System. The employee contributes 6.2% (FICA) and 1.45% (Medicare) for a total of 7.65% of their annual salary and the City contributes the same amount. Social Security benefits include retirement and disability payments and survivor's insurance.
• Promotion Opportunities: Employees are encouraged to apply for internal positions. Employment opportunities for current employees are posted on the City's Intranet.
• Retirement: All employees who are in a regular position that requires 1,000 hours or more of service per year are covered under the North Carolina Local Governmental Employee's Retirement System (NC LGERS). The employee contributes 6% of their annual salary on a tax deferred basis. The City contributes to the employee's retirement account. Eligibility for unreduced monthly benefits begins upon retirement after 30 years of service at any age, at age 65 with 5 years creditable service or at age 60 with 25 years creditable service. Police Officers and Park Rangers may retire at age 55 with 5 years of service and receive an unreduced benefit. Eligibility for reduced monthly benefits begins after you reach age 50 and complete 20 years of creditable service or you reach age 60 (age 55 if you are a firefighter) and complete five years of creditable service. Police Officers may retire early with a reduced retirement benefit after you reach age 50 and complete 15 years of creditable service as an officer.
• 457 & 401K Supplemental Retirement Plan: The City of Goldsboro offers the NC Supplemental Retirement Plans, 401K and 457. The City contributes 4% to the 401K for all non-sworn full-time employees and 5% for sworn police officers (as approved by the Council) and the 457 plan is voluntary with no contribution by the City. The 457 and the 401k allow employees to set aside funds which is through payroll deduction and is tax deferred. Income tax is due when the deferred earnings are returned to the individual normally at retirement. Worker's Compensation: All City employees are covered under the North Carolina Worker's Compensation Act. This act covers those employees who suffer injuries as a result of an accident while performing duties. The Workers' Compensation program will pay medical expenses and a portion of the employee's salary, after 7 days, if the individual is out of work as a result of a work-related disability. Compensation, Performance Appraisals and Merit Process: The City of Goldsboro is committed to hiring and retaining high quality personnel. As a result, we offer competitive salaries that are consistent with market growth. New hires may serve a six month probationary period upon date of hire and are evaluated in six-month increments. The eligibility for merit is based upon the following criteria: Employee must have an overall appraisal rating of 2.0. Employee should score at least 2.0 in competencies; any competency with a score less than 2.0 will result in employee's ineligibility. Note: The merit eligibility criteria is subject to change at the City Manager's discretion. The appraisal process in the City of Goldsboro includes an evaluation of each employee's duties and responsibilities applicable to their position. Upon completion of the probationary period, employees are evaluated on an annual basis. The appraisal period is from October 1 – September 30 of each year. The City of Goldsboro may provide merit incentives for high performing employees subject to City Council approval.

Supplemental Questions