FINANCE DIRECTOR Blaine,

EXECUTIVE SEARCH PROVIDED BY THE COMMUNITY Located between the beautiful Cascade Mountain Range and the Puget Sound, Blaine, Washington is the “Gateway to the Pacific Northwest” and is blessed with the scenic beauty of nearby Mt. Baker and the San Juan Islands. Blaine enjoys the mild climate of northwest Washington and is situated along the Canadian border just 15 miles north of Bellingham, with the metropolitan attractions of Vancouver, 30 minutes away, and Seattle just 100 miles to the south. Known for its close connection to and the Vancouver metro area, Blaine offers residents an excellent school system, affordable housing, low crime, and a unique community with an abundance of natural beauty. Blaine is an open and welcoming community, embracing diversity while providing a clean and safe environment for both older and younger citizens. Blaine’s residents are involved in their community and problem-solving is approached creatively. Sustainability is achievable and evident in all facets of community life.

Blaine is a well-managed City with a good-natured, unified Council, and a supportive Mayor and City Manager. With small-town charm, beautiful scenery and a great organization with dedicated staff, Blaine offers an experienced finance professional an outstanding career opportunity in a great place to live.

Incorporated in 1890 on the shores of Drayton Harbor, the City of Blaine is home to approximately 5,700 residents. Its economy is primarily driven by cross-border trade and manufacturing. Recreation and tourism also play a key role in the City’s economy and centers around the historic downtown and the harbor area which boasts a rich maritime history. Blaine is home to the third busiest U.S./Canada border crossing with millions of visitors passing through the City each year. The community has an expanding commercial and service industry focused on international trade and the movement of goods and services between the and Canada.

Blaine is home to the monument, located in Peace Arch State Park; the monument symbolizes lasting peace between the U.S. and Canada. The 20-acre park straddles the U.S./Canada border, allowing visitors the experience of strolling between countries while enjoying its beautiful gardens. Comprising 47 acres of land and 6.7 miles of high standard trails, the City’s park and recreation system includes six parks, seven parklets, and five specialty parks for a total of 18 City-owned and operated public park facilities.

2 Blaine, Washington - Finance Director THE COMMUNITY continued Unique local festivals and events include the Birch Bay Polar Bear Swim, Bite of Blaine, Wings Over Water Birding Festival, the Annual International Sailing Regatta, the Peace Arch Park International Sculpture Exhibition, an old-fashioned 4th of July festival and parade, Drayton Harbor Music Festival, Blaine Oktoberfest, and an annual Christmas tree lighting. For sports and outdoor enthusiasts, the area offers year-round recreational opportunities which include numerous hiking and biking trails, camping, skiing, sailing, bird and whale watching, lake and river sport fishing, clamming, crabbing, and more. The foothills of the Cascade Mountain Range are just 25 miles east with easy access to the Mt. Baker wilderness and Mt. Baker Ski Area. The City is also home to one of the state’s most popular resorts, the four-star rated Semiahmoo Resort & Spa. Blaine boasts the number one and number three rated golf courses in the state - Loomis Trail Golf Club and Semiahmoo Golf & Country Club.

Higher education opportunities nearby include Western Washington University, Whatcom Community College, and Bellingham Technical College, all located in Bellingham.

The median home value in Blaine averages $334,000 while the estimated median household income of the region’s residents is $71,324.

GOVERNANCE & ORGANIZATION The City of Blaine utilizes the Council/Manager form of government. The City Council is comprised of seven Council members from three wards within the City limits. Each ward is represented by two Council members, plus one member-at-large. Council member terms are four years with no term limits. The City provides a wide range of municipal services including police, planning and building inspection, parks, street and transportation infrastructure, utilities, and general administrative services. The City operates on a 2021 budget of approximately $51 million and employs a full-time staff of 64.

3 Blaine, Washington - Finance Director ABOUT THE POSITION The Finance Director serves as the organization’s Chief Financial Officer and is a member of the City’s management team, reporting directly to the City Manager. The Finance Director is responsible for the overall leadership and supervision of the Finance Department’s five-member team including the Senior Accountant-Finance, Accounting Technician, Account Receivable Specialist, Utility Billing Coordinator, and the Office Specialist-Utility Billing.

The Blaine Finance Department operates with a 2021 annual operating budget of $892,839 and oversees the departments of Utility Billing, Cashiering, Accounts Payable, Payroll and Benefits, and Banking and Investments. The Finance Director is a member of the Finance Committee consisting of City staff and three City Council members, participates in the City’s labor negotiations team, and serves as Acting City Manager as needed.

Essential functions of the position include: ▪ Managing and safeguarding the City’s financial resources ▪ Planning, organizing, developing, and implementing financial policies of the City ▪ Providing fiscal support and services to all City departments and programs ▪ Ensuring that all economic affairs of the City are effectively managed per the Municipal code ▪ Preparing the comprehensive budget and supporting documents, financial and analysis reports, and long-range financial projections ▪ Serving as the primary contact for the City’s risk management coordination, ensuring adequate coverage, and overseeing claims ▪ Managing general contracts and agreements for services, and coordinating with partner agencies and groups for wholesale utility sales and purchases ▪ Ensuring financial and audit compliance with all local, state, and federal laws

The City of Blaine faced its share of challenges in 2020 with the closure of the border, ceasing daytime tourism. However, significant projects are on the horizon for which the City will need to decide bond funding and potential large investments in areas such as deferred maintenance to utilities. Also, improvement of the budget and finance process and transparency, the need for updated software and payroll systems, and a variety of other projects are in the scope of work for this position.

The new Finance Director will have the capability of drawing on the highly- experienced departmental team currently in place and the opportunity to work for a City with a strong, positive culture.

4 Blaine, Washington - Finance Director IDEAL CANDIDATE The successful candidate for Finance Director for the City of Blaine must be an experienced manager, adept at leading while also capable of working as a solid, thoughtful partner on the City’s management team. City Council and City administration enjoy a strong and supportive working relationship, encouraging growth and development of team members in their roles while expecting team members to be mutually supportive.

Qualifications for this position include: ▪ An individual with a strong financial background in City government and knowledge of the State of Washington’s finance regulations ▪ A dedicated team player capable of working independently with sound judgment ▪ An active participant in leading the Finance team, proactively addressing potential issues, and providing guidance when necessary ▪ A strong collaborator who can effectively steer City leaders toward achievable goals and objectives while simultaneously planning for the “big picture” and seeking the “greater good” ▪ A politically-astute individual who understands and can capably work with City Council and City management dynamics ▪ Strong in budget management, capable of patiently explaining the City’s financial process to others internally and externally ▪ An experienced budget manager capable of making clear understandable presentations in multiple settings including before the City Council and the City management team ▪ An open-minded and an outgoing people-person capable of dealing effectively with all parties and individuals ▪ An exceptional manager with strong follow up skills who will work proactively to train and guide staff ▪ A poised leader who can deal effectively with adversity while making and potentially defending decisions and positions ▪ A strategic and creative thinker who is self-aware and has a clear understanding of how words and actions may be interpreted ▪ A manager who capably utilizes and builds staff’s strengths to capacity

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE This position requires a Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, Public Administration, or a closely related field; a Master’s degree is preferred. The incoming Finance Director must have a minimum of five years of experience in financial management with two years of supervisory experience. Certification as a Public Accountant, Management Accountant, or Public Finance Administrator is a plus.

5 Blaine, Washington - Finance Director COMPENSATION & BENEFITS The annual salary range for this position is between $110,000 and $130,000, dependent upon experience, with an additional 5% of gross salary contributed to deferred compensation. Additional benefits include medical insurance which includes health, dental, and vision. Life insurance, long-term disability, and EAP premiums are paid by the City. The Finance Director receives 12 paid holidays per year, as well as 26 vacation days and five administrative days. There is a $150 HRA VEBA contribution required monthly ($50 employee contribution and $100 City contribution). The City of Blaine participates in the Washington State PERS retirement program with a current City contribution of 12.97% (rate fluctuates) and an employee contribution dependent upon the selection of PERS 2 or PERS 3.

APPLICATION PROCESS Please apply online at http://bit.ly/SGROpenRecruitments

First Review of Applications: June 30, 2021

For more information on this position contact: Heather Johnston, Senior Vice President [email protected] 651-470-8886

The City of Blaine, Washington is an Equal Opportunity Employer and values diversity in its workforce. Applicants selected as finalists will be subject to a comprehensive background check. RESOURCES FOLLOW US City of Blaine cityofblaine.com

Economic Development Council cityofblaine.com/425/Business-Economic-Development

Blaine Chamber of Commerce blainechamber.com

Finance Department cityofblaine.com/74/Finance

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