Finance Director at City of Shelton – Shelton, Washington

The City of Shelton is located just 25 minutes northwest of Olympia, WA, on the shores of Oakland Bay. As the Mason county seat Shelton is a full service city providing a wide range of municipal services for a growing community of more than 10,000 residents. The community is rich in history, culture, and natural beauty. Shelton is a gateway to the spectacular Olympic Peninsula where residents and visitors alike enjoy the numerous outdoor sports and recreational opportunities. Shelton is proud of its unique character and small-town feel. Be part of a dynamic, collaborative, and team-oriented culture of committed professionals who share a passion for public service and are aligned with the City's values and mission. The Finance Director has the creative ability to develop sustainable financial strategies to support the general fund and planned infrastructure upgrades.

The ideal candidate is an outstanding leader with excellent financial management skills and a demonstrated track record of achievement. This position is under the direction of the City Manager and serves as a member of the City’s Leadership Team. The Finance Director develops, plans, performs, manages, provides leadership, implements, and oversees the financial activities of the city’s Finance Department. This includes budget development and compliance, annual reporting, accounts payable and receivable, utility billing, customer service, investments, grants management and the continued development of an integrated and automated financial accounting system. The City’s total budget for 2026 is $37.5 million, which includes a $16.9 million General Fund budget.

The City of Shelton offers a full benefit package to include: Medical/Dental/Vision, LTD, Life Insurance, Vacation, Sick Leave, Paid Holidays, Washington PERS retirement, EAP, Optional 457 Deferred Compensation. The salary range listed reflects the 2026 pay schedule.

This position is open until filled. The first round of reviews will occur on January 12, 2026.
This position oversees all financial operations and the City’s information technology (IT) services, including oversight of the Department of Financial Services and its programs and activities. This role ensures compliance, accurate accounting, effective budgeting, long-term financial planning, and also directs the City’s technology strategy, cybersecurity, and systems management to ensure secure, efficient, and transparent municipal operations.

Plan, direct and supervise all activities of the Finance Department, and ensure compliance with GASB and BARS.

Perform duties as the City Treasurer.

Maintain and enforce City and departmental rules, regulations and programs.

Monitors and evaluates the efficiency and effectiveness of service delivery methods and procedures; recommend, within departmental policy, appropriate service and staffing levels.

Assumes management responsibility for all compliance reporting including grants, payroll taxes, sales, lease and excise tax.

Oversee the City’s fiscal functions including accounts payable, accounts receivable, business licenses and payroll, utility billing, and other functions of the Finance Department. Manages debt, investments, bank accounts, and audits.

Manages and coordinates the activities of the Finance Department in a manner that provides excellent customer service and adheres to policy direction. Serves as chief financial advisor to the City. Assign work activities to Finance Department staff; reviews and evaluates work product, methods and procedures; meets with staff to identify and resolve problems.

Monitors revenues and expenditures to ensure sound fiscal control to properly safeguard City assets; provides ongoing financial reporting and forecasts to the City Manager and City Council.

Establishes and maintains internal control procedures to ensure that appropriate standards and procedures are maintained. Completes the City’s annual report in accordance with the Washington State Auditor’s BARS manual.

Assuring the efficient use of departmental resources, prepare and justify the department’s annual budget and amendments. Take a leadership role in the development and execution of departmental goals. Organize and execute departmental affairs and projects. Propose and secure grants and loans when opportunities arise. Assist in the preparation of the City’s capital facility plans.

Under the direction of the City Manager, prepare the preliminary annual city budget and make changes as directed. Publish the adopted annual budget and prepare the annual financial report.

Assist in the development of City policies and advocate support for the same. Negotiate policy disputes. Execute policy and administrative laws, rules and directives.

Maintain affiliations with professional organizations related to the administration of municipal finance organizations.

Work with the State Auditor’s representatives and internal staff to help prepare an accurate State audit.

With professional integrity, establish and maintain appropriate and effective communication and work relationships with the City Manager, City Council, other City departments, as well as the general public, local, state and federal agencies.

The ideal candidate is an outstanding leader with excellent financial management skills and a demonstrated track record of achievement.

A Bachelor's degree in public administration, business administration, finance, accounting, or a related field is required, along with five (5) years or more of public sector financial management related experience, including supervision; or any equivalent combination of experience, education, and training that would provide the level of knowledge and ability required for the position.

The successful candidate must possess, or have the ability to obtain a Certified Public Financial Officer (CPFO) certification withing two years of appointment. A master’s degree or CPA credential and experience working with elected officials and advanced governmental accounting, budgeting and fiscal management is preferred.
The work environment conditions described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Most work is typically performed in an office environment with occasional work performed in an outdoor environment.