About the Department

Provides executive leadership and oversight of fiscal and administrative operations for the Laredo Fire Department and Office of Emergency Management. Serves as a subject matter expert in financial management and directs accounting, budget development, auditing, payroll, benefits, grants, and revenue cycle functions while ensuring compliance and efficiency. Manages key administrative functions including budgets, contracts, advising senior leadership on policy, strategy, and resource allocations to support organizational objectives.

Position Duties

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

The intent of this job description is to provide a representative summary of the major duties and responsibilities performed by employees in this job. Employees may be requested to perform job-related tasks other than those specifically presented in this description.

• Establishes research criteria, gathers and analyzes fiscal and statistical information and/or leads the information gathering and analysis process, serves as a subject matter expert, and uses technical and analytical expertise to develop findings, troubleshoot the most complex work assignment issues, and provide recommendations to higher-level and other internal staff.
• Coordinates programs, projects, or specific functional areas of large complex programs related, but not limited, to accounting, financial planning and analysis, auditing, grant application and management, budget development and management, EMS claims and disbursements to include medical billing, cost analysis, cash management, collections, and projected payroll and benefits.
• Supervises budget, grants, accounting, and fiscal functions involving transactional, investigatory, or processing activities performed by non- exempt staff; provides leadership and oversight of administrative functions including Contracts, Memorandum of Understandings, and Council Agendas.
• Assists with overall operational management of the Laredo Fire Department Finance Division including the identification of business processes and opportunities for continuous improvement, drafting or operational policies and procedures, and measurement and analysis of performance indicators to ensure efficient and compliant operations.
• Researches, reviews, and/or develops original fiscal, compliance, and administrative reports, plans, contracts, grant proposals, materials, and other documents; reviews and finalizes materials prepared by others to ensure accuracy and compliance; prepares and manages Council Agenda items and related documentation; and makes presentations, as assigned, on fiscal and administrative matters affecting the Fire Department and the Office of Emergency Management.
• Responds to inquiries from and provides consultation to the Laredo Fire Department and Office of Emergency Management staff, as well as vendors, the general public, and external agencies; troubleshoots fiscal and administrative program-related operational issues, including contracts and council agenda processes; builds collaborative partnerships across departments to support efficient and equitable service delivery; and facilitates and/or attends meetings to address operational, fiscal, and administrative matters.
• Serves as a lead; supervises staff, volunteers, and/or contractors, including conducting performance evaluations, coordinating training, and recommending hiring, discipline, and termination procedures.     
• Responsible for grant proposal development, including financial management, grant writing, and successful submittal of state and federal grants to include pre-award and post-award administration along with assisting with the preparation of financial reimbursements.
• Will be required to drive a City vehicle for city business use.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

COMPETENCIES FOR SUCCESSFUL PERFORMANCE OF JOB DUTIES

Skills and Abilities

• Ability to build and maintain effective working relationships with others.
• Ability to communicate clearly and effectively both orally and in writing.
• Ability to maintain good planning and organizational skills.
• Ability to take and follow directions from supervisor.
• Ability to give directions to and gain compliance from assigned staff.
• Ability to perform strenuous work and routine work.
• Ability to maintain a valid Texas Driver License and a good driving record.
• Ability to project a positive and professional image of the City of Laredo.
• Ability to effectively communicate both orally and in writing in the English language and orally in the Spanish language.
• Ability to comply with all City of Laredo's policies and procedures.
• Ability to maintain good health and physical condition sufficient to permit the full performance of the duties of this position.

WORK ENVIRONMENT/CONDITIONS AND PHYSICAL DEMANDS

Physical Effort Requirements 

Position will have the following exposures

• Office or similar indoor environment, relatively free from unpleasant environmental conditions or hazards.
• Occasional exposure to unpleasant environmental conditions and/or hazards. Occasional outside work.
• Frequent exposure to unpleasant environmental conditions and/or hazards. Majority of work performed outside or with exposure to risk.
• Exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally, a negligible amount of force frequently, and/or constantly having to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects, including the human body. Sedentary work involves sitting most of the time. Jobs are sedentary if walking and standing are required only occasionally, and all other sedentary criteria are met.

Work Environment Locations 

Position will require the employee to work in the following types of work environments
 
 Never

• Street environment (near moving traffic)
• Construction site
• Confined space 
• Warehouse environment

Seldom

• Outdoor environment

Sometimes

• Vehicles

Often

• Office or similar indoor environment

Exposures 

Position will require the employee to be exposed to the following environmental elements

Never

• Individuals with known violent backgrounds
• Extreme cold (below 32 degrees)
• Extreme heat (above 100 degrees)
• Communicable diseases
• Moving mechanical parts
• Fumes or airborne particles
• Toxic or caustic chemicals or substances
• Loud noises (85+ decibels such as heavy trucks, jack hammers, construction)

Seldom

• Individuals who are hostile or irate

Travel 

Position will require the employee to travel

Never:

• International travel

Seldom:

• National travel

Sometimes:

• Local travel
• Regional travel

Minimum Qualifications

Required Education and Experience

• Bachelor's Degree from an accredited* college or university in Business Administration, Public Administration, or related field
• At least five (5) years of experience with senior level administration and three (3) years of management of municipal grant funds

Desired Education:

• Master's Degree from an accredited* college or university in Business Administration, Public Administration, or a related field

        *Council of Higher Education Accreditation (C.H.E.A.)

Other Qualifications

Required Licenses or Certifications

• Valid Texas Driver License. If applicant holds an out-of-state license, a State of Texas Driver License must be obtained within 6 months of employment.

As part of the minimum requirements for all positions with the City of Laredo, a thorough background check and certified school transcripts will be required from all applicants who are offered employment.

Effective February 24, 1997, all selected applicants are required to undergo a drug and alcohol test prior to employment.

Effective January 7, 2008, all persons in safety-sensitive functions/positions, as per City of Laredo Drug and Alcohol Policy definition, shall be subject to random drug and alcohol testing.

A person with a disability who needs a reasonable accommodation related to a selection process is requested to contact the Human Resources Department at (956) 791-7480 two days prior to the scheduled interview and/or test if applicable.