Port of New Bedford Harbor Development Commission

March 22, 2013

Port of New Bedford Harbor Development Commission

Chief Financial Officer

Position Description

A.  Function

Under the direction of Executive Director and the Deputy Port Director of the Port of New Bedford Harbor Development Commission (PNB), the Chief Financial Officer is responsible for managing financial accounting, financial reports, grants (applications, tracking and reporting), procurement, contracts management, billing, collections, audits, and business planning.

B.  Duties and Responsibilities

1.  Design and prepare financial reports.

2.  Maintain complete understanding of the PNB’s financial condition.

3.  Prepare for and respond to required audits.

4.  Adjust accounting practices and reports as required by audit findings.

5.  Manage accounting entries into QuickBooks or other accounting program.

6.  Prepare grant applications. Manage the receipt and disbursement of grant funds. Maintain separate accounting records for each grant. Prepare required reports.

7.  Design and manage procurement processes.

8.  Manage billings and collections for each business line.

9.  Manage accounts payable.

10.  Prepare and maintain Accounting Handbook for use by employees.

11.  Prepare financial component of business plans.

12.  Draft business terms of contracts.

13.  Assist in managing contracts.

14.  Maintain data base of contracts.

15.  Manage insurance portfolio with assistance of broker.

16.  Monitor financial performance of leases and contracts.

17.  Supervise assigned staff and conduct employee evaluations.

18.  Develop policies, plans, goals, performance standards, and assume accountability for results.

19.  Prepare and manage annual budget for the PNB.

20.  Maintain Geographic Information System for the PNB.

21.  Draft and sign correspondence.

22.  Comply with federal, state, and local laws regulating the Port and PNB activities.

23.  Establish a culture of continuous improvement in financial management and budget analysis.

24.  Represent the PNB before elected officials, public agencies, harbor user groups, media and community organizations.

25.  Speak before public and government bodies.

26.  Establish and maintain effective working relationships with elected officials, Commission members, government officials, regulatory agencies, vendors, contractors, lessees and the public.

27.  Ensure the Commission’s customer service goals are effectively communicated and attained.

28.  Serve as a member of a Unified Command under the Incident Command System.

29.  Work effectively in stressful emergency conditions.

30.  Assist Executive Director and Deputy Port Director in economic development activities.

31.  Attend meetings of the Harbor Development Commission.

32.  Upgrade existing certifications and obtain additional training, licensing and certification as required.

33.  Explore funding opportunities from local, state and Federal sources.

34.  Research and explore other opportunities for capital improvements.

35.  Perform any similar or related work as required.

Work is subject to unforeseen situations and emergencies. Employee is required to occasionally work outside of normal business hours and may be contacted at any time to respond to emergency or operational situations. Employee uses judgment and ingenuity to accomplish objectives and to deal with new or unusual requirements. Employee has contact with the public, government employees and the media.

The duties listed above are intended as illustrations of the various types of work that maybe performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position.

C.  Preferred Knowledge and Experience

1.  Financial management systems, financial planning and financial reporting

2.  Budget preparation

3.  Administration of licensing or permit programs

4.  Grant applications and grant administration

5.  Facilities and engineering management

6.  Strategic planning and project management

7.  Oral and written communications

8.  Leadership

D.  Preferred Experience and Education

The preferred candidate will have:

·  Increasingly responsible experience in a financial management capacity involving the Duties and Responsibilities described above.

·  A Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in accounting, public policy or a related field plus at least five years’ experience in public or non-profit financial management including substantial experience at the policy level.

In exceptional cases, an exception to the above requirements may be made at the discretion of the PNB.

Licenses, Training and Certifications

1.  MA Driver’s License – required

2.  Proficiency in Word, Outlook and Excel – required

3.  Professional licenses and certifications – preferred

E.  Physical Requirements

As part of the port management team, employee may be exposed to outdoor weather conditions, extremes of heat and cold, moving mechanical parts, toxic chemicals and other dangerous conditions. Strenuous physical effort may be required.

1.  Extended periods at a computer terminal, telephone, and operating office machines requiring eye‐hand coordination and finger dexterity.

2.  Travel to other ports and places for a day or overnight.

3.  May be require to lift, move and/or push object which weigh forty pounds or more as well as climb, stoop, crawl and kneel for extended periods of time.

The physical demands described above are representative of those that must be met to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

This job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the PNB and the employee and is subject to change as the needs of the employer and the requirements of the job change.

F.  Instructions for Applicants

Applicants should send a completed job application available at www.newbedford‐ma.gov and a cover letter and a resume to:

Executive Director

New Bedford Harbor Development Commission

52 Fisherman’s Wharf, New Bedford, MA 02740

The cover letter or resume should reflect the applicant’s qualifications as set forth in the Position Description. Interviews, reference checks, and job related tests may be required. Salary will be commensurate with education and experience. The review of applications and resumes will commence on May 1, 2013. Applicants are encouraged to provide writing samples and samples of previous budgets managed. The position will remain open until filled. A CORI (Criminal Offender Record Investigation) review will be conducted prior to selection. The PNB is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer.

G.  PNB Mission Statement

The Harbor Development Commission’s primary charge is to support The Port of New Bedford through the implementation of best management practices over port resources and the development of economic growth strategies. To this end, it is the goal of the Harbor Development Commission to keep New Bedford on top as the #1 U.S. fishing port, expand existing businesses and capitalize on new opportunities that will maximize the port’s potential as an economic engine to create jobs and strengthen the New Bedford economy. More information about the PNB is available at http://www.portofnewbedford.org.

H.  Overview of the Harbor Development Commission

The PNB manages all City-owned waterfront property in New Bedford harbor, including Homer’s, Leonard’s, Steamship, Coal Pocket, and Fisherman’s Wharves, as well as a 198-slip recreational marina at Pope’s Island and 19 real estate assets. The PNB also assigns moorings and enforces rules regarding use of piers, wharves, and adjacent parking areas under its jurisdiction, and issues permits for harbor events and for use of city-owned waterfront facilities.

The PNB represents a wide array of harbor interests, and one of its primary roles is to support economic development along the waterfront. For over 40 years, the PNB has overseen private development on the waterfront and has actively developed locations for marine industrial use, including North Terminal, South Terminal, and the New Bedford Ferry Terminal at State Pier. The PNB assesses user charges and fees for vessels and businesses that use its facilities. ThePNB also leases properties, usually involving long-term arrangements. These revenues are used to operate and maintain the City’s waterfront property. The CFO will manage an annual budget exceeding 1.5 million dollars and will manage approximately 10 million dollars in grant funding. The PNB receives no money from the general fund to support its operations.

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