Financial Analyst I/II - Budget

First panel interview is tentatively scheduled for Wednesday, May 13, 2026 Join one of the Inland Empire's Top Places to Work in this exceptional professional level opportunity! At the Western Municipal Water District ("Western Water"), we're looking for an accomplished financial analyst professional to fill this position. We're looking for a professional in public sector finance/accounting who is committed to excellence, can think creatively, and enjoys helping others grow professionally. If you're a collaborative individual with strong interpersonal skills, then this is your opportunity to join an exceptional agency that provides essential services to western Riverside County.

Application Submitta l:

Include a professional resume with your application.

Who we are:

Western Water stands out: Western Water is one of the largest public agencies in Riverside County providing water and sewer services to nearly one million people through approximately 25,000 residential and business connections and eight wholesale water agencies/cities. We see ourselves as more of a business than a bureaucracy. We view our customers as essential partners in ensuring long-term water reliability for our region; and Together, the Western Water team Is focused on being the definitive leader in water and sewer services, upholding the highest level of stakeholder trust. Western Water's vision is to integrate the best-in-business processes and business systems while developing a leading-edge workforce that continuously creates greater efficiency and value for our customers. Western Water's values include: Service Excellence Efficiency Water Supply Reliability Fiscal Responsibility and Value Public Trust, Accountability and Transparency Environmental Stewardship Employee Empowerment Innovation Are you looking to take your career to the next level at an agency committed to the vision and values above? Are you a financial/accounting professional with progressive experience supporting a team dedicated to the financial stability of a progressive and highly successful water/wastewater agency? If you have professional experience and skills focusing on the areas outlined in this announcement, we invite you to submit your interest to be considered for this position. The Position The Financial Analyst I is the journey-level class in the Financial Analyst series. Incumbents are responsible for performing financial analysis of moderate difficulty and complexity to provide accurate and timely financial reports to Western Water management and to other governmental bodies and the public. Incumbents work under close supervision while being trained and gradually work more independently as knowledge and skills increase. The Financial Analyst II is the advanced-level class in the Financial Analyst series and is distinguished from the Financial Analyst I by the level of responsibility assumed, complexity of duties assigned, independence of action taken, amount of time spent performing the more complex duties, and nature of public interaction. Incumbents exercise independent judgement in the interpretation of processes, create specialized reports, and assist with special projects. Assignments are typically received in broad form and incumbents are expected to develop applicable techniques. The Ideal Candidate Western Water is looking for a finance professional with strong interpersonal skills to assist with the day-to-day financial and accounting operations, financial analysis, and strong focus in assisting with rates development and the biennial budget preparation.

This includes the following:

Serving customers is paramount to all that we do. For that reason, you must be responsive, collaborative and accountable to our customers and agency partners, which means representing Western Water and presenting important information at department and management level meetings. Western Water expects you to have comprehensive knowledge and experience in financial analysis, budgeting, and accounting processes that support a special district providing reliable water and sewer services to retail and wholesale customers throughout western Riverside County. Strong organizational skills will be critical to your success, as are the abilities to coordinate and assist with the activities of the finance group. Highly qualified candidates must be able to work effectively both independently and as a collaborative team professional.

Personal Competencies/Characteristics:

A relationship-builder who is proactive in establishing and leveraging partnerships with key internal and external stakeholders and large utilities in the region. A skilled professional with a heightened sense of emotional intelligence and an awareness of community and customer issues, and political sensitivities. A creative professional who consistently seeks alternative solutions to produce results, while clearly articulating options to management and policy makers. Open, approachable, and action-oriented; exercises good judgment; treats others with respect. An organized professional who can met deadlines and can adapt with changing priorities. A self-starter who exhibits high initiative and a strong work ethic; embraces the opportunity to make a difference. Collaborative approach to working with others; able to bring people together and leverage common interests to perpetuate the vision of Western Water. Outstanding facilitation and leadership skills with a customer-centric mindset. A self-starter who exhibits high initiative and a strong work ethic; embraces the opportunity to make a difference. If you're ready to join a results-oriented, high-energy team, able to see the bigger picture, willing to make a positive influence, and ready to learn about the financial issues facing special districts -- we'd love to hear from you. Incumbents within the Financial Analyst series report to the Budget and Rates Manager. Western Water employees are expected to work overtime, weekends, evenings and holidays as required to accommodate the agency needs, in addition to responding as a Disaster Emergency Service Worker.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

The duties listed below are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be 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 this classification. Assists in the preparation of business case evaluations, resource reports, technical documents, and studies to determine their impact on Western Water. Assists with preparing, maintaining, and updating Western Water's operating and capital budgets; meets with Western Water staff, provides historical data and analysis, researches and identifies variances, and assists in the preparation of routine budget reporting. Assists in the preparation, review, and reconciliation of annual budgetary and forecasting spreadsheets and reports. Assists in maintaining and refining Western Water's computerized long-range financial model. Assists with development of water/wastewater rates and charges and evaluates alternatives. Writes cost of service reports based on rate models and Western policies. Reviews documents to ensure accurate information and examines supporting documentation to established proper authorization and conformance with Western policies, agreements, contracts, and state and federal requirements. Assists with the development, implementation, and evaluation of programs, projects, systems, and procedures to achieve Western's goals. The incumbent, while exercising his/her authority, shall abide by and promote Western Water's values and beliefs and adhere to the agency's ethics policy. Adhere to office procedures including record management policies and procedures, ensuring compliance with the record retention policy.

QUALIFICATIONS

Principles and practices of budget preparation and administration, rate setting methodologies, internal control, financial analyses, and cost accounting. Knowledge of governmental accounting theory, concepts, procedures, techniques, and reporting. Maintain awareness of new developments in the financial field to incorporate into programs. Perform highly detailed work under changing, intensive deadlines on multiple concurrent tasks. Understand and perform trend forecasting, regression, and other technical financial analysis. Administration principles and methods, including goal setting and program development. Interpret results and participate in formulating recommendations for action. Interpret and apply pertinent local, State and Federal laws, rules and regulations. Adhere to District personnel rules, policies and labor contract provisions with the ability to exercise sound independent judgment within general policy guidelines. Proper English usage, punctuation, grammar and spelling. Provide transparent, high quality and fiscally responsible services, while meeting the needs of Western Water and its customers. Understanding of organization and functions of an elected board of directors, the Brown Act, and governing laws. Prepare a variety of routine to complex financial statements, reports, and analyses. Utilize exceptional customer service and communication skills both verbally and in writing, with the ability to cultivate professional business partnerships and inspire team collaboration. Make effective and engaging oral presentations clearly, logically, and persuasively. Think creatively and seek alternative solutions in order to produce results that benefit Western Water, its internal and external customers, while clearly articulating options to management and policy makers. Use modern office equipment including computer software applications related to the field of work. Define and explain key processes and business requirements within the department.

EXPERIENCE, EDUCATION, AND LICENSING/CERTIFICATION

Any combination of experience and education that provides the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying, along with the specific licenses/certifications as outlined below: Job Title Required Education Required Experience Financial Analyst I ~ Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Business Administration, or related field ~ Master's degree in a related field may substitute for one year of experience Minimum 3 years of professional finance, budgeting, or business analysis. Financial Analyst II Minimum 5 years of professional finance, budgeting, or business analysis. Required License / Certification Desirable Licenses/Certifications CA Class C Driver's License Coursework in governmental accounting