OUR MISSION
Our mission is to ensure the physical, operational and financial integrity of the regional flood risk management system, in southeastern Louisiana as a defense against floods and storm surge from hurricanes. We accomplish this mission by working with local, regional, state and federal partners to plan, design, construct, operate and maintain projects that will reduce the probability and risk of flooding for the residents and businesses within our jurisdiction.
OVERVIEW OF THE ROLE
The Director of Finance serves as the Chief Financial Officer and principal financial advisor to the Regional Director, executive leadership, Board of Commissioners, and the Authority’s constituent levee districts. This executive-level position provides strategic leadership over the Authority’s financial operations, including budgeting, long-range financial planning, forecasting, treasury and investments, revenue and funding strategy, financial governance, and compliance. The role focuses on maintaining the Authority’s long-term financial sustainability while providing leadership with clear financial analysis and recommendations to support major operational and capital decisions.
Success in this position requires strategic financial leadership, strong analytical and forecasting abilities, sound judgment, and executive-level communication skills. The ideal candidate should have expertise in public-sector budgeting and financial management, revenue and cash-flow planning, internal controls, regulatory compliance, and financial reporting. Strong leadership and organizational-development skills are also important, as the Director oversees senior Finance leaders and must effectively collaborate with Operations, Engineering, Maintenance, Procurement, executive leadership, the Board, auditors, and governmental partners.
This position offers the opportunity to serve in a high-impact executive financial leadership role supporting one of the region’s most critical public-service missions. Rather than focusing solely on day-to-day accounting operations, the Director operates at a strategic level, helping shape long-term financial strategy, major capital planning, funding decisions, reserve management, and organizational priorities. The position is especially unique because it provides financial leadership across multiple constituent levee districts while directly supporting decisions that affect the Authority’s long-term fiscal strength and ability to fulfill its flood protection mission.
AN IDEAL CANDIDATE SHOULD POSSESS THE FOLLOWING COMPETENCIES: • Acting Decisively: The ability to make timely, confident decisions using sound reason.
• Acting with Ethics and Integrity: The ability to make choices that reflect ethical standards, integrity and honesty, regardless of circumstances or personal benefit.
• Building and Supporting Teams: The ability to combine one's actions and efforts with others to work toward achieving a common goal.
• Communicating Effectively: The ability to convey information, ideas, and emotions using structured communication methods that promote understanding and engagement.
• Demonstrating Accountability: The ability to take ownership of actions, behaviors, performance, decisions, and outcomes.
• Following Policies and Procedures: The ability to follow, reinforce, adapt, or develop policies and procedures to maintain compliance with federal and state legal requirements, State Civil Service rules, and organizational policies.
• Making Accurate Judgments: The ability to assess options, weigh risks, and make sound decisions using available information and logical reasoning.
• Managing Budgets: The ability to plan, monitor, and adjust budgets to meet goals, ensure compliance, and promote financial transparency.
• Managing Resources: The ability to manage financial, physical, and contractual resources to ensure compliance and maximize business value.
• Working with Financial Information: The ability to interpret financial data, manage financial approvals, and ensure compliance to support informed decisions and promote transparency.
Two years of the required experience for the following minimum qualifications must have been at the supervisory level or above: Eight years of experience in accounting, auditing, financial operations, payroll, or banking; OR Six years of full-time experience in any field plus twenty-four semester hours in accounting plus five years of experience in accounting, auditing, financial operations, payroll, or banking; OR A bachelor’s degree with twenty-four semester hours in accounting plus five years of experience in accounting, auditing, financial operations, payroll, or banking; OR A bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, business administration, management, economics, or statistics plus five years of experience in accounting, auditing, financial operations, payroll, or banking; OR An advanced degree in accounting, finance, business administration, management, economics, quantitative methods, or statistics plus four years of experience in accounting, auditing, financial operations, payroll, or banking; OR Possession of a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) license plus three years of experience in accounting, auditing, financial operations, payroll, or banking. EXPERIENCE SUBSTITUTION: Every 30 semester hours earned from an accredited college or university will be credited as one year of experience towards the six years of full-time work experience in any field. The maximum substitution allowed is 120 semester hours which substitutes for a maximum of four years of experience in any field.
The official job specifications for this role, as defined by the State Civil Service, can be found here . Job Duties: • Serves as the principal financial advisor to the Regional Director and provides financial guidance and recommendations to the President, Board of Commissioners, Finance Committee, executive leadership, and constituent levee districts.
• Translates complex financial information into clear analysis, alternatives, recommendations, and decision-support information for executive and Board consideration.
• Evaluates the short- and long-term financial implications of proposed policies, programs, projects, organizational initiatives, and major operational decisions.
• Develops financial scenarios and sensitivity analyses addressing changes in revenues, expenditures, inflation, project timing, funding availability, and other material assumptions
• Identifies emerging financial issues, constraints, risks, and opportunities and proactively advises executive leadership concerning potential organizational impact.
• Provides executive-level financial analysis concerning millages, revenue capacity, reserve requirements, financing alternatives, legislative proposals, governmental funding opportunities, and other matters affecting the Authority's financial position.
• Represents the Finance function in executive management discussions and, as directed, before the Board, governmental partners, auditors, financial institutions, and other external stakeholders.
• Works with executive leadership, Engineering, Operations, Maintenance, and other departments to evaluate current and future resource requirements and establish financially sustainable priorities.
• Ensures financial operations comply with applicable federal and State law, GAAP, GASB requirements, Louisiana accounting and reporting requirements, Authority policies, and other applicable standards.
• Provides executive oversight of the annual financial audit, Single Audit, Annual Financial Report, and other required financial reports and serves as the senior management liaison with external auditors and oversight entities.
Position-Specific Details: Appointment Type: This appointment type can be filled as Probational, Promotional, Lateral Transfer, Detail to Special Duty or Job Appointment.
Career Progression: This position does not participate in a Career Progression Group.
Compensation: The salary offered will be determined based on qualifications and experience.
Louisiana is a State as a Model Employer (SAME) that supports the recruitment, hiring, and retention of individuals with disabilities.
NOTE: The Southeast Louisiana Flood Protection Authority - East (SLFPA-E) is an emergency-oriented agency. Part of the SLFPA-E's mission is to protect the residents of the east-bank of Jefferson Parish, St. Bernard and the east-bank of Orleans from tidal surge, wind-driven water and river flooding. In emergencies during Mississippi River flooding and Hurricane/ Tropical storm events, the incumbent will be on call and must report for duty if required and remain on duty in such situations until released from duty by the Appointing Authority.
How To Apply: No Civil Service test score or assessment is required in order to be considered for this vacancy.
To apply for this vacancy, click on the “Apply” link above and complete an electronic application, which can be used for this vacancy as well as future job opportunities. Applicants are responsible for checking the status of their application to determine where they are in the recruitment process. Further status message information is located under the Information section of the Current Job Opportunities page.
* Resumes WILL NOT be accepted in lieu of completed education and experience sections on your application. Applications may be rejected if incomplete. *
For further information about this vacancy contact:
Sage Celestin
SE LA Flood Protection Authority-East
scelestin@floodauthority.org
504-286-3112