Director of Finance & Administration

Location: Bellevue, Idaho
Reports To: Executive Director
Position Type: Full-Time, Exempt, Benefit-Eligible
Department: Finance & Administration
Supervisory Responsibilities: Finance and administrative personnel, as assigned

Position Summary

The Director of Finance & Administration provides strategic financial leadership, fiscal oversight, and administrative management for Mountain Rides Transportation Authority (MRTA). As a key member of the executive leadership team, this position serves as the agency’s Chief Financial Officer (CFO), ensuring responsible management of public funds, regulatory compliance, and long-term financial sustainability.

The Director oversees the agency’s accounting, budgeting, financial reporting, grant administration, internal controls, and general administrative operations. This includes overseeing operating and capital budgets, workforce housing funds, fleet investments, and infrastructure initiatives.

Working closely with the Executive Director, Board of Directors, and department leadership, the Director provides accurate financial information, strategic recommendations, and administrative support to advance MRTA’s mission of providing safe, reliable, and accessible public transportation throughout the Wood River Valley.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

1. Financial Management & Strategic Planning

• Budgeting & Financial Controls: Lead the development, implementation, and monitoring of MRTA’s annual operating and capital budgets. Establish and maintain effective financial policies, procedures, and internal controls.
• Financial Reporting: Prepare and present accurate and timely monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statements, budget reports, and financial analyses to the Executive Director and Board of Directors.
• Financial Planning: Develop short- and long-term financial forecasts, evaluate financial risks, and provide recommendations to support organizational sustainability and strategic planning.
• Accounting Standards & Compliance: Ensure financial activities comply with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), applicable Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB) standards, and relevant federal, state, and local regulations.
• Audit Coordination: Lead the annual independent financial audit and coordinate financial compliance reviews conducted by the Idaho Transportation Department (ITD), Federal Transit Administration (FTA), and other applicable agencies.
• Treasury & Cash Management: Oversee banking activities, cash flow, capital reserves, designated funds, workforce housing finances, and public investments in accordance with applicable laws and agency policies.
• Financial Accountability: Maintain accurate financial records, ensure timely processing of financial transactions, and implement safeguards to protect agency assets and public funds.

2. Grant Administration & Compliance

• Grant Oversight: Manage financial tracking, reporting, and compliance for local, state, and federal funding sources, including FTA and ITD grants.
• Reimbursements & Reporting: Ensure timely and accurate submission of grant reimbursement requests, financial reports, and supporting documentation to funding agencies.
• Funding Coordination: Coordinate local funding contributions from participating municipalities and Blaine County to support agency operations and meet state and federal grant-matching requirements.
• Grant Compliance: Monitor expenditures, funding restrictions, reporting deadlines, and matching requirements to ensure compliance with grant agreements and applicable regulations.
• Capital Funding: Provide financial oversight and planning for major capital initiatives, including fleet replacement, zero-emission vehicles, facilities, and infrastructure improvements.

3. Systems & Administrative Operations

• Financial Systems & Technology: Oversee the agency’s accounting software, electronic payment systems, financial databases, and related technology. Coordinate with appropriate personnel and service providers to support reliable and secure administrative and IT systems.
• Contracting & Procurement: Oversee financial aspects of vendor contracts, purchasing agreements, and procurement processes to ensure compliance with agency policies and applicable regulations.
• Accounts Payable & Receivable: Supervise financial transaction processes, including vendor payments, invoicing, reconciliations, and financial recordkeeping, to ensure accuracy and timely completion.
• Human Resources & Benefits Administration: Oversee or coordinate assigned administrative functions related to employee benefits, payroll administration, personnel records, employment classifications, and applicable regulatory requirements.
• Regulatory Administration: Collaborate with appropriate departments to support compliance with administrative requirements, including applicable Department of Transportation (DOT) drug-and-alcohol testing regulations and employment-related policies.
• Administrative Policies: Develop, maintain, and improve financial and administrative procedures to promote efficiency, consistency, transparency, and accountability.

4. Executive Leadership & Department Management

• Leadership & Supervision: Supervise assigned finance and administrative personnel, establish performance expectations, provide guidance and training, and promote professional accountability.
• Board & Executive Support: Serve as the primary financial advisor to the Executive Director and Board of Directors, presenting financial information and recommendations to support informed decision-making.
• Department Coordination: Collaborate with department directors and managers to develop budgets, evaluate financial needs, monitor expenditures, and support operational priorities.
• Organizational Accountability: Establish clear financial procedures, reporting timelines, and departmental responsibilities to ensure accurate records, timely communication, and dependable administrative support.
• Continuous Improvement: Identify opportunities to improve financial processes, administrative efficiency, internal controls, and organizational effectiveness.
• Professional Standards: Maintain confidentiality, ethical financial practices, and a high level of professionalism in all internal and external interactions.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Strong understanding of public-sector accounting, governmental budgeting, financial reporting, and fiscal management.
• Knowledge of GAAP, GASB standards, governmental funds, capital assets, and federal and state grant compliance requirements.
• Ability to develop and manage complex operating and capital budgets, financial forecasts, and long-term financial plans.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to evaluate financial information and provide practical recommendations.
• Understanding of financial management related to public infrastructure, fleet acquisitions, facilities, and capital improvement projects.
• Excellent organizational and time-management skills, with the ability to manage competing priorities and meet critical deadlines.
• Strong leadership and supervisory abilities, including the ability to establish expectations and maintain accountability.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to present complex financial information clearly to the Executive Director, Board of Directors, employees, and external stakeholders.
• Proficiency with financial management software, electronic payment systems, spreadsheets, and financial reporting tools.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality, exercise sound judgment, and demonstrate integrity in managing public resources.
• Ability to work collaboratively across departments and with governmental agencies, auditors, vendors, and community partners.

Required Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Public Administration, Business Administration, or a closely related field.
• Experience: Five to eight years of progressively responsible experience in financial management, accounting, budgeting, or a related field, including at least three years in a supervisory or senior management capacity.
• Financial Management: Demonstrated experience managing organizational budgets, preparing financial statements, overseeing financial controls, and coordinating audits.
• Software Proficiency: Strong proficiency with accounting software, electronic financial systems, and Microsoft Excel or comparable financial analysis tools.
• Communication & Leadership: Demonstrated ability to lead administrative functions, communicate financial information effectively, and work with executive leadership or governing boards.

An equivalent combination of education, training, and relevant professional experience may be considered.

Preferred Qualifications

• Certified Public Accountant (CPA), Certified Management Accountant (CMA), or comparable professional financial certification.
• Master’s degree in Business Administration (MBA), Public Administration (MPA), Accounting, Finance, or a related field.
• Previous experience in governmental, public-sector, nonprofit, or public transportation finance.
• Direct experience working with or alongside a rural or resort-area public transit authority.
• Experience managing federal and state transportation grants, particularly FTA and ITD funding.
• Familiarity with governmental accounting standards, public procurement requirements, and financial compliance audits.
• Experience managing capital improvement budgets, fleet investments, or publicly funded infrastructure projects.

Working Conditions

This position primarily operates in a professional office environment and requires regular use of computers, financial software, and standard office equipment. The position may require attendance at Board meetings, committee meetings, public meetings, trainings, and other agency-related activities, including occasional meetings outside regular business hours.

Occasional travel may be necessary for conferences, trainings, audits, or meetings with funding agencies and organizational partners.

General Statement

This job description is intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by the Director of Finance & Administration. It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, qualifications, or working conditions associated with the position.

Additional duties may be assigned as necessary to support the operational and administrative needs of Mountain Rides Transportation Authority.

Mountain Rides Transportation Authority is an Equal Opportunity Employer.