Description

This recruitment is managed by our executive search partner, Raftelis.
Please apply directly through Raftelis at: Apply Here

All questions and application materials should be directed to:
Sarah Slegers, Recruiter
sslegers@raftelis.com

THE POSITION

Mesa Water District is seeking a strategic, service-oriented finance professional to be its next Chief Financial Officer (CFO). Reporting directly to the General Manager, the CFO is a key member of the executive team and plays a critical role in maintaining the District’s strong financial position while supporting the delivery of clean, safe, and reliable water to the community.

Mesa Water District provides 16,000 acre-feet per year (AFY) of domestic water and 1,100 AFY of recycled water to 110,000 customers in an 18-square mile area covering the City of Costa Mesa, CA parts of the City of Newport Beach, CA and John Wayne Airport (SNA). For Fiscal Year 2026, the District’s adopted operating budget includes $60.3 million in projected revenues and $41.1 million in operating expenses. The capital budget for the same fiscal year totals $13.8 million. Mesa Water maintains a strong financial position, holding AAA credit ratings from both Fitch and Standard & Poor’s.

The CFO leads a team of 10 full-time employees and oversees two departments – Financial and Customer Services. The position is responsible for the strategic direction and oversight of the District’s financial planning and operations as well as customer service functions, including water billing and collections. The CFO is ultimately accountable for transparent and accurate billing and collections and the efficient and timely resolution of any errors or disputes.

Leading the Financial Services department includes oversight of accounting, payroll, financial audits, property and liability insurance programs, purchasing, and management of the District’s financial systems. The CFO is also responsible for debt management and capital financing, including compliance with debt covenants and liaising with rating agencies. The CFO is responsible for developing and managing the annual operating and capital budgets in alignment with the District’s operational goals and capital improvement priorities. The CFO leads the monitoring and continuous improvement of robust financial planning and expense control programs and will spearhead selection and implementation of a new enterprise resource planning (ERP) system for the District.

This is a rare opportunity for a seasoned finance professional to join a high-performing water agency and contribute to the modernization of systems, processes, and procedures in a collegial, stable, and forward-looking environment. The ideal candidate will bring sound judgment, strategic vision, and a collaborative leadership approach that fosters accountability, continuous improvement, and commitment to excellent customer service.

QUALIFICATIONS

Minimum requirements include at least eight (8) years of increasingly responsible financial management experience, including at least five (5) years of supervisory and management responsibility. A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in accounting, finance, or a closely related field and possession of an active Certified Public Accountant (CPA) license is also required.

Preferred qualifications include a master’s in business administration (MBA) degree from an accredited college or university, financial management experience in a utility setting, experience as an auditor and/or management consultant with an emphasis on designing and implementing business process improvement or change management initiatives, and experience leading implementation of organization-wide technology modernization projects, particularly ERP implementations.

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS

The expected hiring range is $189,654 - $261,497, depending on qualifications, with excellent benefits. Relocation assistance may be considered for the selected candidate.

For a complete overview of Mesa Water’s extensive benefits, review the Employee Benefits Summary here. Highlights include comprehensive health coverage for employees and their dependents (including $2,400/month for benefits expenses), life and disability insurance, membership in CalPERS (California Public Employees' Retirement System), a voluntary deferred compensation plan that includes a District match of up to 3.5%, and generous vacation, sick, and holiday leave.

HOW TO APPLY

Applications will be accepted electronically by Raftelis at jobs.crelate.com. Applicants complete a brief online form and are prompted to provide a cover letter and resume. The position will remain open until filled with a first review of applications beginning September 12, 2025.

Click here for the full recruitment brochure.

Questions? Contact the recruiter, Sarah Slegers at sslegers@raftelis.com.

Holidays – Mesa Water provides full-time employees with 107 holiday hours per year, comprised of twelve observed holidays (96 hours) and (11) floating holiday hours.

Vacation – Employees accrue between eighty-eight (88) and one hundred and sixty (160) hours annually, depending on tenure. Accrued time is available to use after six months.

Sick Leave – Employees accrue ninety-six (96) hours per year, with no maximum accrual cap.

Retirement – Mesa Water employees participate in CalPERS retirement.

Effective January 1, 2013, newly hired employees who are new CalPERS members, as defined by the Public Employees' Pension Reform Act of 2013 (PEPRA), will be enrolled in the CalPERS 2% at age 62 defined benefit plan with a three-year final compensation in accordance with PEPRA. New members will be required to pay 8.25% of pension reportable salary as their full share of their member contribution.

An employee who is a "classic" member of CalPERS or a current member of another California public retirement system who is hired on or after January 1, 2013, will be enrolled in the CalPERS 2% @ 55 benefit formula with one-year final compensation. Effective 1/6/17, employees pay 7.0% of the employee contribution to CalPERS.

The District participates in Social Security. Please contact Human Resources if you have more questions.

Cafeteria Plan Benefits – Employees receive a $2,400 “Flex Credit” allocation per month to be used towards health benefits including medical, dental and vision. Flex credits not used towards benefits may be taken as additional taxable non-“Persable” income.

Deferred Compensation – A voluntary Deferred Compensation Plan (Section 457) is available to employees through Empower Retirement. Eligible employees may receive dollar for dollar employer match up to 3.5% of salary per calendar year.

Flexible Spending Account (FSA) – Employees may participate in either or both of Mesa Water's Section 125 plan flexible spending accounts: Dependent Care Reimbursement (eligible upon hire) and Medical Expense Reimbursement (after one-year).

Life Insurance – Full-time employees are covered by $200,000 in group term life insurance paid by District (benefit decreases at age 65).

Long Term Disability (LTD) – Full-time employees receive District-paid LTD insurance coverage equal to 2/3 of salary ($12,000 maximum monthly benefit) after a 90-day waiting period.

Short-Term Disability – The District participates in State Disability Insurance (SDI).

Automobile Allowance – Management employees receive an Automobile Allowance per month.

9/80 Work Schedule – Employees are offered a 9/80 work schedule with every other Friday off.

Tuition Reimbursement and Educational Incentives

Salary Increases – Based on performance, new Mesa Water employees are eligible for merit step increases at 6-months and 12-months, and annually thereafter.

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