Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission
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Chief Financial Officer

Closing Date: Open until filled.

We seek a dynamic and skilled financial leader to be our next Chief Financial Officer. The CFO will provide strategic management for the finance and accounting functions of one of Portland’s top nonprofit organizations. The CFO will serve as a close partner to the Executive Director and will have broad responsibility for CRITFC’s success. This is an excellent opportunity for a finance and accounting leader to make a step up in their career and help the four member tribes’ salmon restoration efforts. Prior CFO experience is not required.

CRITFC is a well established organization that is on strong and stable financial footing. CRITFC is a subdivision of the four member tribes with a financial structure that is complex and interesting, with programs across five office sites in Oregon and Idaho. The challenge for the next CFO will be to understand CRITFC’s role in the four tribes’ success and recommend updates to CRITFC’s finance and accounting practices that will enhance the smooth functioning of an already successful nonprofit. This is a leadership role that requires someone who carries high level finance responsibilities yet also relishes the opportunity to dive into the details to support their staff and ensure that financial systems are running smoothly.

CRITFC offers competitive compensation and an exceptional benefits package, including medical, dental, 401(k), 12 days of vacation (to start), 12 paid holidays, and paid sick time. Relocation assistance is available. We provide professional development opportunities, promote from within, and have a Native hiring preference as part of our commitment to our people. As a result, you will find a work environment that supports and inspires our shared goals of protecting the natural world and the tribal cultural connection to it.

Position Details

Classification: Full time, Exempt, Regular

Work Schedule: Monday – Friday, typically 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Pay: $130,000 – $160,000 /year

Location: Portland, OR

Closing Date: Applicants are encouraged to apply early. Application review begins immediately and will continue until position is filled. Contact Michelle Valintis, CRITFC Recruiter, if you wish to have an informal conversation in advance of a formal application.


Responsibilities

  • Ensure the financial health of the organization. Manage financial performance by developing long range plans and forecasts and monitoring performance against plan. Ensure forward visibility and provide monthly financial reports.
  • Along with the senior legal counsel, serve as a close partner and advisor to the Executive Director.
  • Assist the organization in making strategic decisions by providing modeling and financial analysis.
  • Drive change by providing robust data analysis and strong partnerships with CRITFC leaders.
  • Train, mentor, and coach a skilled finance and accounting team of 13 staff. Ensure that they provide accounting and payroll services in a manner that is helpful and efficient.
  • Support effective and efficient finance and accounting practices. Modify and improve historical processes to better serve the organization. Ensure all practices are carefully aligned with federal and other contracted terms and conditions.
  • Direct the annual budgeting process in a manner that is thoughtful, well communicated, and customer oriented.
  • Oversee the preparation of all financial reporting required for funding sources.
  • Oversee banking and investment activities and actively manage cash flow.
  • Assist in managing the negotiation and execution of contracts with funding sources, vendors and collaborative service providers.
  • Monitor regulatory changes and implement new practices needed to maintain compliance.
  • Partner with department managers to set their annual goals and long-term strategies. Help them to be successful by providing financial forecasts and budget assistance.
  • Assist department managers in applying for and administering grant funding.
  • Along with the leadership team, develop purchasing and expense policies that best support the organization.
  • Coordinate auditing plans and ensure that thorough independent audits are completed on a timely basis. Use audit results to make adjustments and improvements.
  • Ensure tax compliance.
  • Ensure financial reporting in accordance with GASB GAAP.
  • Identify and manage business risks. Set strategies for risk management programs and liability insurance.

Qualifications

  • Ten year’s experience in dedicated finance and accounting roles.
  • At least five years’ experience leading a team of finance and accounting staff.
  • Experience with legal, audit, compliance, and contracts is required.
  • Experience with significant federal contracts and federal contract compliance, especially 2 CFR 200 (Uniform Guidance) is a plus.
  • Ability to perform high level, strategic financial work while being willing to dive into the day to day procedures.
  • Strong technological competence. Experience evaluating and implementing new tech. CRITFC uses Sage, ADP, and Crystal Reports, although experience with these systems is not required.
  • Exceptional communication skills. Experience communicating broadly across an organization, in person and in writing.
  • A strong desire to be of service to a tribal organization. Knowledge of or willingness to learn tribal history and customs of CRITFC’s four member tribes.
  • A strong connection to the natural world. CRITFC’s mission is to put salmon back in the Columbia River and protect the watershed through our strategic plan, Wy-Kan-Ush-Mi Wa-Kish-Wit, “The Spirit of the Salmon”.
  • Exceptional people leadership skills including a strong affinity for the work of a good people manager, such as coaching and mentoring. Ability to listen well and center others.
  • A bias for simplifying internal processes. Experience reviewing processes and making them more effective.
  • Ability to communicate procedures to internal clients in a way that encourages compliance.

Supervision

This role reports to the Executive Director. This role leads an organization of 13 finance, accounting and payroll staff and 6 IT and operations staff.


Working Conditions

Primarily sedentary work in an office setting, however day or overnight travel is required approximately monthly to meet with member tribes and other stakeholders.


CRITFC Motor Vehicle Policy

This job occasionally requires driving a CRITFC vehicle or your own vehicle for business (mileage compensated), and therefore you must be able to meet the terms of the CRITFC Motor Vehicle policy. Per the policy, applicants are required to have a valid driver’s license and a clean driving record for the past three years. This includes a three-year record clear of the following:

  • Reckless Driving
  • Driving Under the Influence
  • Suspension or revoked license
  • No more than two at-fault accidents
  • No more than one major violation or two minor violations
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Application Procedure

CLICK HERE TO APPLY

(this will take you to another website).

Application review is ongoing and will continue until position is filled. Applicants are encouraged to apply early. Contact Lydia Garcia, HR Director, if you wish to have an informal conversation in advance of a formal application.

Please disregard the application information below. We are in the process of updating the application process and website templates.



Download Application Form

Submit application form and any additional application materials by email to jobs@critfc.org. Include job title in the subject line. We will confirm receipt of your submission.



Hiring preference:
CRITFC implements a tribal preference policy and encourages citizens and descendants of our member tribes (Nez Perce, Umatilla, Warm Springs and Yakama) and other federally recognized tribes to apply.

CRITFC is committed to building a culturally inclusive community and a work environment that respects and inspires every person. Members of historically marginalized groups including women, people of color, those with disabilities, members of the LGBTQ+ community, those who have served in the military, and members of other underrepresented communities are invited to apply.

CRITFC will consider non-citizen applicants who are authorized to work in the U.S. If not authorized to work in the U.S., CRITFC will provide reasonable support and accommodations to the candidate in obtaining U.S. work authorization. With the exception of certain employer required costs, CRITFC will not pay for costs related to applicant’s legal representation, filings for work authorization or immigration, or other costs related to obtaining work authorization.

*Please note: the term “Commission” as used in this description refers to CRITFC’s governing body. CRITFC is a tribal organization that is wholly owned and governed by the Nez Perce Tribe, the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation, The Confederated Tribes of the Warm Springs Reservation of Oregon, and the Confederated Tribes and Bands of the Yakama Nation. As a tribal organization, CRITFC is subject to a unique blend of policies and laws.