2A81
PUBLIC FINANCE SPECIALIST

This is full performance financial management and advisory work within the City Treasurer's Office coordinating and managing the issuance of the City's and other related issuers' securities for the purpose of financing capital projects and seasonal borrowings. An employee in this class analyzes market conditions and applies this knowledge in the structuring of bond and note issues with issuing agencies, and in the negotiation of provisions, fees, contracts, and agreements. An employee in this class reviews and discusses legal documents and may prepare financial analyses of projects to determine their financial viability. Work includes interacting with departmental officials to discuss financing issues and representing the City on transactions with banking, legal, and investment professionals. An employee in this position reports to the Deputy City Treasurer.

• The position(s) must be located in the City Treasurer's Office.
• The position(s) must report to the Deputy City Treasurer.
• The position(s) must conduct financial management and advisory work within the City Treasurer's Office coordinating and managing the issuance of the City's and other related issuers' securities for the purpose of financing capital projects and seasonal borrowings.

• Structures bond issues of moderate complexity with issuing agency; ascertains the legal and economic project parameters including the "draw down" schedule which anticipates the particular dates funds will be needed; estimates the useful life of the project; discusses the structuring of the bond issue relying on knowledge of the general market environment gained from contact with financial and legal professionals and from business publications, e.g., whether interest rates are rising or falling, the usefulness of credit enhancement, fixed or floating rate structures, call features, etc.; discusses possible legislative requirements; reviews new debt products and techniques that may be applicable; considers the system of appointments, (maintaining lists of qualified legal counsels and underwriters and applying the rotation system in utilizing these lists) in taking into account the size and type of the transactions, the firm's resources and ability to incur underwriting risk, the experience of the firm in that particular field, and the firm's geographic distribution abilities.
• Negotiates moderately intricate bond issuance and related fees with financing team members for services rendered based on market rates and complexity of the transaction; gathers information on fees on similar types of transactions through conversations with bond underwriters and materials such as various business periodicals and newspapers; negotiates expense fees based on other bid offers and knowledge of similar transactions.
• Reviews and discusses legal documents prepared by bond issuance team for problems such as discrepancies and ambiguities; reviews project feasibility studies and architects' and engineers' reports regarding project revenue and expense forecasts; reviews the terms and conditions of the documents and interprets them to determine what the City is required to do legally and financially to fulfill contract requirements; obtains certificates and warranties of participants required for the transactions; reviews ordinances, state legislation, and IRS code regulations; proposes and modifies ordinances and legislation when necessary.
• Prepares a forward bond issuance schedule to prevent too many of the same types of securities from being issued by the City and its agencies and authorities simultaneously.
• Evaluates general market climate to determine whether a particular transaction should be completed immediately or delayed in light of market, economic, and legislative considerations.
• Reviews bills relating to bond issues for conformance to executed contracts.
• Suggests or evaluates new debt issuance techniques that would afford marginal budgetary savings or increased flexibility.
• Reviews proposed legislation and assesses its impact on municipal finance activities.
• Performs related work as required.

KNOWLEDGE OF:
• the principles, practices and procedures of municipal security issuance
• the principles of present value analysis and its application to bond pricing techniques
• market conditions as they relate to security issuance
• municipal bond ratings
• bond structures, fees, documents and contracts
• the uses of computer software for financial reporting
SKILL IN:
• the use of generic computer spreadsheets
ABILITY TO:
• interpret state and local legislation as it relates to municipal bond and note issues
• prepare and present reports in connection with bond rating
• interpret contracts and related documents and to analyze their impact on City finances
• analyze market conditions, including pending legislation and to construct a bond transaction based on current analysis and the issuing agency's needs
• review bond structures, fees, documents and contracts
• research market conditions and project future market trends
• express ideas effectively in oral, written and graphic forms
• establish and maintain effective working relationships with departmental, legislative and executive officials, and members of the financial, banking and legal communities
• perform financial analysis
• utilize general computer spreadsheets

EDUCATION
• Completion of a bachelor's degree program in business administration with major course work in finance or accounting from an accredited college or university (a master's degree preferred).
GENERAL EXPERIENCE

One year of experience in any of the following:

• performing debt management for a government agency, financial institution, or large corporation
• in the negotiation of municipal bonds
• conducting analysis or trading of fixed income securities
• as bond or underwriter's counsel

Or any equivalent combination of education and experience determined to be acceptable by the Personnel Department that has included a bachelor's degree in business administration with major course work in finance or accounting as an educational minimum.

• Ability to physically perform the duties and to work in the environmental conditions required of a position in this class.