Senior Performance Auditor (Performance Auditor II)

THE POSITION:

Performance auditors are curious, analytical public servants who are driven to improve City government for those who count on it. The City Auditor is seeking an experienced professional with the ability to conduct complex reviews of government programs. The Performance Auditor II position in the Portland Auditor’s Office is the equivalent to a Senior Auditor at other audit organizations.

The Senior Performance Auditor is part of a seven-person audit team supervised by the Director of Audit Services. Together, we analyze the performance and management of City operations, recommend changes to improve services, coordinate the City’s external financial audit, and operate the City’s Fraud Hotline.

The Auditor is an elected position, independent of City Council and accountable only to the public. The Auditor’s Office ensures open and accountable government by providing impartial reviews and investigations, access to public information, and services to City government and the public. It employs nearly 50 people across seven divisions.

Successful candidates will demonstrate a record of professional experience in government oversight and accountability; a commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion; and the ability to manage a variety of assignments.  

Responsibilities of the Senior Performance Auditor include:

• Leading project teams in performing a variety of complex and sensitive management, performance, and other specialized audits; monitor, integrate, and evaluate work performed by audit staff or consultants; prepare audit scope, objectives, and audit plan; determine audit milestones; determine techniques and processes; identify issues; analyze findings and make recommendations; communicate audit results to those responsible for programs subject to audit; oversee completion of tasks in accordance with applicable policies and generally accepted government auditing standards.  
• Conducting administrative, operational, financial, and management studies and audits of City activities, functions, and programs; identify opportunities to improve efficiency, effectiveness, and equity, and solve problems. 
• Drafting audit reports that are clear, concise, and targeted to specific audiences; finalize reports with input from senior management and City Auditor. 
• Conduct quality reviews of audit findings, conclusions, and recommendations; review audit reports for support statements, internal consistency, clarity, context, and assurance that information is accurate and consistent with generally accepted government auditing standards. 

Successful candidates will have: 

• Knowledge of principles, practices and standards of governmental auditing.
• Knowledge of project management and organizational skills; research techniques; program evaluation and performance and procedural analysis.
• Ability to analyze complex operations, organizational issues and problems, evaluate alternatives and reach sound, logical, fact-based conclusions and recommendations and communicate them effectively.
• Ability to develop and execute multipart audit plans; collect, evaluate, and interpret a broad range of data, either in electronic, written, statistical, or narrative form; perform complex analyses of financial, budgetary, operational, and organizational issues; evaluate alternatives and reach logical and fact-based conclusions and recommendations.
• Ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing; present conclusions and recommendations clearly, logically, and persuasively to diverse audiences; prepare concise and comprehensive reports, correspondence, and other documents appropriate to the audience.

The Auditor’s Office values a diverse workforce and a culture of equity and inclusion in delivering public services and everyday interactions in the workplace. The Office encourages candidates with experience working with a broad range of individuals and diverse communities to apply. 

Candidates must have at a minimum any combination of education and experience equivalent to the following:

• Education/Training: A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in business administration, public administration, public policy, journalism, program evaluation or related field (e.g. science, technology, engineering, and math). 
• Experience: Three (3) years of progressively responsible experience in financial management, operations, government or public-sector auditing.

To Apply:

Submit one attached document and answer supplemental questions within application portal:

(1) A resume (attached document)

List professional and relevant volunteer experience; education and training; and the time periods for each. If you speak more than one language or have specialized skills, please list them. 

(2) Responses to supplemental questions (in application portal)

When responding to supplemental questions, be concise and address the prompt directly. Where possible, connect answers to items in your resume and provide examples to demonstrate how you meet position qualifications. 

Question 1: Tell us about your experience developing and executing multipart audit plans; collecting, evaluating, and interpreting a broad range of data, performing complex analyses; evaluating alternatives and reaching logical and fact-based conclusions and recommendations. (Connect items in your resume to demonstrate how you meet this qualification, when possible).

Question 2: Describe your ability to communicate clearly and persuasively both orally and in writing, and to prepare concise and comprehensive reports, correspondence or other documents appropriate to the audience. (Connect items in your resume to demonstrate how you meet this qualification, when possible).

Question 3: Tell us about your experience exercising sound independent judgment while conducting thorough and objective reviews. (Connect items in your resume to demonstrate how you meet this qualification, when possible).

Question 4: Audit standards require us to incorporate equity into our work. Tell us about: your experience ensuring equitable operations or program outcomes; or making workplaces and/or public spaces more inclusive; or exposure to inequities or disparities and actions you took to help resolve them. Describe how this experience makes you well-suited for this position. (Connect items in your resume to demonstrate how you meet this qualification, when possible).

Applicants must submit their resume and responses to supplemental questions through the City of Portland's online application system no later than 11:59 p.m. on the closing date. Emailed, mailed, or faxed applications will not be accepted. Please do not include materials not requested.

Recruitment Timeline (subject to change)

Application period: 10/5 – 10/19

Applications reviewed: 10/20 - 10/29

First interviews: 11/2 - 11/6

Second interviews: 11/9 - 11/13

Job offer: By 11/30

Salary range/Pay equity: Per the Oregon State Pay Equity Law, individual salaries are determined based on the experience and education listed in a candidate’s resume/application. It is strongly encouraged to include any transferable experience (paid or unpaid regardless of how recent) to ensure an offer is reflective of all directly related and equivalent experience.

Represented status: This classification is represented by American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees Local 189 – Auditor’s Office, view the agreement at www.portland.gov/bhr/27840.

Language pay differential: Auditor’s Office employees who speak one or more languages in addition to English, may be eligible to receive additional compensation if they qualify and use their language skills to assist the community.

Employee benefits: The City of Portland is committed to offering medical, dental, vision, basic life, and long-term disability coverage that provides quality care, support and value to eligible employees and their family members. Additional benefits such as flexible spending accounts, supplemental life insurance, and employee assistance program coverage are available to ensure employees have the appropriate tools to safeguard themselves and their family. The City of Portland participates in PERS, the Oregon Public Employee Retirement System. Find more information on the City of Portland's benefits here: www.portland.gov/bhr/60196

Civil Service: This position is in the Classified Service and subject to Civil Service provisions. It also is subject to the Human Resources Administrative Rules for the Auditor’s Office, City Charter, and Code.

Work status: Non-citizen applicants must be authorized to work in the United States at the time of application.

Work location: The position is based in City Hall, 1221 SW 4th Ave. The Auditor’s Office is currently operating in a hybrid schedule of in-person and remote work, with employees expected to work half-time in-person.

Veteran’s preference: If you are requesting Veteran's Preference, attach a copy of your DD214 and/or Veteran's Administration letter stating your disability to your profile (if applicable), as well as checking the box identifying yourself as a Veteran. You must request Veteran's Preference AND include a copy of your documentation for each recruitment you apply for. Veteran's Preference documentation must be submitted no later than 11:59 PM on the closing date of this recruitment.

Equal employment opportunity: It is the policy of the City of Portland that no person shall be discriminated against based on race, religion, color, sex, marital status, family status, national origin, age, mental or physical disability, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or source of income. The City values diversity and encourages everyone who is interested in employment with the City to apply.

Disability, Pregnancy, and Religious Accommodations: If you identify as a person with a disability, are pregnant or nursing, or observe a religious practice(s) and would like to request a reasonable accommodation when applying for this job, contact Administrative Specialist Arianna Gazca at[email protected].

Technical assistance: If you have questions about how to apply or require any assistance in submitting your application, please contact Administrative Specialist Andrew Bryans at [email protected].

For more information about the Auditor’s Office: www.portland.gov/auditor/