Chief Financial Officer

Title: Chief Financial Officer

State Role Title: Gen Admin Manager III

Hiring Range: Up to $195,000

Pay Band: 7

Agency: Dept of Rail & Public Trans

Location: Dept of Rail & Public Trans

Agency Website: www.drpt.virginia.gov

Recruitment Type: General Public - G

Job Duties

The Department of Rail and Public Transportation (DRPT) is seeking a talented Chief Financial Officer to join our team. In this role, you would provide executive leadership and strategic direction for the financial operations of DRPT, directing DRPT's core financial functions for budget, financial programming, financial reporting, fiscal operations, and compliance and audit. You will serve as a trusted member of the executive leadership team and provide strategic input to agency functions. Your contributions will advance the Commonwealth's overall freight rail and public transportation programs through the prudent and responsible direction and management of short- and long-term planning for all financial resources. Your work will ensure clear and transparent financial reporting, including development and presentation of the agency budget and Six-Year Improvement Program in a public context.

This role relies on collaborative relationships across departments to understand needs, priorities, and to identify funding strategies to support program delivery. You will use data to inform decision-making and resource allocation in an open and transparent manner and work collaboratively with the leadership team to develop and coordinate multi-year financial plans and transparent financial reporting.
Providing leadership to the finance team when developing and administering operating budgets and capital budgets is a critical aspect of this role, as well as developing effective partnerships with Transit and Rail program leadership to secure and manage state and federal grant funds and provide financial input to advance agency rail and transit programs. You will be responsible for ensuring the integrity of fiscal operations and compliance with all fiscal and reporting requirements and oversee external financial reviews and audits to ensure financial stewardship and compliance.

The Department of Rail and Public Transportation offers a generous total compensation package. Well qualified candidates will be eligible to negotiate Exceptional Recruitment Incentives. New external candidates of the Commonwealth will be eligible to negotiate cash and leave bonuses upon hire. Existing State employees will be eligible to negotiate leave bonuses upon hire.

Minimum Qualifications

• Comprehensive knowledge of complex financial structures, revenue and cash resources within the transportation industry
• Demonstrated and considerable knowledge of federal and state laws and regulations and trends in government and public finance
• General knowledge of freight and passenger railroads, mass transit and mobility management
• Extensive knowledge of general accepted management principles and practices of budget administration, procurement management; legislative processes; principles/practices of public transportation finance and related federal/state statutes and regulations
• Outstanding collaboration skills as demonstrated by the ability to build relationships and gain consensus from diverse groups including staff, colleagues, senior elected officials, stakeholders and the public
• Experience and knowledge to plan and accomplish short/long term range goals
• Ability to use independent judgment in the interpretation and analysis of rules, regulations, policies and procedures
• Ability to develop and implement organizational processes for effectively managing finances and maximizing the use of available funds
• Ability to communicate effectively; make presentations and provide financial guidance to organization and other entities
• Demonstrated ability to make quality, timely decisions, sometimes with incomplete information, based upon experience and sound judgment
• Ability to promote the organization, make critical decisions, manage conflict, promote organizational alignment, build relationships, conduct high-level negotiations, monitor and understand the environment, including economic, political, social, business and demographic changes
• Demonstrated significant and progressive experience leading and developing staff responsible for delivering complex, high impact projects and services

Additional Considerations

• Graduate degree in business administration with a background or training in government or public finance, or an equivalent combination of training and experience
• Demonstrated senior management experience in financial planning, accounting, budgeting, cash management and revenue forecasting
• Certified Public Accountant (CPA) certification
• Progressive experience within state government roles, encompassing financial management, budget development and monitoring, fiscal analysis, and adherence to state policies and regulatory requirements

Special Instructions

You will be provided a confirmation of receipt when your application and/or résumé is submitted successfully. Please refer to “Your Application” in your account to check the status of your application for this position.

Contact Information

Name: Debbie Barnett

Phone: 804-389-5505

Email: askhr@drpt.virginia.gov

In support of the Commonwealth’s commitment to inclusion, we are encouraging individuals with disabilities to apply through the Commonwealth Alternative Hiring Process. To be considered for this opportunity, applicants will need to provide their AHP Letter (formerly COD) provided by the Department for Aging & Rehabilitative Services (DARS), or the Department for the Blind & Vision Impaired (DBVI). Service-Connected Veterans are encouraged to answer Veteran status questions and submit their disability documentation, if applicable, to DARS/DBVI to get their AHP Letter. Requesting an AHP Letter can be found at AHP Letter or by calling DARS at 800-552-5019.

Note: Applicants who received a Certificate of Disability from DARS or DBVI dated between April 1, 2022- February 29, 2024, can still use that COD as applicable documentation for the Alternative Hiring Process.

Advertised: 26 Oct 2026 Eastern Daylight Time
Applications close: 16 Nov 2026 Eastern Standard Time

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