Headquartered in the city of Salem, Oregon, the Salem Area Mass Transit District, also known as Cherriots, is a public transportation agency which operates within the urban growth boundary of Salem and Keizer. The region is one of the most beautiful and livable areas of the Pacific Northwest, being located in the lush Willamette River Valley. Salem is just an hour away from the Cascade mountains to the east and the ocean beaches to the west, and the area offers year-round outdoor recreation, sports, music, theater, and the arts. The region also has easy access to the Portland metropolitan area, an hour north. Salem is Oregon’s capital city, home to nearly 182,000 residents, and adjacent to Salem is the city of Keizer, with 39,065 residents. The Salem/Keizer metropolitan area has a population of over 435,000.
The Salem Area Mass Transit District (Cherriots) is governed by a seven-member Board of Directors, has an operating budget of $154,668,019, including approximately $40M in capital projects, and approximately 265 full-time employees. Led by the Chief Financial Officer, the Finance Division provides oversight of financial operations and administrative services and is organized into three functional areas: Human Resources, Budget and Grants Administration, and Financial Services. The Division delivers key services, including maintaining financial records, administering payroll and benefits, managing external funding, and producing reliable financial reporting. The Division has 13 FTEs, and operates with a FY2026 combined budget of approximately $2.33 million, including $1,404,463 for finance functions, and $926,678 for human resources, supporting personnel, systems, and core operations.
Under the administrative direction of the Deputy General Manager, the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) leads, manages, and directs the District’s financial and human resources administrative functions and activities. The CFO is responsible for ensuring a system of internal controls and compliance to adequately safeguard financial resources, and for oversight of additional functions, including full-cycle accounting, short and long-term financial planning and analysis, budget preparation and control, payroll administration, contract and grant administration, and purchasing. This role also holds responsibility for human resources administration, benefits, and compensation. The CFO ensures the District maintains adequate internal controls and the preparation of timely and accurate financial reporting following District policies; local, state, and federal laws and regulations, and Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) and Government Accounting Standards Board (GASB) Pronouncements.
Education and Experience: A bachelor’s degree in finance, accounting, economics, business administration, or public administration or a related field, and ten (10) years of professional experience in accounting and finance, including management responsibility over a major functional area is required. Experience in a special district or public sector environment is preferred. An equivalent combination of education, training, and experience that provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the duties of this position may be considered, as determined by the District. A Certified Public Accountant (CPA) designation is preferred. Experience working in a labor union environment is also preferred.
For a complete position profile, full job description, benefits summary, and to apply online, visit Prothman at https://www.prothman.com/ and click on "Open Recruitments". For questions, call 206-368-0050. The Salem Area Mass Transit District is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Apply by May 3, 2026. (First review, open until filled.)
About Salem Area Mass Transit District (Cherriots)
For a complete position profile, full job description and to apply online, visit Prothman at https://www.prothman.com/, click on "Open Recruitments" and then click the position title. For questions, call 206-368-0050.
