DEPARTMENT OF INSURANCE AND FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS

100 North 15th Avenue

Phoenix, Arizona 85007

Annual Salary Range: $80,000 - $100,774

Grade: 27

This position will remain open until business needs are met  

Under the direction of the Assistant Director of Financial Institutions, the Chief Examiner directs examinations, leads teams of financial institution examiners, and ensures that regulated entities (state banks, credit unions and trust companies) comply with state and federal law. Carries out the full range of examination assignments and is assigned the most difficult, complex examinations for financial institutions.

Participates in examination exit meetings with management and directors. Reviews reports of examinations for accuracy before sending them to the AD for final approval. Responsible for assisting with day to day duties, assist with the review of systemic industry issues, public inquires, and licensee and potential licensee inquiries.

Serves as an active member of the Financial Institutions leadership team and fulfill related administrative responsibilities as assigned. This role involves significant inter-agency coordination with federal regulators (e.g. FDIC, Federal Reserve) as well as other state departments. Attend various trainings, conferences, seminars or presentations as required for, and related to, job functionality; this may at times require travel.

The position will also serve as a direct point of contact with the regulated industry and will have ongoing communications with industry representatives on various regulatory and compliance matters.

Strategic Leadership & Examination Oversight

• Manage multi-disciplinary teams of examiners, assigning tasks based on institution risk profiles and specialized domains (e.g., credit risk, BSA/AML, capital adequacy, liquidity, consumer compliance)

• Establish supervisory strategies and examination priorities based on market trends, macroeconomic conditions, and emerging risks

• Direct, schedule, and oversee comprehensive examinations for complex financial institutions

Risk Assessment & Compliance Verification

• Ensure strict adherence to regulatory frameworks, such as the Bank Secrecy Act (BSA), Anti-Money Laundering (AML) standards, OFAC rules, and consumer protection laws

• Evaluate capital adequacy, asset quality, management performance, earnings, liquidity, and sensitivity to market risk (CAMELS rating framework)

• Review financial statements, balance sheets, loan portfolios, and internal controls to detect operational or systemic vulnerabilities

Examination

• Examines records, accounts, and portfolios of licensees for compliance with state laws and regulations and conducts risk assessments

• May participate in investigations relating to reported violations and business irregularities

• Reviews call reports. Recommends actions and writes reports

Policy & Staff Management

• Develop internal examination guidelines, procedures, and training programs for examination personnel

• Mentor senior and junior examiners, and overseeing professional development

• Other duties as assigned as related to the position

Knowledge:

• Understanding of state and federal bank, trust and credit union laws, rules, regulations, policies, procedures and best practices

• Knowledge of generally accepted and regulatory accounting practices and principles and examination procedures

• Knowledge of computerized word processing, spreadsheets, Adobe, databases and applications

• Knowledge in general auditing standards and procedures

• Knowledge of supervisory concepts and techniques

• Understanding of financial institutions operations

Skills:

• Strong organizational skills, including the ability to use and create organizational tools to carry out the duties of the job

• Applying federal and state laws, rules and regulations as they pertain to licensee's operations and activities

• Skills in research, analysis, synthesize, compile and effectively report on complex financial data

• Skills in being objective, fair and reasonable when reviewing documents and policies

• Applying examining and accounting methods and techniques

• Skills in accurately analyzing and interpreting data

• Interpreting complex laws, rules and regulations

• Strong written and verbal communication skills

• Work management and leadership

• Business and diplomatic skills

• Resolve complex problems

• Mathematical calculations

• Strong analytical skills

Ability:

• Ability to work well in a team environment and to interact with staff and management at various financial institutions

• Ability to detect trends, conditions and practices that might affect the financial condition of a financial institution

• Ability to multi-task, and manage multiple projects with potentially different time frame requirements

• Ability to research and learn applicable regulations, guidance, and practices and procedures

• Ability to apply good judgment and draw sound conclusions given financial data

• Ability to apply laws and standards appropriately when evaluating data

• Ability to adapt to changing expectations and environments

• Ability to travel with overnight stays away from home base

• Ability to compose clear and concise audit reports

• Organize and prioritize multiple complex projects

• Employees who drive on state business are subject to driver’s license record checks, must maintain acceptable driving records and must complete any required driver training (see Arizona Administrative Code R2-10-207.12.)

• Requires possession of and ability to retain a current, valid state-issued driver’s license appropriate to the assignment

If this position requires driving or the use of a vehicle as an essential function of the job to conduct State business, then the following requirements apply: Driver’s License Requirements.

The State of Arizona offers a comprehensive benefits package to include:

• Optional employee benefits include short-term disability insurance, deferred compensation plans, and supplemental life insurance

• Life insurance and long-term disability insurance

• Vacation plus 10 paid holidays per year

• Health and dental insurance

• Retirement plan

• Sick leave

Learn more about the Paid Parental Leave program here. For a complete list of benefits provided by The State of Arizona, please visit our benefits page

• Positions in this classification participate in the Arizona State Retirement System (ASRS)

• Please note that enrollment eligibility will become effective after 27 weeks of employment

• If you have any questions please feel free to contact Sarah Haley at sarah.haley@difi.az.gov