DEPUTY COMMISSIONER

Definition

Under the direction of the Commissioner in a state department institution or agency, manages resources to meet the goals of the organization, provides support to the Commissioner's office and directs the formulation of policy and planning for administration and management issues and the review, coordination and integration of departmental policy and program initiatives to ensure adherence to applicable federal and state laws and guidelines; manages staff and work activities; prepares and signs official performance evaluations for subordinate staff; does other related duties as required.

Examples of work

• As directed, may represent the Commissioner's office in contracts and work with official and other committees, employees, State and local government officials, representatives of lay professional, civil, educational, and other organizations and with the Chief Executive's Office and the Cabinet.
• Directs the preparation of revisions in Laws and Regulations and presents these as well as proposed revisions in the operating rules, procedures, policies, standards and methods affecting State, county and municipal agencies.
• Assists in investigating the effects of the administration Statutes, Rules, and Regulations and reports findings to the Commissioner's office.
• Redesigns and implements comprehensive planning and budget structures.
• Develops suitable work programs and effective managerial and fiscal procedures.
• Prepares systematic plans for the improvement and expansion of existing services and the development of new services and to ensure that duplicative efforts are avoided.
• Serves as Acting Commissioner during absence of the Commissioner or in the event of the disability of the Commissioner.
• As required, directs, administers, formulates policy and guides work operations and functional program areas.
• As required, controls and organizes the work of divisions, bureaus, offices and organizational units for efficient and effective operations.
• Investigates and presents the need for existing and new positions in the classified service in the State service.
• As delegated, may refer designated appeals resulting from the administrative actions.
• Reviews the proposed compensation plan for the State service and present formal recommendations.
• Provides administrative direction, technical assistance and coordination to Department staff as required.
• Directs the testing and passing upon the qualifications of applicants for, or promotions to, positions in the State and local governments: may direct the establishment of employment and re-employment lists.
• Confers with department's officers to plan, analyze and make recommendations concerning the various program areas.
• Coordinates program activities to eliminate overlapping and duplication of functions.
• Guides and determines the most efficient use of personnel and funds, including the consequences resulting from alternative allocation of resources.
• Addresses public groups to interpret policies and provide information concerning the work, programs and operations.
• Regulates transfers, annual, sick and special leaves, hours of work, attendance, overtime pay, layoffs, promotions and suspensions, removals and other separations.
• Directs audits of payrolls and special service payments to employees in the classified service.
• Directs the making of administrative, technical, procedural, confidential and other studies.
• Composes or delegates the composition of extensive official correspondence.
• Prepares and directs the preparation of clear, technically sound, accurate and informative statistical, financial, budgetary, administrative and other related reports containing findings, conclusions and recommendations.
• Directs the establishment and maintenance of essential records, reports, and files.
• Manages the work operations and/or functional programs and has responsibility for effectively recommending the hiring, firing, promoting, demoting, and/or disciplining of employees.
• Will be required to learn how to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information systems used by the agency, office or related units.

Requirements

Shall be qualified by training and experience to perform the duties of the office. (The Deputy Commissioner shall serve at the pleasure of the Commissioner.)

Education

Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor's degree.

Experience

Ten (10) years' of professional experience dealing with administrative work requiring independent interpretation of rules, regulations, and policies; dealing with the general public; governmental agencies or other business enterprises, six (6) of which shall have been in a managerial capacity.

License

Appointees will be required to possess a driver's license valid in New Jersey only if the operation of a vehicle, rather than employee mobility, is necessary to perform the essential duties of the position.

Knowledge, skills and abilities

• Knowledge of the practices, policies and procedures utilized and applied in the direction, conduct, control and guidance of a department.
• Knowledge of the laws, acts, regulations and statutes of the State of New Jersey that pertain to the operations and programs of the department.
• Knowledge of management techniques.
• Knowledge of federal legislation, regulations and programs related to the department.
• Knowledge of fiscal and budgetary principles and practices.
• Ability to coordinate program activities to eliminate overlapping and duplication of functions.
• Ability to investigate and present the need for existing and new positions in the classified service in the State service.
• Ability to address public groups to interpret policies and provide information concerning the work, programs and operations.
• Ability to direct audits of payrolls and special service payments to employees in the classified service.
• Ability to provide administrative direction, technical assistance and coordination to Department staff as required.
• Ability to investigate the effects of the administration Statutes, Rules, and Regulations and reports findings to the Commissioner's office.
• Ability to prepare and/or supervise the preparation of clear, technically sound, accurate and informative statistical, financial, budgetary, administrative and other related reports containing findings, conclusions and recommendations.
• Ability to supervise assigned staff and plan, organize, and implement projects within the unit.
• Ability to supervise the maintenance of essential records, reports, and files.
• Ability to prepare detailed correspondence.
• Ability to learn how to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information systems used by the agency, office, or related units.
• Ability to read, write, speak, understand, and communicate in English sufficiently to perform the duties of this position. American Sign Language or Braille may also be considered as acceptable forms of communication.
• Persons with mental or physical disabilities are eligible if they can perform the essential functions of the job with or without reasonable accommodation. If the accommodation cannot be made because it would cause the employer undue hardship, such persons may not be eligible.

Note

The examples of work for this title are for illustrative purposes only. A particular position using this title may not perform all duties listed in this job specification. Conversely, all duties performed on the job may not be listed.