ASSISTANT DIRECTOR, FISCAL AND MANAGEMENT OPERATIONS
Assistant Director, Fiscal and Management Operations falls in New Jersey's unclassified service: an appointing authority hires for it directly, without a civil service exam.
A master's degree is the listed credential, and extra years on the job can be traded for it. Its salary schedule (frozen at an older rate) lists $87,368 to $122,298, though managerial and exempt titles like this are usually paid individually rather than on the step schedule.
How to apply
This title is not filled by examination — agencies appoint directly.
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See where to apply for this title →Official job specification
The text below is the official specification published by the New Jersey Civil Service Commission. The plain-language summary and analysis above are derived from it by NJ Civil Service Navigator. Source: the official specification page at NJ CSC.
Definition
Under the general direction of a division director or other higher level executive officer in a state department, institution, or agency, formulates policy and procedure, and directs the operational management and fiscal affairs including budget preparation and control, fiscal management, human resources management, accounting, payments, collections, contract administration and management services; does related work as required.
Examples of work
Plans, organizes, and directs all budget and accounting activities including the preparation of the budget, fiscal reports, budget interpretation, fund accounting, administrative accounting, analysis of operating financial data, and fiscal advice and consultation with superiors and other administrative staff to maintain sound budgetary and fiscal controls. Maintains financial liaison activities with the Director, Office of Budget and Accounting (State Comptroller), and other senior state budget officials. Functions as fiscal consultant providing information on impending changes in federal and state funding sources, develops alternatives for sound fiscal management in light of budget reductions, and identifies new sources of revenues and/or user fees; suggests new and innovative approaches to utilization of resources to ensure program priorities are met and services to the public are maintained. Consults with departmental executive officers, division and agency officials, and the State Comptroller on significant accounting, budgeting, and other administrative and management services matters. Directs efforts to ensure that all entities maintaining service contracts are in compliance with approved contracts; meets with community groups, elected and appointed state and local officials, boards of directors, and other authorized organizations or entities relevant to the fiscal administration and integrity of fulfilling contracts. Reviews the reporting of statistical and management information relevant to workload, and service, financial, and management data from integrated databases. Represents the division director or other executive officer in negotiation with federal officials to obtain funds for new or innovative programs designed to meet and enhance operational objectives; advises agency head of available resources and presents alternatives for consideration and approval. Directs the administration of grants and contracts for services to ensure that adequate budgeting and management controls are maintained by recipients of contracts and grants made by the requesting agency. Plans, organizes, and coordinates facilities development and management including New Jersey State Capitol Grants and Funds expenditures. Directs the preparation of analyses and operating financial statements to ascertain and facilitate the condition of funds and expenditures; suggests possible changes in program emphasis; develops financial data required for proposed position classification, reallocations, and new positions within the authority of the operating division or agency. Manages work operations and/or functional programs, and has responsibility for employee evaluation and for effectively recommending the hiring, firing, promoting, demoting, and/or disciplining employees. Directs management services in planning of space and layout studies; recommends physical changes and supervises the management of motor vehicles, furniture, equipment, telephones, data processing needs, and supplies. Directs the maintenance of property, rental, and insurance records; directs the purchasing activities of the division or agency. Directs the preparation of clear, technically sound, and accurate, statistical, financial, and other pertinent reports containing findings, conclusions, alternatives, and recommendations. Directs the establishment and maintenance of essential and confidential records and files. Directs division contract compliance and audit operation programs to include coordination with the department's operations audit objectives as required. 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.
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 principles of organizational development and their application. Knowledge of modern management principals, concepts, and techniques and their application in government administration. Knowledge of modern government budgeting practices, procedures, problem-solving, and analyses. Knowledge of the theories, principals, and practices of modern public administration, government accounting/auditing, and systems development. Ability to interface with government officials at the state and local level including legislators and committee chairpersons, as well as responsible officials of the federal government. Ability to supervise managers responsible for fiscal operations, budgeting, auditing, management support services, and management systems, both EDP and manual. Ability to acquire knowledge of the rules, regulations, administrative codes, policies, and standard operating procedures of the New Jersey Departments of Personnel and Treasury. Ability to acquire knowledge of the laws of New Jersey and of the rules and regulations of the federal government, and their interface with the rules, regulations, and policies of the New Jersey Department of Treasury budget and accounting controls and prudent fiscal planning standard operating procedures. Ability to analyze, comprehend, interpret, and apply established standards to specific situations in compliance with rules, regulations, policies, and standard operating procedures. Ability to delegate assignments and instructions to supervisory, professional, technical, and support employees, and to supervise, monitor, and evaluate the performance of their work. Ability to recognize, analyze, and interpret important budget and accounting problems, administer a number of technical programs, and develop appropriate fiscal policies and procedures. Ability to plan and supervise the review of standard operating procedures of the appointing authority, and provide advice and assistance to department or agency officers on matters relevant to operating requirements, fiscal policy and procedures, and budget requests. Ability to forecast administrative needs including systems and data processing plans. Ability to plan, carry out, and direct assigned investigations, surveys, studies, and research activities, and report thereon. Ability to prepare official correspondence. Ability to prepare clear, sound, accurate, and informative reports containing findings, analyses, conclusions, and recommendations. Ability to direct the maintenance of essential records, reports, and files. 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. Code: M36- JMR 07/11/92
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. Applicants must meet one of the following or a combination of both experience and education. Thirty (30) semester hour credits are equal to one (1) year of relevant experience. Eleven (11) years of professional, administrative, or fiscal experience in a large public or private agency, four (4) years of which shall have involved the development of an annual budget and spending plan. OR Possession of a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university; and seven (7) years of the above-mentioned professional experience, four (4) years of which shall have involved the development of an annual budget and spending plan. OR Possession of a Master's degree from an accredited college or university in Public Administration or Business Administration; and six (6) years of the above-mentioned professional experience, four (4) years of which shall have involved the development of an annual budget and spending plan. "Professional experience" refers to work that is creative, analytical, evaluative, and interpretive; requires a range and depth of specialized knowledge of the profession's principles, concepts, theories, and practices; and is performed with the authority to act according to one's own judgment and make accurate and informed decisions.