PLANNING ASSOCIATE 3, POLICY AND PLANNING

Definition

Under direction of a manager in the Department of Education, supervises the analysis, development, and recommendation of education policies, plans, and priorities in order to implement state and federal laws pertaining to education programs and practices; supervises the development of education programming by conducting analyses and evaluation of education programs, surveys, needs assessment, and related research; supervises the establishment, maintenance, and evaluation of programs and fiscal data related to state and federal formula aid and discretionary grant applications and allocations; performs mandated regulatory functions; performs work of considerable difficulty and works with a high level of independence; supervises staff and work activities; prepares and signs official performance evaluations for subordinate staff; does related work as required.

Examples of work

• Plans, organizes, and assigns the work of the organizational unit and evaluates employee performance and conduct, enabling the effective recommendation of the hiring, firing, promoting, and disciplining of subordinates.
• Supervises the design and implementation of evaluation instruments to analyze effectiveness of education policy and plans for education services in local school districts and intermediate and regional units.
• Reviews, establishes, and determines priorities for training services and funding.
• Supervises the establishment and maintenance of effective work communications with county offices and regional units to ensure goals of education policy, plans, and programs are being implemented.
• Plans implementation of education projects and programs.
• Drafts legislation and prepares legislative bill analyses.
• Conducts and supervises legislative briefings.
• Establishes plans and priorities for education programs as needed for eligible populations by analyzing and conducting surveys, administrative procedures, and related research.
• Develops policy recommendations and/or administrative code for implementation of state and federal laws pertaining to education programs and practices.
• Analyzes relevant state and federal laws and regulations and develops policy, plans, and program recommendations for their enforcement.
• Supervises the planning of specialized programs for targeted populations.
• Supervises the ongoing maintenance of local district education goals and progress toward meeting these goals and recommends improvement in meeting goals.
• Review administrative law judge decisions for impact on education.
• Evaluate impact of policy changes on programs or services.
• Establishes and maintains effective liaison with education and public interest groups, to keep them informed of department activities, and identify needs.
• Researches and analyzes census, demographic, labor market, and technological data and establishes education programs and plans to meet changing needs.
• Ensures that technical assistance is provided to local programs and coordinates the development of education policy and plans with programs for funded agencies, as needed.
• Monitors and ensures the ongoing statewide implementation and evaluation of instructional programs meets federal law and regulations.
• Supervises the preparation of budgets and negotiation of terms and conditions of third party grants and contracts with local education agencies and other providers.
• Supervises the development of funding criteria and competitive grant application procedures for awarding contracts to eligible agencies.
• Will be required to learn to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and computerized information systems used by the agency, office, or related units.

Education

Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Master's degree in Education Administration, Public Administration, or a related field or a degree in Law.

Experience

Five (5) years of experience in education planning, analysis of education policy, or intergovernmental/legislative relations in the implementation of education policy and planning.

License

Appointee 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 AND ABILITIES

Knowledge of organization and structure of the New Jersey education system.

Knowledge of public education policy at the local, state, and federal levels.

Knowledge of principles and practices of employee supervision.

Knowledge of state and federal statutes and administrative codes as applied to education.

Knowledge of principles and practices for providing education programming at the local level.

Knowledge of state and federal program aid requirements.

Knowledge of legislation and guidelines related to funded programs.

Knowledge of the operational processes and practices of state agencies, including the fiscal system.

Ability to supervise assigned staff and plan, organize, and implement projects within the unit.

Ability to develop education policies and plans based on need in accordance with legislation.

Ability to establish and maintain working and information networks with education and public interest groups.

Ability to exercise leadership in program planning and development with department staff, county offices, regional units, and local school district staff.

Ability to coordinate plans and resources, and identify areas of potential problems or additional needs.

Ability to analyze data and prepare accurate reports of containing findings, conclusions, and recommendations.

Ability to prepare accurate documentation of budgetary needs.

Ability to interpret federal rules and regulations and develop a responsive plan for meeting special needs.

Ability to prepare extensive official correspondence.

Ability to coordinate program maintenance, fiscal reporting, other essential files.

Ability to maintain essential records, reports, and files.

Ability to develop technical assistance materials.

Ability to plan, conduct, and supervise regional and statewide inservice training programs.

Ability to synthesize needs assessment information into responsive program plans.

Ability to analyze state and federal labor projections and identify appropriate education programs to meet projected needs.

Ability to analyze trends and project future education needs based on these trends.

Ability to interpret and explain information on laws, rules, regulations, policies, and plans pertaining to education.

Ability to learn 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, or 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 as long as they can perform 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.