PLANNING ASSOCIATE 2, SCHOOL/EDUCATION PROGRAMS

Definition

Under general supervision of a supervisory official in the Department of Education, analyzes, develops, and maintains departmental databases and computerized systems; develops short and long-term education and/or financial plans by conducting analyses and evaluation of education programs, surveys, needs assessments and related research; establishes, maintains, and evaluates program and fiscal data related to state and federal aid, grant applications, and allocations; and/or develops, and conducts research studies related to school funding areas; and/or monitors all financial areas for school districts; performs mandated regulatory functions; does related work as required.

Examples of work

• Design and implement evaluation instruments to analyze effectiveness of training, curricula, and related education services in local school districts and intermediate and regional units.
• Analyze complex demographic data, develop plans, and recommend policy and formula for funds distribution.
• Analyze management systems and financial controls in order to assess their adequacy to implement education plans and to increase program efficiency and cost effectiveness.
• Monitor, review, analyze, and recommend approval of lease purchase and bond fund transactions for school districts.
• Review applications of extension of credit and recommend approval or disapproval.
• Ensure that lease purchase and bonding transactions of school districts meet generally accepted accounting standards.
• Recommend bond forms and requirements from various entities for lease/purchase of school facilities.
• Review and recommend approval or disapproval of terms of lease/purchase agreements and extension of credit applications.
• Conduct hearings on school lease/purchase agreements and refinancing or defeasance applications.
• Develop and maintain operating budget and financial controls for the school districts, programs and/or the department.
• Develop cost estimates for proposed programs for the school districts, programs and/or the department.
• Monitor the acquisition and disbursal of education grants.
• Determine impact on education programming from changes in funding, personnel, programs, or services.
• Assist in the establishment of developmental priorities for curriculum and training services and funding.
• Establish and maintain effective work communications with county offices and regional units to ensure goals of education programs are being met.
• Audit program records or finances.
• Establish and administer operating and grants-in-aid budgets and expenditures for state, federal and other non-state funding sources.
• Design, develop, and conduct studies of various schools funding sources and related economic areas, such as cost analysis, school finance theory, fiscal resource measurement, school reform, and funding formulas.
• Conduct financial and compliance review of accounts, financial transactions, and program outcomes.
• Analyze and recommend improvements in management systems and financial controls.
• Analyze relevant state and federal laws and regulations and develop policy recommendations for their enforcement.
• Establish and maintain liaison with education and public interest groups to inform them of departmental activities and identify their needs.
• Research and analyze census, demographic, labor market, and technological data and make recommendations on educational programs and plans to meet changing needs.
• Provide technical assistance to local programs and coordinate the development of training programs for funded agencies as needed.
• Coordinate the ongoing statewide implementation and evaluation of instructional programs as required by laws and regulations to ensure compliance.
• Initiate the development of specialized programs for target populations.
• Develop technical documents for all New Jersey educational systems to evaluate education services.
• After review, make recommendations on changes in maintenance of local district education goals, as approved by the Department of Education.
• As directed, trains other professional or nonprofessional personnel.
• As required, develops and recommends funding criteria and competitive application procedures and forms for awarding grants and contracts to eligible agencies.
• As required, coordinates program maintenance and fiscal reporting comparing results with departmental standards and recommending changes to meet standards as needed.
• 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 Public Administration, Educational Administration, Business Administration, Accounting, or a related field.

Experience

Four (4) years of professional experience in school business management/accounting or public or private sector budgeting, accounting, or auditing.

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, skills and abilities

• Knowledge of the organization and structure of the New Jersey education system.
• Knowledge of public education policy at the local, state, and federal levels.
• Knowledge of state and federal laws, regulations, policies and procedures governing public sector budgeting, purchasing, accounting/and or auditing.
• Knowledge of principles and practices for improving specialized 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.
• Knowledge of budgeting methods and principles.
• Knowledge of cost-benefit analysis.
• Knowledge of laws and regulations regarding lease purchase agreements for school districts.
• Knowledge of bonding and financing of capital projects.
• Knowledge of the principles and techniques of program monitoring and auditing.
• Knowledge of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles and Procedures (GAAP).
• Knowledge of state and federal statutes and administrative codes, as applied to education.
• Knowledge of state school aid financing.
• Knowledge of school funding formulas.
• Ability to manage complex budgets.
• Ability to apply guidelines and procedures to grant and aid allocation.
• 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 problem areas or needs.
• Ability to analyze data and prepare accurate reports of findings, conclusions and recommendations.
• Ability to prepare accurate documentation of budgetary needs.
• Ability to interpret state and federal rules and regulations and develop a responsive plan for meeting special needs.
• Ability to prepare extensive official correspondence.
• Ability to coordinate program maintenance, and fiscal reporting, and other essential files.
• Ability to develop technical assistance materials.
• Ability to plan and conduct regional and statewide in-service training programs.
• Ability to develop program plans from needs assessment information.
• Ability to analyze state and federal labor projections and identify appropriate education programs to meet these needs.
• Ability to analyze trends and project future education needs based on these trends.
• Ability to develop school funding formulas.
• Ability to conduct analytic research studies.
• Ability to maintain essential records, reports and files.
• 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.

Possession of a valid Certificate as a Certified Public Accountant issued by the New Jersey State Board of Certified Public Accountants may be substituted for the Master's degree.