PLANNING ASSOCIATE 3, SCHOOL/EDUCATION PROGRAMS

Definition

Under direction, in the Department of Education, supervises the analysis, establishment, and administration of operating and grants-in-aid budgets for state, federal, and other funding sources; analyzes management practices and financial controls in order to assess their adequacy to implement education plans and increase program efficiency and cost savings; supervises the development of education programming by conducting analyses and evaluation of educational programs, surveys, needs assessments, and program fiscal data related to state and federal formula aid and discretionary grant applications and allocations; and/or supervises the design and management of research studies related to school funding areas; and/or supervises the monitoring of all financial areas for school districts; performs mandated regulatory functions; 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

• Plan, organize, and assign the work of the organizational unit and evaluate employee performance and conduct, enabling the effective recommendation of the hiring, firing, promoting, and disciplining of subordinates.
• Supervise the design and implementation of evaluation instruments to analyze effectiveness of education services in local school districts and intermediate and regional units.
• Supervises the analysis of the management systems and financial controls in order to assess their adequacy to implement education plans and to increase program efficiency and cost effectiveness.
• Supervise the monitoring, review, analysis, and approval of lease purchase and bond fund transactions for school districts.
• Supervise the review or review applications for extension of credit and recommend approval or disapproval.
• Supervise the review or review to ensure that lease purchase and bonding transactions of school districts meet generally accepted accounting standards.
• Supervise the review or recommend bond forms and requirements from various entities for lease/purchase of school facilities.
• Supervise the review or review and recommend approval or disapproval of terms of lease/purchase agreements and extension of credit applications.
• Supervise the conductor 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.
• Supervise the monitoring or monitor the acquisition and disbursal of education grants.
• Determine impact on educational programming from changes in funding, personnel, programs, or services.
• Supervise the establishing and the maintenance of effective work communications with county offices and regional units to ensure education programs are being met.
• Supervise the auditing of program records and finances.
• Establish and administer operating and grants-in-aid budgets and expenditures for state, federal, and other non-state funding sources.
• Supervise the review and/or conduct financial and compliance review of accounts, financial transactions, and program outcomes.
• Supervise the analysis of or analyze relevant state and federal laws and regulations and develop policy and program recommendations for their enforcement.
• Establish and maintain liaison with education and public interest groups, to inform them of departmental activities and identify needs.
• Supervise and/or research and analyze census, demographic, labor market, and technological data and establish education programs and plans to meet changing needs.
• Ensure that technical assistance is provided to local programs and coordinate the development of education programs for funded agencies as needed.
• Supervise the development of specialized programs for targeted populations.
• Design and manage research studies of various school funding sources and related economic areas, such as cost analysis, school finance theory, fiscal resource measurement, school reform, and funding formulas.
• Review, establish and determine priorities for education programs, services, and funding.
• Supervise the ongoing maintenance of local district education goals and progress toward meeting these goals and recommend improvement in meeting goals.
• Monitor the ongoing statewide implementation and evaluation of instructional programs and ensure adherence to federal law and regulations.
• Supervise the preparation of budgets and negotiation of terms and conditions of third party grants and contracts with local education agencies and other providers.
• Supervise 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 Public Administration, Educational Administration, Business Administration, Accounting, or a related field.

Experience

Five (5) 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 statutes and administrative codes as they apply to education.
• 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 law and regulation regarding lease purchase agreements for school districts.
• Knowledge of bonding and financing of capital projects.
• Knowledge of principles and techniques of program monitoring and auditing.
• Knowledge of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles and Procedures (GAAP).
• Knowledge of principles and practices of employee supervision.
• Knowledge of principles and practices for providing education programming at the local level.
• Knowledge of state school aid financing.
• Knowledge of school funding formulas.
• Ability to supervise assigned staff and plan, organize, and implement projects within the unit.
• Ability to manage complex budgets and financial records.
• Ability to apply guidelines and procedures to grant and aid allocation.
• Ability to establish and maintain working and informational networks with education and public interest groups.
• Ability to exercise leadership in program planning 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 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 develop school funding formulas.
• Ability to conduct analytic research studies.
• Ability to develop technical assistance materials.
• Ability to plan and conduct regional and statewide in-service training programs.
• Ability to synthesize needs assessment information into responsive program plans.
• Ability to analyze state and federal labor projections and identify appropriate educational programs to meet these needs.
• Ability to analyze trends and project future educational needs based on these trends.
• 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.