Job Specification
PLANNING ASSOCIATE 1, SCHOOL/EDUCATION PROGRAMS
DEFINITION
Under limited supervision of a supervisory official in the Department
of Education, assists in analyzing, developing, and maintaining
operating and grants-in-aid budgets for state, federal, and other
funding sources; assists in analyzing management systems and
financial controls; assists in developing education programming by
conducting analyses and evaluation of educational programs,
surveys, needs assessments, and program fiscal data related to state
and federal formula and discretionary grant applications and allocations;
and/or assists in monitoring all financial areas for school districts;
performs mandated regulatory functions; does related work as required.
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.
EXAMPLES OF WORK:
Assist in designing and implementing evaluation instruments to analyze
effectiveness of training, curricula, and related education services in
local school districts and intermediate and regional units.
Analyze demographic data and helps develop, plan, and recommend
policy and formula for funds distribution.
Assist in analyzing 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 recommends approval.
Ensure that the lease purchase and bonding transactions of school
districts meet the acceptable 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.
Assist in monitoring the acquisition and disbursal of education grants.
Determine impact on education programming from changes in funding,
personnel, programs, or services.
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.
May establish and administer operating and grants-in-aid budgets and
expenditures for state, federal, and other non-state funding sources.
Conduct financial and compliance review of accounts, financial
transactions, and program outcomes.
Analyze relevant state and federal laws and regulations, and assist
in developing policy and program recommendations for their enforcement.
Establish and maintain liaison with education and public interest groups
to inform them of department activities and identify their needs.
Assist in researching and analyzing demographic, labor market, and
technological data used in establishing education programs and plans
to meet changing needs.
Assist in providing technical assistance to local programs and assist
in coordinating the development of training programs for funded
agencies.
Assist in the development of specialized programs for targeted
populations.
Assist in developing technical documents for the State education
system to evaluate to educational services.
Assist in reviewing the progress of local district education goals, as
approved by the Department of Education.
Assist in developing and recommending funding criteria, competitive
application procedures, and forms for awarding contracts to eligible
agencies.
Assist to coordinate program maintenance and fiscal reporting
systems with departmental standards.
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.
REQUIREMENTS:
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.
NOTE: 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.
EXPERIENCE:
Three (3) years of professional experience in school business
management/accounting 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 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 law, regulation, policies and
procedures governing public sector budgeting, purchasing, accounting
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 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 school aid financing.
Knowledge of school funding formulas.
Ability to analyze complex financial records and 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 problems 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 plan to meet special needs.
Ability to prepare extensive official correspondence.
Ability to coordinate the maintenance of a program and fiscal
reporting system 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
education programs to meet these needs.
Ability to analyze trends and project future education needs based
on these trends.
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 maintain essential records, reports and files.
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.
This job specification is applicable to the following title code: | | Job
Spec
Code | Variant | State,
Local or
Common | Class of
Service | Work
Week | State
Class
Code | Local
Class
Code | Salary
Range | Note | | 72630 | | S | N | NL | 26 | N/A | P26 | - |
This job specification is for state government use only.
Salary range is only applicable to state government.
Local salaries are established by individual local jurisdictions.
MER 7/16/2011 |
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