Job Specification
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.
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:
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.
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:
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 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.
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 | | 72631 | | S | N | NL | 28 | N/A | P28 | - |
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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