TECHNICAL MANAGER IV - FINANCE MANAGER - IPR#46786

Job Responsibilities

This position is accountable for supervising and coordinating the activities of the Bureau of Safety Programs and Engineering’s (BSPE’s) Finance Sub-Unit ensuring that all state and federal fiscal transactions are administered in a professional and timely manner and in accordance with applicable federal, state, and departmental policies and procedures. 

Staff managed:                                   4 direct
Value of BSPE’s budget managed:    $115 million annually

This position reports to the Safety Services Unit Manager.  Reporting to this position are the Claims Specialist, Accounting Support Specialist, and Accountant Advanced positions. 

This position is responsible for supervising and coordinating the fiscal accounting activities within BSPE. As a primary resource in fiscal matters this position furnishes assistance, information, and support in the development of the BSPE’s budget requests.  S/He works closely with staff in the department’s Bureau of Budget and Fiscal Management and Bureau of Business Services on fiscal and administrative matters relating to BSPE’s operating budget and accounting functions. 
 

Typical problems include analyzing and evaluating budgetary needs and formulating recommendations for ensuring compatibility between those needs and available funds.  The position effectively communicates with all levels of departmental management and resolves vendor inquiries.  The greatest challenge to this position is to provide accurate monitoring and analysis of expenditures to enhance the budgetary decision-making process for BSPE.  Additionally, this position must ensure that all reimbursement functions are performed efficiently and in accordance with federal and state requirements.   
 

The incumbent prepares the necessary correspondence to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) to obligate federal funds for programs included in the Highway Safety Plan (HSP), Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP), and Rail Grade Crossing Protection program.  The processes for receiving these funds are complicated in that it is necessary to consider the policies and procedures of federal agencies.  Since these programs have distinct fiscal operations and the federal funding is essential, the incumbent’s role is significant to the administration of bureau’s Safety Programs.  The incumbent monitors the overall financial and activity status of programs and adjusts obligations accordingly.  S/He is in contact, as necessary, with fiscal officers of NHTSA and FHWA on matters affecting the status of federal funds. The position monitors office expenditures, processes the BSPE’s operating budget requests, interprets departmental policies and procedures relative to the BSPE’s financial activities, and prepares responses to vendor inquiries.  This position reviews and distributes various financial reports to management and to other departmental offices. 

(Job Responsibilities continued)

This position accomplishes accountabilities through the following staff: 

Claims Specialist who reviews claims for federal reimbursement from local and state agencies and for state reimbursement for the Cycle Rider Safety Training Program.   

Accounting Support Specialist, who is accountable for providing support for the maintenance of the operating budgets and obligation of contracts for the BSPE.  
 

Accountant Advanced, who establishes and maintains separate state and federal accounting records for a $115 million-dollar budget.  The incumbent performs complex accounting auditing work, maintains a complex accounting system involving general departmental funds and grants, prepares complex statements and reports, and provides advice on complex accounting problems.  
 

The incumbent has freedom to exercise initiative in the execution of duties in that there are daily changes to the status of operating and program funds which must be identified and acted upon.  S/He acts to ensure that all program administrators are aware of the current status of funds and alerts them to potential administrative fiscal problems.  This position is guided by federal and state fiscal policies and procedures and the department’s fiscal policies. 
 

The incumbent has internal contact with staff in the Office of Finance Administration and Office of Planning and Programming for accomplishing fiscal duties.  Externally, the incumbent has contacts with staff at the NHTSA, FHWA, and other state agency partners as well as the Office of the Comptroller, Department of Central Management Services, and the Department of Innovation and Technology.  Occasional travel may be required to attend state and federal fiscal management conferences and training sessions in and out of state and may include overnight stays. 
 

The effectiveness of this position is measured by the quality and timeliness of the BSPE’s fiscal transactions as well as the integrity of all its fiscal accounting activities. 

Principal Accountabilities

1. Directs and supervises the maintenance of ledgers reflecting the status of federal funds and the BSPE’s operating funds via the Road Fund.
2. Reviews budgetary controls to ensure fiscal accountability that would withstand an audit compliance test.
3. Prepares state budgetary forms required to obtain state appropriations.
4. Monitors transactions against funds to ensure that the state is reimbursed on a timely basis.
5. Prepares correspondence to obligate, de-obligate, and/or transfer federal funds to appropriate program tasks.
6. Trains and evaluates personnel to ensure a well-developed and competent staff.
7. Performs duties in compliance with departmental safety rules.  Performs all duties in a manner conducive to the fair and equitable treatment of all employees.
8. Performs other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Position Requirements

• Education/Experience:
  • Completion of a bachelor's degree majoring in business, economics, statistics, accounting, finance, or public administration plus two years of experience in public administration, business administration, budgeting, governmental operations, public finance/accounting activities, or a combination thereof, OR
  • Eight years of experience in public administration, business administration, budgeting, governmental operations, public finance/accounting activities or a combination thereof
• Valid driver’s license
• Occasional travel to attend conferences and training sessions in and out of state, which may include overnight stays

Position Desirables

• Working knowledge of governmental operations, finance, and budgeting
• Ability to analyze data to identify potential problems
• Strong oral and written communication skills
• Ability to maintain harmonious relationships with employees, managers, and the public