07/14/1997 08960

DIRECTOR OF FINANCIAL OPERATIONS, DHS

DEFINITION:

This is highly responsible administrative and policy work directing the Bureau of Financial Operations in the Department of Human Services.

The employee in this class is responsible for planning, organizing, directing, and controlling major activities related to the financial management and audit review program in the Department of Human Services. Work involves meeting regularly with high level departmental officials including the Secretary of Human Services, Directors of Policy and Budget and Chief Counsel to develop and implement policies relative to revenue collections, payments to community human services providers and audits of departmental provider organizations. These policies are designed to facilitate achievement of overall agency goals, coordinating Department resource planning efforts and overseeing the review of Department administrative operations to ensure compliance, economy, efficiency, and effectiveness and to identify areas for corrective action. Financial operations administered by this employee include the development, implementation, and monitoring of the Department's Third-Party Liability (TPL)collections, including MH/MR facility reimbursements, the review, adjustments to and authorization for disbursements and payments to counties and other community human services providers, and the direction of subordinate audit staff involved in evaluating Department programs and field facilities and in resolving and responding to external audits with outside auditing organizations. Work requires a high degree of contact with Departmental officials, central budget office administrators, and other local, state, and federal officials. General administrative direction is exercised over a large professional and technical staff. Important aspects of this work involve participation in broad policy discussions with top level departmental managers and development and implementation of department-wide financial operations policy. Work is performed with a high degree of independence under the direction of the Deputy Secretary for Administration who reviews work through conferences, reports, and an evaluation of overall effectiveness of the management systems in the Department.

EXAMPLES OF WORK:

Participates in the planning and development of overall agency policies and objectives and provides consultative services as the resource person for financial operations.

Plans, directs and develops policy for the following revenue collection/cost saving programs: Medigap, Employer Group Health Plan and Casualty Programs.

Plans, directs, and coordinates TPL financial operation activities and MH/MR facility reimbursements.

Plans, directs, and coordinates DHS program of financial grants for community human services programs, including the provision of technical assistance to counties.

Directs the development, implementation, and monitoring of policies, procedures, and controls governing the TPL and reimbursement programs.

Develops and implements all audit policy as it affects Department operated and funded programs.

Makes recommendations to the Secretary of Human Services, Deputy Secretary for Administration and Directors of Policy and Budget as well as Chief Counsel on the allocation, reallocation, use, and management of the Department's TPL and reimbursement resources to ensure agency program goals and objectives are met.

Provides staff assistance and coordinates resource planning as it relates to TPL and reimbursement efforts, including determination of objectives and directing such revenue forecasting within the Department.

Provides technical assistance to provider agencies on budgeting, financial systems, regulatory implementation and Departmental policy.

Plans, organizes and directs the review of Departmental operations to identify deficiencies, recommend improvements and ensure compliance with state, federal, and sound managerial policies and procedures specific to audit findings, cost avoidance initiatives, and TPL and reimbursement revenue collections.

Directs the implementation of management review findings and recommendations to improve productivity and efficiency of Department programs; intervenes in resolving sensitive issues related to review and audit findings.

Coordinates the response and resolution of external audits; directs the Department's audit staff performing Departmental audits.

Participates in the planning and development of overall agency objectives and provides consultative services as resource person in financial operations.

Serves as liaison between the Department and federal auditors, the Governor's Bureau of Audits, and the Comptroller's Office.

Reviews reports and recommendations prepared by staff to determine soundness of recommendations, conclusions, and findings.

Serves as an advisor to the Deputy Secretary for Administration on the managerial effectiveness of fiscal, personnel, and equipment resources for selected areas of the Department.

Coordinates the revenue collection activities for all state mental hospitals, mental retardation centers, and the restoration center, as well as directing the accounting function for the Child Support Program.

Confers with agency and other staff officials and with local and federal representatives on fiscal management and problems affecting the agency's fiscal policies and controls as they relate to audits and revenue collections.

Works closely with the Bureau of Budget to ensure that the latest and most accurate reimbursement/collections information is available to the budget planners.

Employees in this class may participate in the performance of their subordinates work consistent with operational or organizational requirements.

Performs related work as required.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

Knowledge of the principles and practices of public and/or business administration, with emphasis on revenue collections and budgeting, accounting and/or auditing procedures, practices, objectives, and planning.

Knowledge of the principles and methods of program planning, organization, direction, and interpretation.

Knowledge of the various state and federal funding appropriations, funding sources, funding allocation methodologies, and policies and regulations which affect appropriations.

Knowledge of current governmental budgetary and accounting principles, practices and procedures.

Knowledge of the principles and practices of public or business administration.

Ability to participate in the development of agency objectives and provide consultative services to the Secretary and other high level executives on revenue collections and auditing activities.

Ability to develop, implement, and monitor policies and procedures governing the above specified financial operations for the Department.

Ability to analyze and evaluate programs and management and fiscal practices and to make and implement recommendations for improvement.

Ability to identify and analyze significant trends and policies from detailed reports and factual data.

Ability to plan, organize, and direct the work of a large subordinate staff.

Ability to provide leadership and to establish and maintain effective working relationships with other Department and federal officials and public and private agencies.

Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.

MINIMUM EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING:

Four years of progressively responsible professional experience in fiscal management, budgeting, accounting and/or auditing work, including two years of administrative and supervisory experience, and two years which involved the review management or auditing of governmental programs and a bachelor's degree;

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Any equivalent combination of experience and training.