03/24/1998 08980

FINANCIAL FUNDING AND REPORTING DIRECTOR, DHS

DEFINITION:

This is responsible professional and administrative work in the acquisition, retention and reporting of federal funding for programs administered by the Department of Human Services (DHS).

The employee in this class is responsible for planning, directing and coordinating a program to identify, acquire, retain and report on federal funding for DHS programs. Work involves directing and coordinating staff efforts to secure the maximum level of federal funding for all programs administered by the Department, including entitlement programs, block grants, formula grants, and special waiver grants; and to provide guidance to high level management and program officials to ensure that significant federal fiscal policy issues are incorporated into agency policy formulation and program planning. Work involves developing strategies to maximize federal funding participation through innovative applications of federal funding rules to Departmental programs; researching how funds are obtained and used by the Department and determining if federal, state, and local laws or regulations allow for other types of activities to be included within that funding source; developing and maintaining accounting systems to prepare financial information and cost reports to substantiate the Department's allocation of costs to various federal agencies; and developing the Department's Cost Allocation Plan. The employee has considerable interaction with the Governor's Washington, D.C. office to provide analyses of, and input into, a variety of federal legislative and regulatory initiatives which may impact on DHS program areas; frequently acts as federal funding liaison between DHS and other Commonwealth departments who may receive human services related federal funds; and interaction with various federal funding agencies for the purpose of obtaining information about federal and state programs and to negotiate the resolution of claims for which federal funding has been reduced or denied. Supervision is exercised over a professional, technical, and clerical staff. Work is performed with considerable independence and is subject to review by an administrative supervisor through conferences, reports and an evaluation of results achieved.

EXAMPLES OF WORK:

Directs programs to identify, acquire, retain and report on federal funding for programs administered by the DHS.

Directs and coordinates the development of financial policies, accounting procedures and the preparation of cost reports pertaining to the financial administration of Departmental programs to enhance the Department's financial management capabilities.

Directs the development of the Department's Cost Allocation Plan and negotiates indirect cost distribution methods and indirect cost rates with the federal government.

Confers with high level management and program officials concerning federal laws and regulations to provide analyses of and input into a variety of federal legislative and regulatory initiatives which may impact on DPW program areas.

Establishes and maintains liaison and coordination with other Commonwealth departments or agencies to ensure consistent development and application of fiscal procedure allowing those agencies to receive and retain federal funds for human services related programs or administrative activities.

Directs the development of strategies to maximize the amount of federal funds which can be earned by, or allocated to, the programs operated by the Department.

Directs research on federal laws and regulations to determine how funds may be obtained and used by the Department, and directs the development of supporting justifications for the acquisition or retention of available federal funding.

Directs detailed analyses, reviews and studies of the financial reporting of all DHS-operated mental health, mental retardation, and child welfare facilities, including completion of overall cost reports related to Medicare, Medicaid, and state laws.

Directs the planning, development and maintenance of accounting systems to maintain records required to prepare financial cost reports and documents to substantiate the Department's allocation of costs to various federal agencies.

Controls DHS access to the Commonwealth's accounting system to ensure development of fiscal coding procedures consistent with organization structure, cost allocation, and budget planning.

Confers with officials of federal funding agencies to obtain information about various state and federal programs and to negotiate and resolve claims for which federal funding has been reduced or denied.

Supervises a professional, technical, and clerical staff.

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

Performs related work.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

Knowledge of principles and practices of public fiscal analysis and administration, including relevant aspects of areas such as cost accounting, cost estimating, fiscal planning, fiscal management and budgeting.

Knowledge of the principles and practices of public administration.

Knowledge of current governmental budgetary principles, practices and procedures, and generally accepted accounting principles and procedures and their application to Departmental accounting operations.

Knowledge of the various federal and state appropriations, funding sources, and funding allocation methodologies.

Knowledge of the various federal and state laws, regulations, policies and procedures governing the medical assistance, medicare, medicaid, child welfare, mental health and mental retardation programs.

Ability to analyze federal funding laws and regulations and to apply them to Departmental programs.

Ability to analyze and evaluate complex data relating to financial issues and to develop Departmental financial policies.

Ability to direct and participate in the development of overall Departmental financial reporting objectives and to provide consultative services to high level officials in matters related to the financial management of Departmental programs.

Ability to direct, develop, implement and monitor policies and procedures governing the acquisition and reporting on federal funds.

Ability to participate constructively in debate and negotiations concerning financial issues and funding claims which have been questioned by, or are in dispute between the Commonwealth and the various federal funding agencies.

Ability to plan, organize and direct the work of a professional, technical, and clerical staff.

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with Agency program officials, co-workers, and officials of other state and federal governmental units.

Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.

MINIMUM EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING:

Six years of responsible experience in fiscal management or a closely related field such as fiscal planning, budget systems analysis, or accounting, including two years in a supervisory or administrative capacity which involved governmental budgeting, accounting or fiscal management; and a bachelor's degree in Business Management, Finance, Accounting, or a closely related field.

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Any equivalent combination of experience and training which includes two years in a supervisory or administrative capacity involving government budgeting, accounting and/or fiscal management.