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Santa Fe Public Schools

SY: Chief Financial Officer

Santa Fe Public Schools, Santa Fe, NM, United States


Position Type:
School/Department Staff/Director

Date Posted:
11/11/2024

Location:
Central Office
Title:
Chief Financial Officer

Work Unit/Location:
Education Services Center

Reports to:
Superintendent

Contract Length:
12-month

Pay Schedule:
Cabinet

FSLA:
Exempt

Hours:
N/A

Union Status:
Non-union

Licensure:
School Business Official or obtain within six months of start date
Note: All positions with Santa Fe Public Schools require a post-offer/pre-employment background check. Some positions have additional requirements as established by federal or state rules and regulations.

General Function:
Responsible for ensuring that financial management functions and activities are operated in a legal and efficient manner to provide maximum support and contribution to the instructional program of the School District, and providing direction and leadership for Finance Services. Also responsible for working closely with Cabinet members and other members of the executive staff to facilitate support between central offices and schools.

Education/Training/Experience:

Minimum:

A) Master's Degree in Business Administration with a concentration in finance and/or accounting.
OR
B) Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration, Accounting, Finance, or related field from an accredited educational institution and any satisfactory combination of additional experience and technical training which demonstrates the knowledge, skills and abilities to perform the essential responsibilities.
  • Experience in public school administration, public school district administration, or leadership of other large, diverse organizations.
  • Five years of supervisory experience with responsibilities related to the financial/business operations of a school district or comparable experience with substantial operating budgets.
Preferred:
  • Current N.M. Certified Public Accountant certificate.
  • Ability to develop and implement strategic plans.
  • Knowledge of networking theory and data base structure.
  • Experience in working with Infinite Visions accounting software.

Knowledge/Skills and Abilities:
  • Knowledge of and ability to understand and interpret applicable policies, state statutes, and federal guidelines, including New Mexico Statutes, New Mexico Public Education Finance Program, Capital Improvement Funding, governmental accounting principles, cost accounting systems, and School Board policy.
  • Knowledge of budgeting procedures and financial and business operations for school districts and similar governmental agencies.
  • Ability to prepare agenda items, and present and explain them to the School Board.
  • Ability to use data-driven decision making to determine effectiveness of various programs and initiatives and develop strategies for improvement.
  • Knowledge of the teaching/learning process in the school setting.
  • Ability to oversee implementation of a sound budgeting process.
  • Ability to work collaboratively with others and facilitate groups to consensus.
  • Knowledge of state-of-the art research and best practices in areas of responsibility.
  • Ability to motivate, lead, and challenge a team, and establish goals, objectives and action plans to achieve district goals.
  • Ability to communicate effectively with a variety of audiences orally and in writing, including electronic media.

Essential Job Functions:
Performs all functions in accordance with established policies, procedures, safety and environmental regulations, facility and computer security policies and procedures. Functions are subject to change from time to time to meet the needs of the organization. Current essential responsibilities include, but are not limited to the following:
  1. Coordinate, manage, and oversee the District's fiscal affairs, including budget development, audit, financial planning and reporting, and other financial management programs.
  2. Responsible for overall direction, coordination, and evaluation of staff responsible for payroll, budget, finance, and accounting functions in accordance with the District's policies and applicable laws.
  3. Serve as a team member of the Superintendent's cabinet, and participate in district-wide planning, development, and evaluation to support financial initiatives and processes.
  4. Direct and provide leadership to assigned personnel, conduct performance appraisals, make recommendations for appropriate employment actions, and promote professional growth.
  5. Assist with district-wide planning to align the use of financial resources to the District's goals and objectives.
  6. Advise and counsel the Superintendent concerning matters of finance, associated regulatory issues, and financial reporting requirements; and recommend necessary actions for the most efficient operation of the school system.
  7. Direct and oversee the annual budget preparation, including collection and dissemination of available data for budget development and resource allocation, and communication of budget information to the general public.
  8. Review and monitor financial accounting and reporting activities, including preparation and maintenance of financial reports.
  9. Periodically develop and disseminate forecasts of expenditures versus budgetary allocations.
  10. Coordinate work with the staff of the external Auditor and oversee responses to and corrective actions of audit findings.
  11. Ensure that financial initiatives are results-oriented and aligned with the District's mission, beliefs, and strategic goals; facilitate solutions and identify discrepancies between goals and current status; and provide support for continuous improvement objectives and strategies.
  12. Maintain good public relations with parents, businesses, and community groups to provide information and receive feedback, and represent schools at district-level functions as needed.
  13. Provide input in the development of policies and administrative guidelines for areas of responsibility, and support the implementation of programmatic goals and objectives on a district-wide basis.
  14. Exercise proactive leadership in promoting the vision and mission of the District and empower others to make decisions and carry out responsibilities in support of the District's objectives.
  15. Build synergistic partnerships among principals, parents, businesses, and other community stakeholders, and establish relationships with community leadership and stakeholders to build support for SFPS programs. Represent the Superintendent of Schools as needed to clearly articulate system priorities, policies, and interests.
  16. Serve with other educational leaders on work groups, committees, and project action teams that directly support schools.
  17. Assist in interpreting programs, policies, and philosophy of the District to staff, students, and community.
  18. Provide input for the preparation of collective bargaining negotiations and the School Board meeting agenda.
  19. Respond immediately to emergency situations and serve as a district representative at emergency shelters as determined by the Superintendent.
  20. Perform other duties as assigned.

Salary Range and Benefits:
Cabinet Level. Medical, dental, and vision benefits are available to full and part-time employees that work a minimum of 20 hours per week.

Resources Used in Performing Job Include (but are not limited to):
Standard office equipment and software platforms such as Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and the Google Suite. Telephone, fax, copier, computer, stamp machine, badge machine, calculator. Ability to operate various machines and equipment including but not limited to general office equipment, including personal computers, fax machines, copiers, telephones, etc.

Physical/Cognitive Requirements:
Regularly required to walk, talk and listen. Frequently is required to stand and sit. Required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls; reach with hands and arms; and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, and depth perception. Light lifting at times.

Environmental Conditions:
Work is performed in an office setting with exposure to Visual/Video Display Terminal (VDT) and extensive personal computer and phone usage. Some sitting, standing, bending and reaching may be required. Some occasional travel is required for meetings and conferences.

Personal Accountability:
  1. Demonstrates reliability as evidenced by attendance records and punctuality.
  2. Properly notifies supervisor and/or designee of absences or tardiness.
  3. Begins and completes work within the allotted time.
  4. Consistently appears in attire appropriate to the work environment.
  5. Demonstrates skill in the use of equipment including its capabilities, limitations and appropriate/ special application.
  6. Protects the district's resources through appropriate and careful use of supplies and equipment.
  7. Utilizes appropriate body mechanics to aid in the prevention of muscle strain/injury.


Santa Fe Public Schools does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ancestry, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, pregnancy, disability, age, veteran status, medical/genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by law.