STATE OF CONNECTICUT EXECUTIVE BRANCH JOBS

Fiscal/Administrative Officer

Recruitment #240409-1308AR-001

Introduction


We are seeking a dedicated and detail-oriented individual to join our team as a Fiscal/Administrative Officer (Fiscal and Contract Support Specialist) for our Refugee Program. In this role, you will provide essential fiscal and contract support to ensure the smooth operation of the program. While primarily situated within the Division of Financial Services, you will collaborate closely with POGA/Economic Security to fulfill certain fiscal and contract-related responsibilities.

The State of Connecticut, Department of Social Services (DSS), has a mission that we, along with our partners, provide person-centered programs and services to enhance the well-being of individuals, families and communities.

What we can offer you:
  • The opportunity to work for a Forbes top company: 'ForbesState of Connecticut Ranked One of the Best Employers of 2023 - State of CT Receives National Recognition for Offering Job Growth, Competitive Benefits, and Flexible Schedule.
  • NEW: A Platinum Healthcare Plan, the nation’s best for state employees and dependents, according to a report by Georgetown’s Center on Health Insurance Reform and article by Ellen Andrews, Ph.D., along with comprehensive benefit offerings
  • The State of Connecticut is an eligible Public Service Loan Forgiveness employer, meaning you may be eligible to have qualifying student loans forgiven after 10 years of service.  Click here for more information.
  • Extensive pension plan and supplemental retirement offerings.
  • Generous paid time off, including 13 paid holidays per calendar year.
  • Professional growth and development opportunities.
  • A healthy work/life balance to all employees.
Position Responsibilities: 
  • Generate contract management and tracking reports and conduct follow up as needed.
  • Conduct quantitative analysis to develop budget estimates and performs cost benefit analyses.
  • Prepares various financial statements and statistical or narrative fiscal/administrative reports.
  • Act as a liaison between program staff, providers, the Office of General Counsel, and Fiscal Division staff to rectify contract issues; and
  • Prepare and process contract payments in accordance with contract payment schedules and contract terms/conditions.
Position details:
  • Located at Central Office at 55 Farmington Avenue, Hartford, CT.  
  • Full-time, 40 hours per week.
  • First shift, 8:00am – 4:30pm.
  • Monday through Friday.  
  • Telework usually offered at the maximum level permitted by state and agency policy.

Selection Plan

  • Please note that DSS takes part in the E-Verify system, which is a web-based system that allows enrolled employers to confirm the eligibility of their employees to work in the United States. 
  • The minimum experience and training requirements must be met by the close date on the job opening, unless otherwise specified. 
  • Please visit our 'Applicant Tips on How to Apply' page or view our tutorial. 
  • The minimum experience and training requirements must be met by the close date on the job opening, unless otherwise specified. 
  • Although applicants will receive correspondence via email, as a backup they are also encouraged to sign on to their Personal Status Board on a daily basis to monitor their status, view all emailed notices and complete tasks required in the recruitment process.  
  • In order to comply with Public Act 21-69, the State of Connecticut is no longer asking for resumes during the initial application process.   
  • This posting may require completion of additional referral questions (RQs). You can access these RQs via an email that will be sent to you after the posting's closing date or by visiting your JobAps Personal Status Board (Certification Questionnaires section). Your responses to these RQs must be submitted by the question's expiration date. Please regularly check your email and JobAps Personal Status Board for notifications. Please check your SPAM and/or Junk folders on a daily basis in the event an email provider places auto-notification emails in a user's spam.  
  • Note:  At any point during the recruitment process, applicants may be required to submit additional documentation which support their qualification(s) for this position.  These documents may include:  a cover letter, resume, transcripts, diplomas, performance reviews, attendance records, supervisory references, licensure, etc., at the discretion of the hiring agency.  Applicants must meet the minimum qualifications as indicated to apply for this position.  
  • Should you have questions pertaining to this recruitment, please contact Liz Pinette at elizabeth.pinette@ct.gov. 
  • This position will be filled in accordance with contractual language, reemployment, SEBAC, transfer, promotion and merit employment rules. 
  • The immediate vacancy is listed above, however, applications to this recruitment may be used for future vacancies in this job class. 
  • All application materials must be received by the recruiting agency by the time specified on the job opening for the position for which you are applying. Late applications may not be submitted and will not be considered. Exceptions are rare and limited to documented events that incapacitate a candidate during the entire duration of the job posting time period.  It is the candidate’s obligation and responsibility to request an exception and provide a legally recognized justification to accommodate such exception.  Requests should be made to DAS.SHRM@ct.gov. 
  • For current state employees, salary calculations are not necessarily comparable from one of the three branches of state government (i.e., Executive, Legislative, Judicial) to the other. 
  • Read through this helpful link to prepare for your interview. 

PURPOSE OF JOB CLASS (NATURE OF WORK)

In a state agency, facility or institution this class is accountable for independently performing a full range of tasks in professional level fiscal and administrative functions.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

  • Performs a variety of professional fiscal and administrative functions;
  • Assists in budget preparation by compiling and consolidating data and projecting expenditures;
  • Maintains budget control by reviewing and authorizing expenditures and monitoring expenditures against appropriations and allotments;
  • Prepares budget reports;
  • Prepares various financial statements and statistical or narrative fiscal/administrative reports;
  • Assists in planning and implementation of financial aspects of EDP systems;
  • Utilizes EDP systems for financial records, reports and analyses;
  • Prepares or reviews grant budgets and other fiscal portions of grant applications;
  • Provides technical assistance to grantees regarding accounting procedures;
  • Reviews various contracts, financial documents and financial reports to ensure compliance with grant requirements;
  • Performs technical purchasing tasks such as soliciting bids and recommending contract awards;
  • Assists in formulation of policies and procedures relating to area(s) of responsibility and implementation of such policies and procedures;
  • Acts as liaison with agency central fiscal and administrative office(s) and/or central state agencies;
  • Performs related duties as required.
  • More information can be found here

KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY

  • Knowledge of
    • principles and practices of public administration with special reference to governmental budget management and governmental accounting;
    • grants and contracts preparation and administration;
    • purchasing principles and procedures;
    • payroll practices and procedures;
  • Skills
    • interpersonal skills;
    • oral and written communication skills;
  • Ability to
    • prepare and analyze financial documents and reports;
    • interpret and apply statutes, regulations and administrative policies;
    • utilize EDP systems for financial management.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - GENERAL EXPERIENCE

Six (6) years of experience in a combination of fiscal/administrative functions (e.g., accounting, accounts examining, budget management, grant administration, payroll, purchasing) at least one of which must be an accounting or budgeting function.*

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - SPECIAL EXPERIENCE

Two (2) years of the General Experience must have been at or above the paraprofessional level, requiring the exercise of some independent judgment in the application of basic principles and procedures in accounting, budgeting, purchasing or related fiscal administration functions.

NOTE: Connecticut Careers Trainee experience (target Fiscal/Administrative Officer or closely related class) is at the professional training level and above the paraprofessional level.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - SUBSTITUTIONS ALLOWED

  • College training may be substituted for the General Experience on the basis of fifteen (15) semester hours equalling one-half (l/2) year of experience to a maximum of four (4) years for a Bachelor's degree.
  • A Master's degree in public administration, business administration or accounting may be substituted for one (1) year of the Special Experience.
  • For state employees two (2) years as a Fiscal/Administrative Assistant may be substituted for the General and Special Experience.
  • For state employees two (2) years as a Purchasing Assistant may be substituted for the General and Special Experience.
  • Successful completion of a Connecticut Careers Trainee program approved by the Department of Administrative Services may be substituted for the General Experience and Special Experience.  
*Descriptions of these fiscal/administrative functions are attached

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

  • Experience working with advanced features of Microsoft (MS) Office including Excel and Word.
  • Experience reviewing financial expenditure reports or records and identifying questionable or unallowable expenses.
  • Experience managing multiple time sensitive priorities in a high workload environment involving collaboration with other internal and external partners to ensure timely completion of deliverables.
  • Experience in interpreting and applying statutes, regulations, and administrative policies.
  • Experience using initiative, organizational skills, and problem solving to complete tasks on time.

Conclusion

AN AFFIRMATIVE ACTION/EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

The State of Connecticut is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and strongly encourages the applications of women, minorities, and persons with disabilities.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

As defined by Sec. 5-196 of the Connecticut General Statutes, a job class is a position or group of positions that share general characteristics and are categorized under a single title for administrative purposes.  As such, a job class is not meant to be all-inclusive of every task and/or responsibility.