DEPUTY DIRECTOR (Q302C)

POSITION:   Assistant Director, Fiscal Services Division

GRADE:        SE04

SUMMARY OF POSITION:          The Assistant Director for Fiscal Services works under the direct supervision of the Director of the Bureau of Legislative Research.  The Assistant Director is the immediate supervisor for the Administrators of the Budget and Fiscal Review Section and the Personnel Review Section, as well as the Administrative Assistant to the Assistant Director. The Assistant Director is responsible for the general planning, management, and operation of the Fiscal Services Division.  The Assistant Director is the primary staff of the Arkansas Legislative Council/Joint Budget Committee and the Joint Budget Committee.

Under the new pay plan this position is a grade EXE03.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:          

• Direct the planning and operation of the Fiscal Services Division, including reviewing and making recommendations regarding the needs of the division for staffing, equipment, policies, and procedures.
• Supervise the administrators of each of the two (2) sections in the division, including staff assignments and the approval of leave requests.
• Primary staff for Arkansas Legislative Council/Joint Budget Committee and the Joint Budget Committee, including providing staff support during annual budget hearings and legislative sessions and scheduling all state agency budget hearing dates and times.
• Evaluate the job performance of section administrators and the administrative assistant to the assistant director.
• Participate in the hiring of new division employees by receiving input from the administrator as to the best candidates for the position, conducting final interviews with applicants recommended by the administrator, and making the final hiring decision with the input of the administrator.
• Ensure compliance with the Bureau Employee Policy Manual within the division.
• Be available to members of the General Assembly, state agency staff, and Bureau staff to provide answers to fiscal issues that may arise.
• Approve the assignment of state agency responsibilities for legislative analysts, bill drafting, and fiscal services division research projects.
• Draft appropriation bills and amendments as requested by members of the General Assembly.
• Provide state budget and fiscal expertise as requested by legislative committees and members of the General Assembly.
• Approve various budget and fiscal-related publications produced by the Fiscal Services Division.
• Approve the summary of appropriation acts passed during Regular and Fiscal Legislative Sessions for publication.
• Develop and maintain expertise in the development of state agency budgeting and fiscal practices and history, the overall state budget, including monitoring state and federal budget changes, news items, and emerging developments.
• Classified as “essential personnel” during legislative sessions.

OTHER FUNCTIONS:

• Prepare materials and conduct presentations concerning the legislative budget process, types of appropriation bills, and the types and sources of revenues used to fund state agency operations.
• Prepare materials concerning the functions and duties of committees with fiscal oversight responsibilities.
• Occasional out-of-state travel to conferences and seminars.
• Perform other related duties as requested by the Director of the Bureau.

QUALIFICATIONS/SKILLS:

• Post-graduate degree from an accredited college or university.
• Education, experience, and abilities commensurate with assigned duties and subject matter areas.
• Knowledge of state budgeting and fiscal laws.
• Knowledge of state and federal laws and constitutions.
• Knowledge of the legislative process and the functions of state and federal agencies.
• Knowledge of laws, precedents, and procedures related to the General Assembly.
• Knowledge of the Bureau Bill Drafting Manual and the laws and precedents related to statutory construction.
• Knowledge of Bureau policies and procedures.
• Ability to conduct objective legal research and perform legal analysis.
• Ability to organize workload and set priorities.
• Ability to communicate with Bureau Staff, state agency staff, members of the General Assembly, and members of the public.

PRODUCTION STANDARDS:

• Effectively supervises division personnel, including providing competent assistance and supervision to professional and support staff that aids in developing their quality of work.
• Demonstrates the ability to capably and confidently interview prospective employees.
• Accurately analyzes and provides legislative solutions to complex fiscal issues.
• Adept in communicating with Bureau staff, members of the General Assembly, state agency staff, and members of the public, both verbally and in writing.
• Demonstrates proficient time management skills, including the ability to complete work under strict time deadlines.
• Demonstrates ability to provide valid solutions to staff or member complaints or issues.