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FULL TIME PERMANENT POSITION:
Director of Finance and Operations,
Albany Pine Bush Preserve Commission

To apply online click here

BACKGROUND INFORMATION
Located in the heart of New York’s Capital Region, the Albany Pine Bush Preserve currently consists of 3,010 protected acres. The Preserve serves to protect a globally rare inland pine barrens ecosystem, the federally endangered Karner blue butterfly, numerous other rare species or natural communities and a diversity of additional species. The Preserve provides an invaluable open space, recreational and educational resource for Capital District residents, businesses and visitors. Protection and management of the Preserve is the responsibility of the Albany Pine Bush Preserve Commission, a New York State commission which was legislatively created in 1988. The Commission consists of representatives from The Nature Conservancy, City of Albany, Towns of Colonie and Guilderland, Albany County, NYS Department of Environmental Conservation, NYS Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation and four private citizens appointed by the Governor. The Commission is responsible for a 27,000 square-foot state-owned building that provides staff office space, the Albany Pine Bush Discovery Center - an educational nature facility that reaches tens of thousands of visitors annually, and leased tenant space.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

A. Finance and Operations

• Responsible for the management, maintenance and reporting of all financial data.
• Works with Executive Director to develop annual Commission budgets, and monitor and maintain all financial information, (including accounts payable, funds received and receivable, and travel reimbursements), and processing of internal financial forms.
• Monitors monthly accounting reports and key asset and liability account balances, monitors endowment and loan budget centers.
• Provides recommendations related to finances in the overall organizational planning, policy development and implementation.
• Works with staff to coordinate the procurement of materials, supplies and services for the Commission in a financially-sound manner.
• Works with staff to develop contracts with key vendors and ensures compliance and reporting requirements relating to operations of the Commission
• Familiarity with Human Resources regulations.
• Provides assistance to personnel on various HR-related issues.

B. Public and private grants

• Responsible for the overall administration of all aspects of government or privately-funded awards, including review of proposals and preparation of budgets, set-up in central finance systems, preparation and submission of all invoices and financial reports to agencies, and maintenance of master agreement files.
• Works closely with appropriate staff project managers to ensure that the terms and conditions of agreements are met and properly documented, and directly with agency contracting officers to clarify or negotiate financial and administrative requirements.

• Reviews government grants accounting transactions, ensuring appropriate match transfers are completed.

• Responsible for the administrative aspects of any partner or shared awards, including assistance with due diligence activities, preparation and revision of agreements, review of invoices and financial reports, and maintenance of award files.
• Works closely with project managers to ensure that the terms and conditions of agreements are met and properly documented.

KNOWLEDGE/SKILLS:

• Bachelor’s degree plus 3-5 years related experience or equivalent combination. Non-profit accounting and U.S. government grants accounting experience preferred.
• Excellent communications both orally and in writing.
• Current knowledge of applicable U.S. Federal government circulars (OMB Circulars A-110, A-122 and A-133), state and local regulations, and of meaning of standard contract clauses.
• Demonstrated experience in MS Office (Word and Excel; Access desirable). Technical command of spreadsheet programs, general ledger reports and other financial management tools. Ability to manipulate, analyze and interpret data.
• Proven organizational and analytical skills and attention to detail.
• Expert knowledge of GAAP and understanding of fund accounting principles, practices and regulations.
• Technical expertise with complex accounting/financial issues.
• Solid knowledge and experience using and maintaining automated systems.

 COMPLEXITY/PROBLEM SOLVING:

• Coordinate multiple tasks with several variables, under pressure of tight deadlines.
• Interpret guidelines and analyze factual information to adapt or modify processes in response to changing circumstances.
• Solve routine problems independently; consult Supervisor for unusual or complex problems.
• Acts as a resource to others to identify and solve problems.

DISCRETION/LATITUDE/DECISION-MAKING:

• Exercise independent judgement. Work affords significant opportunity to act independently on assigned tasks.
• Act in Supervisor’s stead when instructed.
• Ability to exercise discretion and maintain confidences.

RESPONSIBILITY/OVERSIGHT –FINANCIAL & SUPERVISORY:

• Financial responsibility includes assisting Executive Director with budget preparation and monitoring program and project budgets.
• Responsible for monitoring grants and accounting transactions for compliance with USG regulations.

COMMUNICATIONS/INTERPERSONAL CONTACTS:

• Must be able to work collaboratively with others.
• Communicates with internal and external contacts to seek or convey information and coordinate arrangements.
• Provides a variety of information to staff and others to assist workflow throughout the organization.
• Communication and presentation skills; ability to present technical financial and grants accounting material.

WORKING CONDITIONS/PHYSICAL EFFORT:

• Work requires only minor physical exertion and/or physical strain. Work environment involves only infrequent exposure to disagreeable elements.
• Willingness to travel and work flexible hours.

APPLICATION DEADLINE: JULY 11, 2008
To apply online click here

Or

Mail cover letter and resume to:

Christopher Hawver, Executive Director
Albany Pine Bush Preserve Commission
195 New Karner Road
Albany , New York 12205

No phone calls please.

Seasonal Positions for 2007

The Commission will be advertising several Student Conservation Association positions over the next year. Please visit the SCA website at www.THESCA.org, where you can see the complete job descriptions, dates, etc. and then apply through SCA.

THE ALBANY PINE BUSH PRESERVE COMMISSION IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER.