Bureau Chief of Finance and Administration (Transportation Chief of Fiscal and Administrative Services)

Introduction

The State of Connecticut, Department of Transportation (DOT), is now accepting applications to fill the DOT Bureau Chief of Finance and Administration. This Bureau provides oversight and management of all financial, facilities, workforce, and other administrative functions of the Department through its five offices, Finance, Operations and Support, Workforce Development, Negotiations, and External Audit. The Bureau has over 350 staff that oversee administration and support functions of the entire agency which has over 3,300 employees.

This position requires a strong leader who has proven ability to manage large teams and has exceptional knowledge of State financial and operational policies. The candidate should have strong communication and organizational abilities and a proven track record of success in executive leadership roles.

WHAT WE CAN OFFER YOU

Visit our new State Employee Benefits Overview page!

• Professional growth and development opportunities


• A healthy work/life balance to all employees


• Join an award winning agency! CTDOT has been recently awarded the Employer of the Year award by the Connecticut Society of Civil Engineers (CSCE) and named the Women’s Transportation Seminar (WTS) CT Employer of the Year for 2024!

WHO WE ARE

As one of the state’s largest agencies, the CTDOT employs over 3,300 employees statewide in five distinct Bureaus. The mission of CTDOT is to provide a safe and efficient multimodal transportation network that improves the quality of life and promotes economic vitality for the State and the region. We have a significant transportation infrastructure system, including major bus and rail systems, that is essential to maintaining mobility for Connecticut residents and businesses and supporting economic and community development.

THE ROLE

CTDOT is seeking an accomplished executive to lead its Bureau of Finance and Administration. The Bureau Chief of Finance and Administration (Transportation Chief of Fiscal and Administrative Services) is a member of CTDOT’s executive leadership team, reports directly to the Commissioner of Transportation, and provides strategic leadership over the financial, contractual, administrative, business office, workforce development, human resource, and physical operations that support the Department’s statewide transportation program.

This position offers a unique opportunity to help lead one of Connecticut state government’s largest and most complex organizations during a period of significant investment in the state’s transportation system.

The Bureau Chief leads approximately 350 professional, support, and maintenance staff responsible for managing billions of dollars in operating and capital resources and providing the financial and administrative infrastructure necessary to deliver CTDOT’s programs. The position requires an experienced leader with demonstrated success in financial management, organizational leadership, business functions, facility and operational services, strategic planning, regulatory compliance, and the development and implementation of sound fiscal and administrative policy.

Bureau Offices

• Office of Finance — The Office manages the financial framework supporting CTDOT’s multibillion-dollar annual operating and capital programs and coordinates with state financial agencies on all transportation funding matters. The Office oversees CTDOT’s budgeting, accounting, payroll, accounts receivable, capital programming, cash management, financial management, construction bidding and contracting, consultant and other Department agreements, commodity and service procurements, contractor prequalification, and other major contractual activities supporting CTDOT’s transportation program.


• Office of Operations and Support — Provides oversight of property, facilities, and motor pool, as well as managing inventory, procurement, records management, asset management, accounts payable, and other business services necessary to support CTDOT operations statewide. The Office also oversees the maintenance, security, and operation of approximately 500 Department facilities.


• Office of External Audit — Provides independent financial and compliance oversight of consultants, contractors, municipalities, utilities, railroads, and recipients of state and federal transportation funding, helping ensure public funds are properly administered and expenditures comply with applicable state and federal requirements.


• Office of Workforce Development — Management of workforce development functions including human resources, labor relations, equal opportunity and diversity, learning and organizational development, operational training, and safety.


• Office of Negotiations — Oversees the negotiations contracting process and the Negotiations Committee for the Department and operates within the statutorily required process of negotiating consultant agreements that support the planning and design of major projects within our capital program.

THE OPPORTUNITY

The Bureau Chief will have the opportunity to shape how CTDOT manages its financial and administrative resources, modernizes business practices, strengthens accountability, and delivers greater efficiency across the Department.

CTDOT is looking for a strategic and collaborative leader who can lead a large and diverse organization, develop talented professionals, navigate complex financial and regulatory requirements, and identify innovative ways to improve how the Department does business.

For an executive who wants to combine public service, financial stewardship, organizational leadership, and operational transformation, this position offers the opportunity to make a significant impact on Connecticut’s transportation system and the people and businesses that depend on it every day.

POSITION HIGHLIGHTS

• Full-time


• First shift


• Location: Newington, CT

PURPOSE OF JOB CLASS (NATURE OF WORK)

In the Department of Transportation this class is responsible for administering the fiscal and administrative operations of the bureau.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

Administers staff and operations of the bureau;

Develops, implements, and evaluates bureau policies, goals, and objectives to meet department needs;

Designs and develops bureau programs and activities;

Develops, implements, and evaluates department financial related policies, goals, and objectives;

Designs and develops financial related programs and activities;

Implements new procedures and procedural revisions pertaining to policies, departmental personnel regulations, expenditures and administrative methods;

Directs administrative operations for conformance to statutory requirements and departmental rules and regulations;

Determines appropriate staffing levels and directs management and coordination of staff;

Designs and implements performance review standards for bureau staff;

Directs financial planning, control and analysis, budget preparation, and performance monitoring;

Prepares appropriate financial reports;

Prepares agency budget;

Maintains contact with department, state, federal, and local individuals regarding policy or program activities;

Provides fiscal and administrative advice to the Commissioners;

Provides direction to other bureaus regarding fiscal and administrative matters;

Acts as the primary liaison to the Office of Policy and Management on behalf of the Commissioner;

Reviews and recommends legislation relating to the fiscal and administrative operations of the department;

Leads the recruitment and hiring of staff, including outreach, interview and selection;

May represent the department in contacts with other public and private agencies, boards, and commissions;

Performs related duties as required.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY

Considerable knowledge of relevant state and federal laws, statutes, and regulations;

Financial planning, control and analysis, budgetary preparation/control and accounting procedures;

Administrative operations, functions, and systems;

Considerable interpersonal skills;

Oral and written communication skills;

Ability to administer a large-scale transportation fiscal and administrative planning program relative to a long range master transportation plan;

Analyze complex financial data;

Plan, organize, integrate and manage a complex organization.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - GENERAL EXPERIENCE

Ten (10) years in a combination of fiscal/administrative functions (e.g. accounting, accounts examining, budget management, grants administration, personnel, payroll, purchasing).

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - SPECIAL EXPERIENCE

Three (3) years of the General Experience must have been in a large-scale finance or administrative program in a managerial or supervisory capacity.

NOTE

This capacity is interpreted as planning, supervising, organizing, directing and/or controlling resources of a major subdivision of an agency or organization.

For state employees this experience is interpreted at the level of a Fiscal/Administrative Manager 2 or Principal Budget Specialist.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - SUBSTITUTIONS ALLOWED

College training may be substituted for the General Experience on the basis of fifteen (15) semester hours equalling one-half (1/2) year of experience to a maximum of four (4) years for a Bachelor's degree.

A Master's degree in Public Administration, Finance, or Business may be substituted for one (1) additional year of the General Experience.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

Experience leading fiscal and administrative operations in excess of $1 billion within a transportation, infrastructure, public works, or other capital-intensive government organization, including resource planning, operational oversight, and performance management

Experience managing operating and capital budgets involving multiple funding sources, including state appropriations, federal funds, grants, bond funds, or other restricted funding

Experience ensuring compliance with applicable state and federal statutes, regulations, policies, financial requirements, and audit standards in the administration of fiscal and operational programs

Experience overseeing procurement, contracting, consultant agreements, grants, professional services, or other agreements in accordance with applicable statutes, regulations, policies, and procedures

Experience leading the development and implementation of organizational policies, administrative practices, and management strategies to improve operational effectiveness, accountability, compliance, and organizational performance

Experience representing an organization before legislative committees or a board of directors/commission, including providing testimony or responding to legislative/board inquiries

Experience overseeing workforce-related operations and initiatives, including workforce planning, employee development, recruitment and retention, employee engagement, organizational development, or occupational safety, and working collaboratively with human resources and labor relations functions

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.

This employer may participate in E‑Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I‑9 information to confirm work authorization.

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.