School Business Administrator

MPTCS•Newark, NJ

About The Position

MISSION: The mission of Marion P. Thomas Charter School is to build culturally rich, transformative, educational spaces that cultivate successful, lifelong innovators who use their passions, character, and intellect to better themselves, the greater Newark community, and the world beyond. QUALIFICATIONS: 1. Valid New Jersey School Business Administrator Certificate or Certificate of Eligibility. 2. Prior experience as a School Business Administrator or Assistant SBA in a New Jersey public school district. 3. Demonstrated understanding of the principles and practices of public-school financial accounting and reporting consistent with statute, administrative code, and GAAP. 4. Knowledge of accepted business practices in New Jersey school districts related to budget preparation and administration, risk management, purchasing, transportation, food services, facilities operations, NJDOE regulations, and long-range planning; knowledge of charter schools is preferred. 5. Demonstrated organizational, leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills. 6. Required criminal history background check and verification of eligibility to work in the United States. REPORTS TO: Superintendent of Schools SUPERVISES: All business office personnel. JOB GOAL: To supervise, manage, and coordinate the business and financial affairs of the school district efficiently and effectively in order to support the educational program and ensure compliance with all applicable federal and state laws, regulations, and Board of Trustees policies. PERFORMANCE RESPONSIBILITIES (including but not limited to): Budget and Finance 1. Assists the Superintendent in the preparation of the annual school district budget and is responsible for the administration of all phases of the budget throughout the fiscal year. 2. Maintains accurate and detailed financial records as required by statute, administrative code, and Board of Trustees policy. 3. Audits all claims, invoices, and demands; prepares items for Board of Trustees approval; and arranges for timely payment. 4. Oversees the collection, deposit, and transmission of district funds in accordance with law and Board of Trustees policy. 5. Serves as the official purchasing agent of the Board of Trustees and ensures procurement complies with the Public School Contracts Law and Board policy. 6. Oversees payroll administration and ensures proper maintenance of records related to auditing requirements, tax laws, and employee compensation. 7. Oversees the investment of district funds in accordance with statute and the Board of Trustees policy. 8. Coordinates the annual independent audit and ensures appropriate corrective action on audit findings. 9. Serves as the Treasurer of School Monies in accordance with New Jersey statute, with responsibility for the custody, deposit, investment, and disbursement of all district funds, and for maintaining appropriate banking relationships and cash management controls. 10. Oversees the fiscal administration of all state and federal grant programs, including ESSA, IDEA, and the Preschool Education Aid (Preschool) Grant; ensures proper budgeting, allowability of expenditures, monitoring, reporting, and compliance with grant requirements; and coordinates grant-related audits, including Single Audit requirements, as applicable. Facilities and Operations 1. Oversees the operation, maintenance, and safety of all school facilities and ensures compliance with applicable local, state, and federal health and safety requirements. 2. Assists the Superintendent in the development and implementation of the district’s comprehensive maintenance plan and long-range facilities plan. 3. Oversees food services operations in compliance with applicable laws and regulations. 4. Oversees the safe and efficient operation of the student transportation program, including contracted services. 5. Assists in projecting facility needs and overseeing capital projects and construction programs. Human Resources and Labor Relations Support 1. Oversees employee benefits administration in accordance with Board-approved plans. 2. Ensures compliance with collective bargaining agreements and applicable employment laws. 3. Supports the Superintendent in negotiations and personnel-related fiscal analysis. Purchasing, Contracts, and Risk Management 1. Administers purchasing and contracting activities in accordance with the Public School Contracts Law and Board of Trustees policy. 2. Prepares and oversees bids, requests for proposals, and contractual agreements. 3. Administers the district’s insurance, risk management, and claims programs. 4. Designs, implements, and monitors a system of internal controls, including segregation of duties and fraud prevention measures, to safeguard district assets and ensure compliance with applicable laws, regulations, and auditing standards. Records Management 1. Serves as the district Records Management Officer and ensures records retention and destruction in accordance with state schedules. 2. Coordinates requests and ensures compliance with the Open Public Records Act (OPRA), in collaboration with the designated custodian of records. Compliance and Reporting 1. Ensures district compliance with the New Jersey Charter School Performance Framework (SPF), NJDOE monitoring requirements and other applicable accountability standards. 2. Establishes and monitors internal controls to safeguard district assets. 3. Serves as liaison to auditors, legal counsel, and governmental agencies related to fiscal and operational matters. 4. Oversees and ensures the accurate, timely completion and submission of all required New Jersey Department of Education fiscal reports and data systems, including but not limited to ASSA, district budget submissions and amendments, AFR/CAFR (as applicable), corrective action plans, and any other state or federal financial reporting requirements. Miscellaneous Performs such other duties as may be prescribed by law or assigned by the Superintendent of Schools. TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT: Twelve (12) month position. Salary, benefits, and contract terms as established by the Board of Trustees. EVALUATION: Performance shall be evaluated annually by the Superintendent of Schools in accordance with New Jersey law and Board of Trustees policy. NEXT STEPS: MPTCS is currently reviewing applications on a rolling basis. Due to the high volume of responses received not every applicant will be contacted. If you meet the qualifications, you will be contacted to move forward in the selection process. Marion P. Thomas Charter School provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.

Requirements

Valid New Jersey School Business Administrator Certificate or Certificate of Eligibility.
Prior experience as a School Business Administrator or Assistant SBA in a New Jersey public school district.
Demonstrated understanding of the principles and practices of public-school financial accounting and reporting consistent with statute, administrative code, and GAAP.
Knowledge of accepted business practices in New Jersey school districts related to budget preparation and administration, risk management, purchasing, transportation, food services, facilities operations, NJDOE regulations, and long-range planning; knowledge of charter schools is preferred.
Demonstrated organizational, leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills.
Required criminal history background check and verification of eligibility to work in the United States.

Nice To Haves

knowledge of charter schools is preferred.

Responsibilities

Assists the Superintendent in the preparation of the annual school district budget and is responsible for the administration of all phases of the budget throughout the fiscal year.
Maintains accurate and detailed financial records as required by statute, administrative code, and Board of Trustees policy.
Audits all claims, invoices, and demands; prepares items for Board of Trustees approval; and arranges for timely payment.
Oversees the collection, deposit, and transmission of district funds in accordance with law and Board of Trustees policy.
Serves as the official purchasing agent of the Board of Trustees and ensures procurement complies with the Public School Contracts Law and Board policy.
Oversees payroll administration and ensures proper maintenance of records related to auditing requirements, tax laws, and employee compensation.
Oversees the investment of district funds in accordance with statute and the Board of Trustees policy.
Coordinates the annual independent audit and ensures appropriate corrective action on audit findings.
Serves as the Treasurer of School Monies in accordance with New Jersey statute, with responsibility for the custody, deposit, investment, and disbursement of all district funds, and for maintaining appropriate banking relationships and cash management controls.
Oversees the fiscal administration of all state and federal grant programs, including ESSA, IDEA, and the Preschool Education Aid (Preschool) Grant; ensures proper budgeting, allowability of expenditures, monitoring, reporting, and compliance with grant requirements; and coordinates grant-related audits, including Single Audit requirements, as applicable.
Oversees the operation, maintenance, and safety of all school facilities and ensures compliance with applicable local, state, and federal health and safety requirements.
Assists the Superintendent in the development and implementation of the district’s comprehensive maintenance plan and long-range facilities plan.
Oversees food services operations in compliance with applicable laws and regulations.
Oversees the safe and efficient operation of the student transportation program, including contracted services.
Assists in projecting facility needs and overseeing capital projects and construction programs.
Oversees employee benefits administration in accordance with Board-approved plans.
Ensures compliance with collective bargaining agreements and applicable employment laws.
Supports the Superintendent in negotiations and personnel-related fiscal analysis.
Administers purchasing and contracting activities in accordance with the Public School Contracts Law and Board of Trustees policy.
Prepares and oversees bids, requests for proposals, and contractual agreements.
Administers the district’s insurance, risk management, and claims programs.
Designs, implements, and monitors a system of internal controls, including segregation of duties and fraud prevention measures, to safeguard district assets and ensure compliance with applicable laws, regulations, and auditing standards.
Serves as the district Records Management Officer and ensures records retention and destruction in accordance with state schedules.
Coordinates requests and ensures compliance with the Open Public Records Act (OPRA), in collaboration with the designated custodian of records.
Ensures district compliance with the New Jersey Charter School Performance Framework (SPF), NJDOE monitoring requirements and other applicable accountability standards.
Establishes and monitors internal controls to safeguard district assets.
Serves as liaison to auditors, legal counsel, and governmental agencies related to fiscal and operational matters.
Oversees and ensures the accurate, timely completion and submission of all required New Jersey Department of Education fiscal reports and data systems, including but not limited to ASSA, district budget submissions and amendments, AFR/CAFR (as applicable), corrective action plans, and any other state or federal financial reporting requirements.
Performs such other duties as may be prescribed by law or assigned by the Superintendent of Schools.