Deputy Superintendent of Business and Operations

The NWESD aspires to be a racially and culturally inclusive staff that reflects the diversity of those we serve. We believe this strengthens our organization, stimulates creativity, promotes the exchange of ideas, and enriches staff engagement.

Summary:

The Deputy Superintendent for Business and Operations leads and coordinates NWESD’s business, financial, technology, human resources, operations, and compliance functions. This role manages information sharing for 35 member school districts, including budgets, grants, and cooperatives. In collaboration with the Director of Strategy, Growth, and Innovation, the position supports long-term sustainability through innovative practices in HR, technology, and finance. It also oversees certain cooperatives, provides technical guidance, and assists the Superintendent in aligning departments and programs that deliver NWESD services. The Deputy Superintendent plays a key role in agency growth, innovation, and statewide service delivery through the AESD network. This position serves as a liaison among NWESD departments, local districts, state agencies, governance committees, and OSPI, and directly oversees internal and external fiscal operations and compliance.

Essential Functions:

Duties listed are intended to provide a summary of the major duties and responsibilities of this position. Employee(s) may not perform all duties listed and may be required to perform additional duties not listed, but within the general scope of the position.

Strategic Leadership

• Assists the Superintendent in providing leadership for NWESD departments, programs, and cooperatives in; new cooperative formation, divisions, needs assessments, feasibility study/budget development, technical assistance, planning, implementation, and evaluation activities ensuring compliance with state policies and regulations. Assumes responsibility in ensuring that the goals and objectives are met, and budget, legal, and policy requirements are satisfied.
• Directly supervises staff including scheduling, planning and initiating strategies for performance, assigning and directing the work, training, administering disciplinary measures, recommending salary adjustments to the Superintendent, formally reviewing performance, resolving complaints, and recommending the hiring and termination of staff within assigned areas of responsibility.
• Supervises, in partnership with Superintendent and Deputy Superintendent of Student and Instructional Services, NWESD coordination with outside agencies, including other ESDs, AESD Statewide Network, OSPI, governmental agencies, and professional organizations, on business and operations related issues.
• In partnership with the Deputy Superintendent for Student and Instructional Services, serves as support for the activities associated with the Coordinated Service Agreements, including development of budgets and work plans, implementation of the agreements, attendance at meetings, leadership, and in-house coordination.
• Supports contract and fiscal planning, negotiation, and compliance in collaboration with internal and external staff, the Student and Instructional Services Division, and under Superintendent oversight. Partners with the Superintendent and Deputy Superintendent to review, update, and advance NWESD’s mission and goals.
• Anticipates significant changes in district needs, service opportunities, trends, regulations, and funding to allow the NWESD to be proactive and responsive to educational issues and local needs.
• Proactively identifies and accesses resource opportunities through grant acquisition, cooperative agreements, and other methods to permit realization of the NWESD mission and purpose.
• Assists in the development and analysis of new cooperative ideas, fiscal services, and/or strategies for modifying, improving, or extending services provided to local school districts, OSPI and collaborative efforts.
• Develops and implements strategies for improving and maintaining positive communication and public relations with districts, OSPI, colleges/universities, ESDs, agencies, and professional organizations.

Tactical Leadership

• Provides leadership, management, supervision, coordination and integration of Fiscal, Technology, and Human Resource Services and related activities of the NWESD.
• Oversees the NWESD record retention program.
• Coordinates and oversees NWESD risk management program.
• Directs the preparation of annual, monthly, and periodic financial statements and reports. Prepares or directs the preparation of fiscal reports as requested by the Board or Superintendent.
• Supervises and monitors the depositing and investment of funds under the control of the NWESD.
• Collects, maintains, and provides statistical data to the Superintendent for budget, planning, and evaluation purposes. Anticipates trends and keeps Superintendent informed as needed.
• Directs and supervises the preparation and management of the NWESD budget, monitoring of revenues and expenditures, and cash flow/collections.
• Provides guidance and training as appropriate to departments in the application and interpretation of accounting and operational policies/procedures, and generally accepted accounting principles.
• Supervises fiscal department assistance with audit resolution(s).
• Supervises direct business services provided to districts in accordance with contractual agreements.
• Supervises fiscal and transportation department consultations with member districts related to technical and operational matters in respective areas of expertise; budget and budget extension preparation, personnel reports, financial reporting, implementation of accounting procedures, and internal controls, within the resources provided for such services. Supervises fiscal department approval of budgets and budget extensions for second class school districts.
• Assures for appropriate supervision of various cooperatives (e.g., Unemployment Pool, Industrial Insurance Cooperatives) within the fiscal department.
• Provides leadership to the Northwest Regional Data Center (NWRDC), through supervision and coaching of the NWRDC Director.

Growth and Development

• Participates in ongoing professional development and research necessary to perform required tasks.
• Provides and/or facilitates administrative support, self-study, evaluation, and technical assistance to districts and staff. Maintains a work schedule, which increases visibility in local districts.
• Provides support and technical assistance to districts in implementing state mandated programs.
• In partnership with the Deputy Superintendent of Student and Instructional Services, provides liaison with state agencies, professional organizations and task forces. Represents the NWESD at professional meetings and conferences as appropriate. Assists with press relations/contacts, as requested by the Superintendent.
• Keeps informed of and interprets laws, regulations, rules, audit requirements and policies affecting the NWESD.
• Attends Board meetings and coordinates reports for the Board, as requested by the Superintendent.
• May serve in the absence of the Superintendent, and at his/her request, as the chief administrative officer of the NWESD.

Required knowledge, skills, and abilities:

• Knowledge of modern principles, practices, and procedures of governmental accounting and auditing.
• Knowledge of pertinent laws, rules, and regulations related to public agency funding, record keeping, accounting, and budgetary records, specifically in WA school districts.
• Knowledge of WA School Information Processing Cooperative(WSIPC) and NWRDC systems.
• Knowledge of relevant WA resources on tax, business, municipal, grant, employment, and bidding laws and practices applicable to school and educational service districts.
• Knowledge of general organizational, economic, accounting, and auditing theory.
• Demonstrated successful leadership and supervisory skills.
• Knowledge of computer software and hardware relative to data collection and retrieval, specifically for the WSIPC/NWRDC, the state personnel, budgeting, and finance systems.
• Ability to analyze, interpret and apply appropriate laws, policies, and procedures while considering the impact of the recommendations and decisions on the NWESD.
• Ability to communicate effectively with a variety of audiences, orally and in writing about complex financial and management issues.
• Ability to apply economic theory, accounting theory (GASB & FASB) and auditing theory (GAAS and Single Audit) in a climate of change.
• Ability to interpret, implement, and apply Washington excise and property tax law, business law, municipal law, grant law, employment law (e.g., Federal – ERISA, FLSA, FMLA and State – Retirement, L & I, Unemployment) and bidding laws/practices in the NWESD and school district settings.
• Ability to effectively organize, set priorities and coordinate multiple business functions.
• Ability to answer substantive questions relating to NWESD and school district accounting policies and procedures in a timely manner.
• Ability to work well with others to accomplish system objectives and to function as an effective member of the NWESD management team.
• Ability to use human relation skills in order to provide quality customer service.
• Ability to prepare accurate, clear and concise statistical statements and reports. Ability to interpret complex financial reports and statements.
• Ability to work with a high degree of accuracy and attention to detail.
• Ability to research, develop and implement improvements in financial and auditing systems, procedures, forms, and records for the NWESD as well as the school districts.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with co-workers, Board members, NWESD Superintendent and local school districts, district staff, elected officials, media, state and federal NWESD representatives, and the public.

Qualifications:

Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting, Business, Public Administration or related field and a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) Certificate preferred.  Master’s Degree preferred. A minimum of five years of applicable experience in school or public finance and business management required, three (3) years of which preferably have been at a district finance level.  An equivalent combination of education and experience may be substituted which provides the skills, knowledge and abilities to perform the essential functions of the position. WSP/FBI criminal history background clearance required. Valid Washington State driver’s license and proof of insurance required. Must maintain bondability.

Working Conditions/Physical Requirements:

Work is performed primarily in an office environment; however, routine travel is required to visit local school districts and affiliate agencies, as well as for workshops, committee representation, or conferences. Lifts and carries a maximum of forty (40) pounds. Adequate manual and finger dexterity, hearing, speech, and vision are necessary to perform the essential functions of this position.

Hazards:  Potential hazards are present bases on the fact that the position requires the incumbent to drive a significant amount. Hazards may include but are not limited to traveling alone, driving in inclement weather conditions, and varied road conditions.

The statements contained herein reflect general details as necessary to describe the essential functions of this position, the level of knowledge and skill typically required, and the scope of responsibility, but should not be considered an all-inclusive listing of work requirements. Individuals may perform other duties as assigned, including work in other functional areas to cover absences or relief, to equalize peak work periods, or otherwise to balance the workload. Changes to the position description may be made at the discretion of the employer.

It is the policy of the Northwest Educational Service District No. 189 to not discriminate against any person with regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, marital status, physical or mental disability, or citizenship or immigration status.