Director of Finance and Operations

BACKGROUND INFORMATION
Located in the heart of New York’s Capital Region, the Albany Pine Bush Preserve currently consists of
3,200 protected acres.  The Preserve serves to protect a globally rare inland pine barrens ecosystem, over
45 wildlife Species of Greatest Conservation Need in New York, as well as numerous other rare species
or natural communities.  The Preserve is an invaluable open space, recreational and educational resource
for Capital Region residents, businesses and visitors, receiving between 75,000 and 100,000 people
annually.  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 the commissioner of the New York State Department of Environmental
Conservation; the commissioner of the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic
Preservation; the mayor of the City of Albany; the town supervisors of the towns of Colonie and
Guilderland; the Albany County Executive; the state director of The Nature Conservancy of New York;
and four members appointed by the Governor with the advice and consent of the Senate.  The
Commission manages a 27,000 square-foot state-owned building that provides staff office space, houses
the Albany Pine Bush Discovery Center and leased tenant space.  The Discovery Center is an interactive
educational nature facility that reaches tens of thousands of visitors annually.  The Director of Finance
and Operations is a strategic thought-partner, and reports to the Executive Director (ED). The position is a
participative manager that supervises the Office Manager and supports finance, planning and budgeting,
human resources and administration.
DUTIES:
A. Finance and Operations
? Responsible for the management, maintenance and reporting of all financial data.
? Monitors and maintains all financial information, (including accounts payable and accounts
receivable), and processing of internal financial forms.
? Oversees and leads annual budgeting and planning process in conjunction with the ED;
administer and review all financial plans and budgets; monitor progress and changes and keep
senior supervisors abreast of the organization’s financial status.
? Guides financial decisions by establishing, monitoring, and enforcing policies and procedures.
? Protects assets by establishing, monitoring and enforcing internal controls.
? Ensures compliance with federal, state, and local legal requirements by researching existing and
new legislation, consulting with outside advisors, and filing financial reports. Advises
management of actions and potential risks.
? Coordinates and leads the annual audit process; serves as liaison with external auditors and the
finance/audit committee.
? Prepares monthly financial reports and presents these and other critical financial matters to the
ED and finance/audit committee; presents quarterly reports to the Commission board.
? 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
B. Human Resources
? Develops, recommends, and implements personnel policies and procedures; prepares and
maintains handbook on policies and procedures; performs benefits administration to include
claims resolution, change reporting, approving invoices for payment, annual re-evaluation of
policies for cost effectiveness, information activities program, and cash flow.
? Conducts recruitment effort for all exempt and nonexempt personnel and temporary employees;
conducts new-employee orientations; monitors career path program, employee relations
counseling, outplacement counseling, and exit interviewing; writes and places advertisements.
? Coordinates and/or conducts exit interviews to determine reasons behind separation.
? Consults with legal counsel as appropriate, and/or as directed by the Executive Director on
personnel matters.
? Process by-weekly payroll, manage staff deductions and related benefits.
? Secure and plan annual training according to staff needs.
? Implements and annually updates compensation program; rewrites job descriptions as necessary;
conducts annual salary surveys and develops merit pool (salary budget); analyzes compensation;
monitors performance evaluation program and revises as necessary.
? Provides assistance to personnel on various HR-related issues.
? Maintains compliance with federal and state regulations concerning employment.
? Performs other related duties as required and assigned.
C. 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 grant 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 grant project managers to ensure that the terms and conditions of agreements
are met and properly documented.
REQUIREMENTS:
? Bachelor’s degree plus 5-7 years related experience or equivalent combination. Non-profit accounting
and government grants accounting experience preferred.
? Excellent communication and relationship building skills with an ability to prioritize, negotiate, and
work collaboratively with a variety of internal and external stakeholders; ability to present technical
financial and grants accounting material.
? Demonstrated experience in MS Office (Word and Excel; Access desirable).  Technical command of
spreadsheet programs, general ledger software and other financial management tools.  Ability to
manipulate, analyze and interpret data. Experience with the Financial Edge a plus.  ? Demonstrated experience with grants management.
? A successful track record in setting priorities; keen analytic, organization and problem solving
skills which support and enable sound decision making.
? Expert knowledge of GAAP and understanding of fund accounting principles, practices and
regulations.
? Ability to translate financial concepts to – and to effectively collaborate with staff
who do not necessarily have finance backgrounds.
? Coordinate multiple tasks with several variables, under pressure of tight deadlines.
? Commitment to training programs that maximize individual and organization goals across the
organization including best practices in human resources activities.
? Exercise independent judgment.  Work affords significant opportunity to act independently on
assigned tasks.
? Act in Supervisor’s stead when instructed.
? Ability to exercise discretion and maintain confidences.
? Willingness to travel occasionally and work flexible hours.
? Personal qualities of integrity, credibility, and dedication to the mission of the Albany Pine Bush
Preserve Commission.
Apply by August 15 th
2011 with resume, cover letter and salary requirements to:
Christopher Hawver, Executive Director
Albany Pine Bush Preserve Commission
195 New Karner Road, Suite1
Albany, New York 12205
chawver@albanypinebush.org
PLEASE NO CALLS
The Albany Pine Bush Preserve is an Equal Opportunity Employer