• Job Description

  Req#: 538055

  ARIZONA CRIMINAL JUSTICE COMMISSION The Arizona Criminal Justice Commission’s mission is to continuously address, improve, sustain, and enhance public safety in the State of Arizona through the coordination, cohesiveness, and effectiveness of the Criminal Justice System.

  CHIEF OF PROGRAMS

  Job Location:

  1110 West Washington Street

  Phoenix, Arizona 85007

  Posting Details:

  Salary: $77,958 - $141,454
  

  Grade: 28
  

  Open Until Business Needs Are Met

  Job Summary:

  The Chief of Programs provides executive leadership over the Arizona Criminal Justice Commission’s programmatic operations and is responsible for carrying out the agency’s Chief Financial Officer function.

  Will oversee statewide criminal justice programs and direct the agency’s finance activities to ensure effective grant administration, fiscal accountability, and compliance with state and federal requirements. In this role, the Chief of Programs integrates program oversight with budgeting, financial reporting, procurement, grant drawdowns, and grant development.

  The Chief of Programs serves as the primary connection between programs and finance, supports proactive fiscal risk management, and advises the Executive Director on programmatic, financial, and operational issues.

  The Chief of Programs is a member of the agency’s executive leadership team and plays a central role in maintaining the integrity, sustainability, and effectiveness of the agency’s work.

  This position may offer the ability to work remotely, within Arizona, based upon the department's business needs and continual meeting of expected performance measures.

  Job Duties:

  Program Oversight -

  • Uses Arizona’s statewide accounting system (AZ360) and human resources system (AZ360-HR) to monitor fiscal health, staffing costs, grant alignment, and financial risk

  • Directs the management, implementation, and evaluation of all ACJC- administered grant programs, ensuring compliance with agency goals and funding requirements

  • Directs and oversees statewide criminal justice programs, including Drug Programs, Victim Services Programs, and Criminal Justice Systems Improvement Programs

  • Oversees budgeting, expenditure control, payroll coordination, financial reporting, and internal controls in compliance with state and federal requirements

  • Oversees grant drawdowns and cash management, including the use of the federal Automated Standard Application for Payments (ASAP) system

  • Chief Financial Officer by providing executive oversight of finance operations

  Policy & Strategic Planning -

  • Develops programmatic policies and procedures, ensuring alignment with state and federal regulations

  • Engages in long-term strategic planning for program enhancements

  Stakeholder & Legislative Engagement -

  • Represents ACJC in meetings with state and federal agencies, legislative bodies, and community organizations. Collaborates with external stakeholders to improve program outcomes

  Cross-Departmental Coordination -

  • Leads organizational change and cross-functional collaboration to strengthen accountability, alignment, and long-term agency effectiveness

  • Works closely with the Chief of Operations to integrate audit functions, research, IT, and administrative support for programs

  Knowledge, Skills & Abilities (KSAs):

  Knowledge of:

  • Federal grant cash management requirements, including the Automated Standard Application for Payments (ASAP)

  • Arizona’s statewide accounting system (AZ360), including budgeting, expenditures, encumbrances, and reporting

  • Arizona’s human resources system (AZ360-HR), including payroll, position control, and personnel cost tracking

  • Federal and state grant administration from award through closeout

  • Public sector accounting, internal controls, and risk management

  • 2 CFR 200, DOJ grant requirements, and Arizona fiscal rules

  Skill in:

  • Overseeing finance and procurement operations in a regulated government environment

  • Analyzing financial, payroll, and program data to support executive decisions

  • Communicating complex fiscal and compliance information clearly

  • Grant development, including budgets and fiscal narratives

  • Leading organizational change and cross-functional teams

  Ability to:

  • Team-oriented leadership style with the ability to support agency-wide goals and cross-division collaboration

  • Communicate effectively with executive leadership, staff, external partners, and oversight entities

  • Integrate program and financial oversight while maintaining strong internal financial controls

  • Exercise sound judgment under time-sensitive and high-risk conditions

  • Maintain executive credibility across programs, finance, and leadership

  • Identify fiscal and compliance risk and implement corrective action

  • Balance compliance requirements with operational needs

  • Perform the agency’s Chief Financial Officer function

  Selective Preference(s):

  • Equivalent combinations of education and progressively responsible experience that demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities required for the position may be substituted for the degree

  • Experience providing executive-level fiscal oversight, including budgeting, financial reporting, procurement, internal financial controls, and risk management

  • A bachelor’s degree in public administration, finance, accounting, business administration, criminal justice, or a related field

  • Experience supervising professional staff, including managers, analysts, auditors, or fiscal personnel

  Pre-Employment Requirements:

  • Eight to ten years of progressively responsible experience at the supervisory or executive management level in program administration, finance, grant management, or audit within a federal, state, county, or municipal government agency

  • Experience using Arizona’s statewide accounting system (AZ360) and human resources system (AZ360-HR) to manage budgets, payroll, staffing costs, or financial reporting is required

  • Demonstrated experience overseeing multiple grant-funded programs, including responsibility for program performance, compliance, budgeting, and grant financial management

  • Requires possession of and ability to retain a current, valid state-issued driver’s license appropriate to the assignment

  • This position requires driving or the use of a vehicle as an essential function of the job to conduct State business; then the following requirements apply: Driver’s License Requirements.

  Benefits:

  The State of Arizona offers a comprehensive benefits package, including:

  • Sick leave

  • Retirement plan

  • Health and dental insurance

  • Vacation with 10 paid holidays per year

  • Life insurance and long-term disability insurance

  • Optional employee benefits include short-term disability insurance, deferred compensation plans, and supplemental life insurance

  • Learn more about the Paid Parental Leave pilot program here. For a complete list of benefits provided by the State of Arizona, please visit our benefits page

  Retirement:

  • Positions in this classification participate in the Arizona State Retirement System (ASRS)

  • Please note, enrollment eligibility will become effective after 27 weeks of employment

  Contact Us:

  • If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Brian Westerberg at brian.westerberg@azdoa.gov

• About the company

  Arizona is on a mission to become the #1 state in the nation in which to live, work, play, get an education, and retire. Arizona state government plays a vital role in making this happen, and in order to maximize our potential the State of Arizona must operate in way that demonstrates a business-like approach. We are looking for enthusiastic and talented people to join the team.

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