Program Specialist, California Debt Advisory Commission Series

California State Personnel Board Specification

Series established January 8, 1985

Scope

This series specification describes two classes in the California Debt Advisory Commission, responsible for collecting and analyzing data on State and local government tax-exempt debt issued in this State; providing advisory assistance on bond issues to units of State and local government; providing other financial management assistance to State or local government; and does other related work.

Definition of Series

The incumbents in the classes in this series perform the following duties: advise the Commission staff and members on the issuance of State and local government bonds; consult with and provide assistance to the Housing Bond Credit Committee and State financing authorities and commissions; provide staff support to State and local government units in the planning, preparation, marketing and sale of new debt issues; provide staff work for various studies related to reducing costs and improving credit ratings of State and local issues; assist in the day-to-day operations of the office including various administrative concerns and requirements; write copy and do research for news releases and brochures including a monthly newsletter; prepare speeches, articles and correspondence; develop and maintain a statistical center which includes information on State and local debt authorization sold and outstanding and other information on debt issues; recommend and draft agenda for Commission meetings; research and formulate recommendations on complex financial issues; perform statistical analyses; work with consultants on studies; coordinate department training for microcomputers; track and analyze State and Federal legislation related to issuance of tax-exempt debt; coordinate training seminars for local government issues of tax-exempt debt; prepare other reports and dictate correspondence; may act in a lead capacity over other staff.

Factors Affecting Position Allocation

Level, variety, nature and complexity of work; independence of action; supervision received or exercised; responsibility for making decisions affecting operations; nature of contracts; consequence of error and knowledge and abilities.

Assistant Program Specialist, California Debt Advisory Commission

This is the entry level into the Commission's professional work as well as the first journey level. Incumbents entering the class will perform a variety of the less responsible and more routine data gathering and technical assistance activities. Incumbents will be expected to perform progressively more difficult and responsible assignments under decreasing supervision. More experienced incumbents will perform a variety of the more sensitive and difficult data gathering and technical assistance activities as well as work with the advanced journey level specialists on projects and studies.

Associate Program Specialist, California Debt Advisory Commission

Incumbents at this level under direction, perform in a full journey level capacity and may be called upon to act in a lead capacity. Incumbents are full qualified and are able to perform the more responsible, varied, and complex advisory, analytical and/or research oriented duties which relate to the programs of the Commission. Incumbents work independently to gather and analyze information and make subsequent recommendations to management.

Minimum Qualifications

Assistant Program Specialist, California Debt Advisory Commission

Either I

Education: A Master's Degree in Finance, Public or Business Administration or Economics.

Or II

One year of experience in California State service performing duties of a class comparable in level of responsibility to Management Services Technicians, Range B, which include working with capital financing programs, issuance of tax-exempt bonds/notes, grant programs, or other financing programs of State or local government.

Or III

Six months of responsible experience in State or local government financing projects in one or a combination of the following areas:

1. The collection of debt information.

2. Systems development and analysis.

3. Public information activities.

4. The preparation of recommendations for policy development.

(Experience in the California state service applied toward this requirement must be at a level or responsibility equivalent to Management Services Technician, Range B.) and

Equivalent to graduation from college with specialization in Finance, Public or Business Administration, Economics or closely related field. (Additional qualifying experience may be substituted for the required education on a year-for-year basis.)

Associate Program Specialist, California Debt Advisory Commission

Either I

One year of experience in the California Debt Advisory Commission performing the duties of an Assistant Program Specialist, Range B.

Or II

Three years of responsible experience in State or local government financing projects in one or more of the following areas:

1. The collection of debt information.

2. Systems development and analysis.

3. Public information activities.

4. The preparation of recommendations for policy development.

(Experience in the California state service applied toward this requirement must be at a level of responsibility equivalent to Assistant Program Specialist, Range B.) (A Master's Degree in Finance, Public or Business Administration or Economics may be substituted for one year of the required experience.) and

Equivalent to graduation from college with specialization in Finance, Public or Business Administration, Economics or closely related field. (Additional qualifying experience may be substituted for the required education on a year-for-year basis.)

Knowledge and Abilities

Assistant Program Specialist, California Debt Advisory Commission

Knowledge of: Preparation, marketing and sale of new debt issue; purpose, policies and operations of the California Debt Advisory Commission; the planning process; the functions of the Housing Bond Credit Committee and State financing authorities and commission; the policy, management and organization of advisory commissions; public relation methods and techniques including all major media or communication; office management principles, methods and procedures; methods of organizing information systems.

Ability to: Gather, organize and summarize financial data; analyze information and situations accurately, develop sound conclusions and take effective action; research and locate pertinent information and statistical data; develop and implement comprehensive plans and programs; work with financial authorities and commissions, bond issuers, underwriters, credit rating agencies, investors and others; write, edit and prepare news releases, brochures, reports, speeches and correspondence.

Associate Program Specialist, California Debt Advisory Commission

Knowledge of: All of the above, and knowledge of California municipals market.

Ability to: Analyze and assess a variety of published works related to public debt issuance and management to identify potential application for California's local governments; represent the California Debt Advisory Commission in public meetings with private and public representatives concerned with public debt, the California Debt Advisory Commission's program, and state policy issues.

Special Personal Characteristics

All Levels:

Ability to qualify for a fidelity bond.

Alternate Range Criteria

When the requirements for the particular criteria are met and upon recommendation of the appointing power, the employee shall be moved to the appropriate rate in he higher salary range in accordance with Department of Personnel Administration Regulation 599.676.

Range A. This range shall apply to incumbents who do not meet the criteria for payment in Range B.

Range B. This range shall apply to persons who have satisfactorily completed either: (1) 12 months of experience in the class of Assistant Program Specialist Range A. (A Master's Degree in Finance, Public or Business Administration or Economics may be substituted for 6 months of the Range A experience requirement.); or (2) 2 years of experience in State or local government financing projects in one or more of the following areas: the collection of debt information; systems development and analysis; public information activities; the preparation of recommendations for policy development. (Experience in the California state service applied toward this requirement must be at a level of responsibility equivalent to Assistant Program Specialist, Range A.) (A Master's Degree in Finance, Public or Business Administration or Economics may be substituted for 12 months of the State or local government financing projects experience requirement.)

Class History