Chief Financial Officer (CFO) - Department of Agricultural Resources

Who We Are:

The Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA) seeks to protect, preserve, and enhance Massachusetts’ environmental resources and create a clean energy future for all residents. Through the stewardship of open spaces, the protection of environmental resources, and the advancement of clean energy, EEA works tirelessly to make Massachusetts a wonderful place to live, work, and raise a family.   Our commitment to environmental justice ensures that every resident, regardless of background or location, can live in a safe, clean environment and shares equally in the benefits of the clean energy transition.

Who We Are as an Employer:

At EEA, we create meaningful, inclusive opportunities that empower our employees to make a real difference in shaping the environmental future of Massachusetts. We foster a workplace culture where diversity is valued, innovation is encouraged, and collaboration thrives. Our employees play a vital role in advancing sustainability, environmental justice, and clean energy solutions, ensuring a positive and lasting impact on Massachusetts and its residents.

Position Description:

The mission of the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources (MDAR) is to cultivate a robust and equitable agricultural economy, promote a safe and resilient food system, and preserve a healthy environment for Massachusetts farmers, animals, and consumers.

MDAR is seeking an experienced and collaborative Chief Financial Officer (CFO) to join MDAR's leadership team. The CFO reports directly to the Commissioner of MDAR, providing the leadership, management, and vision necessary to ensure the Department has the proper operational controls, administrative and reporting procedures, financial strength, and operating efficiency. The CFO accomplishes this through a respectful, constructive, and energetic style, guided by the objectives of MDAR.

The CFO position includes financial management including policy, planning, analysis, and problem solving.  The CFO approves budget decisions to ensure that the department can carry out its statutory mission.  The CFO provides fiscal oversight of payroll, procurement, contract management, accounts payable, accounts receivable, and federal grants.  The CFO works closely with Division Directors on all projects to ensure that they are implemented in a way that identifies success and is within the legal and budgetary framework of state operations.

The CFO oversees fiscal operations of MDAR and its staff of 105 employees, along with its sub-agency, the State Reclamation Board (SRB), with 103.7 employees.

Responsibilities Include:

• Oversight of daily finance and administrative business operations of MDAR and the SRB.

• Oversee a direct staff of five (5) and an additional (4) indirect reports in the Finance Office.  Oversight of staff includes hiring, daily supervision, and employee evaluation.  Functional areas overseen include budgeting, federal grants, payroll, revenue, accounts payable and receivables, purchasing, ISA’s, encumbrances, fleet management, IT, system security access, and physical space management (within the hybrid work environment). Provide indirect fiscal guidance to all MDAR and SRB staff through daily problem analysis and resolution.

• Develop and approve all agency budget submissions including the Annual Maintenance budget and Spending Plans. Oversee the preparation for the Joint Ways and Means Committee Hearing and ensure that the Commissioner is prepared to present budget testimony. Ensure that all financial matters are compliant with the State’s financial policies, rules and laws and the Department’s goals and objectives, and has obtained all necessary approvals from EEA. Review and approve all budget requests by the Department’s Divisions to ensure that the budget requests will enable the Department to carry out its statutory mission.  Meets with Commissioner, Assistant Commissioner, Chief of Staff, and Division Directors on budgetary issues and to ensure that final budget requests will enable the Department to carry out its statutory mission. Serve as liaison to multiple agencies including the Secretariat, ANF, OSD, OSC, State Auditors, Treasury and DOR.

• Work with the Commissioner’s Office and Division Directors on HR matters including hiring plans, job postings, employee reclassifications, EPRS compliance, etc. and to ensure that the Department is in full compliance with HRD regulations. Work closely with Secretariat HR on special projects or to resolve any payroll issues. Schedule meetings with managers to provide face-to-face communication and opportunity for discussion of issues relating to resource allocation, staffing and budget.

• Primary departmental point of contact on all IT issues. Vet all proposed departmental IT procurements and move those procurement requests through the system.  IT issues range from email, cellphones, hardware and software procurements, IT projects, etc. Primary departmental contact with staff, external agencies, and vendors.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Ability to develop and administer multiple department budgets and spending plans

• Knowledge of the state budget process

• Knowledge of state finance law and accounting procedures, state procurement and contractual agreements

• Ability to understand, explain and apply the laws, rules, regulations, policies, procedures, specifications, standards, and guidelines governing assigned activities

• Knowledge of the principles and practices of contract law

• Knowledge of terminology, codes, symbols, and standard abbreviations used in contracts

• Knowledge of the methods of general report writing

• Ability to prepare and analyze financial information, draw conclusions, and make appropriate recommendations

• Ability to manage an office, oversee daily operations, supervise staff

• Knowledge of human resource management and organizational development

• Ability to hire and evaluate staff performance

• Ability to lead and deal tactfully with others and maintain harmonious working relationships

• Strong written and oral communication skills

• Ability to handle multiple tasks, meet deadlines, and work independently

• Ability to adjust to changing or varied work situations to meet emergency or changing legislation or program requirements

• Ability to solve complex problems

• Ability to develop and implement policies and procedures

• Experience utilizing Microsoft applications including Access, Excel, Word, PowerPoint, and Outlook

• Ability to work with Commonwealth systems including Mosaic, CIW, MBA, and Platform

• Exhibits a high level of attention to detail

• Ability to utilize Adobe Acrobat Pro to create and modify documents

• Ability to multi-task and work quickly and accurately

MINIMUM ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS:

Applicants must have at least (A) six (6) years of full-time or, equivalent part-time, professional, administrative, supervisory, or managerial experience in business administration, business management, public administration, public management, clinical administration or clinical management of which (B) at least two (2) years must have been in a project management, supervisory or managerial capacity or (C) any equivalent combination of the required experience and substitutions below.

Substitutions:

I. A certificate in a relevant or related field may be substituted for one (1) year of the required (A) experience.

II. A Bachelor's degree in a related field may be substituted for two (2) years of the required (A) experience.

III. A Graduate degree in a related field may be substituted for three (3) years of the required (A) experience.

IV. A Doctorate degree in a related field may be substituted for four (4) years of the required (A) experience.

Comprehensive Benefits

When you embark on a career with the Commonwealth, you are offered an outstanding suite of employee benefits that add to the overall value of your compensation package. We take pride in providing a work experience that supports you, your loved ones, and your future.

Want the specifics? Explore our Employee Benefits and Rewards!

An Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action Employer.  Females, minorities, veterans, and persons with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply.

The Commonwealth is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, disability, national origin, veteran status, or any other basis covered by appropriate law.  Research suggests that qualified women, Black, Indigenous, and Persons of Color (BIPOC) may self-select out of opportunities if they don't meet 100% of the job requirements.  We encourage individuals who believe they have the skills necessary to thrive to apply for this role.