Posting Details
The New Mexico Department of Public Safety (DPS) is seeking a committed and driven individual to serve as Chief Financial Officer. The Department's Administrative Services Division (ASD) is dedicated to supporting the agency's vision of providing the highest quality public safety services for the State of New Mexico and its mission to protect human life and property through the detection and prevention of criminal activity and enforcement of state laws.
We are looking for candidates who want to leverage their existing skills, expand professionally, be reliable team players, and thrive in a challenging environment. ASD collaborates with various divisions to provide essential administrative, financial, accounting, procurement, and other support functions to enhance their operations.
By joining our agency, you will become an integral part of a dynamic administrative support team, and your contributions will directly impact the safety and well-being of New Mexicans.
Why does the job exist?
The Chief Financial Officer (CFO) provides executive leadership over all accounting, financial reporting, internal controls, and audit functions for the Department of Public Safety. This position ensures compliance with GAAP, GASB, Uniform Guidance, DFA rules, and federal grant requirements, and serves as the primary liaison to external auditors, DFA, LFC, and federal oversight agencies.
The CFO leads the Department's financial integrity efforts by establishing and maintaining a strong internal control environment, developing and enforcing fiscal policies, and ensuring that financial information is reliable and accessible for leadership, oversight agencies, and federal partners.
Key areas of oversight include:
- Financial leadership: Directs all accounting operations, financial reporting processes, audit readiness activities, and compliance systems.
- Audit and compliance: Oversees annual audits, manages responses to audit findings, and ensures corrective actions are implemented and tracked.
- Internal controls: Designs and enforces controls to protect assets, prevent fraud, and ensure accurate reporting.
- Federal grant management: Ensures compliance with federal requirements, including cost allowability, reporting accuracy, and proper use of funds.
- Executive advising: Provides strategic financial guidance to the Cabinet Secretary, Deputy Secretaries, and division leaders, particularly on financial risk and operational impacts.
- External coordination: Serves as the primary liaison to DFA, LFC, federal agencies, external auditors, and other oversight bodies.
In addition, the CFO has full supervisory responsibility over the Accounting and Finance Bureau, providing both direct and indirect leadership to professional, supervisory, and technical staff. Supervisory duties include:
- Setting priorities, assigning work, and evaluating staff performance
- Providing technical guidance, mentoring, and professional development
- Making hiring, disciplinary, and personnel decisions
- Ensuring compliance with internal controls, fiscal policies, and statewide standards
- Managing workload distribution, cross-training, and succession planning to maintain continuity
The CFO will also supervise a Senior Manager, Budget and Finance, who serves as the Department's Co-CFO over Procurement and Operations. This position provides executive leadership over procurement operations, contract management, and financial support for the agency. This role operates alongside the CFO responsible for financial management, with shared responsibility for the agency's overall financial strategy and accountability.
How does it get done?
AUDIT, FINANCIAL REPORTING AND COMPLIANCE
The CFO leads the Department's annual financial audit process, including preparation and response, and ensures compliance with all applicable accounting standards and regulatory requirements. The role oversees the preparation of financial statements, reconciliations, and reporting, and serves as the primary point of contact for external auditors, DFA, LFC, and federal agencies.
ACCOUNTING OPERATIONS AND INTERNAL CONTROLS
The CFO oversees core accounting operations, including the general ledger, cash controls, federal drawdowns, and reconciliations. This role is responsible for developing and enforcing internal controls, fiscal policies, and accounting procedures, while also supervising, mentoring, and training accounting and finance staff. Ensuring the accuracy and integrity of all financial data is a central responsibility.
FFEDERAL GRANT OVERSIGHT
The CFO ensures compliance with all federal grant requirements, including oversight of reporting, drawdowns, and allowable cost verification. The position also coordinates directly with grantor agencies on compliance-related matters.
EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP AND STRATEGIC SUPPORT
As part of the executive team, the CFO advises leadership on budgetary issues, financial risks, and compliance considerations. The role provides technical guidance on the fiscal impact of policy and operational decisions and participates in strategic planning and agency-wide initiatives.
Who are the customers?
Work is performed for Department's divisions, internal staff, external vendors, oversight agencies public, law enforcement agencies, and various other criminal justice organizations. This role involves providing critical support and ensuring efficient communication and coordination with all stakeholders involved in the justice system. The successful candidate will collaborate with diverse groups, addressing their needs and ensuring compliance with all relevant regulations and standards.
Ideal Candidate
Work is performed for Department's divisions, internal staff, external vendors, oversight agencies public, law enforcement agencies, and various other criminal justice organizations. This role involves providing critical support and ensuring efficient communication and coordination with all stakeholders involved in the justice system. The successful candidate will collaborate with diverse groups, addressing their needs and ensuring compliance with all relevant regulations and standards.
Minimum Qualification
Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration, Accounting, Finance, or Auditing and eight (8) years of experience in Accounting, Business Administration, Public Administration, Finance, or Auditing; to include two (2) years of experience with PeopleSoft: Oracle Financials or similar software system; and to include three (3) years of managerial or supervisory experience. Any combination of education from an accredited college or university in a related field and/or direct experience in this occupation totaling twelve (12) years may substitute for the required education and experience. A hiring agency may designate a portion of the required experience to include federal grant and/or special revenue experience to be identified at the time of recruitment.
Employment Requirements
Must possess and maintain a valid Driver's Licenses, a current Defensive Driving Certificate from the State of New Mexico or must pass and receive Defensive Driving Course Certification as a condition of employment within six (6) months of date of hire. Continued employment is subject to a National fingerprint-based records check within 30 days of assignment and contingent upon remaining felony-free, per Section 5.12.1.1 of the Criminal Justice Information System Security Policy.
Local, in-state and out-of-state travel may be required. Overtime may be required to meet deadlines, peak performance periods, time-sensitive information requests, and other projects.
Working Conditions
Work is performed in a fast-paced law enforcement office setting with exposure to armed law enforcement personnel and confidential information. Extensive use of desktop/laptop computer with multiple visual/video display terminals (VDT). Extensive use of agency-issued cell phone. Ability to operate multipurpose copier/scanner/fax machines. Must be able to lift and carry up to 25 pounds.
Supplemental Information
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Agency Contact Information: Louise Riebe (505) 827-9080 Email
For information on Statutory Requirements for this position, click the Classification Description link on the job advertisement.
Bargaining Unit Position
This position is not covered by a collective bargaining agreement.
