Program Manager - Ethics & Compliance

Overview

Job Summary

Manages the Authority’s compliance with the New Jersey Conflict of Interest Law (COIL), providing counsel to management, staff, and board members of NJEDA’s five related entities (FMERA, CSIT, CCRC, Camden ERB, and NJ Motion Picture and Television Commission). Serves as deputy Ethics Liaison Officer (ELO) to the New Jersey State Ethics Commission on behalf of those 6 entities. Manages the Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) compliance program of the Authority, handling or overseeing investigations of discrimination complaints. Also responsible for investigations concerning Whistleblower and Conscientious Employee Protection Act (CEPA) complaints.

$85,680 - $96,390

Note: The NJEDA currently offers a hybrid work schedule for up to 2 days of telecommute work from home. To participate, you will be required to have high speed home internet access and a managers approval. This program does not supersede the "New Jersey First Act", which requires newly hired NJEDA employees to establish and then maintain, principal residence in the State of New Jersey.

Responsibilities

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Manages Authority compliance programs related to:    
  • New Jersey Conflict of Interest Law (COIL) and the Authority’s enabling act    
  • Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO)    
  • Whistleblower and Conscientious Employee Protection Act (CEPA).
• Researches COIL, NJEDA enabling act, EEO, Whistleblower, and CEPA questions and complaints received, including interviewing witnesses, reviewing pertinent records, compiling information from various sources, and presenting the information in an organized and efficient manner.         
• Updates, maintains, and ensures compliance with Authority policies relating to COIL and NJEDA enabling act, EEO, Whistleblower complaints, and CEPA.  Maintains Ethics Team internal SharePoint site and external webpage.         
• Acts as the Authority’s initial point of contact for employees on COIL and NJEDA enabling act matters, reporting to the Ethics Liaison Officer (ELO). Provides counsel in accordance with the New Jersey Uniform Ethics Code.          
• Oversees the SEC training and forms compliance requirements for both Authority employees and Board members, including new employee and new Board member COIL initial training and certifications, annual Financial Disclosure Statements (FDS), Personal and Business Relationship Disclosure (PBRD) forms, Supervisory Conflict of Interest (COI) forms, and Outside Activity Questionnaires (OAQ)/Outside Employment Questionnaires (OEQ).  Oversees filing of compliance certifications with the Governor’s Authorities Unit (GAU). Reviews, files with SEC, and maintains all recusal letters, under the supervision of ELO.         
• Reviews letters of support and letters of commitment, under the supervision of ELO.         
• Oversees Ethics Team review of and submission to SEC, as required, requests for attendance at events, joint venture forms, and sponsorship requests.         
• Oversees processing of gifts received by Authority employees and Board members pursuant to COIL.         
• Attends SEC ELO meetings.  Coordinates periodic SEC audits.  Responds to requests from SEC for information relating to SEC investigations.         
• Oversees employee post-employment and board member post-service disclosure letters.         
• Provides training and counsel to Authority staff on EEO matters in accordance with the New Jersey Civil Service Commission (CSC) State Policy Prohibiting Discrimination.      
• Attends CSC EEO/AA meetings and files routine case status and investigation reports.         
• Coordinates the distribution and posting of employee notices relating to CEPA.         
• Performs other duties and special projects, as assigned.

Skills and Abilities

• Knowledge of state and federal laws, executive orders, rules, regulations, and guidelines governing compliance and ethics.
• Possesses creative problem-solving abilities.
• Ability to develop, implement, and measure policies/procedures.
• Ability to create and maintain positive, supportive working relationships with subordinates, colleagues, supervisors, and other individuals internal and external.
• Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing; proficient in grammar, spelling and editing; and foster communications with business professionals and staff.
• Ability to prioritize workload: must be highly organized, detail-oriented, handle various tasks simultaneously, and work independently within limited time constraints with little or no supervision.
• Must be able to maintain confidentiality and deal effectively and diplomatically with business professionals and staff.
• Demonstrates respectful behavior and promotes teamwork and communication to encourage an interactive, cooperative, collaborative, and customer focused work environment among division, staff, and external customers.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and the ability to learn new software packages.

Qualifications

Preferred Qualifications

Education and Experience Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree with an emphasis in finance, business, management, public policy, law, or other related academic degree required.
• Juris Doctor and New Jersey Bar admission desired.
• 5-7 years’ experience in the management of compliance functions and conducting investigations in a corporate or governmental setting.
• Supervisory experience preferred.

Advanced degree or industry specific certification may be substituted for 1 year of experience.

Physical Demands

• Minimal
• Ability to work outside normal business hours, as needed.

Travel

• As necessary to events, meetings, businesses, etc.

Certificates and Licenses Required

• License: Staff are required to possess a driver's license valid in New Jersey only if the operation of a vehicle, rather than employee mobility, is necessary to perform the essentials duties of the position.

Note

The examples of work for this title are for illustrative purposes only. A particular position using this title may not perform all duties listed in this job description. Conversely, all duties performed on the job may not be listed. This job description is intended to convey information essential to understanding the scope, general nature and level of work performed by job holders within this job.  This job description is not intended to be an exhaustive list of qualifications, skills, efforts, duties, responsibilities or working conditions associated with the position.

Your employment at NJEDA is voluntary and subject to termination by you or NJEDA at will, with or without cause, or with or without notice, at any time.  Nothing in this job description shall be interpreted to conflict, eliminate or modify the employment-at-will status of NJEDA employees. 

This position is considered exempt and is excluded from minimum wage, overtime regulations, and other rights and protections afforded nonexempt workers under the FLSA.

NJEDA reserves the right to amend/revise this job description as necessary to meet current and changing business needs.

NJ SAME Program

 In accordance with P.L. 2021, c. 465 and P.L. 2021, 466, the SAME program was established to enable New Jersey State agencies to hire, promote, retain, and advance qualified individuals whose physical or mental impairments impact their abilities to participate in the hiring and promotion process for non-competitive and unclassified titles within the State workforce.

The SAME program allows candidates, who identify as having a significant disability, to apply for non-competitive and unclassified positions through a fast track hiring process. This program uses a fast-track process that permits people who are eligible for the program to request that the State appointing authority schedule with them a good faith interview. For more information about the SAME program and the Fast Track Hiring program, please Click Here.  If you have any questions, please email, or call the contact as indicated on the job vacancy announcement.

This posting open to eligible applicants regardless of SAME eligibility.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Position Requirements

• Foreign degrees/transcripts must be evaluated by a reputable evaluation service at your own expense and must be submitted prior to a start date. If this cannot be provided within 21 days of an offer the offer will be rescinded.
• Must comply with the “New Jersey First Act” which requires employees hired after September 1, 2011, to reside in New Jersey. Non-New Jersey resident employees must relocate to New Jersey within one year of their date of hire and provide proof of residency to Human Resources.
• Must complete an Outside Activity Questionnaire (disclosure of outside office or employment) on an annual basis.
• Must review the required NJ State Ethics Guidelines found on the state website.
• Selected candidates must be authorized to work in the United States per the Department of Homeland Security, United States Citizenship and Immigration Services regulations. Note: The State of New Jersey does not provide sponsorship for citizenship to the United States.

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