What are the responsibilities and job description for the Bureau Chief, Budget and Finance (DFA/LGD #2601) position at State of New Mexico?
Posting Details
THIS POSITION REQUIRES FULL-TIME, ON-SITE PRESENCE IN SANTA FE.
This position sits at the helm of local government financial oversight for the State of New Mexico, supervising a team responsible for the budget review and financial reporting compliance of 33 counties, 106 municipalities, and more than 300 special districts under the statutory authority of the Local Government Division. Beyond day-to-day supervision, the position spearheads targeted tax-related special projects that shape fiscal policy and accountability across the state's diverse local government landscape.
Why does the job exist?
This position exists to translate the Local Government Division's statutory mandate into action; not just as a regulatory function, but as a service to the communities that depend on strong local government. Local governments are the closest point of government to New Mexico's residents, and their fiscal health directly affects the delivery of essential services in every corner of the state. This position provides the supervisory infrastructure and senior expertise needed to uphold reporting standards while approaching every interaction with a customer service mindset; meeting local officials where they are, building their capacity to navigate complex financial requirements, and serving as a trusted resource rather than simply an enforcement mechanism. Beyond day-to-day oversight, this position leads specialized tax-related projects that require a solutions-oriented approach and the ability to translate technical complexity into actionable guidance for local government partners statewide.
How does it get done?
This position is responsible for leading a team that executes the Local Government Division's statutory and administrative obligations across two core functional areas: budget and financial reporting, and tax administration.
In the area of budget and financial reporting, the position oversees mandatory budget certification, quarterly financial reporting for all subject entities, and the maintenance of comprehensive budget records ensuring local governments meet state reporting requirements while receiving the guidance they need to do so accurately and on time.
In tax administration, the position leads high-stakes, specialized work including the compilation of net taxable values, tax rate setting for local governments, property tax accounting regulation, lodgers' tax compliance monitoring, and liquor excise tax auditing functions that carry significant fiscal consequences for communities statewide and require both technical precision and clear communication with local partners.
Across both functional areas, this position supervises staff responsible for producing the letters, reports, certifications, analyses, and compliance documentation that form the evidentiary backbone of LGD's regulatory role while modeling and reinforcing a customer-first culture in every interaction with New Mexico's local government partners.
Who are the customers?
This work is done in service of New Mexico's local government entities: 33 counties, 106 municipalities, and more than 300 special districts as well as the residents and communities they serve. While the Local Government Division operates under a statutory oversight mandate, the ultimate beneficiary of this work is the public: New Mexicans who depend on fiscally sound, transparent, and accountable local government for the delivery of essential services. This position also serves internal stakeholders, including the Department of Finance and Administration and the Legislature, by producing the analyses, certifications, and compliance documentation needed to inform sound fiscal policy decisions statewide.
Ideal Candidate
This work is done in service of New Mexico's local government entities: 33 counties, 106 municipalities, and more than 300 special districts as well as the residents and communities they serve. While the Local Government Division operates under a statutory oversight mandate, the ultimate beneficiary of this work is the public: New Mexicans who depend on fiscally sound, transparent, and accountable local government for the delivery of essential services. This position also serves internal stakeholders, including the Department of Finance and Administration and the Legislature, by producing the analyses, certifications, and compliance documentation needed to inform sound fiscal policy decisions statewide.
Minimum Qualification
Master's Degree in business administration, accounting, finance, auditing or related field and eight (8) years of experience in accounting, business administration, public administration, finance, or auditing. Any combination of education from an accredited college or university in a related field and/or direct experience in this occupation totaling fourteen (14) years may substitute for the required education and experience. Any required licensure, certification or registration shall be defined at the time of recruitment and will be in addition to the above requirements.
Employment Requirements
State issued ID or Driver's License.
Pre-employment criminal background check is required, and employment is conditional pending results.
Working Conditions
Work is performed primarily in an office setting with exposure to Visual/Video Display Terminal (VDT) and extensive personal computer and phone usage. However, the nature of this position requires occasional statewide travel to conduct site visits with local government partners, deliver presentations, and represent the Local Government Division at meetings and conferences across New Mexico. The ability to engage effectively in person with local officials and community stakeholders is an important complement to the day-to-day office-based work of this role.
Supplemental Information
Do you know what Total Compensation is? Click here
Agency Contact Information: Hallie Brown (505) 500-9355 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.
THIS POSITION REQUIRES FULL-TIME, ON-SITE PRESENCE IN SANTA FE.
This position sits at the helm of local government financial oversight for the State of New Mexico, supervising a team responsible for the budget review and financial reporting compliance of 33 counties, 106 municipalities, and more than 300 special districts under the statutory authority of the Local Government Division. Beyond day-to-day supervision, the position spearheads targeted tax-related special projects that shape fiscal policy and accountability across the state's diverse local government landscape.
Why does the job exist?
This position exists to translate the Local Government Division's statutory mandate into action; not just as a regulatory function, but as a service to the communities that depend on strong local government. Local governments are the closest point of government to New Mexico's residents, and their fiscal health directly affects the delivery of essential services in every corner of the state. This position provides the supervisory infrastructure and senior expertise needed to uphold reporting standards while approaching every interaction with a customer service mindset; meeting local officials where they are, building their capacity to navigate complex financial requirements, and serving as a trusted resource rather than simply an enforcement mechanism. Beyond day-to-day oversight, this position leads specialized tax-related projects that require a solutions-oriented approach and the ability to translate technical complexity into actionable guidance for local government partners statewide.
How does it get done?
This position is responsible for leading a team that executes the Local Government Division's statutory and administrative obligations across two core functional areas: budget and financial reporting, and tax administration.
In the area of budget and financial reporting, the position oversees mandatory budget certification, quarterly financial reporting for all subject entities, and the maintenance of comprehensive budget records ensuring local governments meet state reporting requirements while receiving the guidance they need to do so accurately and on time.
In tax administration, the position leads high-stakes, specialized work including the compilation of net taxable values, tax rate setting for local governments, property tax accounting regulation, lodgers' tax compliance monitoring, and liquor excise tax auditing functions that carry significant fiscal consequences for communities statewide and require both technical precision and clear communication with local partners.
Across both functional areas, this position supervises staff responsible for producing the letters, reports, certifications, analyses, and compliance documentation that form the evidentiary backbone of LGD's regulatory role while modeling and reinforcing a customer-first culture in every interaction with New Mexico's local government partners.
Who are the customers?
This work is done in service of New Mexico's local government entities: 33 counties, 106 municipalities, and more than 300 special districts as well as the residents and communities they serve. While the Local Government Division operates under a statutory oversight mandate, the ultimate beneficiary of this work is the public: New Mexicans who depend on fiscally sound, transparent, and accountable local government for the delivery of essential services. This position also serves internal stakeholders, including the Department of Finance and Administration and the Legislature, by producing the analyses, certifications, and compliance documentation needed to inform sound fiscal policy decisions statewide.
Ideal Candidate
This work is done in service of New Mexico's local government entities: 33 counties, 106 municipalities, and more than 300 special districts as well as the residents and communities they serve. While the Local Government Division operates under a statutory oversight mandate, the ultimate beneficiary of this work is the public: New Mexicans who depend on fiscally sound, transparent, and accountable local government for the delivery of essential services. This position also serves internal stakeholders, including the Department of Finance and Administration and the Legislature, by producing the analyses, certifications, and compliance documentation needed to inform sound fiscal policy decisions statewide.
Minimum Qualification
Master's Degree in business administration, accounting, finance, auditing or related field and eight (8) years of experience in accounting, business administration, public administration, finance, or auditing. Any combination of education from an accredited college or university in a related field and/or direct experience in this occupation totaling fourteen (14) years may substitute for the required education and experience. Any required licensure, certification or registration shall be defined at the time of recruitment and will be in addition to the above requirements.
Employment Requirements
State issued ID or Driver's License.
Pre-employment criminal background check is required, and employment is conditional pending results.
Working Conditions
Work is performed primarily in an office setting with exposure to Visual/Video Display Terminal (VDT) and extensive personal computer and phone usage. However, the nature of this position requires occasional statewide travel to conduct site visits with local government partners, deliver presentations, and represent the Local Government Division at meetings and conferences across New Mexico. The ability to engage effectively in person with local officials and community stakeholders is an important complement to the day-to-day office-based work of this role.
Supplemental Information
Do you know what Total Compensation is? Click here
Agency Contact Information: Hallie Brown (505) 500-9355 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.