Public Administration Jobs: Profile of James J. Elekes, M. Ed, MPA, CPM

Summary:
James J. Elekes has nearly 30 years of progressively advancing senior management experience in public transit, human/social services and academia with a focus on all aspects of training, operational administration and regulatory compliance.

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James J. Elekes

Location:

Native of New Jersey but now resides in South Carolina with fiance, Cathy Kammerer, and new guide dog, Irma, a female black Labrador retriever.

Education:

Seton Hall University: B.A. (political science/sociology, minor in mass communications), master's in public administration with specialization in planning/policy analysis.

Upsala College: master's in education, specialization in educational administration/leadership and curriculum development.

New Jersey Department of Personnel, Human Resources Development Institute: Certified public manager (CPM) with specialization in performance-based budgeting and organizational dynamics.

Current Job:

Principal/founder of consultancy specializing in disability services.

Organization:

Trans-Access Associates, LLC, Surfside Beach, S.C. (Created in July 2005 as the result of an identified unmet need in academia, non-profit and public/private sectors to facilitate proactive inclusion of persons with disabilities into mainstreamed activities of daily life.)

Since its founding, contracts have included a major amusement park, two- and four-year colleges and a variety of state entities, all with identified shortcomings in their practices and policies for serving persons with disabilities.

Organization's Offering:

As the principal/founder, Trans-Access Associates, LLC, James uses his nearly 30 years of experience as a manager, academic, mentor and first-hand knowledge of the disability community to enhance organizational status and recognition within the disability community.

Services provided:

1. Consultant to public/private sector entities about barrier-free access to built environment, recruitment/training/employment strategies, work accommodations and assistive technologies/adaptive aids for persons with physical, sensory and intellectual disabilities.
   
   
2. Assessment of physical environments to eliminate architectural barriers and provide persons with disabilities barrier-free path of travel in public/private facilities (recommendations for structural modifications when barriers to access are identified).
   
   
3. Evaluation of telecommunications, electronic/information technologies, recommending accommodations to enable blind/low vision, deaf/hard of hearing, physical and intellectually disabled individuals access to these technologies consistent with the terms of Chapter 255, Telecommunications Act (1996) and Section 508, Rehabilitation Services Act (1998) and related Federal/state regulations.
   
   
4. Training for employees of public/private sector entities about assistance employers can provide people with disabilities, including assistive techniques, effective communications and work accommodations through use of classroom lectures, simulations and group dynamic exercises.
   
   
5. "Expert" testimony and mediation services to resolve complaints by people with disabilities when violations of Federal/state regulations related to education/training, employment, health/rehabilitation services, transportation, housing or other activities of daily life are identified.
   
   
6. "Peer Reviewer" to assess planned services/programs of public/private agencies, insuring compliance with applicable Federal/state accessibility regulations (included: recommendations for funding of proposed services through the use of user fees, insurance, individual fee schedules, Federal/state and non-profit grants and related sources).
   
   
7. Public/community educational materials in print and alternative media (large print, braille, audio and electronic formats) for distribution to constituents and general public to enhance access and understanding of client services (includes establishing media schedules for public service announcements, advertisement placement and news releases to maximize public awareness of client services).

Previous employers:

New Jersey Transit, third largest public transit agency in the U.S.; associate professor, Essex County College, West Caldwell, New Jersey, (taught public administration/political science and sociology for 15 years); adjunct associate professor, County College of Morris, Randolph, New Jersey, (provided instruction in American government for over five years).

Accomplishments:

In December, 2007, completed a five-year term as a Presidential Appointee/Public Member, U.S. Access Board, Washington D.C. (Board is the independent Federal agency chartered by Congress to develop, administer, and enforce Federal regulations for access to the built environment, transportation, telecommunication and electronic/information technologies by the over 54 million Americans with disabilities).

Achievements as public member of U.S. Access Board include:

• Served as liaison to U.S. Election Assistance Commission (EAC); co-authored accessibility-usability standards under the Help America Vote Act (HAVA-2002) to aid states in procuring six billion dollars' worth of voting technology accessible to 37.5 million voters with disabilities. Developed training/instructional materials for states and local election officials facilitating understanding of the disability dynamic and access guidelines for the election process.
  
  
• Acted as board liaison to 42-member Technical Advisory committee responsible for the update of Federal procurement regulations affecting $64 billion in annual acquisitions of telecommunications and electronic/information technologies to ensure usability by disabled Federal employees and disabled members of the general public conducting business with Federal agencies.
  
  
• Chaired committee responsible for updating Federal regulations for access to public transit (buses, vans, light commuter rail, and Amtrak) to ensure both vehicles and commuter services are accessible to the disabled community.

From 1985 to 1997, administered a variety of bus/paratransit accessibility projects and developed and conducted training programs for bus and rail operating and support personnel focused on service to passengers with disabilities for New Jersey Transit; provided guidance on accessibility and disability issues to various community and civic organizations, including the New Jersey Council on the Arts, Paper Mill playhouse, the New Jersey Governor's Committee on Disability, New Jersey Commission on Recreation for Persons with Disabilities and county transportation advisory boards.

Attributes:

Known problem solver, always keeping focus on how his input can best be used in an organization to improve its productivity and effectiveness.

Disability:

In 1981, at 22, became blind due to complications from insulin-dependent diabetes as he finished college and was to launch a career in photojournalism; received a living donor kidney transplant from his younger brother, Michael, in 1991; successfully underwent quadruple bypass surgery in 1999; views both medical conditions and disabilities as challenges to be met each day in order to achieve and maintain successful lifestyle as contributing member of community.

Quote About Disability and Transportation:

"Without effective transportation, opportunities are meaningless. The transportation needs of disabled persons continue to outstrip available resources. After nearly 20 years of ADA activities, many persons with disabilities can't achieve because their access to efficient, cost-effective public transit is still denied."

Perspective About Assistive Technology:

"In thinking about my experiences over a nearly 30-year professional career, whenever electronic/information technology (E and IT ) or assistive technologies (AT) issues have arisen, I can honestly note, the deficiencies has been my own.

"The key to success ... is a fundamental and basic concept: 'Network.'

"I cannot recall one position in the public/private sector when I did not immediately identify those individuals in the organization who were critical to
my success. To mention but a few: human resources manager/director, benefits manager/director, employee development/management training
manager/director and, of course, the chief information officer or E and IT manager/director.

"By keeping in contact with these individuals, I was always keenly aware of changes in policy, training opportunities or the possibility of new or changing technology. As far as the latter, this contact enabled me to have input at the ground level, thus insuring existing AT was compatible with the E and IT being introduced or, if not, what the vendor providing the technology could do to insure my access.

"Today, whether it be Sun Micro Systems, Microsoft, Adobe or the myriad of other software providers, I can be assured my AT will be compatible because I am
brought into the process at the ground level."

Tips About Public Administration:

"My perspective whenever dealing with a career choice or opting to provide community service was instilled during my freshman year at Seton Hall by a Jesuit priest who, after college graduation, was a longtime friend, confidant and mentor until his passing. His advice was simple:

• Administer without being a tyrant, for no one wishes to work for/with a tyrannical know-it-all.
  
  
• Have the levity to laugh at your mistakes because it will reinforce your human qualities, but know how to correct the shortcoming as it is highly likely the mistake will affect someone's quality of life now and in the future.
  
  
• If you care to serve, serve to care because there is no higher calling."

Thoughts About Public Administration as a Career

"A key to success in public administration is a current knowledge of public policy, fiscal management, regulatory compliance and administration. Understanding of organizational history, current affairs and the current social dynamic is essential.
"To gain or maintain these skills and knowledge base, consistently network with friends, colleagues, local elected and appointed officials as well as others who share your passion for public service.

"My contact list is currently nearly 950 names with corresponding information on their organization, their jobs, education and experience. I can search the list by organization (how many work for the same or related organization), employment specialty, professional affiliations etc.

"Surprisingly, it doesn't take much effort to maintain the data base. Whenever I add information, I take a few moments to update. If I haven't had contact with an individual in 90 days or more, I send a quick e-mail to ask, 'What's new in their life?' People routinely take great pleasure in communicating their successes and, that expands my horizon and knowledge base.

"Reading is an absolute essential. Presently, at minimum, I read the Wall Street Journal, New York Times and Investors Business Daily every morning while I'm having my coffee. A 'key word' search makes the task nearly effortless.

"At other times of the day, when travelling, between meetings or waiting to meet a client, I have pre-loaded materials I want to review in my PDA."

ZoomInfo page:

James J. Elekes ZoomInfo made from 11 online sources.

More About Public Administration

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How to Find Public Administration Jobs


FederalJobs.net contains a wealth of information for a variety of public administration/government jobs at the local, state and Federal level.
Go to

USAjobs.gov is the official web site for the U.S. Government. It shows how persons with disabilities can apply for jobs via the traditional Civil Services Competitive process or via Schedule "A" non-competitive process.

GovernmentJobs.com is a site used by a majority of states for their Civil Services positions. You can establish Job Information Cards for each State for which you may have an interest. Once the Information Card is complete, you will automatically be notified of positions as they become available in the categories specified.

PublicServiceCareers.org, a site for job seekers (and employers) at all levels of experience. Whether you are fresh out of college, a 'veteran' of the public sector or a Ph.D. in academia, this site can help you find a new job and sustain a career in government, non-profits/NGOs, international, consulting and education.

Search Indeed.com for public administration jobs by key word and location.

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