Financial Specialist, Senior

Idaho Department of Education

This position is exempt from classified state service and the rules of the Division of Human Resources and the Idaho Personnel Commission.

Please note: Applications will be accepted through 11:59 PM MST on the posting end date.

The Idaho Department of Education (Department) is dedicated to serving and providing common-sense leadership, support, and resources to educators across the state. The knowledge, skills, and experience of the Department’s employees are among our most valued and important assets. Employment with the Department provides a rewarding career that positively affects the lives of children in Idaho. To learn more, please visit our website at http://www.sde.idaho.gov/.

The Student Transportation department at the State Department of Education ensures that Idaho's student population is safely transported to and from school, that districts are reimbursed for all reimbursable transportation costs, and that student transportation personnel in the districts are given the training required to do their jobs. The Financial Specialist, Senior position within this department will coordinate and oversee a statewide student transportation funding and reporting program. Incumbent also conducts audits on statewide transportation expenditures.

Knowledge of the student transportation system is valuable for someone in this position, but it is not required. The ideal candidate will work closely with the Student Transportation team to acquire the needed background to be successful in this position.

RESPONSIBILITIES: 

· Audit, analyze, research, reconcile, and process annual district transportation reimbursement claims.

· Interpret and apply state regulations to guide funding decisions and program compliance.

· Conduct on-site district audits of financial records, bus mileage records, and other student transportation related documentation.

· Administer and monitor budgets, grants, and contracts across multiple programs and funding cycles.

· Train school districts and charter schools on use of Idaho Bus Utilization System (IBUS), transportation funding, reporting, and contracting rules and regulations.

· Write correspondence or approvals pertaining to transportation funding requests, concerns, and interpretations.

· Develop financial changes needed in statewide rules, regulations, and manuals.

· Develop statewide financial reports and annual budget projections for transportation funding and forecast reports requested for proposed legislative changes.

· Oversee student transportation data collection.

· Calculate school bus depreciation, forfeiture penalties, and maximum bus prices allowed with safety options. Communicate adjustments with districts.

· Communicate with districts, charter schools, and the general public in regards to general student transportation and student transportation funding questions.

· Produce invoices for the annual assessment fee and accurately account for payments made by transportation programs.

· Review and approve financial transactions submitted in Luma including Accounts Payable, Pcard, and Accounts Receivable transactions.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

· Good knowledge of accounting principles and practices typically gained by the successful completion of an associate’s degree in accounting, financial management, or another closely related field OR at least four (4) years of work experience in analyzing, researching, and maintaining financial data and developing financial documents and reports.

· Good knowledge of accounting principles and practices, auditing theory, statistical reporting, and GAAP.

· Strong organizational skills.

· Excellent customer service skills; ability to work with other people on sensitive/controversial financial issues; ability to communicate orally and in writing with a wide variety of clients.

· Proficient computer skills to analyze, research, and maintain financial data and develop financial documents and reports.

· Strong experience in creating and using spreadsheet applications with MS Excel software. The ideal candidate will have demonstrated intermediate or advanced knowledge and skills in this area.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS: (Extra consideration will be given for the following)

· Good knowledge of state and federal laws and regulations that relate to student transportation.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: (with or without reasonable accommodation)

This position requires the ability to perform the following physical and job-related tasks:

· Perform general administrative duties including typing, filing, answering phones, processing paperwork, and assembling office materials.

· Approximately 90% of time is spent sitting at a desk or workstation, up to 4 hours at a time.

· Approximately 10% of time is spent standing, walking, bending, or kneeling.

· Occasionally lift items, typically weighing under 5 lbs., and occasionally up to 20 lbs.

· Physically inspect buses to learn the mechanical and electrical operations of buses used in Idaho.

TRAVEL REQUIRED: 

This position may require occasional travel throughout the state for training and monitoring.

BENEFITS:

The State of Idaho offers a robust total compensation package, including medical, vision, and dental insurance; PERSI retirement benefits; paid sick, vacation, and parental leave; and 11 paid holidays per year. For additional information related to benefits and/or State programs, please visit https://dhr.idaho.gov/StateEmployees/Benefits.html.*

ADDITIONAL BENEFITS INCLUDE: 

Vesting in the Public Employee Retirement System of Idaho (PERSI): All employees of the Idaho Department of Education are non-classified. They are appointed by the elected official and serve at the pleasure of the elected official. As such, employees working at a non-classified agency are considered vested in the PERSI retirement system after five (5) consecutive months of service, versus five (5) years of service at a classified agency.

Tuition Fee Waiver: All Idaho Department of Education employees in permanent full-time positions may register for instructional courses during any academic period, at any participating state funded institutions of higher education, for a $20.00 nonrefundable registration fee per semester and $5.00 per credit hour charge.

TO APPLY: 

To apply for this position, please submit 1.) a customized letter of interest, 2.) a resume, and 3) a list of three professional references. Attach the resume to your online application. Insert your letter of interest and references into the space provided in the questions section of the application.

Your letter of interest should specifically address how your education, training and work experience meet the responsibilities, qualifications, and required skills of the position. A writing sample, such as a letter of interest, provides an opportunity to evaluate your writing skills as well as your ability to demonstrate you meet the qualifications of the position. Your resume must clearly support the information provided in your letter of interest. A resume does not substitute for a letter of interest. Applications that do not include a letter of interest will not be accepted.

EEO/ADA/VETERAN:

The State of Idaho is committed to providing equal employment opportunities and prohibit discrimination against qualified individuals based on their status as protected veterans or individuals with disabilities and prohibit discrimination against all individuals based on their race, color, religion, political affiliation or belief, sex, national origin, genetics, or any other status protected under applicable federal, state, or local laws.

The State of Idaho is committed to access and reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities, auxiliary aids and services are available upon request. If you require an accommodation at any step in our recruitment process, you are encouraged to contact (208) 334-2263 (TTY/TTD: 711), or email [email protected].

Preference may be given to veterans who qualify under state and federal laws and regulations.