• Public School Program Advisor

    State of Arkansas (Little Rock, AR)


    PUBLIC SCHOOL PROGRAM ADVISOR

    Date: May 27, 2025

     

    Req ID: 49607

    Location:

    Little Rock, AR, US, 72201

     

    Category: DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

     

    Anticipated Starting Salary: 50221.81

     

    Position Number: 2208-2989

     

    County: Pulaski

     

    Posting End Date: June 10, 2025

     

    School Choice and Parent Empowerment: Education Options

     

    Join the Arkansas Department of Education where each student is recognized as an individual. Through a cultivation of world-class educators, partnering with communities, and an influx of social supports, Arkansas Department of Education provides multi-level supports that help ensure students will receive a personalized education and develop a life-long love of learning.

     

    Audit & Financial Specialist

    Summary:

    Audit & Financial Specialists conduct higher-level, risk-based audits and transaction monitoring of participant accounts in the Education Freedom Account program. Working closely with the Family Support Specialists, they focus on accounts identified as higher risk and perform advanced review and investigations. Their role is essential in detecting fraud, identifying program misuse, and maintaining fiscal integrity across the program.

    Essential Duties:

    + Conduct risk-based audits of EFA participant accounts based on categories developed by the Family Support team.

    + Review spending trends and high-dollar or unusual purchases for possible non-compliance or fraud.

    + Conduct comprehensive reviews of flagged participant transactions spanning multiple months or funding cycles

    + Maintain detailed records of findings and make recommendations for corrective action or escalation.

    + Liaise with the Program Administrator on complex or ambiguous cases requiring interpretation of policy.

    + Help develop and refine internal audit tools, templates, and workflows to improve efficiency and accuracy.

    + Collaborate with the Family Support team to ensure consistency in expense review thresholds and common errors.

    + Identify systemic risks or policy gaps through analysis of audit patterns.

    + Contribute to regular audit reports and compliance summaries for program leadership.

    + Maintain strict confidentiality and impartiality when reviewing participant information.

    + Perform other duties as assigned to uphold the financial accountability of the program.

    Required Qualifications:

    + Bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, business administration, or related field. Equivalent work experience may be considered.

    + Experience in auditing, financial review, or compliance monitoring.

    + Strong analytical and investigative skills; able to detect patterns and anomalies in transaction data.

    + High level of accuracy and attention to detail.

    + Proficient with spreadsheets and financial systems.

    + Strong written communication skills for documentation and reporting.

    + Ability to work independently and maintain neutrality in investigations.

    Preferred Qualifications:

    + Experience with public sector financial management or educational funding programs.

    + Familiarity with Arkansas state education or financial regulations.

    + Certification or coursework in audit, compliance, or fraud detection (e.g., CFE, CIA, or similar).

    + Experience using risk-based audit frameworks.

    + Experience communicating audit findings to both technical and non-technical audiences.

    Position Information

    Class Code: E019C

     

    Grade: GS09

     

    FLSA Status: EXEMPT

     

    Salary Range: $50,222.00 - $80,105.00

    Summary

    The Public School Program Advisor is responsible for assisting in the development, monitoring, and evaluation of educational programs in schools. This position is governed by state and federal laws and school board and agency/institution policy.

     

    Functions

     

    Provides supplemental educational services that are consistent with the instruction and content used by the local school district and aligned to Arkansas' Curriculum Frameworks. Designs, implements, and evaluates program compliance and effectiveness of training, curricula, and related educational services in local school districts and intermediate and regional units. Conducts workshops or seminars to present information critical to specialized program area and provides in-service training. Provides technical assistance to school officials by interpreting laws or policies, answering questions, or resolving problems relative to assigned program areas. Researches and analyzes demographic, labor market, and technological data, and makes recommendations on education programs to meet changing needs. Acts as a liaison with education and public interest groups to inform them of departmental activities and identify needs. Performs other duties as assigned.

     

    Dimensions

     

    Frequent in-state overnight travel is required.

     

    Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

     

    Knowledge of the organization and operation of public schools. Knowledge of rules, regulations, and statutes relating to program area. Knowledge of consultative practices and techniques. Knowledge of planning, research, and analysis techniques and procedures. Ability to plan and organize comprehensive reports. Ability to interpret and apply state and federal laws and regulations governing school programs. Ability to develop, evaluate, and monitor the effectiveness of programs and services related to program area.

    Minimum Qualifications

    The formal education equivalent of a bachelor's degree in public administration, educational administration, education, or related field; plus five years of experience in education, public school administration, or related field. Additional requirements determined by the agency for recruiting purposes require review and approval by the Office of Personnel Management. OTHER JOB RELATED EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE MAY BE SUBSTITUTED FOR ALL OR PART OF THESE BASIC REQUIREMENTS, EXCEPT FOR CERTIFICATION OR LICENSURE REQUIREMENTS, UPON APPROVAL OF THE QUALIFICATIONS REVIEW COMMITTEE.

     

    Licenses

     

    None

     

    The State of Arkansas is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, age, disability, citizenship, national origin, genetic information, military or veteran status, or any other status or characteristic protected by law.

     

    Nearest Major Market:Little Rock