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Financial Specialist, Senior

Posting Begin Date: 2025/10/23

Posting End Date: 2025/10/30

Category: Education

Sub Category: K-12

Work Type: Full Time

Minimum Salary: 28.89

Maximum Salary: 32.00

Pay Rate Type: Hourly

Description

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 4:59 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 athttp://www.sde.idaho.gov/.

The principal function of this position is to perform a variety of financial duties, primarily supporting the Department of Education’s (Department) Content and Curriculum and Career Ready Students programs. This position supports legislatively appropriated funding initiatives and coordinates activities for the Department’s initiatives. The position will track and audit budgets, analyze and report on program finances, assist with collecting data to monitor program metrics and outcomes, and provide additional support to various Department programs. It will also evaluate grant or contract applications; provide grant, contract, and budget coordination and technical assistance.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Provide financial support to Content and Curriculum and Career Ready Students programs, with the potential to support additional programs

• Process invoices, verify eligibility, and request additional information or supporting documentation regarding program expenses in compliance with laws, regulations, and policies

• Maintain, track, analyze, and report on budgets, grants, and other program data

• Provide technical support to contractors and monitor contractual agreements

• Provide support to grant recipients to determine reimbursement eligibility

• Review and evaluate grants for conformance to established criteria and compliance with provisions of laws and regulations

• Ensure ongoing compliance with regulations, as well as legal, reasonable and necessary use of funds

• Confer with awarding agencies, grantees, contractors and subgrantees on administrative procedures, allowable expenditures, and billing

• Maintain tracking system for multiple programs over multiple funding periods of expenditures and balances

• Provide quality customer service to inquiries regarding grant or contract availability requirements and procedures

• Monitor deadlines for grant applicants and program coordinators, and disseminate guidance procedures and status to ensure fiscal compliance with federal and state regulation

• Provide technical assistance and advise grantees on interpretation of program regulations and guidelines with final approval by program coordinators

• Compile, sort, and analyze data for federal and state reporting

• Budget, track, and approve expenditures of federal and state funds

• Process receipt of funds from outside contacts

• Contracts & Compliance – Private Entities & Vendors

-In partnership with Content and Curriculum Coordinators, prepare and route contracts

-Execute and ensure contract compliance while maintaining centralized tracking of contracts

• May develop, design, or modify forms and documents

• Format any public documents for ADA accessibility, according to SDE policies and procedures

• Review and format financial-related public documents for ADA accessibility per Department policies and procedures

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Three to five (3-5) years financial experience is preferred; or any equivalent combination of experience and training which provides the knowledge and abilities necessary to perform the work;

Knowledge of:

• Accounting, financial, and budgetary principles, procedures, and objectives

• SDE and state purchasing, payment, and reimbursement policies and procedures;

• Record keeping methods, techniques, and objectives;

• Principles and practices of school finance, accounting, and budget administration;

Ability to:

• Follow written and oral instructions and comply with Department policies and procedures;

• Perform financial, auditing, and budgetary analysis;

• Operate standard office equipment and a personal computer and job-related software applications for word processing, spreadsheets, and other required applications;

• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with other SDE employees, supervisory personnel, school staff, administrators, and the general public;

• Gather facts, analyze, and report research findings in a clear, complete, and logical form;

• Communicate clearly and concisely, orally and in writing;

• Maintain records efficiently and accurately and prepare clear and concise reports;

• Perform multiple tasks simultaneously, including handling interruptions, and return to and complete tasks in a timely manner;

• Perform a wide variety of duties and responsibilities with accuracy and speed under stress and the pressure of time-sensitive deadlines;

• Maintain confidentiality.

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, business, or related field

• Experience with statewide Luma system

• Working knowledge of state and federal grants management or state and federal cost principles

• A basic understanding of accounting practices for large-scale construction projects

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: (with or without reasonable accommodation)

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

• Operate standard office equipment such as a computer, telephone, copier, and scanner.

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

• Read, review, and process both printed and digital documents.

• Navigate websites and online systems; identify and respond to safety concerns; greet and assist visitors.

• Maintain focus and attention to detail for extended periods.

• Understand, communicate, and follow through on program support tasks and responsibilities.

• 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.

TRAVEL REQUIRED:

This position typically does not travel but may occasionally be requested to do so.

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.