Budget Specialist - ESS

Dysart Unified School District; Surprise (AZ); On-site; USD 55,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

Dysart Unified School District in Surprise, AZ seeks a Budget Analyst to support the Exceptional Student Services (ESS) Department with budget oversight and fiscal management. You will be the primary operational point for Medicaid/School-Based Claiming submissions, tracking, and audits, acting as the financial liaison between ESS and the Finance Department.

Responsibilities include monitoring expenditures across funding sources, aiding annual budget planning, and ensuring USFR and ADE grant

Job description

SUMMARY:

Assist the Exceptional Student Services (ESS) Department in comprehensive budget oversight and fiscal management. Serves as the primary operational point for Medicaid/School-Based Claiming reimbursement submissions, tracking, and audit compliance. Role is a critical financial liaison between ESS and the Finance Department.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Communicates and works positively and cooperatively with all staff populations, serving as the primary liaison between the Special Education Director, Finance Department, school sites, and district administrators, to monitor and manage ESS budgets.
• Tracks and maintains budget information on all Special Education funding, including but not limited to M&O, capital, Medicaid reimbursements, local funds, and state/federal grants.
• Collaborates with the ESS Director on annual budget preparation and full-time equivalent (FTE) allocations.
• Analyze Special Education expenditures and balances to ensure proper utilization of funds, cost allowability, and fiscal accuracy and compliance.
• Monitors financial aspects of Special Education funds to ensure compliance with the Uniform System of Financial Records (USFR) and ADE grant compliance.
• Coordinates Special Education funds including budget allocation, position control tracking, and review/approval of requisitions.
• Collaborates with grant coordinators on budget development, line-item adjustments, grant applications, and amendments.
• Ensures ongoing compliance with local, state, and federal statutes and requirements.
• Prepares and submits required compliance paperwork for grant and reimbursement funds including salary documentation, requisitions, contracts, travel, conference registrations, equipment, capital, and all other expenditures.
• Coordinates audit preparation and records retention for district, state, and federal special education grant audits and Medicaid audits.
• Establishes and maintains professional, service-oriented relationships with students, employees, community members, and vendors.
• Maintains a high ethical standards, professional integrity, and strict confidentiality regarding student and employee records.
• Performs other job related duties as assigned.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES REQUIRED:

To perform the job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The qualifications for this job description are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Education:

• High school diploma or G.E.D. required
• Associate Degree in accounting, finance, economics or related field preferred
• Obtain and maintain a valid Arizona Identity Verified Prints (IVP) Fingerprint Clearance Card (AZ IVP FPCC)

Experience:

• Three (3) years experience in school finance or other related fields

Computer Skills:

• Demonstrated competency in computer literacy, Word, Excel and Google
• Experience with school finance software, School ERP Pro preferred

Abilities:

• Prioritize, manage, and deliver multi-faceted projects independently, proactively, timely, and accurately.
• Master and effectively utilize district ERP software, ADE Grant Management system, Medicaid billing systems, and advanced Excel functions.
• Analyze complex financial data, research discrepancies, and resolve accounting issues with sound judgment.
• Demonstrate ability to work independently.
• Apply reason to research and solve moderately complex issues with little or no assistance.
• Maintain strict ethical behavior, professional integrity, and complete confidentiality regarding student and fiscal data.
• Excellent organizational skills.
• Knowledge of basic accounting skills including maintaining accurate ledgers, ensuring proper grant requisition, and procurement practices.
• Compose clear, professional written communications and interact effectively with administrators, staff, and vendors.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

The physical demands described here are representatives of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, employee is frequently required to sit, talk, and hear. The employee occasionally will stand and walk. The employee is occasionally required to reach with hands and arms. Employee will frequently interact with the public and other staff members. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

Work is routinely performed in an indoor, office environment.