Budget Specialist - ESS

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

Job summary

Dysart Unified School District is seeking a Budget Analyst to support the Exceptional Student Services (ESS) Department with budget oversight and fiscal management. The role serves as the primary operational liaison for Medicaid/School-Based Claiming submissions, tracking, and audit compliance.

In this position you will monitor ESS budgets across M&O, capital, grants, and local funds, collaborate with the ESS Director on budget development, and ensure adherence to USFR and grant requirements

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required.
• Associate degree in accounting, finance, economics or related field preferred.
• Obtain and maintain AZ IVP FPCC clearance.
• Three years of experience in school finance.
• Proficient in Word, Excel and Google; experience with school finance software preferred.

Responsibilities

• Communicates and cooperates with staff to monitor and manage ESS budgets.
• Tracks and maintains budget information for Special Education funding (M&O, capital, Medicaid, grants).
• Collaborates with the ESS Director on annual budget preparation and FTE allocations.
• Analyze expenditures and balances for proper use of funds and compliance.
• Ensure compliance with USFR and ADE grant requirements.
• Coordinate Special Education funds including budget allocation and requisitions.
• Assist with grant applications, amendments, and line-item adjustments.
• Maintain confidentiality and professional integrity in all duties.

Skills

Budget oversight

Financial liaison

Multi-stakeholder communication

Financial analysis

Education

High school diploma or GED

Associate degree in accounting, finance, economics or related field

AZ IVP FPCC clearance card

Tools

School ERP Pro

ADE Grant Management system

Medicaid billing systems

Job description

REPORTS TO
Budget Analyst
FLSA STATUS
Non-Exempt
SUPERVISES
No
DEPT
Finance
FTE
1.0
WORK CALENDAR
253
GRADE
S
APPROVED
REVISED
09/14/2026
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

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet.

The information contained in this job description is for compliance with the American’s with Disabilities Act (ADA) and is not an exhaustive list of the duties performed by this position. Additional duties are performed by the individuals currently holding this position and additional duties may be assigned.

The Dysart Unified School District is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer in compliance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Civil Rights Act Title VII of 1972, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990. Dysart Unified School District does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, disability or age in employment or in any of its educational programs or in the provisions of benefits and services to students.