FINANCE SPECIALIST

State of Louisiana; Baton Rouge (LA); On-site; USD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Louisiana Office of Community Development (OCD) is seeking a professional to implement disaster recovery programs under the OCD. The role requires knowledge of accounting principles and disaster recovery initiatives, with emphasis on federal/state regulations and policy compliance.

Responsibilities include reconciling finances across multiple systems, providing financial data to stakeholders, and approving project draws and payments. Strong Excel and ERP experience are preferred.

Qualifications

• Baccalaureate degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field plus two years in accounting/finance/budget.
• Three years of full-time experience may substitute for a degree.
• Master's may substitute for one year of experience or two years for a specialized degree.

Responsibilities

• Reconcile financial information across systems (LaGov, DRGR, IGX, Excel) and maintain audit trails.
• Provide grantees, vendors, program staff and stakeholders with financial information and resolve discrepancies.
• Review and approve project draw requests and disaster recovery payments for compliance.

Skills

Data analysis

Advanced Excel

Regulatory knowledge

Budget reconciliation

Education

Bachelor's degree in Accounting/Finance/Business Administration

Tools

Lagov ERP (ECC/SRM/LEO)

Microsoft Office 365

Job description

The Division of Administration/Office of Community Development/Disaster Recovery Unit (DRU) has a vacancy. This job is Unclassified.

The Louisiana Office of Community Development (OCD) administers Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery and Mitigation (CDBG-DR and CDBG-MIT) grants and other federal and state funding allocated to the State of Louisiana. These programs support long-term recovery, resilience, and mitigation for communities affected by Presidentially Declared Disasters. OCD’s grant portfolio exceeds $20 billion and encompasses multiple federal awards, each containing numerous programs, funding activities, and implementation timelines.

This is a professional level position designed to implement disaster recovery programs under the Office of Community Development (OCD). The position will oversee or assist in the administration of disaster recovery programs in observance of federal and state statutory requirements and regulations and policies. This position requires a particular knowledge of accounting principles, as well as aspects of disaster recovery, disaster CDBG programs, FEMA programs and other federal and state recovery initiatives and key disaster recovery entities and organizations.

The Division of Administration is the state government’s management arm and the hub of its financial operations. Division offices perform a wide variety of activities including the following:

• Overseeing the state’s capital construction program
• Working to provide state and federal grants for community development
• Development of the state budget
• Providing technology services
• Giving agencies guidance in the state purchasing and contracting process as they seek goods and services
• Administering a program that provides federal funds to help Louisiana residents recover from a series of devastating hurricane

A baccalaureate degree in Accounting, Finance, or Business Administration, Public Administration, Economics, Auditing, or related field plus two years of experience in accounting, finance or budget.

Substitutions

Three years of full‑time experience in accounting, finance or budget may substitute for a degree.

A Master’s degree from an accredited college or university may substitute for one (1) year of the required experience or two (2) years for a specialized degree in related fields.

Preferred Qualifications

Knowledge of Community Development Block Grant – Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR)

Knowledge of Federal Emergency Management Agency Public Assistance Program

Proficiency in Microsoft Office/365 (Word, Advanced Excel skills, PowerPoint, Outlook, etc.)

Experience with the Lagov ERP system, specifically the ECC, SRM & LEO modules.

Proficiency in Data Analysis

Advanced experience with Excel

Advanced experience with reconciliation of systems

Ability to understand federal regulations and state policies

Essential Functions

(Duties are illustrative and not comprehensive. Responsibilities may vary.)

Reconcilefinancial information across systems and files (including but not limited to LaGov, DRGR, IGX, and Excel) and maintain accounting records that provide a clear audit trail.

Providegrantees, vendors, program staff, and other stakeholders with financial information; research and resolve discrepancies throughout the project lifecycle.

Review and approve project draw requests and disaster recovery payments, verifying documentation, approvals, coding, accuracy, and regulatory compliance.

Ensure grantee and vendor costs comply with federal regulations, state policies, guidelines and contract terms.

Verify payment request against budgets to ensure proper funding is available.

Assistthe Division of Administration and other stakeholders in interpreting program directives, best practices, regulations, and legislation.

Coordinate with key partners and agencies for special disaster recovery needs and in specific technical expertise.

Provide highly responsible and complex technical support in specialized recovery effort to division Director or designee and OCD management.

Position-Specific Details

Louisiana is a "State as a Model Employer" for People with Disabilities.

Eligibility and Application Requirements

No Civil Service test score is required in order to be considered for this vacancy.

Also, prospective employees may be subject to pre‑employment drug testing. New hires will be subject to employment eligibility verification via the federal government's E‑verify system.

* Information to support your eligibility for this job title must be included in the application (i.e., relevant, detailed experience/education). Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of completed education and experience sections on your application. Applications may be rejected if incomplete.

Applicants qualifying based on college training or receipt of a baccalaureate degree will be required to submit an official college transcript to verify credentials claimed prior to appointment. Please make every effort to attach a copy of your transcript to your application. The transcripts can be added as an attachment to your online application. The selected candidate will be required to submit original documentation upon hire.

Contact Information

Erica R. Gay

HR Specialist

Division of Administration/Office of Human Resources

email: [e-mail]