Please paste the following URL into a browser to view the entire job posting in the CAPPS Career Section: https://capps.taleo.net/careersection/ex/jobdetail.ftl?job=00039204You may apply to the job directly through the CAPPS Career Section. It is not necessary to apply both through Work In Texas and CAPPS Career Section

　　MISSION: The Texas Education Agency (TEA) will improve outcomes for all public-school students in the state by providing leadership, guidance, and support to school systems.Core Values: We are Determined: We are committed and intentional in the pursuit of our main purpose, to improve outcomes for students. We are People-Centered: We strive to attract, develop, and retain the most committed talent, representing the diversity of Texas, each contributing to our common vision for students. We are Learners: We seek evidence, reflect on success and failure, and try new approaches in the pursuit of excellence for our students. We are Servant Leaders: Above all else, we are public servants working to improve opportunities for students and provide support to those who serve them.POSITION OVERVIEW:The District Operations, Technology and Sustainability Supports (DOTSS) Division is part of the Department of Instructional Strategy. The DOTSS team is seeking a Budget and Contracts Specialist (Program Specialist VI). The Budget and Contracts Specialist is responsible for planning, managing, and monitoring a wide variety of contract and financial systems to support the Department of Instructional Strategy.Work involves coordinating budgetary activities and contracts management, reviewing, and analyzing budgets and performance measures, and providing technical advice and assistance on budgetary and contract matters. Provides advice and assistance on financial planning and management, ways to better utilize funds and staff, improvement in management accountability, and efficient means to reach program objectives. Works under limited supervision, with considerable latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment.Flexible work location within the state of Texas may be considered for qualified candidates.Please note that a resume, tailored cover letter, and short answer responses are required attachments for applying to this position. Incomplete applications will not be considered. Applicants who are strongly being considered for employment must submit to a national criminal history background check.and#8239;ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:1. Contract and Grant Budget Coordination - Coordinate the budget, invoicing, and change management requests related to department contracts. Reviews invoices and associated documentation reports for completeness, appropriateness, and accuracy.2. Internal Finance and Operations Support - Advise and assist contract and grant managers on fiscal policy and controls for program and administrative budgets. Provides advice and assistance concerning budget and funding procedures and methods. Assists in reviewing, evaluating, and preparing requests for funds.3. Budget Reporting - Collects, analyzes, and reports data that supports alternative solutions to budget and management problems. Reviews financial and operating budget reports for accuracy and identifies areas in which more appropriate use of funds can be made.4. Instructional Materials Contract Liaison - Serves as a liaison with contract providers to ensure participation is consistent with program, legal, and fiscal requirements. Manage the contracting process for new instructional materials contracts with the State Board of Education. Coordinates the processing of contract documents to ensure that management understands and authorizes contract terms.5. Process Management - Assists in the preparation and transmission of documents related to State Board of Education agenda items and minutes, legislative requests, and agency rulemaking.Qualifications: MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:Education: Graduation from an accredited four-year college o university with major coursework in accounting, finance, business administration, public administration, or a related field is generally preferredExperience: At least four (4) years of experience in accounting, finance, business administration, public administration, or a related fieldSubstitutions: An advanced degree may substitute for two years of required experience.OTHER QUALIFICATIONS: Share the belief that all Texas students can achieve at high levels and are able to succeed in college, career, or the military Certified Texas Procurement Manager (CTCM) certification or take the training and pass the exam within the first 6 months of employment Strong attention to detail Strong analytical skills with the ability to collect, organize, analyze, and disseminate significant amounts of financial information to various audiences Ability to communicate a complex message in a simplified way verbally and in writing Ability to prioritize work, operate effectively with minimal supervision, take appropriate initiative, and exercise independent judgment Understand legislative/budget processes and budget, performance, and operations at TEA Advanced projectand#8239;and vendorand#8239;management skills, including planning, coordination,and#8239;progress monitoring, issue resolution, and change management Strong ability to learn quickly and solve new and dynamic operating problems A desire to be a team player and find flexible solutions to meet stakeholder needs Identifies insights, creates and maintains dashboards, tracks key performance indicators, and recommends process and strategy improvements; partners with stakeholder groups to enact these recommendations.As an equal opportunity employer, we hire without consideration to race, religion, color, national origin, sex, disability, age or veteran status, unless an applicant is entitled to the military employment preference. To review the Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) codes from each branch of the U.S. Armed Forces to each job classification series in the States Position Classification Plan (provided by the State Auditor's Office), please access the Military Crosswalk (occupational specialty code) Guide and click on the military occupational category that corresponds with the state classification in this job posting title.This position requires the applicant to meet Agency standards and criteria which may include passing a pre-employment criminal background check, prior to being offered employment by the Agency. No phone calls or emails, please. Due to the high volume of applications, we do not accept telephone calls and cannot reply to all email inquiries. Only candidates selected for interview will be contacted.