IDEA Fiscal Manager

Description

The Education Secretariat is committed to equity and valuing the unique and diverse characteristics and experiences of every member of its workforce. We encourage an authentic workplace where colleagues show up as their full selves, where collaboration, innovation, and connections are key to realizing our mission that all children, youth, and families thrive socially, academically, and economically. We seek teammates who are committed to promoting a diverse and inclusive work environment, where everyone is valued and engaged. We encourage you to apply and identify your strengths in these areas.

This position is based at the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education in Everett. Staff are currently operating within a hybrid model, that combines two in-office workdays and telecommuting up to three days per week. This model is subject to change.

The Office of Special Education Planning and Policy (SEPP) is integral to the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education’s (Department) development of policy, oversight of programming, and administration of federal funding for students with disabilities in the Commonwealth. The IDEA Fiscal Manager supports the State Director of Special Education in creating and sustaining a reasonably designed and coherent system of general supervision. Specifically, the IDEA Fiscal Manager is a member of the SEPP management team, who along with the Director and Assistant Directors, identifies and implements SEPPS’s strategic priorities consistent with the Department’s education vision and special education programmatic and fiscal data. The IDEA Fiscal Manager, along with the SEPP Director and Assistant Directors, sets policy regarding the administration, use, and monitoring of approximately $40 million federal IDEA Part B dollars for state-level activities. The IDEA Fiscal Manager also develops, implements, and supervises monitoring compliance with policy related to IDEA Part B funds allocated to upwards of 400 schools and districts designated as local education agencies (LEA), as well of those used for state-level activities.

The IDEA Fiscal manager leads the SEPP fiscal team in providing fiscal management and oversight for all federal special education funds and fiscal activities, and is responsible for ensuring effective financial management in compliance with applicable laws, rules, regulations, policies, procedures, and standards.

The IDEA Fiscal Manager develops and implements policies regarding annual budgets on behalf of the State Director and SEPP management, creates and maintains the state spending plan, reconciles spending, and addresses fiscal and programmatic policy issues related to IDEA Part B funding. The IDEA Fiscal Manager oversees the administration of grants and the procurement of services that support special education program priorities through IDEA Part B funding. They provide and supervise the provision of expertise and technical assistance to school districts and Department staff on federal special education fiscal requirements and reporting.

Fiscal management and oversight includes :

• Administering and auditing over 350 million dollars of federal IDEA funding through direction allocations and grant funding to LEAs for all IDEA Part B section 611 and section 619 funds.
• Supporting the State Director in developing and overseeing the administrative budget including the allocation of resources to other DESE offices including the approval and oversight of budget proposals.
• Developing an aligned fiscal system that promotes collaboration with other Department fiscal units and creating systems for internal controls.
• Ensuring IDEA Part B fiscal compliance with requirements such as equitable services, comprehensive coordinated early intervening services, non-supplanting, maintenance of effort, and excess cost.
• Overseeing all financial reporting and financial analysis for all federal IDEA Part B funding.
• Overseeing technical assistance, professional development / training, and corrective action associated with the expenditures of IDEA Part B.
• Responding to USED to resolve complaint-related matters, as assigned.

Key Responsibilities :

Develop, administer, and maintain special education budgets

o Earmarks

o Coordinated Pandemic Related Transition Services

o Other legislative priorities

o IDEA Part B State Set Aside

o Department unit budgets including SEPP, PSM, PRS, OASES, SEIS, and other units as assigned.

o Special education targeted funding such as Fund Codes 258, 274, 298, etc.

o LEA passthrough funds such as LEA allocations and Fund Codes 240 and 262, etc

Provide oversight for all IDEA Part B section 611 and 619 funds including :

Recommend, develop, and implement policy and procedures related to the administration of IDEA Part B funds;

Recommend corrective action and sanctions in accordance with IDEA Part B

Provide IDEA Part B fiscal expertise and support to Department fiscal staff and LEA fiscal staff

Provide supervision to fiscal support staff

Oversee data collection, reporting, and analysis related to the fiscal oversight of IDEA Part B funds

Other related duties.

Preferred Qualifications :

Knowledge of public and fiscal management practices and procedures, including budgeting, auditing, fiscal monitoring, procurement, contract management and program accountability;

Knowledge of policy development and development of fiscal procedures.

Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing;

Experience working with other professionals to accomplish complex tasks both as a team member and as a team leader;

Knowledge of special education programs and services preferred;

Advanced knowledge of Microsoft Office programs, particularly Excel and Access

Experience with MMARS;

Experience with financial management and oversight including fiscal auditing and monitoring;

Knowledge of IDEA and state and federal funding practices and procedures preferred;

Knowledge of federal grant awards and their reporting requirements;

Experience supervising multiple staff members, training, and motivating staff to effectively perform / complete assignments while implementing individual professional growth plans;

Based on assignment, some travel may be required with this position, which may include occasional out of state travel.

Questions regarding this position, or the application process, should be directed to Dawn.E.

Qualifications

MINIMUM ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS :

Applicants must have at least (A) five (5) years of full-time or, equivalent part-time, professional, professional internship, administrative, supervisory, or managerial experience in financial management work (i.e. budgeting, accounting, auditing, management analysis, program evaluation, financial reporting of program results) or (B) any equivalent combination of the required experience and substitutions below

Substitutions :

I. A certificate in a relevant or related field may be substituted for one (1) year of the required experience.

II. A Bachelor's degree in a related field may be substituted for two (2) years of the required experience.

III. A Graduate degree in a related field may be substituted for three (3) years of the required experience.

IV. A Doctorate degree in a related field may be substituted for the four (4) years of the required experience.

Comprehensive Benefits

When you embark on a career with the Commonwealth, you are offered an outstanding suite of employee benefits that add to the overall value of your compensation package. We take pride in providing a work experience that supports you, your loved ones, and your future.

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