Facilities Funding Lead Analyst (Financial Analyst IV)

Job Description

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.

New hires, re-hires, and internal hires will typically receive a starting salary between the posted minimum and the average pay of employees in their same classification. Offers will be commensurate with the candidate's experience and qualifications and will thoughtfully consider internal pay equity for agency staff who perform similar duties and have similar qualifications. The top half of the posted salary range is generally reserved for candidates who exceed the requirements and qualifications for the role. The maximum salary range is reserved for candidates that far exceed the required and preferred qualifications for the role.

Position Overview:

The Facilities Funding Lead Analyst works within the State Funding Division, which is responsible for administering the Foundation School Program (FSP). The FSP determines the amount of state and local funding due to school districts under Texas school finance law and provides the state share of this funding to districts. This role supports schools by performing highly advanced (senior-level) financial analysis and regulatory work related to various facilities funding programs used in the state's school finance formulas, including but not limited to, the New Instructional Facility Allotment (NIFA), Instructional Facility Allotment (IFA), Existing Debt Allotment (EDA) and additional state aid for homestead exemption (ASAHE).

The scope of work includes collecting and analyzing bond data, updating the Summary of Finances (SOF) reports, generating payments, and implementing new legislation. The analyst acts as team lead and works closely with analysts, leadership, and other internal stakeholders to ensure effective and efficient program implementation in compliance with applicable statutes and regulations. The work involves compiling, reviewing, analyzing, and evaluating financial data; interpreting statutes and regulations and accurately translating requirements into calculations and methodologies that determine funding; and providing expert technical assistance to school districts and their financial and legal advisors, agency staff, and other stakeholders. The successful candidate will have a high degree of initiative, advanced financial concepts, and high proficiency using intermediate to advanced Microsoft Excel functions.

Flexible work location within the state of Texas may be considered for qualified candidates.

Please note that a resume and tailored cover letter 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.

Essential Functions:

Job duties are not limited to the essential functions mentioned below. You may perform other functions as assigned.

1. Financial Analysis and Process Control: determines cost of operations for the state's facilities funding programs by implementing applicable statutes and regulations to ensure that school districts receive appropriate amounts of funding; collects and reviews school district applications for IFA funding to determine compliance with applicable laws, regulations, policies, and procedures; updates summary of finances (SOF) reports; and processes outstanding balances

2. Compliance and Transparency: applies funding formulas used to distribute money to school districts in accordance with the Texas Education Code and Texas Administrative Code, implementing changes as necessary; develops and maintains associated rules, web content, and standard operating procedures for the state's IFA and EDA programs

3. Strategy and Process Improvements: increases productivity by developing and maintaining automated financial processes and systems; determines software change requirements and conducts User Acceptance Testing (UAT)

4. Intra-Agency Coordination: oversees and reviews the work of junior analysts related to the state's facilities funding programs, including the bond guarantee program (BGP) providing guidance to ensure accuracy, consistency, and timely completion of work products; collaborates with the division on projects and supports the administration of FSP programs, including updating SOF reports and related financial transactions

5. Cross Training: promotes flexibility and efficiency by learning and sharing skills across roles, enabling coverage for multiple responsibilities and fostering adaptability to enhance overall team effectiveness


Qualifications:

Minimum Qualifications:

• Education: Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university

• Experience: At least four [4] years of experience in financial analysis, and regulatory work


• Substitutions: Each additional year of related experience above the required minimum may substitute for education on a year-for-year basis.

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.

• Demonstrates a strong customer-service orientation, effectively engaging with both internal and external stakeholders.

• Communicates complex information clearly and effectively, both verbally and in writing, to diverse audiences, including financial advisors and bond counsel.

• Performs and interprets numerical analyses, breaking down complex data into understandable components; asks critical questions and synthesizes insights.

• Proficient in data analysis tools, with advanced expertise in Microsoft Excel.

• Accurate interpretation of statutes, regulations, and financial/bond documents.


• Understand abstract concepts and draw correlations between facts, processes, and mathematical formulas.

• Builds collaborative, professional relationships across teams.

• Creative problem-solver with independent thinking and teamwork skills.

• Commitment to continuous improvement through self-reflection, give/receive feedback, actively listen, and adaptability.

• Highly organized; Strong project management skills to meet deadlines across multiple concurrent projects; and meticulous attention to detail with an ability to produce high quality work.


• Knowledge of state facilities funding formulas and programs is preferred.

• Experience working in municipal finance field with school district administrators, elected officials, and other policymakers is preferred.

• Major coursework in accounting, business administration, finance, economics, or a related field is preferred.

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 State's 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.

To learn more about working at TEA, including hiring timelines, process details, and candidate resources, please visit the Employment at TEA page.

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. Please add "View email address on click.appcast.io" and "@tea.texas.gov" to your safe senders list to ensure you receive email notifications from our talent acquisition team and/or hiring division regarding your candidacy.