Facilities Funding Lead Analyst (Financial Analyst IV)

Facilities Funding Lead Analyst (Financial Analyst IV)

Organization: TEXAS EDUCATION AGENCY

Primary Location: Texas-Austin

Work Locations: Texas Education Agency 1701 North Congress Avenue Austin 78701

Job: Business and Financial Operations

Employee Status: Regular

Schedule: Full-time

Standard Hours Per Week: 40.00

Travel: Yes, 5 % of the Time

State Job Code: 1085

Salary Admin Plan: B

Grade: 26

Salary (Pay Basis): 6,377.50-8,492.39 (Monthly)

Number of Openings: 1

Overtime Status: Exempt

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.

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

• 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
• 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
• 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)
• 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
• 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.