Project Specialist I - Technology

The Project Specialist I - Technology & Data Services provides high-level oversight and coordination of departmental purchasing, billing, budgeting, accounting processes, vendor relations, and consortium agreements. This position works closely with the Chief Information Officer (CIO) and Assistant Director of Technology to develop and monitor department budgets, oversee purchasing and contracts, and ensure financial accuracy and compliance., * Demonstrates a strong commitment to equity, social justice, and inclusion in all practices and position responsibilities.’

• Demonstrates the ability to examine how his/her/their position (directly or indirectly) impacts educational inequities in student achievement outcomes.
• Engages in reflection and ongoing learning and development on critical concepts and terms identified in the Washtenaw ISD Educational Equity Policy including concepts such as cultural proficiency, racial equity, and systemic and structural inequities.
• Works directly with the CIO and Assistant Director of Technology to develop, manage, and monitor departmental budgets.
• Coordinates with Business Office for successful processing of transactions.
• Contributes to the development of annual and multi-year budget projections for equipment, software, licensing, maintenance renewals, service contracts, and consortium agreements.
• Provides budget tracking, expenditure forecasting, account reconciliation, and assists with end-of-year financial closeout processes.
• Runs monthly budget reports and prepares financial analysis and reporting for department and organizational leadership.
• Reviews purchasing activity to ensure alignment with approved budgets and compliance with District, State, and Federal financial guidelines, policies, and procedures.
• Performs departmental purchasing processes including tracking documentation.
• Works closely with the Technology Office Professional to ensure purchase orders are accurate, properly documented, approved, and compliant with organizational policies and procedures.
• Oversees and maintains departmental purchase logs, financial tracking systems, and related documentation.
• Utilizes Script and other workflow systems to manage approvals, compliance requirements, purchasing documentation, and financial processes.
• Analyzes purchasing trends and identifies cost efficiencies and strategic sourcing opportunities.
• Manages and oversees technology service contracts, consortium purchasing programs, and customized District service agreements.
• Coordinates with vendors and contractors to ensure accurate billing, financial accountability, and compliance with contractual obligations.
• Runs quarterly billing reports for contracts and consortium agreements with local districts.
• Creates and distributes invoices to local districts based on quarterly billing reports.
• Maintains ongoing billing and revenue tracking records to ensure timely and accurate payment processing.
• Works directly with LEAs regarding invoices, service agreements, billing questions, and financial reporting.
• Oversees financial management and reconciliation processes for customized district service contracts and agreements.
• Provides financial and operational data analysis to support departmental evaluation, strategic planning, and organizational decision-making.
• Develops reports, documentation, and data summaries for leadership teams, department staff, consortium members, and district partners.
• Attends regularly scheduled meetings.
• Maintains repositories of project and financial documentation.
• Maintains regular, predictable attendance.
• OTHER RELATED DUTIES AS ASSIGNED.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required (unless marked preferred). Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions., * Associate’s Degree in business management or related subject - required.

• Project Management courses, certification, or equivalent experience - preferred.
• Two to four years of technology purchasing experience - required.
• Previous budget experience.
• Previous experience working with New World Financial Management software.
• Such alternatives to the above qualifications as the Board may find appropriate and acceptable., * Demonstrates ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from district partners, vendors, and staff.
• Demonstrates ability to read and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, governmental regulations, and forms.
• Demonstrates ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.
• Demonstrates ability to read, analyze, and interpret budget reports.
• Demonstrates ability to write reports and business correspondence.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.

TECHNICAL SKILLS

• Demonstrates proficiency in the use of a personal computer (PC) or MAC in a networked environment to utilize the Internet and other electronic communications mechanisms such as email, conferencing, etc.
• Demonstrates high proficiency and skill using productivity applications such as Microsoft Office (word processing, spreadsheets, database, and presentation software) and other technology to support efficient and effective office operation as required.
• Exhibits proficiency in New World ERP or able to rapidly learn and adopt new, equivalent systems.
• Demonstrates ability to create web-based forms and documents.

MATHEMATICAL SKILLS

• Demonstrates ability to apply basic math, algebra, and geometry consistent with this position’s duties.

REASONING ABILITY

• Demonstrates ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists.
• Exhibits high level of professionalism with the ability to handle confidential information, use good judgment, plan, and handle complex projects, and maintain a flexible attitude.
• Demonstrates ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions.

INTERPERSONAL SKILLS

• Demonstrates ability to work independently with management guidance.
• Exhibits exceptional organizational, leadership and interpersonal skills.
• Demonstrates excellent customer service and communication skills with a student-centered focus.
• Demonstrates ability to build rapport with others and to serve diverse publics.
• Demonstrates ability to take initiative; work well with others as a collaborative team member and exhibit good communication skills.
• Demonstrates ability to work effectively and collaboratively with other departments, agencies, and individuals., While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand, walk, sit, talk, see, and hear. The employee is occasionally required to stoop, kneel, crouch, crawl, and reach with hands and arms. The employee is continuously repeating the same hand, arm or finger motion many times. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distant vision, and the ability to adjust focus. This position requires the individual to travel and/or drive to various off-site locations. The position requires the individual to sometimes work irregular or extended work hours and meet multiple demands from several people., This position description has been prepared to define the general duties of the position, provide examples of work and to detail the required knowledge, skills and ability as well as the acceptable experience and training for the position. The description is not intended to limit or modify the right of any supervisor to assign, direct and control the duties of employees under supervision. The WISD retains and reserves all rights to change, modify, amend, add to, or delete from any portion of this description in its sole judgment. This position description is not a contract for employment.

Contract, salary and other employment conditions to be established by the Board of Education as reflected in the Non-Affiliated Staff Manual. Starting salary ranging (dependent upon experience) from $54,189 - $66,599.

The WISD’s Mission is to educate, serve, and advocate with students, families, schools, and the community. We disrupt racial inequities, build just educational systems, and expand access for all learners. We value human potential while striving to support current and future generations of Washtenaw County to enrich as many lives as we possibly can.

The WISD’s Vision is to be a leader in empowering, facilitating, and delivering high-quality, boundary-spanning, educational system that educates all children through an equitable, inclusive, and holistic approach.