School Finance Program Manager - Non-Classified

This position is full-time, is supported by both state and federal funds (is contingent upon the continued availability of those funds), and is remote. This position will be assigned to serve the Eastern Plains of Colorado and the Southern Colorado areas.

• Extended hours during the evening or the weekend may be required by business needs.

• Approximately of 50% of travel required will be required within the State of Coloradofor meetings, trainings, and site visits., Position Summary: This role is designed for someone who is interested in supporting Colorado’s school districts and charter schools in a fiscal and operational manner. This role will ensure the long-term fiscal viability of Colorado’s K-12 educational system. Under the direction of the Executive Director of School Finance, this position has the primary responsibility for assisting districts with high-level budgeting and accounting and providing expert advice on internal district financial operations. This position is responsible for creating and implementing a training program for building the capacity of Colorado school districts Superintendents, Chief Financial Officers, Business Managers, and other financial staff in the areas of School Finance, financial monitoring, budgeting, reporting and accounting, and fiscal strategy/policy. This role will be the primary point of contact between the Public School Finance Unit and district financial leadership in all areas surrounding district financial policies and procedures and the implementation of school finance. This role will serve as the main content expert and point of contact for all matters related to district financial operations and policies. This position will assist districts both on site and remotely and for such reasons this position will not be required to be based in Denver. on-site and remotely, and for such reasons,The final salary is anticipated to fall within the posted salary range, however could be higher or lower depending on the knowledge, skills, abilities, and other qualifications of the preferred candidate while considering internal equity. Major Duties and Responsibilities: School Finance Training and Technical Assistance:

• Develop, implement, and deliver training and technical assistance for school districts regarding school finance, financial monitoring,

• budgeting, reporting and accounting.

• Develop and deliver the annual new business manager training.

• Provide large-group, small-group and individualized professional development and mentoring to district finance staff.

• Create tools and processes that streamline budget development, audit preparation, and financial reporting for districts.

• Prepare and deliver content, as needed, for the Financial Policies and Procedures Advisory Committee.

• Present at conferences and meetings on school finance and district financial policies and procedures.

• Collaborate with the governmental auditing community in Colorado to ensure two-way communication, issues identification and problem

• solving regarding school district audits

• Research, identify and recommend necessary implementation for compliance with GASB and GAAP financial reporting requirements.

• Recommend and implement updates to the Chart of Accounts and Financial Policies and Procedures Handbook.

• Contribute to internal policy and process improvement, as well as the development of procedures related to school finance. Maintain focus

• on developing the most efficient, effective and timely processes necessary for the department and school districts to implement the Public

• School Finance Formula.

• Collaborate closely with other units at CDE regarding the implementation of school finance.

FOCUS Framework for Charter Schools Program and Advisory Board Support:

• Provide program management support for the FOCUS Framework for Charter Schools Program, including communication with

• participants, review of training content related to facility and financial oversight, and integration of school finance requirements into

• program materials.

• Manage and staff the Charter School Facility Finance Advisory Board, including scheduling meetings, preparing materials, facilitating

• feedback on course development and supporting continuous program improvement.

• Ensure strong communication and coordination between the Advisory Board, program vendors, the School Finance Unit, and the Director of

• Charter Schools.

• Maintain records, track program progress, and support reporting needs related to the certification program.

• Required to sit, view a computer screen, and utilize a keyboard and mouse for extended periods of time.

• May be required to lift and move up to 10 lbs of force frequently or 20 lbs occasionally.

• May be required to go through filing cabinets and boxes to find paper files.

• Required lifting, bending, stooping, pushing, walking, etc.

• Light work usually requires walking or standing to a significant degree., MINIMUM EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS: This position requires ten (10) years of experience only, OR A combination of education and experience totaling ten (10) years. Experience Only:

• Ten (10) yearsof professional experience in Accounting/Finance preferably at a school district located within the state of Colorado.

• Ten (10) yearsof experience in advising school district leadership on financial-related matters

• Ten (10) years of experience in mentoring and training finance professionals

• Ten (10) yearsof experience in a district’s leadership role, preferably as a district business manager or chief financial officer.

• Ten (10) yearsof experience coordinating fiscal policies between district leadership and elected officials and boards of education.

• Ten (10) yearsof school finance experience in a cabinet or leadership position within a Colorado school district.

• At least eight (8) yearsof experience working with the finance systems of a school district

Education and Experience:

A bachelor’s degree will substitute for four (4) years of the required experience. The remaining 6 (six) years of professional experience are described below.

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in Accounting, Finance, or a Public Policy Field.

And

• At least six (6) years of professional experience in Accounting/Finance preferably at a school district located within the state of Colorado, advising school district leadership on financial-related matters, mentoring and training finance professionals, a district’s leadership role, preferably as a district business manager or chief financial officer, coordinating fiscal policies between district leadership and elected officials and boards of education, in a cabinet or leadership position within a Colorado school district, and working with the finance systems of a school district.

QUALIFICATIONS AND CONDITIONS: Qualifications for Success in the Position:

• Working knowledge of Colorado Revised Statutes (CRS) related to Education, specifically school finance.

• Working knowledge of Financial Policies and Procedures Handbook.

• Working knowledge of School District Chart of Accounts.

• Working knowledge of GAAP and GASB and hands-on knowledge of implementation at the school district level.

• Experience developing and implementing training materials for a professional audience.

• Skills in Excel, including pivot tables, VLOOKUP, data queries, and mapping functions.

• Strong written and verbal communication skills and high attention to detail.

• Strong attention to detail (proofing work, spelling, grammar, formatting, etc.).

• Demonstrated ability to effectively balance quality of work and productivity expectations.

• Demonstrated ability to effectively collaborate with internal and external customers (e.g. school districts, other CDE units).

• Demonstrated ability to prioritize and organize work to accommodate and meet the changing needs of the department and meet deadlines.

• Demonstrated ability to take initiative and exhibit a proactive approach to work.

• Demonstrated ability to identify problems and recommend solutions prior to the standard being jeopardized.

• Demonstrated ability to work independently, as well as on a team.

• Ability and willingness to travel.

Preferred Qualifications (Preferred/Not Required):

• Certified Public Accountant (CPA) preferred.

Conditions of Employment (Required):

• Must be willing and able to submit to the pre-screening process and pass a background check.

• Ability and willingness to complete required travel (50%)

• Work extended schedule per business n eeds

• Report to work location per business needs

• Valid Driver’s License Required: Required to safely operate a motor vehicle to complete travel requirements.

• Valid Colorado Driver’s License Required: Required to safely operate a State of Colorado Fleet Motor vehicle to complete travel requirements.

• Sign the acknowledgment form that this position is funded through state and federal funds and is subject to availability.

• Driving Required: To ensure the safety and efficiency of CDE operations, certain positions are designated as “Driving Required.” These positions are required to safely operate a motor vehicle or a State of Colorado Fleet motor vehicle to complete the travel requirements. These positions are subject to a Motor Vehicle Records (MVR) check and a valid driver’s license requirement if it meets the following criteria, condition related to pregnancy, creed, ancestry, national origin, marital status, genetic information, or military status (with preference given to military veterans), or any other protected status in accordance with applicable law.The Colorado Department of Education is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, our agency will assist individuals who have a disability with any reasonable accommodation requests related to employment, including completing the application process, interviewing, completing any pre-employment testing, participating in the employee selection process, and/or performing essential job functions where the requested accommodation does not impose an undue hardship. If you have a disability and require reasonable accommodation to ensure you have a positive experience applying or interviewing for this position, please direct your inquiries tohr@cde.state.co.us.

ensuring adherence to laws, strong stewardship of public funds, and accountability for student performance.CDE strives to incorporate five core values that we uphold in our work internally and externally. If you come to CDE, be prepared to incorporate Integrity, Equity, Accountability, Trust, and commitment to Service in what you do.Why Work For CDEThe work we do is rewarding and impacts the students, families, educators, and communities across Colorado. Our leadership also promotes a culture that puts families and self-care as a priority. Along with meaningful work and an environment that puts employees first, the state also offers rich benefits that intend to make us an Employer of Choice!The following is a summary of the benefits we offer:

• Flexible work schedules and flexible workplace options that may include flexible working hours, working from home, working in the office, and/or a hybrid working environment.

• Premier medical, dental, vision, and dependent life insurance options. All with a generous employer contribution keeping employee costs as low as possible.

• Employer-paid short-term disability and life insurance.

• Up to 160 hours of Paid Family Medical Leave (PFML).

• 11 paid holidays per year.

Colorado Department of Education - What We Do The Colorado Department of Education (CDE) provides leadership, resources, support, and accountability to the state’s 178 school districts, 1,888 schools, over 53,000 teachers, and over 3,200 administrators to help them build capacity to meet the needs of the state’s approximately 905,000 public school students. In addition, CDE provides structural and administrative support to the Colorado School for the Deaf and the Blind and the Charter School Institute.As the administrative arm of the State Board of Education (https://www.cde.state.co.us/cdeboard) , CDE is responsible for implementing state and federal education laws, disbursing state and federal funds, holding schools and districts accountable for performance, licensing all educators, and providing public transparency of performance and financial data.CDE is a values-based agency that serves students, parents, and the general public by protecting public trust through, A wide salary range is posted for this position, and any job offer is based upon a salary analysis to comply with the Colorado Equal Pay for Equal Work Act. The salary analysis considers relevant experience, education, certifications, and state seniority relative to others performing substantially similar work. While most salary offers are made within the posted range, occasionally an offer is made below or above the posted range based upon this salary analysis. The State of Colorado strives to create a Colorado for All by building and maintaining workplaces that value and respect all Coloradans through a commitment to equal opportunity and hiring based on merit and fitness. The State is resolute in non-discriminatory practices in everything we do, including hiring, employment, and advancement opportunities.