Education Program Consultant (Special Education Finance)

About the Department

Iowa Department of Education’s mission is ensuring all students experience a world-class education. To accomplish our mission, we need talented, passionate people working together to build an excellent education system that empowers all students to achieve their full potential. 

The Education Program Consultant (Special Education Finance) will be an integral member of the Bureau of School Business Operations, providing technical assistance and guidance to schooldistricts regarding multiple aspects of school finance, specifically within the special education program

Your Responsibilities:

As the Education Program Consultant (Special Education Finance), you will guide, support, and work with your co-workers to:

• Provide technical assistance and guidance to school districts on State and Federal law/regulations, allowable uses of funds, and regulatory reporting related to special education finance. 
• Maintain professional competency through review of publications, professional development,  and staying current with statutory and industry changes.
• Participate in professional activities of Bureau, Division, Department, and national and state organizations. This work includes regular participation in bureau and division meetings, school business operations activities, assigned work teams, and other duties as assigned.

A successful candidate will bring, or have the ability and desire to learn:

• Passion for pursuing common goals in pursuit of public service
• Creation and manipulation of spreadsheets including experience with formulas and functions
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Strategic and analytical mindset
• Collect, analyze, and review fiscal data
• Ability to work in complex situations and meet deadlines
• Ability to interpret and break down highly technical and regulatory language, and present information in an understandable manner 
• Ability to manage self in relation to prioritization and time management
• Conflict resolution and interpersonal skills
• Desire to work with diverse teams and stakeholders

Candidates are encouraged to include detailed information about their relevant experience in their application, or submit a cover letter and resume in addition to their application.

DESIRABLE (OR) REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS: 

• Experience with special education finance
• Experience with special education programs
• Experience with special education applications, including special education supplement and special educating billing
• Experience reviewing audit findings of the special education program 
• Strong communication, mathematical, and analytical skills. 
• Preference will also be given to candidates with proficiency in spreadsheets, governmental accounting experience, or experience interpreting code and regulation

If you wish to review a copy of the Position Description Questionnaire, please contact idoe.hr@iowa.gov.

Hours: 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., Monday – Friday; some nights and weekends, occasional in-state and out-of-state travel

WHAT’S IN IT FOR YOU?

• Opportunities to make a widespread difference in the lives of children, their families, and Iowa communities

• Collaborative, positive work environment

• Talented and passionate work colleagues that will help you learn and grow

• Opportunities to collaborate with experts from around the country

• Employee discounts from a variety of vendors

• Competitive salary and benefits package:

https://das.iowa.gov/sites/default/files/hr/documents/employment/Benefits_Beyond_the_Paycheck.pdf (Download PDF reader)

Minimum Qualifications

Applicants must meet at least one of the following minimum requirements to qualify for positions in this job classification:

1) Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university and five years of full-time post-graduate work experience in any one or a combination of the following areas:

a. Professional training, teaching, or counseling experience in an educational setting;
b. Professional administrative experience in an educational setting;
c. Professional finance, accounting, or auditing experience, including the preparation or analysis of financial statements;
d. Professional experience in a major technical program area housed within the Iowa Department of Education;
e. Professional data integration, data analysis, and statistical analysis experience;
f. Professional communications experience, including public relations, marketing, or journalism;
g. Professional school safety and emergency preparedness experience.

2) A combination of a total of five years of post-graduate education and full-time experience (as described in number one), where twenty-four semester hours of accredited post-graduate college or university course work equals one year of full-time experience.

3) Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Master’s degree, possession of a valid Iowa Teaching Certificate, and three academic years of teaching and/or administrative experience in PK-12 and/or a post-secondary educational institution.

4) Possession of a School Business Official Authorization from the Iowa Board of Educational Examiners and seven years of full-time professional experience in finance, accounting, or auditing, including the preparation or analysis of financial statements.

For additional information, please click on this link to view the job description.