Senior Financial Analyst

Job Overview:

Under the strategic guidance of the Regional and Local Health Operations (RLHO) Division Operations and Business Services Unit (OBS) Director, the Senior Financial Analyst is responsible for conducting sophisticated financial assessments and oversight of technical and programmatic initiatives that inform expenditure predictions; fiscal, budgetary, and operational impacts; performance metrics; and project outcomes for the RLHO Division.

Provides expert consultative services and technical support encompassing the planning, development, coordination, and execution of operations and business services functions pertinent to the RLHO Division's management of budgeting, revenue oversight, procurement, grants, and technology acquisitions.

Supervises and orchestrates financial and budgeting operations for the RLHO Division, which includes the integration of regional and program budgets for RLHO entities, revenue oversight, procurement management, grant administration, and capital asset management.

Oversees project assignments, initiatives, and deliverables.

Manages and coordinates RLHO legislative appropriations request (LAR) assignments and prepares analytical reports supporting LAR, exceptional items, bill assessments, and fiscal documentation.

Prepares and reviews program and operational budget proposals, as well as capital and IT procurement requests. Collaborates closely with the RLHO Operations Group to ensure optimal resource allocation within the division. Plans, assigns, and supervises the activities of the RLHO Finance Group. Operates with minimal supervision, exercising considerable initiative and independent judgment. Utilizes a variety of software applications including CAPPS, Outlook, Word, Excel, Access, and QuickBase to execute essential job functions.

The RLHO OBS Unit offers flexible telework options for its team members, in accordance with agency and division telework policies. The ability to telework will be determined by OBS leadership, RLHO policy, and agency and division telework guidelines. Staff performance is monitored to ensure appropriate use of work hours and agency resources. The position may require in-office attendance as directed to fulfill essential job functions.

Key Responsibilities:

Maintains regular and predictable attendance in accordance with agency leave policies and performs additional duties as assigned.

May be required to work extended hours during legislative or agency budget processes and public health emergencies.

(20%) Coordinates the formulation and execution of the Division's budgeting and revenue management strategies, policies, and procedures. Conducts budget monitoring, projections, expenditure verifications, and budgetary analyses, including staffing levels and expenditure trends. Engages with multiple and complex funding sources, including General Revenue, General Revenue-dedicated, federal grants, and cooperative agreements. Facilitates activities among eight Public Health Regions (PHRs), Division Office, Texas Center for Infectious Disease (TCID), Office of Border Public Health (OBPH), Center for Health Emergency Preparedness and Response (CHEPR), DSHS Budget Office, Funds Coordination and Management Branch (FCMB), Contract Management Section (CMS), and other agency departments to ensure appropriate fund allocation and budget integration. Coordinates fund transfers as necessary to meet the Division's budgetary requirements. Takes proactive measures to ensure timely fund loading and maximized fund utilization. Collaborates with partners to resolve budgeting and funding challenges. Prepares analytical reports and presentations, utilizing Excel, PowerPoint, databases, emails, forms, action memos, or other required documentation as necessary.

(15%) Conducts complex financial analysis and monitoring related to financial and operational impacts, budgetary and operational implications, federal grant management, and expenditure forecasts, as well as project deliverables for the RLHO Division. This work involves examining, investigating, and reviewing accounting records, financial statements, reports, management practices, and internal controls to ensure compliance with federal and state laws and/or regulations, as well as DSHS policies and guidelines, for related projects and procurements. Prepares financial reports detailing findings, recommendations, and corrective actions. Participates in special investigations, research studies, and internal audits. Provides technical guidance to staff on financial compliance and best practices. Develops strategies to mitigate financial risks and resolve financial and operational issues. Oversees the creation of models and analyses, including annual expenditure forecasts and long-term financial plans.

(15%) Coordinates RLHO legislative appropriations request (LAR) assignments and prepares analytical reports supporting LAR. Collaborates with RLHO leadership to plan and develop exceptional item concepts and budgets. Prepares agency cost estimates. Coordinates the development of, changes in, and reporting of performance metrics. Participates in the implementation of legislative initiatives as applicable. Reviews and interprets new legislation and other applicable federal or state laws and regulations, as well as department policies and procedures that impact related procurements. Prepares and provides financial and operational impact analyses of legislative proposals.

(15%) Plans, coordinates, reviews, and approves special and routine assignments such as management requests; budget, procurement, and legislative assignments; program transition or restructuring proposals; cost reports for natural disaster and disease outbreak response activities; budgets for new or proposed programs and activities; materials for training and presentation purposes; and other requests as assigned. Oversees quarterly performance metrics and out-of-state travel assignments. Provides timely and accurate information in response to inquiries.

(10%) Develops and implements the Division's policies, procedures, and projects related to budgeting, capital authority, finance, accounting, procurement, and related subject matter. Attends and participates in relevant agency meetings and workgroups to ensure Division compliance and input. In coordination with the RLHO IT Liaison, oversees tracking and progress updates on capital projects and IT project expenditures to ensure projects are completed on time and within budget. Assists staff as necessary to successfully complete projects. Aids in planning and implementing training opportunities for RLHO Division staff.

(10%) Oversees the Division's procurement and requisition processes. Reviews proposed purchases and provides budget approval in CAPPS financial. Supervises the tracking of purchases. Oversees and approves invoice payments. Evaluates and resolves issues to facilitate successful procurement transactions. Ensures adherence to established procurement policies and procedures. Recommends improvements in procurement and tracking processes. Coordinates program procurement activities to ensure staff process requests appropriately and in a timely manner.

(10%) Supervises Finance Group personnel, including hiring and selection, planning and assigning work, conducting performance evaluations, recommending personnel disciplinary actions, and scheduling and approving leave. Reviews and approves reports and other documentation submitted by direct reports. Ensures staff members receive necessary updates and training to effectively conduct their activities.

(5%) Performs additional duties as assigned. Other duties may include actively participating and/or serving in a supporting role to meet the agency's obligations for disaster response and/or recovery or Continuity of Operations Plan (COOP) activation. Such participation may require an alternate shift pattern assignment and/or location. To perform these job duties, this position may require working additional hours to meet defined deadlines and support the agency's mission-critical reporting requirements.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
Knowledge of agency programs, policies, procedures, and practices related to budgeting, accounting, revenue management, procurement, and grants.
Familiarity with the legislative appropriations process.

Proficiency in the use of Microsoft Office suite software including Outlook, Word, Excel, and Access, or similar programs.

Strong written and oral communication skills, including the ability to present technical/financial data, articulate technical information in an understandable format, and produce comprehensive reports.

Expertise in project management and organizational skills.
Proficient in analyzing financial data.
Ability to organize and prioritize workload and meet deadlines for multiple tasks.
Competence in developing goals and objectives, problem-solving techniques, and procedures to monitor and evaluate progress.
Proficient in developing and monitoring program or project budgets.

Ability to manage financial processes and systems.
Ability to perform and interpret numerical analyses.
Ability to interpret statutes.
Ability to prepare reports and correspondence regarding findings.
Ability to build and maintain positive and effective working relationships.

Ability to analyze, evaluate, and summarize financial and management records for accuracy and compliance with procedures, rules, and regulations.

Ability to gather, assemble, correlate, and analyze facts, and devise and implement solutions to problems.
Ability to plan, assign, and supervise the work of others.
Ability to exercise independent judgment, set priorities, and meet deadlines.
Ability to manage projects effectively and produce quality work within tight deadlines.
Ability to develop, interpret, apply, and evaluate policies and procedures.
Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing.

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