Financial Specialist (SPED) - Colorado Springs School District 11

Position: Educational Support Professional: Financial Specialist (SPED)

Department/School: Special Education

Reports To: Director of Individualized Education

FTE: 1.0

Days/Year: 260

Salary Grade: N23

Salary Schedule: ESP Group C

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt

Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States.

SUMMARY OF FUNCTIONS

The Financial Specialist Special Education  provides administrative and technical support to ensure efficient and effective operation of the Designated Purpose Grant Funds. Assists in providing knowledgeable financial oversight and guidance for federal, state and local/private grants awarded to the district and its schools/departments, ensuring compliance with applicable policies, regulations and spending guidelines. Performs a wide range of tasks related to budgeting, accounting, reconciliation and procurement functions. Supports the Grants Business Manager in analyzing budget trends and spend down, implementation of governmental fiscal policy and regulations, interpretation of grant-related statutes and tracking of the multiple funding streams that comprise the Designated Purpose Grant Fund (DPGF) for special education as well as related general fund accounts.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

• Interpret Board Policy as well as specific laws related to DPGF – e.g. OMB 2CFR200, EDGAR applicable grant regulations, funder specific terms, etc.
• Conduct accounting and budgeting functions for DPGF as assigned and using knowledge of applicable policy and law
• Process and maintain payroll reports
• Maintain accurate staffing rosters for completion of Time and Effort documentation
• Create, review, and input journal entries
• Review DPGF FTE through HR system for budgetary purposes
• Prepare and review request for funds with appropriate documentation
• Prepare departmental cash receipt and revenue reports
• Prepare budget transfers
• Ensure budget documents are prepared accurately by coordinating the preparation and reconciliation of the proposed, recommended, amended and supplemental budget cycles, in coordination with the Senior Accountant-Special Education
• Assist with developing budgets for grant proposals in coordination with Director of Grants and project directors and review budgets for accuracy, adequacy and compliance with grant guidelines, board policy
• and other laws and terms
• Apply grant regulation knowledge to enhance/ensure district grant fiscal compliance
• Review reports for errors
• Assist in analytical and reconciliation support in the preparation of the annual District 11 DPGF budget presented to the Board of Education.
• Monitor and trouble-shoot grants’ spend-down, coordinating with Senior Accountant- Special Education
• Prepare reports for district use, as assigned
• Forecast spending and drawdowns on state, federal and local / private grants awarded to the district and its schools, as assigned
• Assist the Senior Accountant- Special Education in the preparation of the Annual Financial Report as needed.
• Assist in the preparation and maintenance of grant budgets, including preparation of correcting entries as needed to ensure the accuracy of the financial information maintained within the district’s financial software
• Verify accuracy of data
• Assists Senior Accountant- Special Education  with preparing A-133 audit, desk audits, etc.
• Assist Senior Accountant- Special Education with reviewing accounting working papers for year-end close
• Respond and attempt to resolve in a positive manner problems, customer complaints, and other issues
• Coordinate materials preparation for informational presentations
• Maintain files according to established procedures and regulations to ensure sufficient for audits and other purposes

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Work independently at a consistent, high level of performance and as an effective member of a work team
• Display effective communication skills both oral and written
• Performs other duties as assigned
• Excellent communication skills both verbal and written
• Strong mathematical, analytical and problem-solving skills
• Strong attention to detail
• Demonstrated proficiency with financial accounting software package
• Experience and mastery level proficiency with Microsoft Excel – (subtotals, macros, formulas, linking, pivot tables, etc.) and other Office products.
• Self-starter who follows through until task or project is completed
• Proficient in chart of accounts
• Understanding / experience implementing grants compliance regulations (e.g. 2 CFR 200,EDGAR applicable grant regulations, funder specific terms, etc.) 

QUALIFICATIONS

• Associate’s degree in business administration, accounting or finance or equivalent work experience
• Three (3) years business analysis experience preferably in governmental or school district environments
• Experience in grants-related fiscal management / budgeting, preferably in governmental or school district environments (preferred)
• Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent work experience in business administration, accounting or finance (preferred)

ORGANIZATIONAL RELATIONSHIPS

Reports to the Chief of Student Experience and Success

WORKING CONDITIONS

The work is performed in a typical office environment.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The work is mostly sedentary with periods of light physical activity.

Typical positions require workers to walk or stand for long periods; lift and carry up to 20 pounds; climb stairs, bend, reach, hold, grasp and turn objects; and use fingers to operate computer or typewriter keyboards. The work requires the ability to speak normally and use normal or aided vision and hearing.

Employees in this category will also receive the following for the 2026-2027 school year:

• Non-Recurring Pay: 8% of base salary in Non-Recurring Pay (distributed as 4% on November paycheck and 4 % on May paycheck). 

Base Salary Setting: Employment, assignment and salary placement, is in accordance with job description requirements. A work history is required to demonstrate job title, job duties and time worked in the position. Grade placement for ESP positions is determined by the Salary Schedule by Job Title resource.Reference the linked How Your Compensation Is Determined for more details. 

Salary Setting (New Hires): Any newly-employed Education Support Professional will be placed on the twenty-five (25) step system.  Each step represents two years of experience, based upon equivalent experience.  The maximum number of years of experience granted is 19-20 years, which is equivalent to placement on step ten (10). Steps are determined by experience listed on the application and resume.

Salary Setting (Rehires): Returning employees who have previously resigned or separated from the District will be rehired at the same step they were on at the time of resignation/separation plus any new experience gained in the same job,  provided step increases were approved by the Board during the years in question. 

Employees with experience in the District who have left the District and then returned to the same position shall be hired at the same pay grade (refers to the ESP placement on salary schedule by job title) and step at time of resignation.  Additional relevant experience gained after resignation may be evaluated from the employee’s  application and updated resume.  

See Employee Handbook (located on the D11 website) for information on salary setting for rehires (after retirement), promotions and lateral transfers. 

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

Salary : $25 - $30