Facilities Funding Lead Analyst (Financial Analyst IV)

Agency Information

The Texas Education Agency (TEA) oversees primary and secondary public education in Texas and is committed to improving outcomes for all public school students by providing leadership, guidance, and support to school systems across the state.

Core Values

• We are Determined: We are committed and intentional in pursuing our primary purpose of improving outcomes for students.
• We are People-Centered: We strive to attract, develop, and retain committed talent that reflects the diversity of Texas, with each individual contributing to our shared vision for students.
• We are Learners: We seek evidence, reflect on outcomes, and continuously improve in pursuit of excellence for students.
• We are Servant Leaders: We are public servants committed to improving opportunities for students and supporting those who serve them.

Job Description

The Facilities Funding Lead Analyst works within the State Funding Division, which is responsible for administering the Foundation School Program (FSP). The FSP determines the amount of state and local funding due to school districts under Texas school finance law and provides the state share of this funding to districts. This role supports schools by performing highly advanced (senior-level) financial analysis and regulatory work related to various facilities funding programs used in the state's school finance formulas, including but not limited to, the New Instructional Facility Allotment (NIFA), Instructional Facility Allotment (IFA), Existing Debt Allotment (EDA) and additional state aid for homestead exemption (ASAHE).

The scope of work includes collecting and analyzing bond data, updating the Summary of Finances (SOF) reports, generating payments, and implementing new legislation. The analyst acts as team lead and works closely with analysts, leadership, and other internal stakeholders to ensure effective and efficient program implementation in compliance with applicable statutes and regulations. The work involves compiling, reviewing, analyzing, and evaluating financial data; interpreting statutes and regulations and accurately translating requirements into calculations and methodologies that determine funding; and providing expert technical assistance to school districts and their financial and legal advisors, agency staff, and other stakeholders. The successful candidate will have a high degree of initiative, advanced financial concepts, and high proficiency using intermediate to advanced Microsoft Excel functions.

Flexible work location within the state of Texas may be considered for qualified candidates.

Please note that a resume and tailored cover letter are required attachments for applying to this position. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

Applicants who are strongly being considered for employment must submit to a national criminal history background check.

Essential Functions

Job duties are not limited to the essential functions mentioned below. You may perform other functions as assigned.

1. Financial Analysis and Process Control: determines cost of operations for the state's facilities funding programs by implementing applicable statutes and regulations to ensure that school districts receive appropriate amounts of funding; collects and reviews school district applications for IFA funding to determine compliance with applicable laws, regulations, policies, and procedures; updates summary of finances (SOF) reports; and processes outstanding balances

2. Compliance and Transparency: applies funding formulas used to distribute money to school districts in accordance with the Texas Education Code and Texas Administrative Code, implementing changes as necessary; develops and maintains associated rules, web content, and standard operating procedures for the state's IFA and EDA programs

3. Strategy and Process Improvements: increases productivity by developing and maintaining automated financial processes and systems; determines software change requirements and conducts User Acceptance Testing (UAT)

4. Intra-Agency Coordination: oversees and reviews the work of junior analysts related to the state's facilities funding programs, including the bond guarantee program (BGP) providing guidance to ensure accuracy, consistency, and timely completion of work products. Collaborates with the division on projects and supports the administration of FSP programs, including updating SOF reports and related financial transactions

5. Cross Training: promotes flexibility and efficiency by learning and sharing skills across roles, enabling coverage for multiple responsibilities and fostering adaptability to enhance overall team effectiveness

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications

• Education: Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university
• Experience: At least four [4] years of experience in financial analysis and regulatory work
• Substitution: Each additional year of related experience above the required minimum may substitute for education on a year-for-year basis.

Other Qualifications

• Share the belief that all Texas students can achieve at high levels and are able to succeed in college, career, or the military
• Demonstrates a strong customer-service orientation, effectively engaging with both internal and external stakeholders
• Communicates complex information clearly and effectively, both verbally and in writing, to diverse audiences, including financial advisors and bond counsel
• Performs and interprets numerical analyses, breaking down complex data into understandable components; asks critical questions and synthesizes insights
• Proficient in data analysis tools, with advanced expertise in Microsoft Excel
• Accurate interpretation of statutes, regulations, and financial/bond documents
• Understand abstract concepts and draw correlations between facts, processes, and mathematical formulas
• Builds collaborative, professional relationships across teams
• Creative problem-solver with independent thinking and teamwork skills
• Commitment to continuous improvement through self-reflection, give/receive feedback, actively listen, and adaptability
• Highly organized with strong project management skills to meet deadlines across multiple concurrent projects
• Meticulous attention to detail with an ability to produce high-quality work
• Knowledge of state facilities funding formulas and programs is preferred
• Experience working in municipal finance field with school district administrators, elected officials, and other policymakers is preferred
• Major coursework in accounting, business administration, finance, economics, or a related field is preferred

New hires, rehires, and internal hires will typically receive a starting salary between the posted minimum and the average pay of employees within the same classification. Offers are based on the candidate's experience and qualifications and consider internal pay equity across employees performing similar work.

The top half of the posted salary range is generally reserved for candidates whose qualifications exceed the role's requirements. The maximum of the range is typically reserved for candidates who significantly exceed the required and preferred qualifications.

Benefits

TEA employees receive a comprehensive benefits package through the State of Texas and the Employee Retirement System of Texas (ERS), supporting health, financial security, and work-life balance.

Benefits include:

• Retirement through ERS and employer-paid health insurance for eligible employees
• Optional dental, vision, and dependent coverage
• Paid state holidays, vacation leave, sick leave, and longevity pay
• Wellness programs, employee assistance programs, and professional development opportunities
• Eligibility for the federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program

To learn more about benefits available to State of Texas employees, please review the State of Texas Employee Benefits brochure and visit the TEA Compensation and Benefits page .

Military/Veteran Information

Applicants eligible for Military Employment Preference will be considered in accordance with applicable state and federal laws and regulations.

To explore how military experience may align with this role, applicants may review Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) codes within the State's Position Classification Plan. Please refer to the Military Crosswalk and select the occupational category that most closely corresponds with the classification listed in this job posting.

Additional Information

TEA is an equal opportunity employer and complies with all applicable federal and state nondiscrimination laws. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, sex, disability, age, or veteran status.

TEA does not sponsor or assume sponsorship of employment visas.

This position requires the applicant to meet Agency standards and criteria which may include passing a pre-employment criminal background check, prior to being offered employment by the Agency.

To learn more about working at TEA, including hiring timelines, process details, and candidate resources, please visit the Careers at TEA page .

Due to the high volume of applications, we are unable to accept phone calls or respond to all email inquiries. Only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.

To help ensure you receive updates regarding your application, please add [email protected] and @tea.texas.gov to your safe sender's list.

How to Apply

To apply for a position in the Candidate Gateway:

• Select the job posting and click "Apply"
• Review and accept the Privacy Agreement by selecting "Accept"
• If you are a first-time user, select "New User" and create an account using a personal email address.
• Once your account is created, complete and submit the online application.