Reports To:

Director of Finance and Operations

Start Date:

As soon as possible

Location of Work:

Conference Center

490 S Paw Paw Street

Lawrence, MI 49064

Summary:

This is a Business Services support personnel position with the primary area of responsibility being early childhood federal/state grants compliance, subrecipient monitoring, supports and instructs personnel in grant applications.  Advises and assists director in preparing grant applications, and reviews general ledger for accuracy and completeness regarding the early childhood department.

Education and/or Work Experience:

• Minimum of an Associate’s Degree in an area of business studies with experience in accounting.
• School-based accounting experience is preferred.
• Such alternatives to the above qualifications as the employer may find appropriate and acceptable.
• Prior experience using MEGS+, NEXSYS, Michigan Student Data System (MSDS), Michigan State Teacher Certification and other state systems desirable.
• Prior experience using Powerschool eFinanace financial software also desirable.

Skills:

• Regular and consistent financial reporting and forecasting to assist with the development and implementation of Department budgets
• Preparation and management of Department budgets in collaboration with the Department Director
• Preparation and management of Department grants in collaboration with Department Directors
• Oversee and monitor Department requisitions and the payment of accounts in collaboration with Department Secretaries
• Proficiency in a variety of accounting software and tools to effectively manage funds from a variety of sources
• Effective communication skills to promote information sharing and transparency within and across Departments, and with other stakeholders, as requested 
• Professional writing skills to assist with the development and updating of related policies and procedures
• General professional skills, including a willingness to:
• Make child-centered decisions
• Assume positive intentions when working with others
• Adhere to federal, state and VBISD policies and procedures
• Model VBISD guidelines: Respect, Integrity, Compassion and Excellence
• Complete assigned responsibilities within agreed upon timeline
• Seek ongoing professional learning and accept feedback in a professional way
• Demonstrates a strong commitment to equity, social justice, and inclusion in all practices and position responsibilities
• Demonstrates the ability to examine how his/her/their position (directly or indirectly) impacts educational inequities in student achievement outcomes.
• Perform additional tasks, responsibilities and duties as assigned by the Director of Early Childhood and the Superintendent.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Keeps abreast of changes in Federal grant requirements, including Universal Grant Guidance as mandated by the US Office of Management and Budget.
• Creates, modifies and disseminates current guidelines, instructions and forms for grant processing.
• Oversees all early childhood grant funds (both federal and state) supporting early childhood education programs throughout Van Buren County.
• Supports Early Childhood Director in the development of grant applications.
• Assures compliance for all grant subrecipients and ensures any necessary agreements have been executed and returned.
• Advises VBISD staff regarding allowable grant expenditures.
• Prepares and provides current financial information to the Early Childhood Director on a consistent and timely basis.
• Reviews and sends for approval Early Childhood reimbursement requests to ensure they are in compliance with state/federal rules/regulations.
• Works with Director and/or VBISD staff to resolve any concerns regarding early childhood grants, state grants, and all other early childhood special education requests.
• Assures all VBISD and LEA federally-funded professional staff has appropriate, current credentials.
• Assures appropriate time and effort reporting documentation is on file for all Early Childhood grant-funded staff.
• Assists with reporting of Early Childhood, GRSP, and all other applicable grants to Michigan Department of Education (MDE) via  NexSys or the state provided grants management software
• Fosters good working relationships between MDE Finance Analysts and Auditors and VBISD.
• Assists MDE during Program Fiscal Reviews and follows up to resolve any concerns.
• Performs a risk assessment on all grant subrecipients, and then utilizes the risk assessment to determine appropriate levels of sub recipient monitoring.
• Assists Early Child Director with budget development and provides on-going monitoring of accounts.
• Advises on and collaborates with Early Childhood Director on budget amendments and journal entries as necessary for accurate reporting on accounting ledgers.
• Assists Finance Director with review of other Federal, State, and local grants as needed.  Review could include budget to actual, GL detail review, or other analytical financial reviews.
• Maintains capital outlay inventory for Early Childhood grants, if applicable.
• Creates purchase orders needed to make payments to LEAs for grant reimbursements.
•  Maintains an Early Childhood Staff roster with appropriate funding stream
• Prepares documents related to the District’s annual audit as needed.
• Presents to and instructs groups and individuals within areas of expertise.
• Creates and prepares correspondence and written reports in a professional manner.
• Handles confidential student and staff information discreetly.
• Proven experience utilizing excellent customer service skills.
• Regular predictable attendance.
• Other duties as assigned.

Essential Job Functions:

• Ability to sit and work on a computer for long periods of time
• Ability to travel and participate in State meetings

Terms of Employment: As per master agreement and provisions established by the Van Buren Board of Education. 

This posting and our online application can be found on the Van Buren ISD’s website at www.vbisd.org under Employment.  If you do not have access to a computer with internet access, you may use a computer at VBISD by calling 269-539-5218. 

Position is open until filled.  

In-house staff must fill out the online internal application.