School Finance Specialist

Job Title: School Finance Specialist

Location: Department of Accounting and Finance Teacher Administrative Center 3215 Cuming Street Omaha NE 68131

Reports To:Financial Planning & Analysis Manager

Work Schedule/FLSA Status: 12-month / Salaried Exempt

Salary Schedule: Specialist 3 S04 92C Starting salary $75902.17.

Salary credit may be awarded for applicable experience.

Position Purpose: The School Finance Specialist is to be a trusted leader in ensuring that every dollar entrusted to our schools is managed with integrity and purpose. This role will empower principals bookkeepers and school staff with the training tools and support necessary to handle student activity funds confidently and in compliance. The School Finance Specialist will also contribute to districtwide financial planning and analysis giving the opportunity to shape decisions that directly impact schools and students. This position will support building financial capacity at the school level strengthening trust with families and the community and ensuring resources are utilized to their greatest effect. As part of a collaborative mission-driven finance team this position will have the chance to lead improvements solve complex challenges and see the impact of work across an entire school district.

Essential Performance Responsibilities:

• Support School-Based Accounting: Provide guidance and assistance to school staff on daily financial activities including check writing deposits bank reconciliations and student fee assignment and tracking.
• Training & Capacity Building: Develop and deliver training for bookkeepers principals program directors and other school staff to strengthen financial knowledge and ensure consistent application of district accounting policies.
• Customer Service: Serve as the districts front-line resource for questions and troubleshooting related to school activity accounting.
• System Support: Partner with the districts accounting software vendor to identify escalate and resolve technical or functional issues.
• Compliance Monitoring: Participate in the school finance review team conducting onsite reviews of school financial operations to ensure compliance with district policies state regulations and sound accounting practices.
• Financial Analysis Support: Assist with the preparation of reports analysis of budget-to-actual results and other ad hoc projects to support districtwide financial planning and decision-making.
• Continuous Improvement: Recommend process improvements tools or training to enhance efficiency consistency and compliance in school-based accounting.
• Foster Team and Departmental Collaboration: Work closely with your FP&A team and across the Accounting & Finance Department to ensure cohesive planning and execution aligned with district priorities.

Knowledge Skills and Abilities:

• Bachelors degree in Accounting Finance Business Administration or related field preferred; equivalent experience in school-level accounting or bookkeeping considered.
• 23 years of experience in accounting bookkeeping or financial compliance required; experience in K-12 nonprofit or public sector settings highly valued.
• Strong understanding of accounting and bookkeeping principles; knowledge of school activity funds preferred.
• Proficiency in Excel and Outlook; experience with financial systems and reporting tools a plus; experience with SchoolCash Suite preferred.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to train coach and build trust with staff of varying financial expertise.
• Strong analytical organizational and problem-solving skills with the ability to interpret policies and manage multiple priorities and deadlines.
• Mission-driven proactive and committed to equity transparency and public service.

Additional Duties:
Performs other related tasks as assigned by supervisor and other central office administrators as designated by the Superintendent.

Equipment:This position may require the ability to use basic office equipment including computers copiers and scanners. Must always comply with OPSs guidelines for equipment use.

Travel:Limited travel may be required.

Physical and Mental Demands Work Hazards:

• Must be able to respond rapidly in emergency situations.
• Must possess strong organizational time management communication and interpersonal skills.
• Work in school building and central office environments.

Interrelations:

• Contact with personnel within the district as well as with customers and vendors.
• Will be working under the general supervision of the department supervisor to complete day-to-day tasks.
• Will be working with a diverse population requiring the ability to handle all situations with tact and diplomacy.
• Must understand and respond appropriately to customer needs and maintain a positive attitude with all customers and colleagues.
• Expected to interact with all internal and external customers in a friendly professional manner and provide quick responsive customer service.

Employee Punctuality and Appearance:

• For schools to operate effectively employees are expected to perform all assigned duties and work all scheduled hours during each designated workday unless they have received approved leave.
• Any deviation from assigned hours must be approved in advance by the employees supervisor or building administrator.
• All employees are required to report to work dressed in a manner that reflects a positive image of Omaha Public Schools and is appropriate for their position.

Terms of Employment

This position is treated as a full-time exempt classified position. The terms of your employment will be governed by applicable state laws regulating employment in a Nebraska public school and Board of Education policies as those laws and policies may change from time to time. If your position is represented by a collective bargaining representative then your employment will also be governed by a negotiated agreement between OPS and that collective bargaining representative.

The offer of employment is contingent upon:

• Obtaining and providing verification of all licenses certificates and other requirements for the position (e.g. Paraprofessionals obtaining Highly Qualified status etc.) as identified and maintaining all licenses certificates and requirements for your position throughout employment.
• A background check that demonstrates to OPS that the background is acceptable for the position.
• Verification of U.S. citizenship or legal authorization to work in the United States.
• Successful completion of a pre-employment drug test (if required for the position offered).
• Successful completion of a tuberculosis skin test (if required for the position offered).

Omaha public schools does not discriminate on the basis of race color national origin religion sex (including pregnancy) marital status sexual orientation disability age genetic information gender identity gender expression citizenship status veteran status political affiliation or economic status in its programs activities employment and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups. The following individual has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies: Director Office of Equity and Diversity 3215 Cuming Street Omaha NE 68131. )

The Omaha Public School District is committed to providing access and reasonable accommodation in its services programs activities education and employment for individuals with disabilities. To request disability accommodations during the application process please contact the Talent Services department at .

Required Experience:

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