Financial Analyst Senior- Public Defender's Office

The Travis County Public Defenders Office (PDO) is a comprehensive public defender office envisioned to be client-centered independent and innovative to the needs of Travis County residents. Consistent with nationally recognized best practices the PDO provides high-quality holistic defense representation and other support to people including youth and those living with serious mental illness/intellectual or developmental disability.
Reporting to the Chief Public Defender the Financial Analyst (FA) Senior is an integral member of the offices leadership helping to steer the departments use of its financial resources to best effectuate zealous client-centered defense representation. The FA Sr. carries out and oversees a complex set of financial duties and responsibilities that impact the big picture and day-to-day operations of the PDO as guided by the departments duty to protect and provide the constitutional right to counsel for the Travis County community members it represents while being a good steward of public funds. The role acts under limited supervision to perform professional financial duties using standardized methods and procedures in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) and Federal State and Local laws and policies. Duties include but are not limited to: analyzing researching documenting interpreting auditing and reporting financial data relating to the PDOs operations; preparing financial statements and forecasts and standardized reports for activities such as short- and long-term planning & budgeting projecting expenditures identifying resources grant management purchasing contracting payroll and other financial transactions that support PDOs overall operation.

* Applications will be reviewed and selected candidates will be contacted on a rolling basis. *

This is the second in a series of four professional financial analyst-related job classifications within the Finance job family. Incumbents typically perform a range of complex professional financial analysis duties that require the application of standard financial theories principles and techniques and require the appropriate skill levels including intermediate skill levels in computer analytical and communication skills. This classification is distinguished from the Financial Analyst Lead classification in that incumbents typically are not responsible for the most complex financial analysis functions and do not have formal authority for leading or supervising lower level staff. Duties require a substantial degree of initiative and independent judgment. This classification typically performs duties at a department or office level. This classification may require a flexible work schedule in order to meet the needs of the department.

• Prepares financial reports by preparing periodic internal and external financial documents supporting schedules and financial reports. Researches compiles monitors and summarizes financial information and data and reports on financial condition.
• Conducts financial analysis by monitoring reviewing and analyzing current and historical financial and budget information. Analyzes trends prepares financial forecasts summarizes and interprets the results of financial analysis and provides possible alternatives for consideration. Supports management understanding of the financial condition of the department to inform overall budgetary planning and decision-making.
• Prepares budget reports by researching compiling monitoring and summarizing current and historical budget information and data. Monitors or assists in monitoring the departmental budget and reports on budget variances. Prepares budget transfers as required. Participates in preparing annual departmental budget submission.
• Prepares processes and maintains all financial transactions and documents for departmental activities such as financial reporting budget grants purchasing contracts payroll and other financial transactions and support other staff whose roles touch departmental finances. Maintains accounting ledgers documents and accounts and reviews verifies and reconciles accounting transactions.
• Assists in or develops and maintains computer spreadsheet models databases and queries. Designs and maintains spreadsheets and databases to support departmental financial operations. Conducts project and division specific financial analysis. Prepares updates and maintains monthly financial activity reports spreadsheets and ledgers. Maintains financial data and records.
• Responds to financial inquiries from departmental management and staff other County fiscal representatives including from the Planning & Budget Office Purchasing and Auditor and the public. Provides technical assistance to departmental staff in developing and maintaining grants proposals contracts payroll and other operations having financial implications.
• Assists in developing strategic and tactical financial plans. Assist in the development and implementation of departmental financial policies procedures and strategies.
• Performs other job-related duties as assigned.

Education and Experience:
Bachelors degree in Finance Accounting or a directly related field AND five (5) years of increasingly responsible professional level financial analysis or accounting experience. Masters degree in Accounting Finance or a directly related field may substitute for two (2) years of the required experience.

OR

Any combination of education and experience that has been achieved and is equivalent to the stated education and experience and required knowledge skills and abilities sufficient to successfully perform the duties and responsibilities of this job.

Licenses Registrations Certifications or Special Requirements:
Please attach resume to online application.
Valid Texas drivers license.

Preferred:
Applications with a cover letter detailing interest in the position including why you want to work for the Travis County Public Defenders Office.
Bilingual in English/Spanish is preferred.

Knowledge Skills and Abilities:

Knowledge of:

• Policies practices procedures and terminology of assigned function.
• Federal State Local and County applicable laws rules regulations and guidelines.
• Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) and standardized financial accounting and auditing practices.
• Budget planning development preparation and monitoring.
• Manual and automated systems relating to assigned function.
• Modern office practices procedures and methods.
• Computer equipment to include word processing spreadsheets databases and a variety of software packages.
• Business letter writing grammar and punctuation and report preparation.
• May be required to develop knowledge of and adhere to federal and state laws requiring the confidential handling of certain health information.

• Problem-solving and decision-making.
• Developing financial spreadsheets and financial trend analysis.
• Completing professional financial reports.
• Planning and evaluating financial processes.
• Developing financial policies and procedures.
• Both verbal and written communication including presentations.

• Work independently.
• Manage time well perform multiple tasks and organize diverse activities.
• Analyze calculate forecast and interpret financial data and identify and correct errors.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with departmental clientele representatives of outside agencies and providers other County employees and officials and the general public.

The PDO is committed to inclusive hiring and dedicated to diversity in our work and staff. The PDO strongly encourages candidates of all identities experiences abilities and communities to apply. All applicants should be dedicated to working in and sustaining an environment that enables staff and clients to feel empowered valued respected and considering applicants the PDO values an applicants experience and/or thoughtfulness in working with people from communities that experience marginalization. Applicants should be able to work and communicate effectively across lines of difference.

Duties and responsibilities are performed within the setting of a law office and the Financial Analyst will be guided on and is expected to maintain privileged and/or confidential information of which the Financial Analyst may occasionally become aware in the same manner as is expected of attorneys.

Physical requirements include the ability to lift/carry up to 25 pounds occasionally visual acuity speech and hearing hand and eye coordination and manual dexterity necessary to operate a computer and office equipment. Subject to standing walking sitting repetitive motion reaching climbing stairs bending stooping kneeling crouching crawling pushing pulling balancing client/customer contact squatting to perform the essential functions.

This job description is intended to be generic in nature. It is not necessarily an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities. The essential duties functions and responsibilities and overtime eligibility may vary based on the specific tasks assigned to the position.


This position is anticipated to start Spring 2026.

Department: Public Defenders Office

Location: 1010 Lavaca Street Austin TX 78701

Post-Offer Criminal Background and Driving Check Required.

For updates or questions on this position contact: