OPS FINANCIAL SPECIALIST - 37950216

State of Florida • Tallahassee, FL

3d • $24 - $30 • Onsite

About The Position

FINANCIAL SPECIALIST (37950216)

Office of Water Policy & Ecosystems Restoration (OWPER)

The position serves as the Funding Support Specialist for the Everglades Restoration Projects and reports to the Senior Program Analyst. The primary responsibilities of this position are to facilitate the processing, tracking, and file management for the Everglades funding support programs. This position will review, log, and submit for processing invoices received from the South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) for Everglades Restoration Projects to ensure compliance with State of Florida purchasing guidelines, facilitate reimbursement, and assist in generating reports for stakeholders. The incumbent will be required to work 40-hour work weeks, Monday through Friday, and be present for work between the core hours of 9AM – 3PM.

The Financial Specialist assists the Senior Program Analyst in the management of the Save Our Everglades Trust Fund (SOETF), Land Acquisition Trust Fund (LATF), and other legislative appropriations associated with the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan (CERP), Everglades Forever Act (EFA), and Northern Everglades and Estuary Protection Program (NEEPP) restoration projects.

This position will review, monitor, track (long term) and process invoices related to Everglades restoration projects. This position requires coordination of activities associated with funding and disbursements from the SOETF, LATF, and General Revenue funds to the SFWMD. This position assists in updating and maintaining tracking databases and the processing and filing of invoices both electronically and hard copy. This position requires participation in meetings and other activities with Federal, State, and local agency staff regarding CERP, EFA, NEEPP, and other related restoration activities utilizing OWPER project funds. This position effectively coordinates with internal and external agency staff to facilitate communication and ensure timely review and approval of invoices.

This position may serve as a grant manager who develops and manages grant agreements and contract documents. Will track and report on deliverables, deadlines, and process invoices. Required to maintain and update databases or specific software programs, along with organizing and maintaining agreement files. Will provide updates on fund disbursements and track balances. Performs editorial and quality assurance review of outgoing grant/contract-related documents.

This position also assists in the editing of legislative budget requests and bill analysis documents as needed and attends workshops and training, as required. Some limited out-of-town travel may be required for grant management responsibilities and in-person meetings with the SFWMD Budget and Accounting Team.

Performs other duties as required.

Requirements

• Knowledge of Chapters 215, 216, 287, 373, and 375, Florida Statutes
• Knowledge of grant funding
• Knowledge of grant management, contract management and invoice processing
• Knowledge of basic accounting principles and practices
• Skill in professional use of Microsoft Office Suite, particularly Outlook, Word, Excel, and SharePoint
• Ability to focus on details
• Ability to ensure submitted financial documents are properly reviewed for compliance, accuracy and completeness
• Ability to ensure financial data is inputted correctly in systems of record
• Ability to follow standardized operating procedures
• Ability to adapt to changing priorities and modify work activities in response to new information, changing conditions, or unexpected obstacles
• Ability to organize and maintain administrative files and update tracking spreadsheets and databases
• Ability to develop and maintain databases to report on OWPER project status, legislative funding and expenditures
• Ability to independently plan, organize, and prioritize a complex workload to ensure timely completion of high-quality work assignments with minimal supervision
• Ability to manage multiple projects of a complex and technical nature
• Ability to use logic and reasoning to frame and focus issues, reach conclusions, and develop recommendations for issue resolution to management
• Ability to solve problems and make timely decisions with a “can-do” attitude
• Ability to communicate effectively in writing and verbally
• Ability to prepare and critique technical documents
• Ability to follow written and verbal instructions
• Ability to represent the Department appropriately in a professional and courteous manner
• Ability to understand and apply State of Florida statutes, applicable rules, regulations, policies and procedures
• Ability to review data and forms for accuracy and completeness
• Ability to participate effectively as a team member and develop and maintain working relationships with diverse groups of professionals
• A valid driver’s license.
• Travel as required.
• At least 4 years of verifiable related experience. Post-secondary degrees in one of the natural or physical sciences or related fields may be used as an alternative for the required years of experience on a year-for-year basis. A credential evaluation report from an approved agency must be submitted along with all foreign degrees.
• Must obtain and maintain valid and active a Florida Certified Contract Manager certification within 1 year from hire.

Nice To Haves

• Bachelor’s degree in business/finance management, accounting, environmental, engineering, or natural sciences from an accredited college or university.
• Active Florida Certified Contract Manager (FCCM) status.
• Excellent communication and people skills.
• Excellent organization and time management skills.
• Knowledge of Excel, digital file management, contract oversight, and auditing processes and procedures.
• Knowledge of Microsoft Suite of software products with emphasis on Excel and basic accounting practices.

Responsibilities

• Facilitate the processing, tracking, and file management for the Everglades funding support programs.
• Review, log, and submit for processing invoices received from the South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) for Everglades Restoration Projects to ensure compliance with State of Florida purchasing guidelines, facilitate reimbursement, and assist in generating reports for stakeholders.
• Assist the Senior Program Analyst in the management of the Save Our Everglades Trust Fund (SOETF), Land Acquisition Trust Fund (LATF), and other legislative appropriations associated with the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan (CERP), Everglades Forever Act (EFA), and Northern Everglades and Estuary Protection Program (NEEPP) restoration projects.
• Review, monitor, track (long term) and process invoices related to Everglades restoration projects.
• Coordinate activities associated with funding and disbursements from the SOETF, LATF, and General Revenue funds to the SFWMD.
• Assist in updating and maintaining tracking databases and the processing and filing of invoices both electronically and hard copy.
• Participate in meetings and other activities with Federal, State, and local agency staff regarding CERP, EFA, NEEPP, and other related restoration activities utilizing OWPER project funds.
• Effectively coordinate with internal and external agency staff to facilitate communication and ensure timely review and approval of invoices.
• Serve as a grant manager who develops and manages grant agreements and contract documents.
• Track and report on deliverables, deadlines, and process invoices.
• Maintain and update databases or specific software programs, along with organizing and maintaining agreement files.
• Provide updates on fund disbursements and track balances.
• Perform editorial and quality assurance review of outgoing grant/contract-related documents.
• Assist in the editing of legislative budget requests and bill analysis documents as needed and attends workshops and training, as required.

Benefits

• Participation in state group insurance (must meet eligibility requirements).
• Participation in the Florida Deferred Compensation Plan (457b).
• State of Florida 401(a) FICA Alternative Plan (tax deferred Retirement Savings Plan).
• Flexible Spending Accounts

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level