Finance Program Specialist I

About the role

The role involves overseeing vendor and payment information within the child welfare information system, entering vendor banking details for ACH deposits, and ensuring payment integrity. It includes completing payment processing audits, assisting with contract development and management, resolving vendor payment discrepancies, and advising on federal and state regulations related to child welfare funding.

Responsibilities

• Completing payment processing audits
• Aiding in contract development and management
• Resolving vendor payment discrepancies
• Advising on federal and state regulations related to child welfare funding
• Drafting internal guidance and providing technical assistance on financial processes
• Processing Auxiliary Placement Program payments by verifying placement details, reviewing supporting documentation for compliance, confirming and entering service rates into Family and Child Information System (FACIS), and ensuring accurate coding within both FACIS and the child welfare system
• Tracking expenditures, monitoring trends, identifying errors or inconsistencies, and working closely with program staff to resolve discrepancies and ensure adherence to federal, state, and departmental financial policies
• Processing Title IV-E placement and payment activities for some South Dakota Tribes by reviewing tribal foster home license information, verifying placement documentation for compliance, and entering approved resources and placement details into FACIS
• Ensuring accurate coding for Tribal IV E and Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA) related data, monitoring Tribal IV E expenditures, identifying data inconsistencies, and preparing required tribal data reports for tribes and court stakeholders
• Reviewing, analyzing, and interpreting department rules and regulations as they relate to fiscal processes and program budgets; providing technical assistance in grant preparation and administration; and providing technical assistance to program staff and other agencies to ensure the programs operate within set standards and laws and that program services are delivered efficiently and effectively
• Developing and maintaining public relations with the Department of Social Services, Finance Division, and other divisions to foster working partnerships, resolve complaints, respond to public inquiries, and educate the public about program services available

Requirements

• A bachelor’s degree in social work, accounting, business administration, or related fields OR 2 years of experience in a related field with at least 1 year experience in supervising staff
• Certification as a Certified Public Accountant (CPA), Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE), Certified Internal Auditor (CIA), Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA) or Certified Investments and Derivatives Auditor (CIDA) may substitute for experience

Skills

• To oversee fiscal projects within an organization, including budgeting, forecasting, financial analysis, and reporting
• To oversee activities related to grant funding
• To oversee administrative accounting and general office duties as needed
• To create project ideas, plan, and coordinate the project's execution
• To oversee budgets and monitor spending related to state and federal funding
• To communicate a program's eligibility requirements to management and ensure employees meet the program eligibility
• To hire and train administrative employees
• To record data and financial information and detect errors and anomalies
• To reconcile information from multiple sources and make corrections as needed

Additional Requirements

To be considered, please attach your resume. This position is eligible for Veterans’ Preference per ARSD 55:10:02:08. The State of South Dakota does not sponsor work visas for new or existing employees. All persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and complete an Employment Eligibility Verification, Form I-9. The State of South Dakota offers $0 premium employee health insurance option plus eleven paid holidays, generous vacation and sick leave accrual, dental, vision, and other insurance options, and retirement benefits. You can view our benefits information here . This position is a member of Class A retirement under SDRS. Must apply online: https://gen-stateofsouthdako-trn.inforcloudsuite.com/hcm/xmlhttp/shorturl.do?key=48W