Title - Education Finance Analyst

Location - Central Office, Castleton NY 

Intro

Here at Questar III BOCES, we believe in changing lives, realizing dreams and doing together what can’t be done alone.  Our vision is that of creating a student-centered culture and putting students first. Our core values include a commitment to excellence by honing our craftsmanship to deliver high-quality work, a commitment to leadership & service by moving the organization, departments and school districts forward by exceeding client expectations, and a commitment to innovation by creating programs and services to address client needs AND by continuously improving our programs and operations.  We believe that organizational excellence is best achieved when leadership is reflective of our diverse society.

About the Job

Questar III BOCES is seeking a dedicated Education Finance Analyst to join our team. This position is responsible for providing Special Education Aid support to client school districts and the BOCES.

Responsibilities

• Serving as the frontline resource to client school districts and BOCES for questions and technical requests related to the STAC (System to Track and Account for Children) process, Excess Cost Aid, and Claiming State Aid for Students with Disabilities.

• Assisting with the coordination and development of presentations, training sessions, and meetings, including scheduling and creating presentation materials using spreadsheets, databases, and presentation software.

• Supporting and maintaining the Special Education Aid Assistance Service client contact database and special education listserv.

• Preparing related reports as necessary.

Qualifications:

• Strong proficiency in using spreadsheets, databases, and presentation software.

• Excellent communication and organizational skills, with an emphasis on customer service

• Ability to work collaboratively with various stakeholders

• Bachelor’s degree in business management or education preferred OR Associate's degree and one year of work experience within data management systems, spreadsheet applications, or Special Education software. 

• Candidates with a high school diploma and three years of work experience working within data management systems may also be considered. 

• Preferred candidates will have a working understanding of the Special Education and STAC process and possess strong communication skills.

Title - State Aid Planning Operations Associate

Location - Castleton, NY

Intro

At Questar III BOCES, we believe in changing lives, realizing dreams, and doing together what can’t be done alone. Our vision is to create a student-centered culture and put students first. Our core values include a commitment to excellence by honing our craftsmanship to deliver high-quality work, a commitment to leadership & service by moving the organization, departments, and school districts forward by exceeding client expectations, and a commitment to innovation by creating programs and services to address client needs and by continuously improving our programs and operations. We believe that organizational excellence is best achieved when leadership is reflective of our diverse society.

About the Job

Questar III BOCES has a vacancy for a full-time State Aid Planning Operations Manager located at our central office in Castleton, NY. This position is responsible for providing support services that assist State Aid Analysts in the day-to-day activities to disseminate information on existing and proposed state aid to school districts. The ideal candidate will be comfortable in assisting the State Planning office with daily communications, customer service, maintaining school district data, and workshop coordination. Other duties as assigned by the supervisor. Qualified applicants must meet Columbia County Civil Service minimum qualifications and residency requirements.

Responsibilities:

• Serve as a front-line resource to client school districts and BOCES to answer basic questions and requests related to the operations of state aid and financial services via telephone and email
• Coordinate and oversee aspects of presentations/workshop delivery including, but not limited to, scheduling and duplication of presentation materials
• Responsible for organizing overnight accommodations, conference scheduling and ensuring planners have materials needed for district/BOCES meetings or conferences
• Manage office duties, including but not limited to processing: Purchase Orders, Payment; Ordering Supplies and Equipment as part of operations of state aid financial planning services
• Coordinate with IT to ensure SAP website has the most up-to-date information relating to webinars, workshops, and resources.
• Oversee cross-contract commitment process between school districts and BOCES for all SAP clients
• Create and maintain a comprehensive client contact and financial database and client list 
• Serve as liaison to other BOCES, statewide, in order to maintain district participation

Minimum Qualifications:

• Excellent use of Microsoft Office technology, software, hardware, procedure, and financial terminology
• Proficient use of software used in presentations, management of databases, data entry and word processing
• Ability to organize and maintain accurate records and files
• Ability to understand and interpret complex oral instructions and/or written directions
• Ability to participate in assigned projects and lay-out work for others
• Detail Oriented
•  
• Graduation from high school or possession of an equivalency diploma and either:
• Graduation from a regionally accredited or New York State registered college or university with a bachelor's degree in public or business administration, government, or a closely related field, and two (2) years of office experience with a public agency or private business involving computer applications using word processing, databases, and spreadsheet applications; OR
• Graduation from a regionally accredited or New York State registered college or university with an associate's degree in public or business administration, or a closely related field and four (4) years of office experience with a public agency or private business involving computer applications using word processing, databases, and spreadsheet applications; OR
• An equivalent combination of training and experience as defined by the limits of A and B above.

For more information on Questar III BOCES and our programs, please visit www.questar.org.

Columbia County Civil Service residency requirements will apply (must be a resident of Albany, Rensselaer, Columbia, Greene, Ulster, or Dutchess County at time of hire). Questar III offers a competitive salary with an excellent benefits package, including enrollment in the NYS Employees Retirement Pension System.

Title - State Aid Planning Associate Specialist II

Location - Central Office - Castleton, NY

Intro

Here at Questar III BOCES, we believe in changing lives, realizing dreams and doing together what can’t be done alone.  Our vision is that of creating a student-centered culture and putting students first. Our core values include a commitment to excellence by honing our craftsmanship to deliver high-quality work, a commitment to leadership & service by moving the organization, departments and school districts forward by exceeding client expectations, and a commitment to innovation by creating programs and services to address client needs AND by continuously improving our programs and operations.  We believe that organizational excellence is best achieved when leadership is reflective of our diverse society.

About the Job

Questar III BOCES is seeking a State Aid Planning Specialist that will support nearly all school districts and BOCES throughout New York State. The ideal candidate will have the expertise to provide a broad range of services and function with little oversight.  These functions include providing assistance to public school districts on all aspects involved in claiming state aid, projecting aid revenues and other school business operations.  This position will  work with and assist school districts in reviewing state aid and reporting systems for special education, transportation, building projects, and budget planning and reporting.  Other functions include reviewing and analyzing legislation and regulations affecting elementary and secondary education; design and present workshops on related topics; develop written materials for distribution to school administrators and educational organizations; and provide ongoing technical assistance for school district personnel.  In addition, this position will  have a formal role in the oversight and coordination and supervision of internal program administration, office activities and service delivery.  The SAP Associate Specialist II would be involved in highly specialized projects, management of office activities, oversight of operations and procedures, strategic planning, personnel recruitment and retention, marketing and client relations, and serve as a representative to outside professional groups and organizations.

Responsibilities

• Plan and implement programs and support activities at the local and state level to increase school leaders’ knowledge and understanding of State Aid and Financial Planning and other School Business Office Functions.

• Carry out tasks required to analyze the impact of current and proposed aid concepts and develop workshops and program presentations to share this information with school district leadership.
• Work closely with school districts on-site and remotely to ensure participating districts have a clear understanding of aid concepts and the specific impact of these concepts on their school district.
• Develop and implement management system reviews relative to school finance for school districts.
• Disseminate information through conferences, workshops, and webinars in a timely fashion.
• Keep up to date on new legislation affecting education in the areas of State Aid, Finance and other education related issues.
• Analyze, summarize, and interpret other financial, personnel, and management information as defined by the Team Leader, State Aid and Financial Planning in the areas of school district budget and financial information for accuracy and consistency.
• Utilize technology to calculate, communicate, and report information on state aid and school finance.
• Participate in the coordination within State Aid and Financial Planning and School Business Office support in the analysis of school district budgets or finance-related problems; prepare reports as necessary.
• Develop reports and position papers in the areas of school finance, including the legislative process and pertinent political and educational issues and is well-versed on these theories and issues.
• Assist school districts in the development of comparative budget analysis.
• Participate in the Annual Service Review for State Aid and Financial Planning, making program recommendations.
• Assist in the verification of component district tax rates.
• To represent the organization upon supervisor’s request at local, regional and statewide activities as they relate to the areas of responsibility.
• To work as a team member with other Questar III State Aid and Financial Planning staff and administrators to support the effective planning, coordination, development, delivery, and alignment of the State Aid and Financial Planning Service with the needs of school districts to ensure excellence and innovation in the delivery of services