Budget Analyst (Sy23-24)

The Boston Public Schools (BPS) Office of Language Access (OLA), formerly the Translation and Interpretation Unit, under the Division of Family and Community Advancement, was established in 2015 to centralize and standardize language access across the District. The mission of the OLA is "To ensure families have meaningful access to all aspects, programs, opportunities, and services pertaining to their children's education by providing a multitude of language access services via internal and external resources to safeguard communications." BPS has committed to strengthening language access district-wide and, as such, a major focus for OLA is to ensure all families receive "essential information" in a timely, accurate and accessible manner while increasing opportunities for parent involvement and voice in the District and school-based policies and initiatives.

General Position Overview:

The OLA seeks a highly motivated, qualified, process-oriented, and data-driven professional with demonstrated budgetary and project management skills. The Budget Analyst will support budget management, contract coordination, account management, and reporting. In addition, the candidate should be detail-oriented and clearly understand prioritizing to execute and complete multiple tasks and projects promptly.

Responsibilities:

• Support in managing the OLA budget, including; preparation, projections, execution, transfers, fiscal notes, analysis, technical support, reports, and summaries.

• Design, develop and recommend policy and procedural budgeting and cost control changes.

• Determine the budgetary consequences of changes in policy, programs, or activities affecting the department's budget.

• Recommend and implement data processing methodologies and modifications for the budget process.

• Monitor adherence to the budget by regularly checking actual reserves and fund balances against planned expenditures and making recommendations on how to adjust our spending if needed.

• Provide reports on language access service expenses for the current and past years to help with budget planning and forecasting.

• Utilize data to pinpoint trends and thoroughly scrutinize departmental expenditures to generate a comprehensive budget analysis.

• Resolve budget and expenditure control-related problems, issues, and concerns.

• Handle the creation, preparation, review, and editing of all contracts as well as provide advice and guidance to different teams on matters related to contracts.

• Ensure the Office's internal contract documents are accurate and well-maintained.

• Draft and revise a variety of contracts with vendors as needed

• Provide support and advice on new potential business (vendors) opportunities.

• Liaise with the district's Budget Services office to ensure that all federal, state, and city ordinances are implemented and observed within the department.

• Perform any other duties as assigned by the Director and/or Assistant Director of OLA.

Qualifications

• Required:

• Bachelor's Degree in a related field and at least 1-3 years of experience working as a budget analyst or in a similar role.

• Experience in ERP systems like PeopleSoft, Hyperion, and SAP, and excellent Microsoft (i.e., Excel) and Google Suite product skills.

• Proficiency in managing operations, solving problems creatively, and leading teams to achieve objectives.

• Strong oral and written communication skills, particularly in translating financial information into easy-to-interpret, actionable reports, charts, presentations, and findings.

• Demonstrated ability to advise and negotiate comfortably with individuals at all levels

• Ability to balance multiple priorities and can work efficiently both individually and as part of a fast-paced team.

• Possess an extensive understanding of legal regulations and procedures pertaining to business accounting. Additionally, I have prior experience in utilizing budget management software, as well as familiarity with the latest methodologies and best practices.

• Excellent problem-solving and organizational skills with attention to detail to maintain accurate records.

• Current authorization to work in the United States

• An understanding of and commitment to gain a greater understanding of what is necessary for an urban school system to enjoy continuous improvement in an increasingly complex and competitive environment.

• A deeply held and unyielding belief in the overarching mission of public education

Qualifications

• Preferred:

• Master's Degree in a related field

• Second Language Proficiency in Arabic, Cape Verdean Creole, Chinese, French, Haitian Creole, Portuguese, Spanish, Somali, or Vietnamese.

• Familiarity with desktop publishing software (InDesign, QuarkXPress, Framemaker, or Canva)

• Familiarity and/or working knowledge of local, state, and federal laws pertaining to language access.

• Grant writing and management experience.

Terms: Managerial, C41.

The Boston Public Schools, in accordance with its nondiscrimination policies, does not discriminate in its programs, facilities, or employment or educational opportunities on the basis of race, color, age, criminal record (inquiries only), disability, homelessness, sex/gender, gender identity, religion, national origin, ancestry, sexual orientation, genetics or military status, and does not tolerate any form of retaliation, or bias-based intimidation, threat or harassment that demeans individuals' dignity or interferes with their ability to learn or work.