Finance Specialist

The Division of Administration/Office of Community Development/Disaster Recovery Unit (DRU) has a vacancy. This job is Unclassified.

The Louisiana Office of Community Development (OCD) administers Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery and Mitigation (CDBG-DR and CDBG-MIT) grants and other federal and state funding allocated to the State of Louisiana. These programs support long-term recovery, resilience, and mitigation for communities affected by Presidentially Declared Disasters. OCD’s grant portfolio exceeds $20 billion and encompasses multiple federal awards, each containing numerous programs, funding activities, and implementation timelines.

This is a professional level position designed to implement disaster recovery programs under the Office of Community Development (OCD). The position will oversee or assist in the administration of disaster recovery programs in observance of federal and state statutory requirements and regulations and policies. This position requires a particular knowledge of accounting principles, as well as aspects of disaster recovery, disaster CDBG programs, FEMA programs and other federal and state recovery initiatives and key disaster recovery entities and organizations.

The Division of Administration is the state government’s management arm and the hub of its financial operations. Division offices perform a wide variety of activities including the following:

• Overseeing the state’s capital construction program
• Working to provide state and federal grants for community development
• Development of the state budget
• Providing technology services
• Giving agencies guidance in the state purchasing and contracting process as they seek goods and services
• Administering a program that provides federal funds to help Louisiana residents recover from a series of devastating hurricane

A baccalaureate degree in Accounting, Finance, or Business Administration, Public Administration, Economics, Auditing, or related field plus two years of experience in accounting, finance or budget.

Three years of full‑time experience in accounting, finance or budget may substitute for a degree.

A Master’s degree from an accredited college or university may substitute for one (1) year of the required experience or two (2) years for a specialized degree in related fields.

Knowledge of Community Development Block Grant – Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR)

Knowledge of Federal Emergency Management Agency Public Assistance Program

Proficiency in Microsoft Office/365 (Word, Advanced Excel skills, PowerPoint, Outlook, etc.)

Experience with the Lagov ERP system, specifically the ECC, SRM & LEO modules.

Proficiency in Data Analysis

Advanced experience with Excel

Advanced experience with reconciliation of systems

Ability to understand federal regulations and state policies

(Duties are illustrative and not comprehensive. Responsibilities may vary.)

Reconcile financial information across systems and files (including but not limited to LaGov, DRGR, IGX, and Excel) and maintain accounting records that provide a clear audit trail.

Provide grantees, vendors, program staff, and other stakeholders with financial information; research and resolve discrepancies throughout the project lifecycle.

Review and approve project draw requests and disaster recovery payments, verifying documentation, approvals, coding, accuracy, and regulatory compliance.

Ensure grantee and vendor costs comply with federal regulations, state policies, guidelines and contract terms.

Verify payment request against budgets to ensure proper funding is available.

Assistthe Division of Administration and other stakeholders in interpreting program directives, best practices, regulations, and legislation.

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