Disaster Finance Manager

DSHS is committed to hiring skilled and dedicated individuals who share a passion for public health to pursue our vision of A Healthy Texas. If you are looking to make an impact and tackle new challenges, we encourage you to consider a career with us.

Employee Benefits:

DSHS offers insurance coverage and other benefits available through the State of Texas Group Benefits Plan administered by the Employee Retirement System of Texas (ERS). To learn more about all the benefits available to you as a DSHS employee and other DSHS opportunities for early career pathways, visit the DSHS Careers Page.

Review our Top 10 Tips for Success when Applying to State of Texas Jobs.

Brief Job Description:

The Disaster Finance Manager manages a team of finance professionals responsible for supporting the Response and Recovery Unit (RRU) and State Medical Operations Center (SMOC) with daily finance expertise, disaster financial planning support to SMOC as well as administering the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Disaster reimbursement process and the payment process for vendor payments related to disaster response support for the Department of State Health Services (DSHS). This position is responsible for supervising, developing staff work schedules, priorities, and standards for achieving goals and objectives. Work involves establishing production goals, objectives, and operating procedures to meet DSHS’s rules established in the Texas Government Code, Texas Administrative Code, Federal Emergency Management Agency rules and laws as well as and federal fund availability rules. Serves as liaison for internal, external customers and state and federal partners. Coordinates with auditors, monitors cost, conducts financial tracking, contract, procurement, coordinating and evaluating payment approval processes and technical assistance work related to Public Health and Medical Response. Works under moderate supervision, with extensive latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment. Serves as a member of the DSHS Incident Management Team during response and recovery operations. Actively participate and/or serve in a supporting role to meet the agency's obligations for disaster response.

This position actively participates in the State Medical Operations Center (SMOC) or State Operations Center (SOC) during disaster response and/or recovery and completes all training and exercise requirements. CHEPR supports DSHS' mission of providing response support to the SMOC or SOC, requires staff to report onsite within two hours, and the ability to work 12–14-hour shifts. Disaster response activations can require working in-person, 7-days a week, for as long as 2-4 weeks, or more. This position requires the ability to work extended hours including weekends and holidays during health response activation.  The position will be required to come into the office, as directed, to fulfill essential job functions and for any public health response activations. 

This position is 100% grant funded and is contingent on grant funding.

Essential Job Functions (EJFs):

Attends work on a regular and predicable schedule in accordance with agency leave policy and performs other duties as assigned.

40% Manage day-to-day activities of the Disaster Finance Team within Center for Health Emergency Preparedness and Response. Hires, plans, assigns, supervises, and evaluates the activity of employees supporting the RRU and SMOC. Manages an expanded finance section of reimbursement teams, assigned to managing FEMA reimbursements and contractor reimbursements during disasters. Responsible for agency reimbursement for all disasters to include finalizing reimbursements for disasters, and COVID-19 pandemic which are multi-year processes. Manages reimbursement projects for all future disasters. Identifies issues, discrepancies and implements remediating actions related to the program. Oversees the allocation of resources to achieve timely outcomes and measurable goals; monitors and evaluates the effectiveness and efficiency of staffing levels. Establish goals and objectives; develops and approves schedules, priorities, and standards for achieving goals; and manages evaluation activities. Develop and implement techniques for evaluating business function. Design workplace tools such as file libraries, excel worksheets, word documents, flow charts, and access databases which support tactical operating plans and procedures for the SMOC, SOC, or RHMOC.

30% Serves as the disaster finance and reimbursement subject matter expert for the RRU. Performs complex financial analysis and reconciliations of project funds. Manages projects dealing with federally declared disasters. Develops and evaluates budget and financial reports, monitor budget expenditures. Oversees budget related processes and procedures. Reviews and evaluates the impact of proposed federal and state laws on program objectives. Reviews project support documentation to verify eligibility and conformity with disaster cost recovery rules and regulations. Monitors compliance with policies and procedures; and provides input or approves new policies and procedures. Performs reviews of state disaster cost recovery processes, provide recommendations for improvement, and assist with implementation. Prepares detailed disaster cost recovery dashboards, reports and files tracking of all projects related costs from various sources such as CAPPS, FEMA EMMIE, FEMA Grants Portal and other tools and software. Knowledgeable of local, state, and federal laws and regulations relating to emergency management and public health and medical preparedness, response, and recovery. Oversees the implementation of changes affecting disaster finance and reimbursement resulting from new legislation. Ensures costs and burn rates are tracked, reconciled, and accurately documented. Run queries and prepare reports from the CAPPS financial module.

30% Finance Section Chief in the SMOC during disaster response operations. Oversees and accounts for all disaster response related expenditures. Serves as the SMOC Liaison to the Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM) finance staff for response finance issues, processes, and training. Reviews and recommends approval/denial of disaster response related billing and invoices. Assists in providing documentation related to and completing FEMA reimbursement applications as well as any other appropriate reimbursement applications. Represents the agency with FEMA, State Emergency Management Finance personnel and State auditors. Advises finance partners on SMOC emergency management responsibilities and capabilities and recommend action plans. Acts as a liaison to local, regional, and national agencies to coordinate joint and reciprocal inter-jurisdictional reimbursement activities. Stays up to date with Federal and State disaster cost recovery processes, standards, rules, and regulations. Act as a liaison and advise DSHS on FEMA reimbursement, Public Assistance Program and Policy Guide (PAPPG). Leads regular meetings with auditors and TDEM to clear audit findings and issues with reimbursements. Prepare responses to Request for Information (RFI) and audit requests.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs):

Knowledge of local, state, and federal laws and regulations relevant to DSHS and FEMA program areas.
Knowledge of principles and practices of financial management, public administration, public sector management techniques, providing services, and contract administration.
Knowledge of statistical analysis processes and of program planning and implementation.
Knowledge of legislative appropriations request and annual operating budget process.
Knowledge of accounting, finance, auditing, or budgeting. 

Knowledge of requests for public assistance (RPA). 

Knowledge of the National Incidental Management Systems (NIMS) and the National Response Framework.

Skill in using computer software including but not limited to Excel, Access, CAPPS Financials, CAPPS, Word, Grants Portal, Grants Management System, and other financial applications.

Skill in managing multiple projects and meeting tight deadlines.

Skill in communicating both verbally and in writing.

Skill in filling out FEMA applicant for reimbursement.

Ability to prepare concise reports.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees, coworkers, other agency staff, and the public.
Ability to manage program activities and to establish goals and objectives.
Ability to gather, assemble, correlate, and analyze facts and to devise solutions to administrative problems.
Ability to develop and evaluate administrative, financial, and program policies and procedures; and to plan, implement, and coordinate agency programs.
Ability to plan, assign, and supervise the work of others.

Ability to conduct agency meetings.

Ability to effectively communicate with partners, diverse levels of management and state and federal agencies.

Registrations, Licensure Requirements or Certifications:

Texas Class C driver's license or equivalent from another state with the intent to obtain a Texas driver’s license.

Initial Screening Criteria:

Three years experience as a team lead or manager. Three years experience in finance, accounting, audits or budget at a Texas State Agency or similar organization. Experience in state or federal reimbursement process and using CAPPS, HHSAS or USAS is preferred.  

Additional Information:

N/A

Active Duty, Military, Reservists, Guardsmen, and Veterans:

Military occupation(s) that relate to the initial selection criteria and registration or licensure requirements for this position may include, but not limited to those listed in this posting. All active-duty military, reservists, guardsmen, and veterans are encouraged to apply if qualified for this position. For more information see the Texas State Auditor’s Military Crosswalk at https://hr.sao.texas.gov/CompensationSystem/JobDescriptions/.

ADA Accommodations:

In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), DSHS will provide reasonable accommodation during the hiring process for individuals with a qualifying disability. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the interview process, please notify the person who contacts you to schedule the interview. If you need assistance completing the on-line application, contact the HHS Employee Service Center at 1-888-894-4747 or via email at HHSServiceCenter.Applications@ngahrhosting.com.

Salary Information, Pre-employment Checks, and Work Eligibility:

• The salary offered will follow DSHS starting salary guidelines. Any employment offer is contingent upon available budgeted funds.
• Depending on the program area and position requirements, applicants selected for hire may be required to pass background and other due diligence checks.
• DSHS uses E-Verify. You must bring your I-9 documentation with you on your first day of work.  Download the I-9 form