Disaster Finance Specialist

Brief Job Description: 

Under the direction of the Center for Health Emergency Preparedness and Response (CHEPR), Preparedness Management Unit (PMU), Disaster Finance Manager, this position performs highly advanced (senior level) financial data entry, tracking costs/expenditures, procurement, reimbursement and auditing work related to Public Health and Medical Response. This position also provides technical assistance to local, regional, state, and federal partners. Work also involves developing disaster planning and response budgets, producing financial reports, and reviewing disaster contingency contracts, requests for proposals (RFP), and the development of technical and tactical operating guides for use by the Disaster Finance Team, State Medical Operations Center (SMOC), State Operations Center (SOC), and deployed teams. Participate and conduct training and exercise activities that support operational and tactical planning and procedures. This position will serve in a DSHS Incident Management Team role within the State Medical Operations Center (SMOC) or State Operations Center (SOC) to support planning, training, exercise efforts and response and recovery operations. Completes all training and exercise requirements.  

CHEPR supports DSHS' mission of providing response support to the SMOC or SOC, requires staff to report on-site 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.  

Actively participate and/or serve in a supporting role to meet the agency's obligations for disaster response and/or recovery or Continuity of Operations (COOP) activation. Works under minimal supervision with considerable latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment. 

This is a temporary position and expected to continue until August 31, 2028. There is no guarantee this position will be extended beyond what is indicated in this job posting. Upon hire, the selected candidate will be required to sign a Temporary Employment Agreement indicating awareness that the employment status of the position is temporary. This position is 100% grant funded and is contingent on grant funding. 

Essential Job Functions (EJFs): 

65 % Account and Finance  

Serves in the Finance Section in the State Medical Operations Center (SMOC) during disaster response operations. Assists with oversight and accountability for all disaster response related expenditures. May serve as the SMOC Liaison to the Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM). Assists in providing documentation related to and completing FEMA reimbursement applications as well as any other appropriate reimbursement applications. Supports the Finance Manager and Finance Team Leads as the finance subject matter expert (SME) for the Preparedness Management Unit. Analyzes and recommends improvements, adaptations, or revisions to the disaster response accounting system. Assists with monitoring response contract performance by examining billings, fiscal data, and eligibility determinations for compliance with terms of contracts and policies. Evaluates expenditure data to ensure appropriate use of funds. Design workplace tools such as file libraries excel worksheets, word documents, and databases which support operational and tactical operating plans and procedures for the SMOC and SOC.   

20 % Program Support  

Assists with the planning, training and exercise materials and participate and conduct of training on all procedures related to the State Medical Operations Center (SMOC) Finance Section. Participates in the development of the structure and staffing plan for the SMOC and SOC. Reviews and/or conducts needs assessments to determine requirements for the purchase of disaster response related goods or services. Identifies potential contracts and services necessary to improve disaster response. Assists with the management of state and federal response reimbursements. May prepare and evaluate program budget requests. Develops workflow processes for the finance team, SMOC and SOC operations. Evaluates and modifies plans, procedures, or guidelines as needed. Provide technical assistance and ensure effective communication and coordination with local, regional, state, and federal agencies prior to, during, and after a disaster. 

10% Process Improvement  

Contributes to all After Action Review (AAR) evaluations, manages the integration of best practices/lessons learned into revised policies, plans and procedures to improve future response activities. 

5 % Other Duties Assigned  

Other duties as assigned include but are not limited to actively participating and/or serving in a supporting role to meet the agency's obligations for disaster response and/or recovery or Continuity of Operations (COOP) activation. Such participation may require an alternate shift pattern assignment and/or location. 

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs): 

• Knowledge of accounting, finance, auditing, or budgeting  

• Knowledge of local, state, and federal laws and regulations relevant to FEMA programs  

• Knowledge of the National Incidental Management Systems (NIMS) and the National Response Framework Knowledge of basic concepts of planning, training, and exercising  

• Knowledge of software and communication tools such as WebEOC, Grants Portal, and Grants Management System  

• Skill in using computer software including but not limited to Excel, CAPPS Financial, Word, or QuickBase Skill in managing multiple projects and meeting tight deadlines  

• Skill in implementing plans and procedures  

• Ability to interpret policies, procedures, and regulations  

• Ability to communicate both verbally and in writing  

• Ability to prepare concise reports  

• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees, coworkers, other agency staff, and the public  

• Ability to review invoices for accuracy and determine services have been satisfactorily rendered  

• Ability to gather, assemble, correlate, and analyze facts and to devise solutions to problems  

• Ability to work effectively in a stressful environment during a disaster  

• Ability to work a flexible schedule including extended hours, nights, and weekends 

Registrations, Licensure Requirements or Certifications: 

N/A 

Initial Screening Criteria: 

• Financial budgeting and tracking experience 

• Experience processing reimbursements  

• Experience communicating with internal and external stakeholders 

• Preferred CTCM 

Additional Information: 

N/A