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Chicago Public Schools (CPS) is one of the largest school districts in the United States, serving over 320,000 students in 600+ schools and employing approximately 40,000 people, most of them teachers. CPS has set ambitious goals to ensure that every student, in every school and every neighborhood, has access to a world-class learning experience that prepares each for success in college, career, and civic life.  In order to fulfill this mission, we make three commitments to our students, their families, and all Chicagoans: academic progress, financial stability, and integrity.  Six core values are embedded within these commitments – student-centered, whole child, equity, academic excellence, community partnership, and continuous learning.

The Office of Early Childhood Education (OECE) works to ensure all children in Chicago have access to excellent early learning experiences that lead to future success in early grades and beyond.

Job Summary:

Reporting to the Fiscal Monitoring Manager, the Fiscal Monitoring Specialist conducts financial, operational, performance, compliance and other monitoring related to the Early Childhood Block Grant (ECBG) and Intergovernmental Agreements (IGAs) as assigned. Under the supervision of departmental management, this work will include planning, fieldwork, testing and data analysis, interviewing, evaluation of internal control processes, identification of observations, and preparation of reports in accordance with policies and procedures set forth under grant guidance.

The Fiscal Monitoring Specialist will be held accountable for the following responsibilities:

• Actively monitors use of funds
  • Reviews budget and invoice submissions to ensure allowable use of funds
  • Prepares related reports. 
• Executes ECBG financial, operational and compliance monitoring.
  • Utilizes CPS tools and processes to develop and manage project plans and task assignments for all resources.
  • Ensures all project documentation is developed and kept current.
  • Ensures individual monitoring engagements meet business requirements, and are completed on-time.
• Performs ECBG monitoring by reviewing organizational and functional activities to ensure risks are appropriately identified, associated procedures are applied, and related controls are designed and operating to mitigate the identified risks.
  • Prepares reports for the assigned project; participates in communication with management about reports and related issues and recommendations.
  • Assists in the identification of those activities subject to coverage, evaluates their significance and assesses the degree of risk inherent in the activity in terms of materiality, cost, and schedule.
  • Leads discussions to obtain a detailed understanding of business or functional area processes, systems, and applications.

In order to be successful and achieve the above responsibilities, theFiscal Monitoring Specialistmustpossess the following qualifications: 

Education Required:

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting, business, finance, economics, or related field 

Experience Required:

• Minimum one (1) year of relevant experience in budget and grants management, government or education finance, and/or other related professional finance experience required; three (3) or more years of experience preferred
• Experience in education and/or public sector is preferred

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Ability to quickly understand and apply knowledge of grants and fiscal monitoring principles and processes
• Proven analytical and problem-solving skills with attention to details.
• Familiarity with enterprise financial management software/enterprise resource planning platforms, specifically Oracle Enterprise Business Suite and business intelligence tools, or ability to learn these quickly.
• Effective communication and time management skills.
• Possess excellent interpersonal and organizational skills.
• Ability to partner with Management in support of key initiatives and projects.
• Able to act independently and be self-motivated.

Conditions of Employment:As a condition of employment with the Chicago Public Schools (CPS), employees are required to:

Establish/Maintain Chicago Residency -Employees are required to live within the geographic boundaries of the City of Chicago within six months of their CPS hire date and maintain residency throughout their employment with the district. The Chicago residency requirement does not apply to temporary/part-time positions, however, all CPS employees must be residents of Illinois.

BeFully Vaccinated Against COVID-19 -Unless approved for a medical or religious exemption, all employees are required to be up-to-date on COVID-19 vaccinations, including boosters, and to submit proof of vaccination to the district within 30 days of hire. “Up-to-date” on vaccination is defined as being at least two weeks past all primary vaccine doses and any applicable boosters.