THECB - Business Analyst I (SFAP)

THECB is observing a hybrid telecommuting schedule with employees required to be in the office at least two (2) days per week.

We are located at the George Herbert Walker Bush building located in the capitol complex at 1801 Congress Ave. Austin, TX 78701 .

General Description

Performs moderately complex business and operations analysis work guiding the strategic planning and operations within Student Financial Aid Programs (SFAP). Work involves gathering, developing, and documenting business processes and user requirements; engaging SFAP stakeholders to design and implement solutions; partnering with business unit leads and subject matter experts to define and plan for user acceptance testing. Work also includes coordinating required testing of system updates, creating, and validating user acceptance testing, and performing post-implementation support. Monitors and troubleshoots issues, provides research and special project support, and serves as a subject matter expert. Always applies appropriate Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) standards. Works under limited supervision, with moderate latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment. This position reports to the Assistant Director, Business Improvement.

General Duties And Responsibilities

• Reviews, analyzes, and assesses procedures, software, and program activities to identify opportunities for improvement, reports exceptions involving systems, and develops recommendations for improvements.
• Identifies opportunities for program and process improvements to financial aid systems.
• Research, collects, and analyzes data to develop recommendations for enhancements or changes to financial aid program’s software, procedures or processes, and other requested requirements.
• Serves as a liaison and resource to project managers, developers, and other team members throughout each phase of a project to clarify and/or resolve issues related to requirements, design, testing, and acceptance criteria.
• Analyzes user requirements, procedures, and problems to automate or improve existing systems, and reviews computer system capabilities, workflow, and scheduling limitations.
• Analyzes program policies and procedures to determine the effect on automated systems and systems functional areas.
• Provides support for internal and external program audits as a business process subject matter expert.
• Drafts project proposals to allow for effective priority assessment and managerial determination of project implementation goals.
• Completes research, analysis, and other activities required to implement approved projects.
• Identifies potential conflicts between software and current/proposed procedures, assesses any necessary changes, and proposes resolutions to the management team.
• Reviews records, processes, and procedures to identify alternative solutions and propose innovative potential solutions.
• Provides guidance to staff while implementing and integrating new methods, policies, and procedures including providing documentation of changes and training the trainer.
• Develops and/or reviews complex system documents, revises system design procedures, test procedures, and quality standards to convey business requirements and support efficient system design.
• Creates testing scenarios to determine accuracy of system programming. Loads and tests scenarios into tracking software, performs testing, monitors progress of testing, and works directly with staff to ensure testing activities are completed in a timely manner.
• Provides guidance to staff while implementing and integrating new methods, policies, and procedures.
• Monitors project goals, interacts with agency staff and external vendors to ensure timelines are met and projects remain on track.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities

• Knowledge of state and federal laws, rules, regulations, policies, and procedures affecting student financial assistance, and the ability to understand and appropriately interpret and apply that knowledge.
• Knowledge of business and management principles related to strategic planning, resource allocation, leadership techniques, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.
• Skill in using Microsoft Suite and similar software to create presentations and informational documents and to accurately complete mathematical computations and analysis.
• Skill in utilizing software systems for financial aid/loan processing.
• Skill in reviewing materials for accuracy and efficiently identifying, researching, and correcting discrepancies.
• Skill in synthesizing and simplifying complex information that ensures collective understanding regarding problems, solutions, and requirements.
• Ability to take initiative; work independently; make decisions using sound judgment, analytical thinking, and sound reasoning; recognize when alternative methods or processes are appropriate; apply creative solutions when problem solving; and keep senior management informed of problems or critical issues.
• Ability to plan, organize, and effectively manage and complete multiple priorities and projects concurrently; meeting periodic, milestone, and final deadlines; managing resources toward the attainment of objectives; and working effectively under pressure while managing multiple tasks in an environment where interruptions are frequent.
• Ability to communicate complex information in a clear, organized, and concise way.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with coworkers, legislators and their staffs, and external agencies and organizations and to work cooperatively and effectively in a team environment.
• Skill in interpersonal communication; interacts in a professional and courteous manner; builds constructive and effective relationships; uses diplomacy and tact; handles conflict appropriately.
• Skill in facilitation, managing meetings, and brokering critical conversations to problem solve and drive progress.
• Ability to act independently while keeping the management informed of problems or critical issues.
• Ability to lead effectively.

Military Crosswalk: https://hr.sao.texas.gov/Compensation/MilitaryCrosswalk/MOSC_AccountingAuditingandFinance.pdf

Qualifications

Required Minimum Education and Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university.
• Two years of full-time relevant work experience including:
• Studying and analyzing operations or issues
• Collecting, compiling, and analyzing data
• Business process improvement identifying inefficiencies and opportunities for automation
• Collaborating with operational and technical teams to optimize business systems support
• Six additional months of full-time relevant work experience listed above may substitute for 15 semester hours of required education, up to four years.

Preferred

• Bachelor’s degree or higher from an accredited college or university in Business Administration, Information Systems, Computer Science, or related field.
• Project Management experience.
• Process Improvement, Business Process Management or Project Management certification.
• Experience conducting business process analysis with student financial aid or loan programs.
• Knowledge of state and federal laws and regulations related to student financial aid and of student financial aid programs administered by the Coordinating Board.

Physical Requirements And/or Working Conditions

Work is performed in a standard office environment and requires:

• Regular, reliable, and punctual attendance at work;
• Frequent use of personal computer, copiers, printers and telephones;
• Frequent sitting;
• Frequently works under deadlines, as a team member, and in direct contact with others.

Workforce

Must be able to:

• Demonstrate knowledge of customer service deliverables.
• Show flexibility and adaptability toward changes in assignments and work schedules; and work extended hours as necessary.
• Adhere to the organization’s internal management policies and procedures.
• Contribute to the agency’s performance measures and mission.
• Travel occasionally for work assignments and training.

Application Requirements

The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board is an Equal Opportunity Employer. A State of Texas application is required to apply. For more information on how to apply for this position, go to the Coordinating Board’s employment opportunities website at https://www.highered.texas.gov/careers/.

The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board participates in E-Verify for each new employees’ Form I-9 to confirm work authorization. For questions, please call the HR Department at 512-427-6190. For vocal and/or hearing assistance call 7-1-1.

Notes To Applicant

If you require any reasonable accommodation for the interview process, please inform the hiring representative who calls to schedule your interview. This position has been designated as a security sensitive position. A criminal background investigation will be conducted on the final candidate for this position.

Your job application must be completely filled out. Your application must contain dates of employment, job titles, name of employer and a description of duties performed in a way that demonstrates you meet the minimum qualifications for the position for which you are applying. Resumes do not take the place of the requirement to include this information on the application. If this information is not submitted, your application may be rejected because it is incomplete.

Veterans Information: THECB is committed to hiring Veterans. To receive Veteran’s Preference, a copy of the FORM DD214 -member #4, must be attached when submitting your application.

AN EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER: THECB does not discriminate on the basis, of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, or disability in employment or the provision of services.

Job offer and continuation of employment with THECB is contingent upon:

• Proof of education and experience listed on the application.
• Eligibility/authorization to work in the U.S.
• Satisfactory results from a pre-employment criminal history background check.
• Compliance with the Selective Service Law for males ages 18-25. Please be advised that under Texas law, names and other information concerning applicants or nominees may be subject to disclosure upon request.

THECB does not allow dual employment with other state of Texas agencies or institutions.

Skills assessment may be conducted at time of interview

No phone calls or emails, please. Due to the high volume of applications, we do not accept telephone calls and cannot reply to all email inquiries. Only candidates selected for interview will be contacted.