Director for Budget

Job Title: Budget Director Wage/Hour Status: Exempt

Reports to: Executive Director of Budget Pay Grade: PG4

Dept./School: Business, Finance & Administrative Services Initiated Date: May 2026

WHO WE ARE

La Joya Independent School District (ISD) is committed to excellence for students and our community. We have a strong, 100-year legacy in the Rio Grande Valley. The district's vision - Educational Excellence: The Right of Every Student - conveys our urgent focus on students.

Our work is rooted in five district priorities, which require collaboration and deep commitment to supporting one another as we serve the community.

• Customer Service
• Trust & Transparency
• High-Quality Instruction
• Excellence in Leadership
• Integrity & Accountability

We are focused on ensuring every student in La Joya ISD has access to high-quality, best-fit, schools as we work to improve from a B-district to an A-rated district. We serve more than 22,000 students in more than 30 schools and span six municipalities, covering more than 220 square miles.

WHO WE ARE LOOKING FOR

We are seeking a highly analytical and mission-driven Budget Supervisor to lead the alignment of district financial planning with instructional and strategic goals. The ideal candidate has experience in Texas public school finance, a strong understanding of the TEA Financial Accountability System Resource Guide, and the ability to support fiscally responsible budgeting principles and management of position control processes across campuses and departments. This role requires a collaborative leader who ensures compliance with budgeting laws and regulations, monitors budget-to-actuals, maintains strong internal controls, and provides data-informed insights to enhance efficiency and support student success.

WHY LA JOYA ISD

You will be joining a district that is building on a legacy of achievement while rapidly improving and creating systems to reach new heights for student outcomes and improving the District''s overall operational efficiency and effectiveness. You will receive intentional, targeted support in your essential role in serving the Business, Finance and Administrative Services Department of the District. We are also a district focused on continuous improvement and rigorous analysis of the policies and procedures we have in place to ensure that the financial and business operations of the District are transparent to the public and in keeping with generally acceptable accounting principles.

Minimum Required Qualifications

• Education:

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or a related field required.

• Master's degree preferred.

• TASBO certification (or progress toward certification) is preferred.

• Experience:

• Minimum of three (3) years of experience in budgeting, financial analysis, or accounting, preferably within a Texas public school district.

• Experience working with the Texas Education Agency (TEA) financial guidelines and state funding formulas is strongly preferred.

• Experience in preparing reports and working with external auditors.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Comprehensive knowledge of school finance, state and federal funding requirements, and public sector budgeting.
• Proficient in budget development, monitoring, and reporting practices, including Function Code and Program Intent Code compliance.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret financial data and trends.
• Proficiency in financial software systems and advanced Excel skills.
• Effective interpersonal and communication skills, with a collaborative and service-oriented mindset.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality, meet deadlines, and manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Knowledge of internal control best practices and audit preparation procedures.

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES

General:

• Align the budget process to support the instructional goals and objectives of the district and the attainment of the campus performance objectives.
• Assist in the development of the budget planning processes, ensuring alignment with the District's strategic plan.
• Review and approve departmental budget requests, transfers or amendments.
• Ensure budget to actual expenditures do not exceed the Board approved budget by Function Code.
• Ensure state funding for weighted ADA is budgeted and spent in compliance with the percentages required and allocated by Program Intent Code, where applicable.
• Assist in the monthly preparation of Budget reports to the Board of Education and prepare budget reports for departments/campuses as requested.
• Assist in the monthly review of student attendance and weighted student attendance to analyze budget to actual state aid revenue projections.
• Analyze financial data, identify cost-saving opportunities and provide insight for sound decision-making.
• Keep the Chief of Business, Finance and Administrative Services informed on the operational affairs of the budget department.
• Develop and maintain positive staff morale within the department and when working with staff during the budget process.
• Develop excel spreadsheets as required to monitor budget to actual expenditures and to monitor expenditure trends throughout the year.
• Work with the Director of State and Federal Programs to import grant budgets into the general ledger on an annual basis and to review budget to actual expenditures throughout the year.
• Assist in the year-end close process to close out all existing funds and to import new funds into the general ledger.
• Coordinate and establish detailed budgeting procedures for the district to comply with the Texas Education Agency Financial Accountability System Resource Guide.
• Oversee position control processes to ensure that staffing allocations align with board-approved budgets, funding sources, and enrollment-based staffing formulas.
• Implement the policies established by federal and state laws and local Board policies in the area of budgeting of district funds.
• Compile, maintain, and file all reports, records, and other documents required at the state, local or federal level.
• Assist the independent external auditor in the annual audit and develop and implement action plans to address any areas of deficiency.
• Make recommendations for the annual budget requirements for the budget department.
• Plan and implement staff development activities to meet the needs of personnel within the department.
• Ensure internal controls are maintained throughout the department.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Safety:

• Performs preventive maintenance on tools and equipment and ensures equipment operates safely.
• Follows established safety procedures and techniques to perform job duties, including lifting and climbing; operates tools and equipment according to established safety procedures.
• Corrects unsafe conditions in the work area and promptly reports any conditions that are not immediately correctable to the supervisor.

Supervisory Responsibilities

• Selects, trains, supervises and evaluates staff, and makes recommendations relative to assignment, retention, discipline and dismissal.

Personal Work Relationships

• All La Joya ISD employees must maintain a commitment to the District's mission, vision, and strategic goals.
• Exhibits high professionalism, standards of conduct, and work ethic.
• Demonstrates high-quality customer service; builds rapport/relationship with the consumer.
• Demonstrates cultural competence in interactions with others; is respectful of co-workers; communicates and acts as a team player; promotes teamwork; responds and acts appropriately in confrontational situations.

Travel Requirements

• Travel to school district buildings and professional meetings, as required.

Physical & Mental Demands, Work Hazards

• Tools/Equipment Used: Standard office equipment, including computer and peripherals.
• Posture: Prolonged sitting and standing; occasional stooping, squatting, kneeling, bending, pushing/pulling, and twisting.
• Motion: Frequent repetitive hand motions, including keyboarding and use of mouse; occasional reaching.
• Lifting: Occasional light lifting and carrying (less than 15 pounds).
• Environment: Works in an office setting; may require occasional irregular and/or prolonged hours.
• Attendance: Regular and punctual attendance at the worksite is required for this position.
• Mental Demands: Maintains emotional control under stress; works with frequent interruptions.

Position Working Days:

226 Days

NOTE: The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this job. They are not intended to be an exhaustive description of all work requirements and responsibilities, and management reserves the right to revise the job description or require that other responsibilities be performed when the job changes. Additionally, the minimum level of education notated as a requirement could be supplemented by commensurate experience and/or certification(s) or license(s) as determined by the hiring manager.