Financial Analyst Senior- Public Defender's Office

Full Job Description

The Travis County Public Defender’s Office (PDO) is a comprehensive public defender office envisioned to be client-centered, independent, and innovative to the needs of Travis County residents.

Consistent with nationally recognized best practices, the PDO provides high-quality holistic defense representation and other support to people, including youth and those living with serious mental illness/intellectual or developmental disability.

Reporting to the Chief Public Defender, the Financial Analyst (FA) Senior is an integral member of the office’s leadership, helping to steer the department’s use of its financial resources to best effectuate zealous, client-centered defense representation.

The FA Sr.

carries out and oversees a complex set of financial duties and responsibilities that impact the big picture and day-to-day operations of the PDO as guided by the department’s duty to protect and provide the constitutional right to counsel for the Travis County community members it represents while being a good steward of public funds.

The role acts under limited supervision to perform professional financial duties using standardized methods and procedures in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) and Federal, State and Local laws and policies.

Duties include, but are not limited, to: analyzing, researching, documenting, interpreting, auditing, and reporting financial data relating to the PDO’s operations; preparing financial statements and forecasts and standardized reports for activities such as short- and long-term planning & budgeting, projecting expenditures, identifying resources, grant management, purchasing, contracting, payroll, and other financial transactions that support PDO’s overall operation.* Applications will be reviewed and selected candidates will be contacted on a rolling basis.

*

This is the second in a series of four professional financial analyst-related job classifications within the Finance job family.

Incumbents typically perform a range of complex professional financial analysis duties that require the application of standard financial theories, principles and techniques, and require the appropriate skill levels including intermediate skill levels in computer, analytical and communication skills.

This classification is distinguished from the Financial Analyst Lead classification in that incumbents typically are not responsible for the most complex financial analysis functions and do not have formal authority for leading or supervising lower level staff.

Duties require a substantial degree of initiative and independent judgment. This classification typically performs duties at a department or office level.

This classification may require a flexible work schedule in order to meet the needs of the department.

Requirements

• Prepares financial reports by preparing periodic internal and external financial documents, supporting schedules and financial reports. Researches, compiles, monitors and summarizes financial information and data and reports on financial condition.

Conducts financial analysis by monitoring, reviewing and analyzing current and historical financial and budget information.

Analyzes trends, prepares financial forecasts, summarizes and interprets the results of financial analysis and provides possible alternatives for consideration.

Supports management understanding of the financial condition of the department to inform overall budgetary planning and decision-making.

Prepares budget reports by researching, compiling, monitoring and summarizing current and historical budget information and data.

Monitors or assists in monitoring the departmental budget and reports on budget variances. Prepares budget transfers, as required. Participates in preparing annual departmental budget submission.

Prepares, processes and maintains all financial transactions and documents for departmental activities, such as financial reporting, budget, grants, purchasing, contracts, payroll, and other financial transactions and support other staff whose roles touch departmental finances.

Maintains accounting ledgers, documents and accounts and reviews, verifies and reconciles accounting transactions.

Assists in or develops and maintains computer spreadsheet models, databases and queries. Designs and maintains spreadsheets and databases to support departmental financial operations.

Conducts project and division specific financial analysis. Prepares, updates and maintains monthly financial activity reports, spreadsheets and ledgers. Maintains financial data and records.

Responds to financial inquiries from departmental management and staff, other County fiscal representatives, including from the Planning & Budget Office, Purchasing, and Auditor, and the public.

Provides technical assistance to departmental staff in developing and maintaining grants, proposals, contracts, payroll, and other operations having financial implications.

• Assists in developing strategic and tactical financial plans. Assist in the development and implementation of departmental financial policies, procedures and strategies.
• Performs other job-related duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Education and Experience:
Bachelor's degree in Finance, Accounting or a directly related field AND five (5) years of increasingly responsible professional level financial analysis or accounting experience. Master's degree in Accounting, Finance or a directly related field may substitute for two (2) years of the required experience.

OR,

Any combination of education and experience that has been achieved and is equivalent to the stated education and experience and required knowledge, skills, and abilities sufficient to successfully perform the duties and responsibilities of this job.

Licenses, Registrations, Certifications, or Special Requirements:
Please attach resume to online application.
Valid Texas driver’s license.

Preferred:
Applications with a cover letter detailing interest in the position, including why you want to work for the Travis County Public Defender’s Office.
Bilingual in English/Spanish is preferred.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Knowledge of:

• Policies, practices, procedures and terminology of assigned function.
• Federal, State, Local and County applicable laws, rules, regulations and guidelines.
• Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) and standardized financial, accounting and auditing practices.
• Budget planning, development, preparation, and monitoring.
• Manual and automated systems relating to assigned function.
• Modern office practices, procedures and methods.
• Computer equipment to include word processing, spreadsheets, databases and a variety of software packages.
• Business letter writing, grammar and punctuation, and report preparation.
• May be required to develop knowledge of and adhere to federal and state laws requiring the confidential handling of certain health information.

Skill in:

• Problem-solving and decision-making.
• Developing financial spreadsheets and financial trend analysis.
• Completing professional financial reports.
• Planning and evaluating financial processes.
• Developing financial policies and procedures.
• Both verbal and written communication, including presentations.

Ability to:

• Work independently.
• Manage time well, perform multiple tasks and organize diverse activities.
• Analyze, calculate, forecast and interpret financial data and identify and correct errors.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with departmental clientele, representatives of outside agencies and providers, other County employees and officials, and the general public.

Additional Information

The PDO is committed to inclusive hiring and dedicated to diversity in our work and staff. The PDO strongly encourages candidates of all identities, experiences, abilities and communities to apply. All applicants should be dedicated to working in and sustaining an environment that enables staff and clients to feel empowered, valued, respected, and safe. In considering applicants, the PDO values an applicant’s experience and/or thoughtfulness in working with people from communities that experience marginalization. Applicants should be able to work and communicate effectively across lines of difference.

Duties and responsibilities are performed within the setting of a law office and the Financial Analyst will be guided on and is expected to maintain privileged and/or confidential information of which the Financial Analyst may occasionally become aware in the same manner as is expected of attorneys.

Physical requirements include the ability to lift/carry up to 25 pounds occasionally, visual acuity, speech and hearing, hand and eye coordination and manual dexterity necessary to operate a computer and office equipment. Subject to standing, walking, sitting, repetitive motion, reaching, climbing stairs, bending, stooping, kneeling, crouching, crawling, pushing, pulling, balancing, client/customer contact, squatting to perform the essential functions.

This job description is intended to be generic in nature. It is not necessarily an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities. The essential duties, functions and responsibilities and overtime eligibility may vary based on the specific tasks assigned to the position.


This position is anticipated to start Spring 2026.

Department: Public Defender’s Office

Location: 1010 Lavaca Street, Austin, TX 78701

Post-Offer Criminal Background and Driving Check Required.

For updates or questions on this position, contact: TCPDOHiring@traviscountytx.gov