TDA - FND - QA/QC Specialist (Auditor)

Job Description

The Texas Department of Agriculture's Food and Nutrition Division administers 12 federal child and special nutrition programs and receives more than $2.5 billion in federal money annually. These programs aim to reduce hunger, encourage strong nutrition, and support local economies across Texas.

Telework Option: TDA does not offer telework, and all employees are required to be physically present for work. The agency's core business hours are from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. TDA also provides limited customer service between 6:00-8:00 a.m. and 5:00-6:00 p.m.

Location: This position will report to one of the following TDA locations: Austin (HQ), Houston, San Antonio, Waco, or Ft. Worth, TX. This position will work across the state of Texas, as needed.

The QA/QC Specialist will work in a fast-paced, multi-faceted environment performing highly complex auditing and or compliance-monitoring work. Work involves determining adherence to and implementation of 1) the laws set forth by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Child Nutrition Programs (CNPs) administered by the Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA) Food and Nutrition Division (F&N); 2) generally accepted accounting practices in the discharge of financial activities; and 3) internal control procedures, accountability, and best practices. Responsible for overseeing and/or conducting, planning, scheduling, coordinating, and reviewing audits and reporting results; and providing guidance and assistance in governmental auditing to improve governance, risk management, and internal control processes. F&N internal audits will measure the effectiveness, efficiency, confidentiality, integrity, availability, compliance, and reliability of existing information systems and the data therein. You will work under limited supervision with considerable latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment.

Evaluate and assess management operations, internal control structures, systems, policies, procedures, processes, tools, work instructions, internal records, and data for their reliability, adequacy, accuracy, efficiency, and compliance with applicable laws, rules, regulations, and policies within established timelines.

Conduct internal audits, which are highly complex in nature or primarily large in scale, including coordinating assignments and audit activities to recommend corrective actions, identify trends in non-compliance, determine the root cause of the non-compliance. This may involve documenting processes and conducting follow-up assessments to determine implementation status of required corrective action and/or recommendation.

Evaluate staff work product and document adherence to or deviation from internal policies, processes, procedures, tools and prepare audit papers to document the results of the work performed, including interviews, data analysis, and other documentation.

Prepare and present audit reports, including the preparation of outlines, specification of internal reviews, preparation of draft reports, review of draft reports with clients, preparation of the final reports incorporating client comments as appropriate, and submission of the final reports for review and approval.

Provide input for the development of standardized audit processes and office guidelines for the practical application of professional internal audit standards.

Maintain the record-keeping and filing system for audit materials, including correspondence, forms, and documents, per the agency¿s Records Management Policy.

Follow all TDA policies and procedures.

Perform other duties as assigned.

To be considered for the position, applicants must submit a State of Texas Application through CAPPS Careers or WIT ¿ experience listed on the application must state how each of the following qualifications are met:

Bachelor¿s degree (one year of work experience related to the primary responsibilities may substitute for one year of college).

Two (2) years¿ work experience in regulatory and financial compliance or conducting quality state reviews, including auditing and testing.

Experience with corrective action implementation, statistical analysis, and report preparation.

Substitution Clause: Master¿s degree in Accounting OR Certified Internal Auditor (CIA), Certified Public Accountant (CPA) Certified Government Auditing Professional (CGAP) may substitute for (2) years of required work experience.

Experience working with federal programs.

Experience working with Smartsheet.

Experience using TeamMate+.

Knowledge of accounting and auditing methods and systems; and of generally accepted auditing standards and procedures.

Skill in the use of a computer, applicable software and sampling techniques; and in providing excellent customer service to both internal and external customers.

Ability to compose clear and concise audit reports; to gather and analyze accurate and relevant audit information; to evaluate accounting and management operations systems for accuracy and legal conformance; to accurately complete and assemble audit working papers; communicate effectively, both orally and in writing; to exercise sound judgment and discretion; and to maintain the highest level of confidentiality.

Physical Requirements & Working Conditions: Normal office work environment and may have exposure to dust and environmental allergens consistent with normal business activities and human contact. Involves periods of sedentary work alternating with periods of work that may involve walking; standing; pulling and pushing; kneeling, stooping, and bending; performing tasks requiring fine motor skills and coordination; and safely lifting and carrying items weighing up to forty (40) pounds. Involves traveling by plane and/or car, frequently driving for long distances and frequent overnight travel ¿ up to 10% travel. Must be able to complete individual travel, as well as traveling with a group, for assignments. Must be able to work extended periods at a computer and may require working extended hours and some evenings and weekends, as needed.

The State of Texas offers a variety of benefits for you and your family that are comprehensive and, on average, make up about one-third of total compensation. Benefits include:

Retirement Plan

Paid Group Health & Basic Life Insurance for employees

Paid Holidays

Paid Vacation Leave

Paid Sick Leave

Longevity Pay

Dental

Vision

Dependent Optional Life Insurance

Voluntary AD&D Insurance

Dependent Health & Life Insurance

Health & Dependent care flexible spending accounts

Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO): TDA is an equal employment opportunity (EEO) employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, age, genetic information, military status, or protected activity.

TDA participates in E-Verify and will provide the Social Security Administration and, if necessary, the Department of Homeland Security, with information from each new employee's Form I-9 to confirm work authorization.

H-1B Visa Sponsorship 
We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment Visa.

Background Checks
A criminal conviction records check is required for applicants who are selected for a position.

*A valid government-issued driver¿s license, which is recognized by the Texas Department of Public Safety and in good standing, and an acceptable driving record are required. TDA will verify this information with the Texas Department of Public Safety. Applicants with a driver¿s license not issued by the State of Texas should obtain and be prepared to provide a copy of their current driving record on or before their first day.

Foreign Credentials
Upload an evaluation of your coursework if you have obtained a degree(s) from a school outside of the United States; otherwise, we cannot give you credit for your degree. Some organizations that provide evaluation services are:

Foreign Credential Services of America
1910 Justin Lane, Austin, TX 78757-2411
Phone: 512-459-8428

SpanTran: The Evaluation Company
2400 Augusta Drive, Suite 451 Houston, TX 77057
Phone: 713-266-8805

Global Credential Evaluators, Inc.
P.O. Box 9203 College Station, TX 77842
Phone: 512-528-0908

Apply online via CAPPS Careers. Applicants applying through Work In Texas (WIT) will be required to complete additional supplemental questions, optionally provide EEO information, including how you heard about the job, and provide an electronic signature in CAPPS Careers to be considered for the position.

Only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted. A skills exercise may be conducted at the time of the interview.

Due to the high volume of applications, we do not accept telephone calls.  If you submitted your application through the CAPPS Career Center, you may also check the status of your application by accessing your profile and selecting My Jobpage and selecting My Submissions.

Reasonable Accommodations: If you are scheduled for an interview and require any reasonable accommodation in our interview process, please inform the hiring representative who calls you to schedule your interview or an HR representative at 512-463-7423.  Whenever possible, please give the hiring or HR representative sufficient time to consider and respond to your request.

Military and Former Foster Child Employment Preference: TDA complies with the provisions of the veterans and former foster child employment preference acts. Please contact our Human Resources-Veterans Liaison at (512) 463-7454 for assistance.

Go to https://texasskillstowork.com/, https://www.onetonline.org/, or http://www.careeronestop.org/ for assistance translating your military experience and training courses into civilian job terms, qualifications/requirements, and skill sets.

Additional Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) Code or Crosswalk information is available from the Texas State Auditor¿s Office at Accounting, Auditing, and Finance MOS Codes.