ASCENDER Business Consultant

Primary Purpose:

• To provide consulting and software support for the ASCENDER Business software and state-mandated “PEIMS” Data Reporting System utilized by participating school districts.

Education/Certifications:

• High School Diploma
• College degree preferred
• TASBO Certified preferred
• Applicants should possess a TASBO Certified Texas School Business Specialist (CTSBS) or complete the CTSBS within the first year of Region 10 employment.
• TASBO Certified Texas School Business Official (CTSBO) certification preferred or complete within 18 months of Region 10 employment.

Experience:

• Three years of public-school payroll and finance accounting management experience.
• Three years of public-school payroll and finance accounting experience utilizing ASCENDER software preferred.

Specific Responsibilities and Duties for the ASCENDER Business Consultant

• Support:
• Provides customer support through telephone and email support, webinar software, workshops, on-site visits, and individual training sessions. Documents details of customer cases for future support reference.
• Communicates issues efficiently to vendors in achieving quality resolutions quickly.
  Training:
• Train local school district users in the proper procedures for utilizing the supported ASCENDER Business software.
• Assists school district personnel with the components and competencies of school business.
• Assists school district personnel, adhering to all local, state, and federal rules, laws, and regulations.
• Prepares materials, media, and presentation data for workshops.
• Participates in the presentation of materials at workshops and training sessions.
• Knowledge or ability to learn SQL and provide technical support in a backup capacity.
  Quality Service Objectives:
• Anticipates and prepares a timeline of districts’ responsibilities.
• Provides customers with subject matter expertise
• Develops problem-solving skills, including troubleshooting new development of the product.
• Assists in conducting user meetings at prescribed times.
• Coordinate 3rd party interface solutions between district, vendor, and Region 10 personnel if applicable.
• Tests software releases.
• Maintain or acquire TASBO certifications.
• Presents demonstrations for potential customers.
• Ability to deviate from established procedures without direct supervision to best accommodate customer demands.
• Use judgment on customer inquiries that fall outside of normal procedure.
• Assists in conversions of LEAs moving to ASCENDER.
• Other duties as assigned by the ASCENDER Support Coordinator.
• Willingness to seek ongoing development of professional skills as appropriate to the job assignment
• Maintain a strong knowledge of evidence-based practices and current research
• Create and provide professional learning opportunities for customers using a variety of delivery methods
• Demonstrate effective coaching, mentoring, problem-solving, and conferencing skills