Fiscal Specialist - Head Start

Fiscal Specialist – Head Start Program

Paladin, Inc. | Michigan City, IN

Are you detail-oriented and passionate about using your financial expertise to make a real difference for children and families?
Paladin’s Head Start program is looking for a skilled Finance & Operations Manager to help guide our early childhood education program with accuracy, accountability, and heart.

This is a chance to do meaningful work every day — ensuring federal funds are managed with care, compliance, and purpose, so that local children can thrive in a safe and enriching environment.

What You’ll Do

As part of our leadership team, you’ll oversee day-to-day financial operations for Paladin’s Head Start program. Your work keeps our classrooms open, our teachers supported, and our students safe.

You’ll:

• Monitor budgets, expenditures, and requisitions for accuracy

• Coordinate program planning, budgeting, and inventory management

• Maintain effective financial controls and ensure documentation meets federal standards

• Track Head Start expenditures, invoices, POs, and receipts

• Prepare federal reports (including SF425, SF424/SF424b) and forecasts

• Support leadership in creating 5-year budgets and grant narratives

• Maintain inventories and asset tracking for all federally funded materials

• Participate in strategic planning and leadership meetings

• Help ensure a safe, compliant environment for children, families, and staff

What You’ll Bring

• Bachelor’s degree in finance, business management, or related field (required) — Accounting degree preferred

• 5+ years’ experience in financial management (preferred), ideally in a nonprofit setting

• Familiarity with NetSuites, U.S. Department of Health & Human Services PMS, or Central Authentication Service (a plus)

• Strong organization, analytical, and problem-solving skills

• A collaborative, mission-driven approach to teamwork

Conditions of Employment

• Successful drug screen, physical capacities exam, and TB screen

• Criminal background clearance

Why Paladin?

Paladin is a mission-driven nonprofit serving Northwest Indiana through early childhood education, disability services, and community programs. We’re dedicated to building brighter futures — and that starts with our people.

Our team members enjoy:

• A welcoming, family-oriented work culture

• The fulfillment of serving children and families in need

• Paid training and professional development

• Local, community-based work

If you’re ready to bring both your head for numbers and heart for service to a team that values purpose over profit — we’d love to meet you.

?? Apply today and help us make every dollar count for children who deserve the best start in life. Please apply through our Paladin Job Opportunities Portal.