Cost Allocation & Federal Claiming - Data Analyst

Position Summary

The Data Analyst performs the detailed financial and data analysis behind the Louisiana Works cost allocation engagement. The role analyzes cost, payroll, and time-coding data across USDOL, VR, SNAP E&T, and TANF programs; builds allocation matrices and fiscal impact models; and prepares the schedules and supporting documentation for the Public Assistance Cost Allocation Plan. Ideal candidates have hands-on cost allocation plan generation experience in state government or public assistance programs and strong data analysis and modeling skills.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the quantitative work: gather and analyze cost, payroll, and time-coding data; build allocation matrices, formulas, and the Fiscal Impact Projection Model.

• Validate allocation calculations after implementation and adjust models based on operational or federal feedback.

• Review existing funding structures and the current allocation of personnel, IT, policy, fiscal, and management costs across USDOL, VR, SNAP E&T, TANF, and other federal programs.

• Evaluate Louisiana Works' interim time-coding controls and identify areas of potential noncompliance or unsupported allocation methodology.

• Document current cost pools, allocation bases, and coding structures (WBS, cost centers, internal orders) and administrative claiming flows for each program.

• Identify shared administrative cost pools, define supportable allocation bases, and develop allocation formulas and distribution methodologies.

• Address the treatment of eligibility operations, integrated IT systems and system development costs, policy and program oversight, fiscal and administrative support, and management/supervisory functions.

• Build financial and fiscal impact models quantifying federal and state share under current methodology, proposed methodology, and revised federal participation rates (including changes beginning FFY 2028).

• Prepare written justification for each cost pool and allocation base showing it is necessary, reasonable, allocable, and consistently applied, citing specific regulatory authority.

• Develop the Cost Pool Reporting and Coding Matrix showing how costs will be captured, tracked, and reported in Louisiana Works financial systems (guidance only; no system configuration).

• Prepare draft and final Public Assistance Cost Allocation Plan submission packages, narratives, schedules, and supporting allocation documentation.

• Support Louisiana Works during federal review: draft written responses to federal inquiries, participate in technical discussions with federal reviewers, and revise documentation through resolution.

• Identify opportunities to maximize allowable federal reimbursement and produce the Federal Claiming Optimization Memorandum and Executive Summary for leadership.

• Develop the implementation roadmap, operational transition guidance for July 1, 2027, and methodology documentation for ongoing internal use; provide training on the methodology.

• Participate in structured working sessions with Louisiana Works Fiscal leadership and program staff; provide weekly status reports and timesheets as requested.

Mandatory Qualifications

• Must have cost allocation plan generation experience.

• Must have experience needed to meet all deliverables, qualifications, and requirements in the Scope of Services.

• Must have data analysis experience.

Desirable Qualifications

• Additional data analysis experience beyond what is required for this Scope of Services.

Engagement-Level Qualifications the Team Must Collectively Meet

The RFR also sets these Vendor Qualifications for key staff. Candidates who meet one or more of them strengthen the submission considerably:

• At least one key staff member must be a licensed Certified Public Accountant (CPA) with demonstrated governmental cost allocation and federal claiming experience.

• Documented experience authoring or materially revising at least three (3) Public Assistance Cost Allocation Plans within the past five years.

• Experience supporting states in federal review, negotiation, or approval of PACAPs, administrative claiming, or cost allocation methodologies (USDOL, DHHS, USDOE, FNS, etc.).

• Expertise in: federal grant claiming (50% and enhanced match structures); SNAP E&T funding and claiming; TANF funding structures; integrated workforce/VR/employment and training cost allocation; 2 CFR 200 and 45 CFR 95; inclusion of state-funded programs in PACAPs.

• Key personnel must cover, at minimum: Project Lead, Senior Cost Allocation Specialist, and Federal Claiming Subject Matter Expert.

• At least two (2) state references for similar cost allocation engagements within the past five years.

Regulatory Knowledge Required

• 2 CFR Part 200 (Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements)

• 45 CFR Part 95, Subpart E (Cost Allocation Plans)

• USDOL, RSA, FNS, TANF, and other applicable federal administrative claiming guidance and program-specific grant requirements

Resume Requirements

• Full name, employers, and dates of employment

• Technical and functional experience, with role, responsibilities, level of effort, and duration for each project

• Education, training, and certifications (CPA license details where applicable)

• Specific PACAP development and federal negotiation experience

• Customer references for each project cited: name, title, company, address, phone, and email

• Confirmation of availability for both on-site (Baton Rouge) and remote work, plus percentage of time dedicated to the engagement

• Fluent written and spoken English; indicate if the resource is subcontracted (with subcontractor name and address)