FinOps/AWS Cost Operations Associate

The Department of Interior (DOI) Cloud Hosting Services (CHS) III program will be leading the way for Cloud Hosting and Applications Modernization across DOI and its subordinate bureaus. CHS III will facilitate migration of legacy on-premises applications to a modern, secure and scalable multi-cloud platform.  From sensors in active volcanic regions to earthquake detection data, CHS III will be DOI’s central cloud processing and data solution.

Support the CHS FinOps practice delivering cloud financial management support.  Candidate will bring strong analytical and problem-solving skills with a keen eye for detail along with a strong desire to learn and adapt to new technologies and FinOps practices.

Cloud Cost Analysis & Reporting

• Monitor and analyze AWS cost and usage data using tools like AWS Cost Explorer and AWS Cost & Usage Reports (CUR) to identify trends, anomalies, and cost-saving opportunities.
• Assist in creating and maintaining reports that provide clear, actionable insights into cloud spend for various stakeholders.
• Support development of monthly customer invoices
• Support showback and chargeback processes for users and stakeholders.

Cost Optimization Support:

• Collaborate with program management, the FinOps Manager and engineering teams to identify and recommend cost optimization strategies, including right-sizing instances, optimizing storage, and identifying unused resources.
• Assist in evaluating and implementing cost-saving mechanisms such as AWS Savings Plans and Reserved Instances.
• Utilize AWS tools to identify and propose resource optimization recommendations.

Billing & Allocation

• Support the accurate allocation of AWS costs to departments, projects, and products using AWS cloud native tools and cost allocation tags.
• Assist in reconciling billing discrepancies and ensuring data accuracy within our cloud financial management systems.

Anomaly Detection & Resolution

• Monitor for unusual patterns or spikes in AWS spending using AWS Cost Anomaly Detection and other alerting mechanisms.
• Assist in investigating root causes of cost anomalies and collaborate with relevant teams to recommend corrective actions.

FinOps Best Practices

• Contribute to the promotion and adoption of FinOps best practices within the organization.
• Assist in documenting processes, policies, and guidelines related to cloud financial management.
• Participate in cross-functional discussions to promote cost awareness and accountability.

Stakeholder Communication

• Support the preparation of presentations and communicate findings and recommendations to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.

Basic Qualifications  

• 5 Years with BS/BA, 3 Years with MS/MA, or 9 years of relevant experience with High School Diploma/equivalent .  Degree in Finance, Information Technology or a related field.
• Must be a US Citizen
• Candidate must have an Active Public Trust or the ability to obtain one is required
• Must have at least one of the following certifications or be able to attain within 90 Days of Hire:
  • AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner
  • FinOps Certified Practitioner (FinOps Foundation)
• Proficiency in data analysis, including advanced Excel skills (e.g., pivot tables, advanced formulas) and the ability to extract meaningful insights from large datasets.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to articulate complex financial and technical concepts.

Preferred Qualifications  

• 8 Years with BS/BA, 5 Years with MS/MA, PhD 3+ or 12 years of relevant experience with HS Diploma/equivalent .  Degree in Finance, Information Technology or a related field.
• AWS Cloud Financial Management Tools: Hands-on experience with at least one of the below native AWS cloud financial management tools:
  • AWS Organizations
  • AWS Cost Explorer
  • AWS Compute Optimizer
  • AWS Billing Conductor
  • AWS Trusted Advisor
• Experience with at least one 3^rd party cloud financial management tool such as CloudCheckr, Cloudability, Aquila Cloud, Kion, CloudHealth or others.
• Familiarity with Agile methodologies (e.g., Scrum, Kanban) and experience working within an Agile framework.
• Experience with Azure, Google Cloud Platform or other Cloud Service Providers.