Budget Analyst

IDEAL CANDIDATE STATEMENT

The ideal candidate will be a dynamic, innovative, and a resourceful Budget Analyst who embraces the opportunity to work in a team-oriented department. The qualified candidate will have outstanding communication and interpersonal skills, and be able to conduct complex studies, surveys, and focus groups; evaluate difficult operational and financial problems; compile and analyze information, develop and evaluate options, and prepare and present recommendations for review by management.

DEFINITION

Under general supervision, the Budget Analyst performs professional-level assignments related to the City budget functions in the development, implementation, and administration of citywide financial programs or projects; conducts organizational analysis, budget review and analysis; and coordinates activities of the Budget Office with other departments, divisions, and/or outside agencies.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

This journey-level classification in the Budget Analyst series is located in the Budget Office and is populated with multiple incumbents. Using a moderate level of independent judgment, incumbents apply a broad understanding of administrative, financial, and analytical principles, practices, and laws. This classification is distinguished from other analyst classes with financial responsibilities by the duties performed for development of the citywide budget and coordination with key fiscal staff from operating departments.

This classification is distinguished from Senior Budget Analyst in that the latter performs higher-level, complex financial and analytical work with a very high degree of independence and responsibility and may supervise Budget Analysts.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED

General supervision is provided by the Budget Manager or higher-level management staff. Incumbents may be assigned temporarily to assist a department and may receive technical or functional supervision from a department head. Assignments may require the direct or indirect supervision of professional, technical, or clerical staff.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Conducts or assists in conducting studies and surveys; collects information for operational and financial problems; compiles and analyzes information, prepares and presents recommendations for review by management.
• Confers with department heads, employees, and interested parties regarding existing and proposed policies and procedures; assists in development and implementation of policies, procedures, goals, and objectives; analyzes, interprets, and applies policies, procedures, and regulations.
• Conducts or assists in organizational studies pertaining to work flow, time and cost factors, administrative systems, records and filing systems, procedures, staffing levels and organizational structures to determine potential areas for organizational improvement.
• Assists in the preparation of the annual operating and capital improvement budgets; may review requests for additional funding and other supplemental requests; assists in monitoring and controlling budget activities.
• Evaluates or assists in the evaluation of new or proposed legislation, rules, and regulations; confers with affected parties; determines potential impacts to City operations and finances, and reports findings.
• Coordinates activities of the Budget Office with City departments and divisions, and with outside agencies; may meet with citizen groups, represents the City in the community, at meetings, and at conferences.
• Reviews council reports to ensure financial information is accurate and that policy issues have been address in advance.
• Assists in the preparation of council reports for the Budget Office.
• Provides exceptional customer service to those contacted in the course of work.
• Other related duties may also be performed; not all duties listed are necessarily performed by each individual holding this classification.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Knowledge of:

• Principles, practices, and techniques of public administration and public policy.
• Principles and practices of organizational, financial, and policy analysis.
• Principles and practices of organization, management, supervision, and team building.
• Principles, methods, and practices of municipal finance, budgeting, and accounting.
• Advanced research and analytical methods, techniques, and procedures.
• Project management.
• Computer applications including spreadsheet, database, word processing, and presentation software.
• Applicable Federal, State, and local laws, rules, and regulations.

Skill in:

• Use of modern office equipment, including computers, computer applications and software.

Ability to:

• Analyze a variety of complex financial and organizational problems, and make sound policy and procedural recommendations.
• Communicate effectively orally and in writing using all communication mediums.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with others.
• Interpret and apply laws, regulations, and policies.
• Prepare comprehensive and accurate reports.
• Work effectively with sensitive and confidential information in a political environment.
• Adjust to rapidly shifting priorities and timelines.
• Work effectively in a team environment with departmental and citywide staff.
• Facilitate groups.

EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION

Experience:

Two years of increasingly responsible professional-level budget, accounting, and/or financial administrative and analytical experience in forecasting, strategic planning, policy analysis, organizational development, and/or personnel management. Municipal experience is desirable.

Education:

Possession of a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in public or business administration or a related field.

Substitution:

A Master’s degree in one of the above fields may substitute for one year of required experience.

Proof of Required Education:

Proof of education such as college transcripts, degrees, and verification of possession of a Certificate of Registration as a Professional Engineer in the State of California must be submitted to the City of Sacramento Employment Office in person, as an attachment(s) to the online application, or fax to (916) 596-1556 by the final filing deadline. If submitting in person or via fax, please include your name and Exam # 001919-17 on your documents.

A college degree obtained outside the United States must have education records evaluated by a credential evaluation service. This evaluation must be submitted before you will be considered for any positions with an education requirement.

SPECIAL QUALIFICATIONS

Driver License:

Possession of a valid California Class C Driver License at the time of appointment. Individuals who do not meet this requirement due to physical disability will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.

THE SELECTION PROCEDURE:

Please note, the City of Sacramento’s preferred method of communication with applicants is via e-mail. As such, please ensure you verify the e-mail address on your application, and check your e-mail frequently, including your spam and junk folders.

1. Application: (Pass/Fail) – All applicants must complete and submit online a City of Sacramento employment application to the Employment Office by the final filing deadline;

• Employment applications must be submitted online; paper applications will not be accepted.
• Employment applications will be considered incomplete and will be disqualified:
  • If applicants do not list current and past job-related experience in the “Work Experience” section. Note: Qualifying experience is based on 40 paid hours per week (pro-rated if less than 40 hours/week).
    
  • If “see resume” is noted in the “Work Experience” section; a resume will not substitute for the information required in the “Work Experience” section.
• Proof of required education and/or degree equivalency must be submitted online with your application, delivered in person, or sent to the Employment Office by fax or mail by the final filing deadline.

2. Supplemental Questionnaire: (Pass/Fail) – In addition to the City of Sacramento employment application, all applicants must complete and submit online responses to the supplemental questionnaire to the City of Sacramento Employment Office by the final filing deadline:

• Responses to the supplemental questionnaire must be submitted online; paper questionnaire will not be accepted.
• Incomplete supplemental questionnaire will not pass the review process; omitted information cannot be considered or assumed.
• A resume will not substitute for the information required in the supplemental questionnaire.
• Possession of the minimum qualifications is not necessarily a guarantee of further advancement in the selection process.

3. Screening Committee : (Pass/Fail)– Human Resources will evaluate employment applications for the minimum qualifications stated on the job announcement.

4. Conviction Questionnaire : Human Resources will notify candidates who passed the exam by email to complete and submit the “Conviction Questionnaire.” The notification will provide each candidate with instructions on how to sign into his/her Neogov account run through GovernmentJobs and retrieve the “Conviction Questionnaire.” Promptly follow the instructions and respond to the questionnaire within Three (3) Business Days from the date of the e-mail notification. Failure to complete this step by the deadline will result in your application being placed in “inactive” status on the eligible list.

5. Interview Process : Human Resources will forward qualified applications to the hiring department. Those determined to be the most qualified candidates will be invited to participate in an interview process. A recommendation of the top candidate(s) resulting from this interview process will be forwarded to the Director. The Director will review the results, if necessary conduct additional interviews, and forward the recommendation to the City Manager’s Office for final action.

QUESTIONS:

For questions concerning this job announcement and the application process:

• Please visit https://www.governmentjobs.com/Home/ApplicationGuide for a comprehensive, step-by-step guide to the application process.
• Visit the City of Sacramento Human Resources Department website at http://www.cityofsacramento.org/HR/Career-Opportunities ;
• Send an email to employment@cityofsacramento.org ;
• Call the Human Resources Department at (916) 808-5726; or
• Visit the Human Resources Department at Historic City Hall, 915 I Street, Plaza Level, Sacramento, CA 95814.