DPS - FIN - Senior Budget Analyst - 1158

GENERAL DESCRIPTION

: Perform advanced (senior level) budget preparation and analysis work. Work involves overseeing the planning, organizing, coordination, and evaluating of budgetary activities and performance measures. Includes research and data gathering to include report design and preparation. Work includes analyzing all aspects of data to formulate forecasts and determine trends, preparing reports and responding to inquiries; recommending appropriate action to resolve issues. Communicate with Chain of Command (COC), division staff, and other state agencies to determine issues, gather budget/financial data, and organize reports. May supervise the work of others. Work under minimal supervision with considerable latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment.

The following Military Occupational Specialty codes are generally applicable to this position. Applicants must fully complete the summary of experience to determine if minimum qualifications are met.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES:

1. Gather, analyze, interpret, organize, and report budget data.

2. Analyze expenditure patterns and make recommendations based on research, and lead or assist other analysts with budget preparation and may lead other sections with major projects.

3. Communicate and coordinate work requests with COC, division staff, and other state agencies if needed.

4. Oversee and participate in the coordination, collection, and compilation of data for external reporting the Departments’ Legislative Appropriations Request (LAR), fiscal notes, and performance measures; e.g. enters into ABEST, cost analysis of personnel, research exceptional items, riders, capital projects, and correspondence with Department entities or the LBB. Assemble budget data, research historical data, and respond to questions from the legislative staff in reference to the agency’s LAR.

5. Analyze the General Appropriations Act (GAA) as it progresses in the House and Senate and prepare informative reports for executive management to understand and keep up to date pertaining to agency legislative activity. Balance base request, exceptional items, riders, and contingency Appropriations Riders, by strategy to the GAA. Lead and participate in processing and preparing the Operating Budget each year by reconciling the GAA.

6. Coordinate, oversee and assist in forecasting budget expenditures on a monthly basis, cash analysis, and reconcile unexpended balances to division estimates, which include but not limited to preparing Centralized Accounting and Payroll/Personnel System (CAPPS) and USAS journal entries.

7. Prepare and/or review monthly budget analyses which presents the Department’s financial position, year-to-date to be presented to the Public Safety Commission in meetings as required.

8. Attend Executive Director Staff meetings as required; participate on internal committees and interview boards as designated.

9. Oversee and assist in the preparation of the Operating Budget for the Governor’s Office.

10. Attend work regularly and observe approved work hours in accordance with agency leave and attendance policies.

11. Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

GENERAL QUALIFICATIONS and REQUIREMENTS

Education – Graduation from a standard high school is required. Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with a major in Accounting, Auditing, Business Administration, Management, Public Administration, or related field is preferred. 

Experience – Minimum of three (3) years’ progressively responsible work experience in accounting, budget preparation and analysis, financial management, fiscal policymaking, and performance measurement reporting or closely related activities. 

Substitution Note: One (1) year of additional related education may be substituted for each year of experience required, up to four (4) years. Note: thirty (30) semester hours will be considered equivalent to one (1) year of education.

Licensure and/or Certification – Must possess a valid driver license from state of residence.

Regulatory knowledge – Financial administration, budget control, fiscal accounting, the agency’s financial program, governmental accounting, policies, procedures, laws, legal restrictions, and regulations pertaining to fiscal operations and funding. Accepted accounting principles and practices. General Appropriations Act (GAA) guidelines and restrictions of expenditures. Rules, regulations, policies, and procedures of the State Comptroller. Interpreting state and federal rules, regulations, policy formulation, and development.

Accounting skills – State budget/financial reporting requirements. Plan, organize, and analyze accounting programs to interpret laws, regulations, and the application of accounting theory. Make correct determinations of agency disbursements and commitments to disburse funds. Read and interpret complex laws, rules, regulations, directions, and instructions in normal, technical accounting, and legal terminology. Learn and effectively apply changes regarding the GAA rules and procedures. Identify and compile data from Department and State Comptroller’s records. Establish effective accounting controls.

Technology  – Proficiency with Microsoft Office and appropriate levels of proficiency with utilized software and systems (e.g. CAPPS, SharePoint, USAS, Tableau) and be able to learn new software/systems. 

Analytical Reasoning/Attention to Detail –Analyze problems, factors, elements, and identify causative factors in management budget problems; and apply actions to effectively resolve, prevent recurrence of problematic conditions and present alternative solutions that may be effective for problem resolution. Perform and interpret numerical analysis, statutes, evaluate, and summarize financial and management records for accuracy and conformance procedures, rules, and regulations.

Interpersonal Skills – Must demonstrate an ability to exercise poise, tact, diplomacy and an ability to establish and maintain positive, working/professional relationships with internal/external customers.

Organizational and Prioritization Skills – Must be organized, flexible, and able to effectively prioritize in a multi-demand and constantly changing environment; able to meet multiple and sometimes conflicting deadlines without sacrificing accuracy, timeliness or professionalism.

Presentation/Communication Skills – Must be able to construct and deliver clear, concise, and professional presentations to a variety of audiences and/or individuals.

Research and Comprehension – Must demonstrate ability to quickly and efficiently access relevant information, and be able to utilize and/or present research and conclusions in a clear and concise manner.

Confidentiality and Protected Information – Must demonstrate an ability to responsibly handle sensitive and confidential information and situations and adhere to applicable laws/statutes/policies related to access, maintenance and dissemination of information.

Travel and/or Schedule – Availability for after-hour and weekend work is required. Telecommuting up to three (3) days per week (or month). Travel (in city, statewide, both) up to one (1) day per week (or month).

PHYSICAL and/or ENVIRONMENTAL DEMANDS:

The physical and environmental demands described here are representative of those encountered and/or necessary for the employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job; reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Environment: Office/indoor;  Ambulatory skills, e.g. stand, walk, sit; Hand-eye coordination and arm/hand/finger dexterity; Ability to speak, hear, and exercise visual acuity; Ability to transfer weights of twenty-five (25) pounds anticipated for this position; Driving requirements: Low frequency (ten [10%]).

State of Texas Benefits and Retirement Information:

A DPS employee who is selected for a position in the same salary group and state title as their current position will be transferred with no salary change.

A DPS employee who is selected for a position in their current salary group with a new state title may receive an increase of no more than 3.4% over their current salary regardless of posted salary. 

Salary is contingent upon qualifications and is subject to salary administration and budgetary restrictions.

DUE TO THE HIGH VOLUME OF APPLICATIONS WE DO NOT ACCEPT TELEPHONE CALLS. ONLY CANDIDATES SELECTED FOR INTERVIEW WILL BE CONTACTED. 

State of Texas retirees may be rehired for full-time, non-commissioned positions only under very specific circumstances.

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