Budget Analyst

Description Qualifications, skills, and all relevant experience needed for this role can be found in the full description below. Under general supervision, to perform professional level budget preparation, analysis, and administrative work that includes variance analysis, financial forecasting, tracking of operating and capital plans, reserve forecasts, and long-range financial strategies. The Office of Budget and Analysis (OBA) is part of the County Executive's Office and is responsible for countywide budget and analysis. This team is embedded with the County Executive, Chief Operating Officer, and Deputy County Executives to assist with the overall administration of the County at a strategic and analytical level. Strategic and creative work performed by OBA staff is often at a system level, across multiple or all departments. The person filling this position will become an integral member of a dynamic team that is passionate about public service and needs to be able to develop strong professional relationships within the team and with County leadership. Assignments are to be determined based on the needs of the Office of Budget and Analysis and the attributes of the applicants. #INDOCE Typical Tasks The following are the duties performed by employees in this classification. However, employees may perform other related duties at an equivalent level. Each individual in the classification does not necessarily perform all duties listed. Participates in the development of the annual County budget by making recommendations on revenue sources and funding levels; analyzes and evaluates agency/department budget requests and other proposals for immediate and long-term policy and fiscal impacts; prepares expenditure and revenue recommendations for assigned agencies/departments; Defines financial reporting and information needs to be used for budgetary analysis, providing information for decision making, publication of the annual budget document, budget execution, data integrity, consolidation, and special reports; evaluates work processes, systems, and procedures and coordinates any systems modifications with the Technology Services and Solutions Department and the Controller-Treasurer Department; Conducts a variety of informational, financial, budgetary, analytical, statistical, and economic analysis; prepares written and oral reports with recommendations on resource allocation, program evaluation, and other matters of concern for presentation to the County Executive, the Chief Operating Officer, Deputy County Executives, agency/department management, and/or Board Policy Committees in written, graphic, and oral form; Prepares various budgetary, informational, financial, and statistical reports, such as financial variance analysis, fund balance analysis, Countywide financial status, and multi-year budget trend analysis, etc.; Assists and participates in cost allocations and indirect cost rate proposals; Interacts with the Controller-Treasurer Department to resolve accounting discrepancies or financial reporting issues; Monitors expenditures and revenues for assigned agencies/departments; investigates and reports on unusual occurrences; evaluates and provides recommendations on mid-year adjustments; Recommends guidelines for the development of spending plans, including both one-time and ongoing resources for programs, capital expenses, technology improvements, and reserves; Implements or assists in the implementation of program or policy changes and in the facilitation of new financial strategies; Participates in the Position Control Process by updating the position budget salaries and works with departments regarding unallocated funding inquiries, including maintaining the Position Budget Report; Represents the County Executive to elected officials, executive leaders, and management staff in meetings regarding financial concerns, agency/department initiatives, and/or Countywide policy goals; advises on long-range financial management strategies; Analyzes complex labor contract negotiations proposals for cost and fiscal impact and recommends alternatives, within budgetary limits, to the County’s designated representative for labor negotiations purposes; Prepares and presents, or assists in the presentation of, budget analysis for labor contract negotiations purposes; May act as staff to one or more Board Policy Committees, working cooperatively with Board of Supervisors’ staff and the Clerk of the Board of Supervisors to prepare and maintain committee workplans, plan committee agendas, and track committee referrals and requests for information; Acts as liaison to local government agencies and contractors and responds to a variety of information requests from both inside and outside the County on issues related to financial forecasting, revenue issues, and resolution strategies; advises on policy, operational, and service delivery decisions; Provides costing support and analysis during the labor negotiations process; Successfully utilizes the budget preparation technology to generate accurate data in the budget document; Reviews agency/department transmittals to the Board of Supervisors for accuracy, completeness, and fiscal/policy implications and provides recommendations to the Agenda Review Committee regarding agenda placement; May be assigned continuing responsibility for agenda review administration; Monitors agency/department reports to the Board of Supervisors and/or Board Policy Committees; reviews reports for accuracy, completeness, and fiscal/policy implications; May act as project leader on assignments that involve supervision of assigned professional and clerical staff and coordination with various county agency/department staff and/or outside consultants; May be assigned as a Disaster Service Worker (DSW), as required*; Performs other related duties, as required. Employment Standards Sufficient education, training, and experience to demonstrate the ability to perform the above tasks, plus the possession and direct application of the following knowledge and abilities: Training and Experience Note: The required knowledge and abilities are attained through training and experience equivalent to a Bachelor's Degree, preferably in Accounting, Business Administration, Business Management, Economics, Finance, Political Science, Public Administration, Statistics, or a closely related field. Relevant analytical, administrative, lead, supervisory, or management experience that includes interpreting rules and regulations, gathering data and formulating recommendations, and report writing can substitute for education on a year-for-year basis; and Four (4) years of analytical, administrative, lead, supervisory, and/or management work experience, including two (2) years of budgeting, financial, and/or economic analysis experience. Public sector budgeting, financial, and/or economic analysis experience is preferred. A Master's Degree in Public Administration, Business Administration, or a related field may be substituted for one (1) year of the analytical, administrative, lead, supervisory, and/or management work experience, although it may not substitute for the required budgeting, financial, and/or economic analysis experience. Special Requirements Ability to travel to alternate locations in the course of work. If driving, possession of a valid California driver’s license prior to appointment and the ability to qualify for and maintain a County driver authorization. *As a condition of employment, pursuant to California Government Code Sections 3100-3109 and Local Ordinance, all County of Santa Clara employees are designated Disaster Service Workers (DSWs), including extra help. A DSW is required to complete all assigned DSW-related training, and in the event of an emergency, return to work as ordered. Knowledge of: Current economic conditions/trends related to financial forecasting, planning, and related policy issues necessary to advise management on how to plan, develop, and coordinate programs and fiscal policies for the County; Principles and practices of governmental organization and administration; Principles, practices, and techniques of governmental/general accounting, budgeting, financial forecasting, and financial/economic/statistical/management analysis; Principles of management analysis and organizational design necessary to formulate administrative policies and procedures; Methods of report preparation, writing, and presentation; Relevant local, state, and federal laws and regulations related to contracts, financial policy, and reporting requirements; Current computer information systems, common office applications, and financial spreadsheets and database software; Principles and practices of project management; Sources of revenue and expenditures typical of local government; Public speaking, presentation delivery, and negotiation techniques; Principles and practices of research, data collection, and evaluation necessary to develop effective recommendations; Principles and practices of contract administration; English usage, style, grammar, punctuation, and spelling. Ability to: Analyze and evaluate a variety of complex issues, utilizing a variety of techniques, to recommend, negotiate, and implement effective solutions to budgetary issues on behalf of the County Executive; Translate complex financial issues in lay terms; Interact with others effectively under pressure and determine the appropriate course of action in stressful situations; Represent the department before committees and outside agencies; Plan, organize, direct, and evaluate programs in assigned areas of responsibility and perform related administrative activities; Produce and deliver well-written reports and presentations containing effective recommendations to County management, representatives of other agencies, and other interested members of the community; Analyze and understand factors that impact the County's financial and economic position and how those factors translate to overall budget process, budgetary projections, organizational structure, administrative procedure, and public policy; Successfully present findings and recommendations orally before OBA management, county agency/department management, the County Executive, the Board of Supervisors, representatives of other governmental agencies, and the public; Utilize computers and advanced computer software to analyze information; Keep abreast of relevant laws, regulations, and professional practices governing the conduct of the County's financial affairs; Analyze policies and procedures and make recommendations to management; Work effectively under minimal supervision; Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, with people of diverse backgrounds and cultures; Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work, at all levels, including colleagues, the public, and representatives of other agencies.