Budget Director

POSITION PURPOSE: The City Council Budget Director directs and manages the budgetary review, financial analysis, and contracting needs of the Spokane City Council. Working as part of the Council’s central staff and with day-to-day supervision provided by the City Council President, the Director works closely with Council Members and Council Staff and serves as a liaison to the City’s Administrative Departments to help develop the City’s annual budget and other items as needed, including individual Council Members budget proposals or alternatives. The Budget Director also coordinates City Council’s public engagement on financial and strategic planning issues.

NATURE OF WORK:

The Director is broadly responsible for advancing the City Council's strategic policy, budget, and performance objectives by promoting the highest level of efficiency and effectiveness in support of Council-supported programs and initiatives. The Director will lead a broad range of activities including data analysis, program assessments, project evaluation, and technical tasks related to City Council data/information and office management needs. This includes collaboration with Council staff, other City employees, other government officials, and a wide variety of stakeholders. The Director will lead the Council office in the development and coordination of the annual council office budget and the facilitation of minor contracts and grants. The Director will also lead the Council office review of annual budgets and special budget ordinances proposed by the Mayor. They will also promote the Council goal of performance-based budgeting City-wide. SUPERVISION:

This "at-will" position performs with considerable independence and serves at the discretion of the City Council, with day-to-day supervision provided by the Council President or designee.

The following Responsibilities and Requirements are functions that the individual who holds or desires the position must be able to perform unaided or with the assistance of a reasonable accommodation. •

Evaluates the impact of new or proposed legislation on city resources and may include

identifiable impacts on constituents and external stakeholders;

•

Examines financial records, including general and specific records; reviews and analyzes

proposed annual budgets, special budget ordinances, and drafts budget amendments; •

Works with the City's Finance Department to synthesize Administration and City Council budget priorities; •

Evaluates priorities, performance measures (performance-based budgeting), and opportunity costs to make recommendations to the Council regarding the City's annual budget; •

Oversees Council's budget and minor contract and grant development and coordination; •

Utilizes communications technologies in web and/or information management arenas; •

Works closely with Council Members (especially the Finance Committee Chair), Initiative Directors and other Council staff to develop budget priorities; •

Liaises with the administration during sensitive labor contract negotiations; •

Collaborates with Council’s Director of Communications and Community Engagement to make the annual budget and other financial processes more public-facing and understandable to a wide range of audiences; •

Engages with Council’s Finance and Administration Committee to provide public input

on issues of budget and strategic planning; •

Constructs, cleans, documents, interprets, and visualizes large datasets for Council use; •

Conducts literature research on assignment topics from applicable resources; •

Writes, compiles, and edits assigned portions of proposals and project reports; •

Analyzes facts and applies criteria, regulations, rules, and procedures; recommends appropriate courses of action; •

Analyzes policy proposals though a budget lens, develops, and evaluates alternative policy choices, and provides options and recommendations; •

Creates work plans and designs decision-making processes; •

Works effectively in situations where conflicting viewpoints exist; •

Builds open communications and dialogues in diverse settings; •

Works with and leads project teams; •

Makes independent judgments and operates with minimal supervision. Any combination of education and experience which would provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities, is qualifying. Generally, this will include: • Master's degree favored, with preferred course work in administration, finance, or similar fields of study • Five or more years of progressively responsible leadership and analytical experience, including experience in organizational change, process improvement, business analysis, budget development and oversight, and strategic planning • Three or more years of full-time experience serving elected officials and working successfully with multiple city departments and other jurisdictions or agencies • Proven ability to take initiative, work independently, and in a team environment • Demonstrable strong organizational, oral and written communication skills • Demonstrated ability to meet tight deadlines and manage multiple priorities • Demonstrated ability to conduct all assignments in a professional and timely manner • Demonstrated ability to work with confidentiality and discretion • Demonstrated ability to lead groups

Preference given for experience in the following areas:

• Demonstrable successful hands-on experience in creating, facilitating, and managing organizational change • Experience with qualitative and quantitative research methods • Experience in government research • Expertise in public finance or significant experience in large financial settings • Experience in proposal preparation • Experience that would support work in a broad range of public policy issues • Demonstrated ability and understanding of the legislative process • Working familiarity with the City's: 1) financial management system, and 2) payroll system

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

Work is conducted primarily in an office setting but may include visits to external agencies and business locations. It also involves frequent attendance at meetings, including many that are conducted outside of regular work schedule, to include some irregular hours. Employee is expected to communicate verbally, in person and by telephone. A computer terminal is used, and this requires the use of repetitive arm-hand movements. BEHAVIORAL STANDARDS:

Demonstrate honest and ethical behavior. Maintain professional skills that apply to all aspects of assigned functions through continued education and/or training. Model effective group behavior such as: listening, discussing, negotiating, encouraging and motivating. Be respectful, courteous, and friendly to community members, other City employees, and City leaders. Consistently perform as a team player that helps the organization meet its objectives. Take initiative to meet work objectives. Effectively communicate with community members and other City employees. Maintain positive relationships with coworkers and Directors. Positively represent the City, maintaining the trust City residents have placed in each of us. We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity within our organization. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, marital status, familial status, genetic information, veteran/military status or disability status. As a Fair Chance employer, City of Spokane does not conduct initial background screening for non-public safety positions.

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