Cost Analyst I / II

Salary : See Position Description

Location : Multiple Locations- See Job Description, CA

Job Type : Full-time

Job Number : 25-1878-02 (O)

Department : Multiple Departments

Opening Date : 10 / 31 / 2025

Closing Date : 11 / 21 / 2025 5 : 00 PM Pacific

Description

Cost Analyst I : $96,817.76 - $116,529.92 Annually

Cost Analyst II : $106,181.92 - $127,961.60 Annually

We are currently accepting applications to fill multiple Cost Analyst I / II positions. The Cost Analyst position is utilized by 13 departments within the County of Santa Barbara. We are also accepting applications to establish one employment list to fill current and future vacancies in multiple departments and locations throughout the County of Santa Barbara (Santa Barbara, Santa Maria, Santa Ynez, Carpinteria, Lompoc, etc.)for full-time and part-time positions.

Current vacancies : There is one vacancy in the Probation Department , located in either Santa Barbara or Santa Maria , and one vacancy in the County Health Department , located in Santa Barbara .

When completing your application and supplemental questionnaire, please ensure you select the departments and locations you are willing to accept current and future employment. If you are interested in working with the Probation Department and / or Sheriff's Office, you must select "All Locations" in the agency-wide questions and supplemental questionnaire.

BENEFITS OVERVIEW :

o Vacation : 12 to 25 days per year depending on length of public employment

o Holiday s : 13 days per year

o Sick Leave : 12 days sick leave per year; Unlimited accumulation, one year of which can be converted to service credit upon retirement

o Health Plan : Choice of dental, vision and medical plans; County contributes toward medical and dental premiums

o On-Site Employee Health Clinics in Santa Barbara and Santa Maria : Provides ongoing and episodic services to eligible employees and their eligible dependents.

In addition, applicants from other public sector employers may qualify for :

• Retirement reciprocity
• Time and service credit towards an advanced vacation accrual rate

Click on the Benefits Tab above or click here for more information on County benefits for this position.

The Position

Under general direction, coordinates County programs whose funding crosses departmental lines with detailed cost analysis and cost reports; responsible for reporting, calculating, and estimating federal and state reimbursements or service charges; responsible for analyzing and negotiating state rates for services provided; prepares proper documentation for audits; interprets and resolves audit findings; consults with County Administrator staff regarding budgets for major programs and the Auditor-Controller staff to assure full cost recovery and proper reporting; participates in the development of specialized cost accounting systems; and performs related duties as required.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS : Cost Analyst I / II is a flexibly staffed series. This class series is found in the Auditor-Controller's office and financially complex departments. This series is distinguished from the Financial Systems Analyst I / II by the complex policies and legislation that the Cost Analyst routinely encounters and the latter's emphasis on the technical development of financial accounting systems. Furthermore, the Cost Analyst is responsible for interpreting audit findings, resolving audit findings, and representing the department during audits. The Cost Analyst series is distinguished from the Accountant or Accountant-Auditor series in that, these series are generalist series while the Cost Analyst is a specialty class focused on cost accounting and analysis to optimize revenues from fee reimbursements and grants.

Cost Analyst I is the journey level in which incumbents apply Federal, State, and County accounting policies and procedures; analyze, learn, and interpret complex legislation related to assigned program; use complex accounting systems and applications; learn and apply federal and state cost reimbursement standards. Incumbents in selected departments will be responsible for optimizing reimbursements for state and federally funded programs, grants, or fee reimbursable programs.

Cost Analyst II is the advanced level in which incumbents are expected to have advanced knowledge about complex legislation and regulations pertaining to the implementation of multi-departmental policies and procedures. Incumbents at the II level are expected to have advanced in their knowledge of computer systems, spreadsheet skills, and database management.

Examples of Duties

Employment Standards

Knowledge of : generally accepted accounting principles; principles and practices of project management; standard English usage and grammar; working knowledge of cost accounting principles; full cost determination; step-down cost methodology; various county financial systems and software; principles of database design; cost pools; cost objectives; standard costing and government cost allocation methodology; database and spreadsheet software.

Ability to : gather and analyze cost data, develop solutions, project consequences, and evaluate results; plan, organize, and prioritize work; establish and maintain a working relationship with a variety of County staff and vendors (i.e., grant agencies, contract service providers, and outside auditors); prepare a variety of written documents; make presentations to groups; maintain impartiality, objectivity; apply principles of governmental accounting; learn and apply Federal, State, and County policies and procedures; provide direction to others; represent the County or department with tact and diplomacy.

Supplemental Information

APPLICATION & SELECTION PROCESS :

Candidates must receive a percentage score of at least 70 on the Supplemental Questionnaire Ranking assessment to be placed on an employment list. An adjustment may be made to raw scores based on factors listed in Civil Service Rule VI. Those candidates who are successful in the selection process will have their names placed on the employment list for a minimum of three months. At the time the employment list is established, all candidates will receive written notice of their score on the exam(s), rank on the employment list, and exact duration of the employment list.

REASONABLE ACCOMMODATIONS : The County of Santa Barbara is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to applicants. Qualified individuals with disabilities who need a reasonable accommodation during the application or selection process should contact the recruiter listed on the job posting. We require verifications of needed accommodation from a professional source, such as a Medical Professional, or learning institution.

Recruiters will communicate with applicants by e-mail during each step in the recruitment process.Applicants are reminded to check spam filters continuously during the Recruitment & Selection Process steps listed above to ensure they do not miss required deadlines.

Conditional Job Offer : Once a conditional offer of employment has been made, the candidate will be required to successfully complete a background check, which includes a conviction history check, and satisfactory reference checks.

All Positions : Appointees may be subject to a post-offer medical evaluation or examination. The appointee must satisfactorily complete a one-year probationary period.

BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION : Sheriff's Office and the Probation Department conduct a background investigation. Current or excessive use of drugs, sale of drugs, serious criminal history, or deception relating to employment history may bar employment. Other departments may require an extended background check including credit history; this is at the discretion of each department.

For the Sheriff's Office and Probation Department, a conditional offer is extended to those candidates who successfully complete the background investigation; if the offer is accepted, you will then be required to complete and pass a medical exam prior to hire.

The following process is only used for the Sheriff's Office and Probation Department :

Personal History Questionnaire (PHQ). Once candidates are placed on the employment list, the Human Resources Department will email candidates a notice regarding completion of a Personal History Questionnaire (PHQ).

Candidates that pass the PHQ and are in the top group will be sent to the hiring department for consideration. Candidates that are interviewed and considered for the position will advance to the next step in the hiring process, which includes the following :

County of Santa Barbara Health Department (County Health) requires all employees working in direct contact with patients or clients in a high-risk environment to comply with the County Health Employee Immunizations policy. This can be accomplished by providing documentation of immunizations, submitting laboratory immune titers demonstrating adequate immunity, or obtaining required vaccinations. A list of requirements, based on the specific program, will be sent at the time an offer letter is presented to the selected candidate(s) and initial documentation will be required at this time.

Disaster Service Worker : Pursuant to Governmental Code section 3100, all employees with the County of Santa Barbara are declared to be disaster service workers subject to such disaster service. Activities as may be assigned to them by their superiors or by law.

Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Statement

The County of Santa Barbara provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants and prohibits discrimination, harassment, and retaliation of any type with regard to any characteristic or status protected by any federal law, state law, or Santa Barbara County ordinance. The County continues to be committed to a merit-based selection process and to eliminating barriers to attracting and retaining top qualified candidates. The County has a long-standing practice of providing a work environment that respects the dignity of individual employees and values their contributions to our organization.

APPLICATION AND SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONNAIRE DEADLINE : 11 / 21 / 2025, by 4 : 59pm PT; Postmarks not accepted. Applications and job bulletins can be obtained 24 hours a day at www.sbcountyjobs.com.

Erin Kuhn, Talent Acquisition Analyst - erkuhn@countyofsb.org

Retirement Plans

Health Benefits

Paid Time Off

Miscellaneous Benefits

Compensation Summary

01

I acknowledge that it is my responsibility as an applicant to provide sufficient information on my application to demonstrate that my education and experience meets the employment standards (minimum qualifications) for this position as detailed in the job bulletin. I further acknowledge that if the County determines that I do not meet the employment standards there will be no opportunity for me to provide additional information regarding my application after the closing date listed on the job bulletin. Therefore, I understand that before submitting a job application, it is important that I review the job bulletin thoroughly and ensure that my application clearly reflects how my education and experience meets the employment standards at the time I submit my application.

02

The Human Resources Department communicates with ALL APPLICANTS through email. Please make sure your email address is entered correctly and it is current. If you feel you are not receiving your emails, please check your spam or junk inbox.

03

As part of the application process, a Supplemental Questionnaire must be submitted along with the standard application form. Resumes are accepted, but NOT in lieu of a completed application and supplemental questionnaire.

04

IMPORTANT INFORMATION, PLEASE READ CAREFULLY : When completing your application and supplemental questionnaire, it is important that you carefully consider all the selections you make and / or the information you provide in the following areas :

Why? If you successfully pass the supplemental questionnaire ranking, you are placed on the large employment list. Your ranking is based on the scoring of your questionnaire and the number of candidates on the list. When a department has a vacancy, we will use the large employment list to filter based on the needs of the hiring department and the above choices you've made. For example, if the Social Services Department has a vacancy in Santa Barbara for a full -time position, then candidates who have selected the Social Services Department, Santa Barbara location, and full-time work will be pulled from the large employment list by rank order and the department will receive the top 10 candidates for consideration. When completing your application and supplemental questionnaire, be certain to select all the departments, locations, and work shifts that you are willing to be considered. Also, be certain to list any specific skills you possess, such as bilingual skills. Before submitting your application, please take time to check your selections. This is your only opportunity to make these selections.

05

On your application, please select all current and future locations where you are willing to work. Your name will be sent to the department based on the location of the vacancy and where you are willing to work.

06

A position with the Sheriff's Office requires you to be willing to work at All Locations and you are agreeing to these terms, regardless of your location selection on your application. NOTE : Sheriff's employees may be assigned to any department location and / or transferred to another location during their employment with Santa Barbara County.

07

To be considered for a position with the Sheriff's Office and / or Probation Department, candidates are required to successfully pass a Personal History Questionnaire (PHQ), Polygraph examination, and Background Investigation. Should a candidate fail any part of the background process, they will be removed from the Sheriff's Office and Probation departments employment list, however, still remain on the employment list for consideration of a position with other County departments as checked below.

08

Below is a list of departments that utilize the Cost Analyst job classification. Please check the department(s) you would like to be considered for current and future employment. Some departments have provided a brief description of your role as a Cost Analyst I / II in their department. Please keep in mind that during the life of the employment list, some of these departments may not have vacancies that arise. The current vacancies are in the Probation and County Health Departments. This is your only opportunity to make your selection. Please select all that apply.

09

To be considered for this position, your application must CLEARLY state how you meet each of the requirements under EMPLOYMENT STANDARDS on the Job Bulletin or you will not be considered for this position. If you are unsure, go back and review your application before continuing. Which Employment Standard do you clearly demonstrate meeting on your application?

10

If you selected the first employment standard in Question 9, please list your active Certified Public Accountant (CPA) license number and expiration date. If you did not select this option, type "N / A."

11

If you selected the third employment standard in Question 9, "Training, education, and experience that is equivalent to one of the employment standards listed above," please list the combination of training, education, and experience which you believe is equivalent to meeting the employment standards as required. If you did not select this option, type "N / A."

12

Describe in detail your professional work experience performing cost accounting. In your response, include your employer(s), title, and dates of employment in a role performing cost accounting, and detailed responsibilities. If you do not possess this experience, type "N / A."

13

The following questions are a Civil Service EXAMINATION that will determine your score and rank on the employment list for this position. Please read and answer each question carefully. I understand my responses to the following supplemental questions will be used as a weighed, scored selection device that will determine my ranking on the employment list for this job. For information on protest procedures for the supplemental questionnaire, please see Civil Service Rules 612 and 613 : rules / rule-six.sbc#six-612.

14

How many years of experience do you have performing professional accounting?

15

How many years of experience do you have performing professional cost accounting?

16

How many years of experience do you have responding to and representing your organization / department in a federal or state audit?

17

How many years of experience do you have developing indirect cost rates and / or allocating indirect costs to direct cost centers?

18

How many years of experience do you have with developing and implementing new fees and rates for services for full-cost recovery models?

19

How many years of experience do you have gathering, analyzing, and reporting on financial data?

20

Please select all of the following certifications or licenses you possess. Select all that apply.

21

Please select all of the relevant professional experience you have listed below. Select all that apply.

Required Question