Principal Budget Analyst

The Position

With supervisor approval, incumbents may be eligible for intermittent remote work; however, they must physically reside within the Sacramento region or have the ability to regularly report to a City of Sacramento physical worksite with little notice. This position is one of four Principal Budget Analysts in the Budget, Policy and Strategic Planning Division under the Finance Department. The Principal Budget Analyst is responsible for key portions of the budget development, labor negotiations, forecast modeling and other special Citywide projects. This position is responsible for coordinating and managing the development of the budget cycle in Hyperion, conducting labor negotiations, and representing the division and Budget Manager in various department-wide meetings, Council meetings, and other governmental or community meetings. IDEAL CANDIDATE STATEMENT The ideal candidate will be a professional with extensive technical knowledge in general budgeting, position budgeting, labor costing, and/or other areas of finance. They will have strong interpersonal and communication skills. The ideal candidate will embrace the opportunity to work in the team-oriented and fast-paced Budget Office. The ideal candidate will be able to prepare and present their work to staff, management and City Council. Direct experience in conducting operational and fiscal analysis, budget review and analysis, and/or other complex analyses is preferred. Under general direction, the Principal Budget Analyst performs complex budgetary, financial, economic, statistical, support to the Budget Office's activities, functions, and programs; evaluates cost and performance data; and provides sound recommendations for budget and policy formulation, implementation and procedure; coordinates activities of the Budget Office with other departments, governmental agencies, and/or private entities.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS The Principal Budget Analyst is the professional level classification in the Budget Analyst series and is populated with multiple incumbents. Using a high degree of independent judgment, incumbents perform highly complex analytical work and apply an expert level of understanding on fiscal and budgetary analysis and control at the management level. Incumbents act in a staff capacity to the Budget Manager, Director of Finance or executive-level management staff. 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. The Principal Budget Analyst is distinguished from the Special Projects Manager in that the latter performs the most complex studies in support of the City Council, City Manager's Office, and/or the Legislative Policy unit. The Principal Budget Analyst is distinguished from the Senior Budget Analyst in that the former is a team leader providing work direction and technical guidance to senior and entry-level budget analysts, performs the more complex and difficult projects, possesses a higher level of technical and communication skills, and may supervise staff.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED General direction is provided by the Budget manager or Director of Finance, or other higher-level management staff. Assignments may require the direct or indirect supervision of professional, technical, or clerical support staff.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Coordinate and manage the development of a City's financial plan, including capital and operating budgets and financial strategies; lead and participate in complex financial analyses of proposed policy changes; serve as a liaison between departmental management teams; provide information and analytical support involving major projects.
• Monitor assigned departments to ensure that budget priorities are properly executed; evaluate existing and proposed financial strategies, policies, plans, procedures, programs and functions of assigned departments and budget units; consult with and advise department and budget unit staff; make recommendations.
• Conduct detailed research and analysis of economic and legal conditions in the public and private sector to forecast long-term fiscal impact of decisions made by the city about programs and functions of City departments; analyze budgetary and statistical data and make recommendations; and provide financial information, analysis and recommendation for complex labor proposals.
• Conduct public presentations to the Mayor and City Council, other governmental bodies, community groups, and other public gatherings regarding complex and controversial policy, fiscal, and administrative issues.
• Coordinate, review and evaluate budget segments prepared by operating department and divisions; initiate policy recommendations for functional and organizational changes in departments and budget units to achieve annual budget goals in areas of cost-effectiveness and levels of service of those departments; develop recommendations for, and coordinate budget preparation activities with other management analyst and staff to prepare the final budget for presentation to the City Council.
• Research, evaluate and make decisions on requests for assigned departments and budget units for changes in allocation of positions, funding appropriations, and program functions on a continuing basis throughout the fiscal year.
• Review existing and proposed local, state and federal legislation for impact on the City, consult with affected departments makes recommendations on action to be taken, and writes proposed changes.
• Represent the office and frequently take the lead role on committees and task forces for the development, scheduling, implementation and monitoring of programs, which have Citywide impact and required coordination between departments and divisions.
• Represent the City in multi-jurisdiction committees, task forces, or work groups, and frequently taking the lead role in organizing, conducting, and implementing the effort.
• Provide customer service by responding to information requests, conduct budget analysis, review, research, and providing solutions to problems and correcting errors.
• Assign and review the work of lower-level staff involved in the analysis and development of City programs and services; direct and participate in special studies; represent the office in assigned area of responsibility.
• Other related duties may also be performed; not all duties listed are necessarily performed by each individual.

Qualifications

Knowledge of:

• Principles, practices, and techniques of business administration, public administration, public finance, management, and team building.
• Principles and practices of organizational, financial and policy analysis.
• Principles, methods, and practices of municipal finance, budget development, economics, financial analysis, financial accounting, cost benefit-benefit analysis, and statistical methods and research.
• Principles of long-range financial planning and methods.
• Principles and practices of pertinent Federal, state and local laws, codes and regulations.
• Business computer applications and presentation software, particularly as related to statistical analysis techniques and formulae.
• Methods and techniques involved in conducting analytical studies of administrative and management practices, methods and procedures.
• Detailed organizational and functional structure of municipal government.
• Project management.
• Technical report writing.
• Technical report presentation.
• Public speaking.
• Basic supervisory principles and practices, applicable laws and regulations.

Skill in:

• Use of modern office equipment, including computers, computer applications and software.
• Maintaining accurate records and files.

Ability to:

• Independently research, analyze and make effective recommendations on administrative, management, organizational, budgetary and fiscal practices, procedures and problems.
• Collect, evaluate, and interpret varied information and data, either in statistical or narrative form.
• Work effectively with sensitive and confidential information in a political environment.
• Prepare and write comprehensive, accurate and complex reports in a logical, comprehensive, concise manner, and make recommendations.
• Communicate effectively orally and in writing using all communication mediums.
• Coordinating multiple projects and meeting critical deadlines.
• Develop and direct professional, technical, or support staff in following procedures and instructions for conducting studies and preparing reports.
• Prioritize workload efficiently, without direct instruction, to meet deadlines under changing conditions.
• Analyze a variety of complex administrative, statistical and organizational problems and to make sound policy and procedural recommendations.
• Interpret and apply laws, regulations, and policies.
• Acquire subject matter expertise in specific functions, programs and special projects, including the laws, rules regulations, and procedures and technical operations.
• Facilitate groups.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

Experience: Six years of progressively responsible professional-level budget, accounting, or financial administrative and analytical experience including three years of advanced journey-level experience in forecasting, accounting, strategic planning, and policy analysis or financial analysis. Municipal experience is desirable. Education: Possession of a Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in public or business administration, economics, accounting, or field directly related to the administrative, management, and fiscal duties of the class. Substitution: A Master's degree in one of the above fields may substitute for one year of required experience.

Proof of education such as, but not limited to, university/college transcripts and degrees should be submitted with your application and will be required at the time of appointment. Unofficial documents and/or copies are acceptable.

An applicant with a college degree obtained outside the