BUDGET ANALYST

Essential Duties:

Plan, organize and coordinate the development process of the City's annual budget in a major department and/or assists with the development, production and administration of citywide operating and capital improvement budgets.

Coordinate activities of the budget division with City departments and divisions, and with outside agencies; may meet with citizen groups, represents the City in the community, at meetings, and at conferences.

Conduct or assist in studies and surveys; collect information for operational and financial problems; compile and analyze information, prepare and present recommendations for review by management.

Conduct or assist in organizational studies pertaining to workflow, time and cost factors, administrative systems, records and filing systems, procedures, staffing levels and organizational structures to determine potential areas for organizational improvement. Analyze alternatives and make recommendations regarding such matters as staffing, capital, equipment purchases, revenues, and cost control.

Develop, implement, monitor, and make recommendation regarding reports of department and/or Citywide budgets.

Reviews monthly expenditure reports, analyzes variances and confers with supervisory or managerial staff to ascertain reasons and correct problems.

Conduct a variety of special projects and studies related to the function of a department; to which assigned; discuss findings with management staff and prepares reports of study findings.

Prepare confidential narrative analytical statistical reports, research correspondence and other written materials; or directs the preparation of graphic materials for City Council and similar budget presentations.

May develop funding forecasts and compile various financial or statistical information including work related to positions and labor units as required.

Provide support to departments relative to budget, analysis and financial reporting. Assist management with the preparation for and handling of bargaining unit related financial issues.

Confer with operating department staff regarding budget proposals, revenue projections, budget administration and related matters; provide advice and counsel to department heads regarding the budgetary process and limitations.

Make revenue projections; analyze and evaluate permit, service and similar City fees; recommend fees and charges for City services.

Investigate methods of funding capital improvement projects and coordinates the development of an annual capital improvement program.

Review Council reports to ensure financial information is accurate and that policy issues have been addressed in advance; assist in the preparation of Council reports for the Budget division.

Maintain accurate records and files; may develop and utilize computer applications to assist with budgetary analyses and administration.

Assist in the development and implementation of departmental goals and objectives.

OTHER DUTIES:

Perform related duties as assigned.

Knowledge of:

• Principles, practices and techniques of budget development and administration.
• Basic municipal budget and financial requirements and procedures.
• Public administration principles and practices.
• Business computer user applications, particularly as related to statistical analysis, financial reporting and data management.
• Financial/statistical/comparative analysis techniques and formulae.
• Basic principles of funding or income forecasting.
• Methods of administrative, organizational and economic analyses.
• Principles, practices, terminology and processes of the completion of an automated payroll system.
• Supervisory principles and practices.
• Applicable laws and regulations.

Ability to:

• Principles, practices and techniques of budget development and administration.
• Basic municipal accounting requirements and procedures.
• Public administration principles and practices.
• Business computer user applications, particularly as related to statistical analysis, financial reporting and data management.
• Financial/statistical/comparative analysis techniques and formulae.
• Basic principles of funding or income forecasting.
• Methods of administrative, organizational and economic analyses.
• Supervisory principles and practices.
• Applicable laws and regulations.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

Possession of a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in finance, accounting, economics, business, or a closely related field and one year of increasingly responsible experience in financial analysis or budgeting. Experience with a public agency is desirable.

LICENSES AND CERTIFICATIONS

Valid California Class C Driver’s License

WORKING CONDITIONS

The physical and mental demands described here are representative of those that must be met by employees to successfully perform the essential functions of this class. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Physical Demands:
While performing the duties of this class, the employee is constantly required to sit and frequently stand, walk, talk and hear, both in person and by telephone; use hands or fingers to handle, touch, or operate standard office equipment; and reach with hands and arms. The employee occasionally reaches for an item above or below desk level, and lifts or carries records and documents, typically weighing less than 20 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and ability to adjust focus.

Mental Demands:
While performing the duties of this class, the employee is regularly required to use oral and written communication skills; exercise sound judgment in the absence of specific guidelines; establish priorities and work on multiple assignments and projects concurrently and meet intense and changing guidelines given continual interruptions.