Budget Analyst 2

This first review of applications will be December 17, 2025. Please submit the following required documents on the State of Montana Careers website:

• Resume - Please include dates of employment and your supervisor’s name/phone number for each position.

For a complete job description, please email opi.careers@mt.gov

To be considered for this position, you must reside in Montana.

Why you would enjoy working here; Office of Public Instruction employees are a passionate group of professionals dedicated to leading and supporting our education system. We house a diverse collection of experiences with the 200+ unique individuals we employ. Our specialists further OPI’s purpose with applicable knowledge in education, health, research and analysis, nutrition, finance, administration, human resources, licensing and regulation, information technology, and many others. We are proud to serve 149,000+ students pre-K to grade 12, their parents and guardians, 400+ school districts, 16,000+ educational professionals, and 3,000+ adult learners.

Benefits of working for OPI:

• Work/life balance
• Family friendly
• Dedicated and caring colleagues
• Health coverage
• Retirement plans
• Paid vacation, sick leave, and Holidays (combination of up to 38 per year)
• Opportunities and room for professional growth
• Public service loan forgiveness-Employment with the State of Montana may qualify you to receive student loan forgiveness under the PSLF.

Job Overview: The Office of Public Instruction’s (OPI) Centralized Services Division provides service in the areas of fiscal control, payroll, accounts receivable/payable, budgeting, accounting, financial reporting, purchasing, contracts management, and allocation/distribution of State and Federal grants to school districts, special education cooperatives, universities, colleges, and state institutions. OPI has a biennial budget of over $2 billion, which consists of an annual operating budget of over $35 million and over $900 million of flow-through funds.

The budget unit provides financial analysis and budget development, allocation, monitoring, and training to all levels of program administrators. The budget unit also provides the Executive Team, Division Administrators, and program managers with budget responsibility, accurate and timely budget status information.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (Behaviors):
Major Duties or Responsibilities:

A. Prepare and Analyze Agency Budget: 50%

• Gather, evaluate, and analyze data.
• Assimilate, balance, and transmit all budget information.
• Respond to all inquiries for Office of Budget and Program Planning (OBPP) and Legislative Financial Division (LFD) regarding the Department’s budget and review reports to ensure accuracy and consistent interpretation.
• Research information needed for the preparation of fiscal notes.
• Provide budget interpretation and analysis of legislative and executive mandates.
• Develop fiscal policies, and procedures to allocate the budget.
• Monitor expenditures for compliance.
• Prepare projections for past and current revenues and expenditures.
• Reconcile with SABHRS and fiscal year end fund balances.
• Update SABHRS translate trees, budget translates, speed charts, accounts, and task profile Id’s.
• Prepare and submit budget change documents (BCD).
• Maintain documentation of all processes required for standard budget journals.
• Design and implement procedures to perform monthly indirect costs for all eligible budgets.

B. Data Analysis and Reporting 40%

• Creation, testing and publication of the statewide budget file, Trustees Financial Summary Expenditure, and reports.
• Creation and management of spreadsheets.
• Guidance and testing of a data base for entitlements and budget limitations.
• Determination of anticipated statewide and district level major maintenance aid per local dollar of effort calculations.
• Verification of district enrollment.
• Planning for legislative session.

C. Montana Fiscal State Education Agent Support 5%

• Prepare, review, and report Federal fiscal reports and negotiate indirect cost rates.
• Act as the Fiscal State Education Agent.
• Negotiate the delegation agreement for indirect cost rate approval to public school districts.

D. Other Duties as Assigned 5%

Physical and Environmental Demands: This position works in a typical office environment with extensive keyboarding.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (Behaviors):

Required for the first day of work:

• Knowledge of concepts and theories of school finance and budgets.
• Knowledge of database computer applications, data storage and retrieval techniques.
• Knowledge of personal computer software such as Microsoft word, Excel.
• Knowledge of basic accounting and auditing principles.
• Knowledge of legislative process.
• Ability to interpret fiscal records, compile data and prepare fiscal reports.
• Ability to conduct in depth analysis of financial systems, identify inconsistencies and resolve critical problems.
• Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.
• Ability to research, write reports clearly and effectively.

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Finance, Accounting, or related field.
• Three years of directly related budgeting experience
• Other combinations of education or experience may be substituted.

Does this sound like you?

Please tell us how and why by submitting your resume online, including any veterans or disability preference documentation. When submitting the required documents, you must check the “relevant document” box to ensure your attachments are uploading correctly to the specific application for this position. Documents not requested will not be considered in the recruitment process.

OPI is an equal opportunity employer. Women, minorities, and people with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

This position is in the PERS retirement system.