Budget Manager

Nature of Work

Plans, coordinates, and administers the preparation of complex budgets, development of final budget recommendations, management of adopted budgets, and the facilitation of various other initiatives ensuring sufficient funding levels for the City of Las Cruces.

Environmental Factors
Work is performed in a standard office environment.

Physical Factors
Light physical demands; mostly desk work. Frequent to constant use of a personal computer.

Work Situation Factors
Position involves competing demands, performing multiple tasks, working to deadlines, occasional work beyond normal business hours, and responding to customer issues. Regular attendance is an essential function of this job to ensure continuity of services. Position is subject to drug testing in accordance with applicable State and Federal regulations and City of Las Cruces policies.

FIRST CONSIDERATION MAY BE GIVEN TO CURRENT CITY OF LAS CRUCES EMPLOYEES WHO MEET ALL THE MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS.

Full-Time; Regular; Exempt

This position is graded at AD24.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Manages, oversees, and monitors the preparation of operational, capital, performance, and other budgets to support strategic planning initiatives and provide recommendations to management, prevent loss of funding, and determine financial liability.
• Develops, manages, and analyzes processes, identifies issues, evaluates trends, performs budget forecasting, and recommends operational, procedural, and technical improvements to meet established goals and integration with strategic objectives.
• Establishes and monitors budget development standards, policies, and guidelines; gathers relevant data from departments and programs to prepare a composite budget and develop a final budget request; reviews and makes recommendations to management to assist in establishing an appropriate budget for the organization, programs, and services.
• Advises management on budget planning and administration and accounting rules and regulations to assure compliance with applicable laws, rules, and regulations; confers with staff regarding budgetary needs and assesses department requests to recommend funding priorities; assists in formulation of current and long range plans and policies; identifies non-routine budget transactions and monitors ongoing activities to recommend corrective adjustments when appropriate.
• Meets regularly with staff to review work in progress, discuss and resolve administrative, workload and technical issues, and to prioritize and assign tasks and projects; evaluates and analyzes functions, resources, processes and procedures to identify issues and recommend changes for improvement; interprets applicable rules and regulations to provide guidance in developing, implementing, and administering policies and procedures.
• Manages staff through proper delegation and work supervision to provide appropriate levels of service and resources; coordinates and manages various special and recurring projects, monitors work, evaluates performance, trains, counsels, coaches, and instructs employees in order to meet established goals and objectives; ensures staff adhere to established policies and procedures to remain in compliance with local, state and federal regulations.
• Collects and analyzes data to prepare and present various special and recurring reports for other agencies, management, elected officials, and the public to provide accurate and timely information related to budget processes, status, compliance, administration and areas of political interest, or concern; develops and presents information in clear and easily used formats; maintains regulatory compliance by keeping current on industry trends, regulations, and legislative issues; identifies areas of concern for management and City Council for review and potential action.
• Monitors performance measures and results, compares to performance benchmarks, evaluates progress toward achieving goals, and projects future resource availability and demands to make recommendations for improved operations
  
• Recommends and establishes policies and procedures relating to municipal budgets to ensure compliance; develops organizes, and conducts training for employees to ensure consistent and accurate information is communicated.

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Economics, Business or Public Administration or related field AND five (5) years of experience in budgeting, finance, and management analysis for a municipality or state agency. Two (2) years of qualifying experience must include lead, management, or supervisory duties. Master's degree may be preferred. A combination of education, training and experience may be applied in accordance with City policy

Licenses/Certification(s)
Valid driver's license is required. If applicable, position requires an acceptable driving record in accordance with City of Las Cruces policies.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Knowledge of: principles, practices, techniques, activities, rules, and regulations related to the operations and functions of the position and services provided; Government Accounting Principles (GASB); current principles of record keeping and records management; principles and practices of effective research methods and data analysis, customer service, and problem resolution techniques; occupational and environmental safety and health hazards, and safety practices; safe and effective use and maintenance of related tools, materials, and equipment; current methods and standards for preparing effective business correspondence; correct English usage, grammar, composition, spelling, punctuation and vocabulary; business and personal computers and related software applications; City organization, operations, policies, and procedures to effectively perform the required functions and duties of the position.
Ability to: perform a variety of duties and responsibilities and assess and prioritize multiple tasks, projects, and demands to meet deadlines; ensure appropriate levels of customer service to achieve expectations and meet objectives; read, understand, and assure compliance with a variety of policies, procedures, rules, standards, and regulations governing related activities and functions; collect applicable information and maintain accurate and timely records; maintain confidentiality of information and data; communicate effectively orally and in writing and use interpersonal skills to sufficiently exchange or convey information and receive work direction; prepare and present accurate and reliable information and reports; establish and maintain effective and appropriate working relationships with employees, other agencies, and the public; safely and effectively operate relevant tools, equipment, and motorized vehicles; navigate across even and uneven surfaces; timely and accurately enter data and update records using various mediums and formats; take initiative and exercise sound independent judgment within established procedural guidelines and carry out primary responsibilities in accordance with all governing regulations, statutes, and procedures to ensure achievement of goals and objectives.
Skills in: reading, understanding, and applying relevant rules, ordinances, codes, regulations, policies, and procedures; effectively managing assignments; responding to inquiries timely and within the scope of delegated authority; responding appropriately, maintaining objectivity and freedom from prejudice, and exercising sound judgment and understanding in all interactions; effectively working independently, or as a team member, in various environments with changing priorities; preparing and presenting various reports, documents, forms, and correspondence; researching information, analyzing data, maintaining accurate records, and updating information in various mediums and formats; operating a personal computer with installed generic and specialized software; preparing and presenting information in a clear and concise manner; demonstrating appropriate and effective interpersonal communication and conflict resolution skills; performing highly effective support in assigned areas.