Business Analyst - Land Services

Position Objective

The position serves as an entry point into the analyst series. The position supports department personnel by providing reporting and analysis on a broad range of financial, performance and regulatory matters. The position orientation and key priorities may flex based on department structure and staffing.

From a financial perspective, the position is responsible for assisting in the development, administration and analysis of financial reports. This may include departmental budgets, fund accounting, accounts payable and accounts receivable, cost accounting, payroll and personnel processing for the assigned department. In this role, the incumbent provides financial forecasting and analysis; recommendations to others for use in ensuring financial performance targets are achieved. There is an interdependent relationship between this role and central finance, with accountability for providing information, reporting and analysis to ensure alignment with organizational financial objectives

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

• Produce and manage assigned financial budget and capital improvement plans, ensuring accomplishment of budgeted objectives and compliance with all county, state and federal guidelines.
• Monitor and analyze actual performance versus approved budget and recommend alternative courses of action to ensure achievement of department financial performance objectives.
• Prepare financial reports that accurately represent revenues and expenditures and provide projections and analysis to various stakeholders as assigned or requested.
• Prepare and submit financial reports required by county, local state and federal agencies ensuring compliance with all reporting guidelines.

• Conduct research; policy analysis; strategic planning, management, program development and evaluation studies on topics related to all areas of department operations.
• Write reports recommending solutions or alternatives for action relating to assigned research and analysis, setting forth facts in a clear and concise manner, including rationale for the recommendation.
• Analyze and communicate in written and oral presentations, options for improving programs and processes, including options for cost reduction and improved work management practices, including the establishment and continual improvement of objective and meaningful performance standards and measures.
• Analyzes options for the reengineering/redesign of programs and processes, including options for cost reduction, improved management controls, and the establishment of benchmarks and performance standards.
• Create methods and practices to regularly collect and clearly report objective facts regarding the performance of department programs and services.
• Completes environmental scans at a local, regional and national level to inform department leaders on opportunities to improve processes, outcomes and efficiencies.
• Addresses and makes presentations to staff, division heads, department directors, policy makers and community partners/groups on proposed changes and or new systems.
• Coordinate proactive customer communication efforts including preparing and/or editing press releases, opinion editorials, newsletters, surveys, web pages, annual reports and other communication venues such as public forums and community events.

• Lead and participate in CI initiatives, pursuing certifications and trainings to maximize impact and proactively identify process improvement opportunities for discussion and review by department leadership.

• Participate in the identification, selection and implementation of business information systems and technology, ensuring the achievement of user and financial objectives.
• Serve as project manager and/or participant for technology projects and ensure accomplishment of project objectives as assigned.
• Develop reporting and analysis tools to maximize business intelligence and performance.
• Develop user support materials and training to maximize application effectiveness.
• Evaluate technology performance and identify continuous improvement opportunities to maximize business effectiveness and outcomes.

• Participate in various projects as assigned as project manager and/or participant.
• Ensure application of effective project management practices.
• Ensure effective achievement of project goals and objectives.

• Perform all other duties as assigned in a highly effective and professional manner.

Minimum Qualifications

Desirable Qualifications

• Knowledge of principles and techniques of accounting practices, research, analysis and evaluation and budget analysis.
• Knowledge of financial systems including Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems and ability to operate financial databases and spreadsheet software efficiently and to develop basic systems.

• Ability to gather and analyze data and information, design and test solutions to problems and formulate logic based and well-reasoned plans.
• Knowledge of research and planning techniques and of basic evaluation and statistical principles.
• Knowledge of business analysis and project management principles in techniques sufficient to serve as a project manager for large projects.
• Knowledge of and ability to effectively operate and analyze computer applications within program areas.
• Skill in communicating in written and verbal form including presentations, reports, manuals and general correspondence.
• Ability to analyze problems, develop solutions and contribute to policy and procedure development.
• Ability to manage and measure work, establish measurable objectives and evaluate outcomes.
• Ability to use analytical tools effectively.