Senior Budget Analyst

Office of Fiscal and Monitoring Services
The Office of Fiscal and Monitoring Services (OFMS) Fiscal Services Division is responsible for developing, implementing, and monitoring all the Agency's budget activities. This encompasses the biennial budget process, annual budget implementation, and projecting federal budget estimates. The Division is also responsible for the management of the Agency's revenue, disbursements and financial obligations as well as performing daily federal cash draws, reconciles and reports on federal grant status. Learn more about the Office by visiting the ODJFS OFMS webpage.

What You Will Do

As a Senior Budget Analyst in the Budget Bureau, you’re eager to gain in-depth knowledge of how ODJFS programs work and use that insight to make sound, timely budget decisions. In this role, you’ll manage complex fiscal and budget work, build trusted relationships with program areas, and work on projects that strengthen agency operations.

Responsibilities:

• Plan and manage budgets for assigned program areas (operating, capital, and grant funding), including allotments and cash flow.
• Forecast and monitor appropriations, expenditures, encumbrances, and utilization to stay within targets and compliance requirements.
• Analyze spending patterns and recommend fund transfers so accounts can meet obligations without service interruptions.
• Build grant specific spending plans using data from multiple sources; align plans with federal and state rules.
• Create and present reports (tables, charts, visuals) that convert complex data into clear insights tailored to the audience.
• Investigate variances (actuals vs. estimates), identify drivers, and recommend corrective actions.
• Partner with program areas to understand operations, emerging needs, and the impact of policy or volume changes on budgets.
• Contribute to process improvements and special projects that increase accuracy, speed, and transparency in the Budget Bureau.

Examples of Daily Tasks:

• Budget Exceptions - Agency Control: Clear PO/Voucher/Paycard/Travel errors. Budget transfers need to be completed in the morning if possible.
• Budget Exception - Allotments: Submit journal entries according to ALI assignment list.
• OhioBuys pending items: Review and approve daily.
• Payroll Errors: Wait for Cost Management.
• Journal Voucher Adjustment as needed.
• Quarterly Meetings: Prepare budget meetings materials 3 days prior to meeting with the program/office.

Challenges:

• Steep learning curve: Each program has unique funding sources, rules, and utilization drivers.
• Data from multiple systems: You’ll reconcile differences and document assumptions.
• Busy cycles: Expect elevated activity during month end, quarterly forecasts, fiscal year end, and budget submissions. Deadlines are firm and require precision.

Necessary Skills:

• Fiscal analysis across multiple data sources; ability to research, collate, classify, and analyze information to draw valid conclusions.
• Forecasting methods (trend analysis, cash flow analysis) and skill comparing actual vs. estimated expenditures.
• Report development with clear narratives and visuals tailored to the audience.
• Independence and prioritization: You manage your workload and deliver to deadlines with minimal oversight.
  OAKS BI reporting experience (or comparable ERP/BI reporting) and strong Excel skills; familiarity with visuals (e.g., charts in PowerPoint).
• Communication: Ability to present complex data simply and engage partners constructively.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience with public sector budgets, grant funding, or human services programs.
• Exposure to variance investigation, fund transfers, or allotment planning at a portfolio level.
• Experience building process improvements, templates, or standard methodology.

Schedule: Full-time

Hours: Standard workdays are Monday through Friday. Hours are between 7:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m.

Location: This position is headquartered in the James A. Rhodes State Office Tower - 30 E. Broad Street, Columbus, OH 43215.

Travel: Occasional travel within the state of Ohio.

Position Number: 20038697

At the State of Ohio, we take care of the team that cares for Ohioans. We provide a variety of quality, competitive benefits to eligible full-time and part-time employees*. For a list of all the State of Ohio Benefits, visit our Total Rewards website! Our benefits package includes:

• Medical Coverage
• Free Dental, Vision and Basic Life Insurance premiums after completion of eligibility period
• Paid time off, including vacation, personal, sick leave and 11 paid holidays per year
• Childbirth, Adoption, and Foster Care leave
• Education and Development Opportunities (Employee Development Funds, Public Service Loan Forgiveness, and more)
• Public Retirement Systems (such as OPERS, STRS, SERS, and HPRS) & Optional Deferred Compensation (Ohio Deferred Compensation)

• Benefits eligibility is dependent on a number of factors. The Agency Contact listed above will be able to provide specific benefits information for this position.

The ideal candidate, at minimum, must have the following:

Option 1:

• 4 years’ experience in budgeting that included fiscal management & control involving use of quantitative/statistical analysis (e.g., probability statistics, linear regression, multiple variable regression, computer assisted regression analysis models, trend analysis, forecasting cost benefit analysis).

Option 2:

• Completion of graduate core program in accounting, public finance, public administration or business administration;

AND

• 12 months’ experience in fiscal management & control involving use of quantitative/statistical analysis (e.g., probability statistics, linear regression, multiple variable regression, computer regression analysis models, trend analysis, forecasting cost benefit analysis).

Option 3:

• Completion of undergraduate core program in accounting, public finance, public administration or business administration;

AND

• 24 months’ experience in fiscal management & control involving use of quantitative/statistical analysis (e.g., probability statistics, linear regression, multiple variable regression, computer assisted regression analysis models, trend analysis, forecasting cost benefit analysis).

Option 4:

• 12 months’ experience as Budget Analyst, 63261.

Option 5:

• Equivalent of minimum class qualifications for employment noted above.

Tips For Your Application

When completing the different sections of this application, be sure to clearly describe how you meet the minimum qualifications outlined in this job posting. We cannot give you credit for your Work Experience and Education & Certifications if you do not provide that information in your online application. Information in attached resumes or cover letters must be entered into your application in the appropriate Work Experience or Education & Certification sections to be considered.

Pay Information

This position is in the State of Ohio’s OCSEA Pay Schedule, Pay Range 33. Unless required by legislation or union contract, starting salary will be the minimum salary of that pay range (step 1, currently $33.52 per hour). These ranges provide a standardized pathway for pay increases. With continued employment, new hires move to the next step in the range after 6 months and annually thereafter. Cost of Living Adjustments increase wages in these ranges each fiscal year. The current step progression wages are in the table below.

ADA Notice

If you require an accommodation based on a disability for any step of the selection process, please contact ada_public@jfs.ohio.gov.

Selection Priority Notice

Current employees of ODJFS in the OCSEA union have selection rights before all other applicants. Applications from all other candidates will only be considered if an internal OCSEA applicant is not selected for this position.

Background check information

The final candidate selected for this position will be required to undergo a criminal background check. Some positions may require drug testing and/or fingerprinting. Criminal convictions do not necessarily disqualify candidates from consideration.

Ohio is a Disability Inclusion State and strives to be a model employer of individuals with disabilities. The State of Ohio is committed to providing access and inclusion and reasonable accommodation in its services, activities, programs and employment opportunities in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and other applicable laws.

The State of Ohio is a drug-free workplace which prohibits the use of marijuana (recreational marijuana/non-medical cannabis). Please note, this position may be subject to additional restrictions pursuant to the State of Ohio Drug-Free Workplace Policy (HR-39), and as outlined in the posting.