Budget and Policy Analyst III

Budget Analyst

Plans, organizes, develops, and coordinates formal budget systems and procedures, and performs highly responsible and complex administrative and professional duties involved in budgeting. Regularly conducts complex assignments related to fiscal and administrative matters that have been self-initiated or at the request of an agency, the Chief Financial Officer, the DMB Director, the DMB Deputy Director(s), one of the DMB Budget Team Leads, one of the Deputy County Executive(s), the County Executive, or Board of Supervisors. Identifies issues, analyzes information, formulates recommendations and prepares and assembles reports, charts and graphs on statistical and fiscal data for use in budget justifications. Conducts all reviews necessary to the preparation and execution of assigned budgets and regularly monitors the budgets. Coordinates office-wide projects. Some overtime may be required during peak workload periods, evenings, and weekends.

Analyzes complex problems and advises other Budget and Policy Analysts of methods of handling them or procedures to be followed; Reviews reports and recommendations on department and component unit budget needs, indicates tentative approval or disapproval based on established policies and practices, and forwards findings and recommendations to department management with modifications and / or recommendations; Advises and assists departments and component units in the preparation of budget estimates and supporting data; Participates in the development and implementation of strategic and management initiatives; Conducts studies and prepares reports on financial and administrative problems; Develops budget presentations and analyzes information relating to capital project funding; Attends and participates in public hearings and meetings; Prepares responses to information requests from the Board of Supervisors, the County Executive, agency management or the public; Confers with department and component unit representatives to secure information regarding workloads, programs and needs; Prepares summaries, analyses and recommendations on policies, programs and budgetary requests; Reviews and assesses the impact of various purchasing and personnel forms in an appropriate manner as defined in budget procedures; Prepares charts, graphs and statistical tables to aid in the presentation and consideration of the budget, strategic plan, and programs; Coordinates or assists in the coordination of various budget and strategic planning processes; Provides training and consultation related to the budget and strategic plan; Monitors assigned budgets, performance metrics, and / or strategic plan priority areas; Assists in developing policies, procedures, and practices governing the development, formulation and maintenance of the budget and strategic plan; Advises and assists departments and component units in the development of performance indicators to measure progress in achieving prioritized goals; Conducts miscellaneous research associated with the analyst functions.

Considerable knowledge of the principles and practices of public administration, with particular reference to governmental budget and finance administration; Knowledge of the laws and regulations governing the budgetary activities of Fairfax County, or the ability to rapidly acquire such knowledge; Considerable knowledge of the policies, procedures, and practices to develop and monitor budgets; Knowledge of the mission, goals, objectives and organizational structure of the assigned departments; Knowledge of the budget cycle and requirements of preparing the county's annual budget document; Knowledge of project / program management life cycle and ways to evaluate project / program effectiveness; Knowledge of the outcome areas, indicators, and strategies as included in the County's strategic plan, including how the plan drives and is impacted by departments within the analyst's portfolio; Ability to identify and recommend solutions to solve business issues; Ability to evaluate the benefits, costs, and overall impact to the budget of various proposals and solutions; Ability to analyze and evaluate financial statements and make meaningful conclusions from conflicting data; Ability to make informed recommendations when evaluating proposals and alternatives; Ability to prepare reports and to present financial and statistical data in clear and concise form; Ability to communicate oral and written information in a manner that is clear, organized and appropriate for the audience; Ability to deal tactfully and effectively with people; Ability to manage competing priorities and shifting requirements; Ability to exercise a high degree of initiative and judgment in analyzing organizational and procedural problems of a highly difficult and complex nature, and in making recommendations thereon.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS : Any combination of education, experience, and training equivalent to the following : Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with either a bachelor's degree in public administration, business administration, economics, public policy, or directly related field of study; or graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with course work in public administration, public policy, economics or quantitative analysis; plus, three years of technical budget preparation or closely-related analysis work such as revenue analysis, organizational performance measurement analysis, fiscal legislative analysis, or strategic planning. CERTIFICATES AND LICENSES REQUIRED : None. NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS : The appointee to this position will be required to complete a criminal background check to the satisfaction of the employer. PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS : Master's degree in public administration. Local government experience. Experience with quantitative data analysis and summary level expenditure and disbursement projections. Experience with various data analysis and reporting tools. Ability to manipulate Excel spreadsheets to produce management level summary budgetary data from corporate systems. Detail and numbers-oriented with a focus on accuracy. Experience using Microsoft Operating systems and related software, such as Microsoft Word, Excel, Access and Outlook. Experience with financial and budgeting systems, such as SAP. PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS : Job is generally sedentary in nature, however, visual acuity is required to read data on computer monitor, incumbent must be able to operate keyboard driven equipment. Must communicate with others. Employee may be required to lift up to 15 pounds. Ability to carry heavy brief case to meetings and carry materials from the copy room to the office. All duties performed with or without reasonable accommodations. SELECTION PROCEDURE : Panel interview and may include practical exercise. Fairfax County is home to a highly diverse population, with a significant number of residents speaking languages other than English at home (including Spanish, Asian / Pacific Islander, Indo-European, and many others). We encourage candidates who are bilingual in English and another language to apply for this opportunity.

Fairfax County Government prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, age, marital status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetics, political affiliation, or military status in the recruitment, selection, and hiring of its workforce. Reasonable accommodations are available to persons with disabilities during application and / or interview processes per the Americans with Disabilities Act. TTY 703-222-7314. EEO / AA / TTY.