Budget Analyst 1

State of Louisiana; Baton Rouge (LA); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

The Louisiana Public Service Commission seeks a Budget Analyst to assist in the development, administration, preparation, and maintenance of the Commission's budget. Under the Budget Administrator, you will help manage multiple funding sources and ensure compliance with state and federal laws.

This role emphasizes data-driven decision making, forecasting revenues and expenditures, and preparing financial reports for management.

Qualifications

• Three years of experience in budget development or analysis, accounting, auditing, policy planning, procurement, contracts or grants management, project management, statistical analysis, or financial services;
• OR Six years of full-time work experience in any field;
• OR A bachelor’s degree.

Responsibilities

• Assists in the development, preparation, and monitoring of the LPSC’s annual budget. This includes tracking and forecasting revenues and expenditures while consulting with the Budget Administrator to ensure accuracy.
• Prepare the necessary financial and budget documents for the LPSC in accordance with the Office of Planning and Budget (OPB).
• Assists in preparing financial reports detailing Commission expenditures and revenues, monitors and forecasts budget activities, and recommends necessary expenditure control methods.
• Prepares timely and accurate monthly financial and budget comparison reports for LPSC Management review. Proposes alternatives and revisions to the budget, prepares fiscal projections for all Commission programs, and coordinates the development of a fiscal management plan with the Budget Administrator.
• Collaborates closely with the Budget Administrator to develop, prepare, monitor, and ensure the timely submission of the LPSC’s Strategic Plan and Operational Plan.

Skills

Managing Budgets

Thinking Critically

Using Data

Demonstrating Initiative

Driving Results

Working with Financial Information

Education

Bachelor's degree

Job description

About This Job

The Louisiana Public Service Commission (LPSC) is a constitutionally established regulatory agency dedicated to serving the public interest by assuring safe, reliable, and reasonably priced services are provided by the public utilities and common carriers subject to its jurisdiction. This position reports directly to the Budget Administrator 1. The individual in this role will assist in the development, administration, preparation, and maintenance of the budget for the Louisiana Public Service Commission ("LPSC" or "Commission"). Under the supervision of the Budget Administrator, the incumbent will help develop and implement complex budgets that involve multiple funding sources, ensuring compliance with state and federal laws, rules, regulations, and procedures. This includes managing Self-Generated revenues and federal funding. The incumbent must have a strong understanding of the policies, rules, regulations, and standards that govern state entities.

An Ideal Candidate Will Possess The Following Competencies

Managing Budgets: The ability to plan, monitor, and adjust budgets to meet goals, ensure compliance, and promote financial transparency.

Thinking Critically: The ability to analyze information objectively, identify connections across sources, and form logical, well supported conclusions.

Using Data: The ability to collect, analyze, and use data to generate insights and inform decisions.

Demonstrating Initiative: The ability to assess situations independently and take proactive steps to address them without being prompted or instructed by others.

Driving Results: The ability to set and pursue goals, maintain focus amid competing demands, and deliver results.

Working with Financial Information: The ability to interpret financial data, manage financial approvals, and ensure compliance to support informed decisions and promote transparency.

Minimum Qualifications

Three years of experience in budget development or analysis, accounting, auditing, policy planning, procurement, contracts or grants management, project management, statistical analysis, or financial services;

OR Six years of full-time work experience in any field;

OR A bachelor’s degree.

Experience Substitution

Every 30 semester hours earned from an accredited college or university will be credited as one year of experience towards the six years of full-time work experience in any field. The maximum substitution allowed is 120 semester hours which substitutes for a maximum of four years of experience in any field.

Job Specification. The official job specifications for this role, as defined by the State Civil Service, can be found here.

Job Duties

Job Duties and Other Information

• Assists in the development, preparation, and monitoring of the LPSC’s annual budget. This includes tracking and forecasting revenues and expenditures while consulting with the Budget Administrator to ensure accuracy.
• Prepare the necessary financial and budget documents for the LPSC in accordance with the Office of Planning and Budget (OPB).
• Assists in preparing financial reports detailing Commission expenditures and revenues, monitors and forecasts budget activities, and recommends necessary expenditure control methods.
• Prepares timely and accurate monthly financial and budget comparison reports for LPSC Management review. Proposes alternatives and revisions to the budget, prepares fiscal projections for all Commission programs, and coordinates the development of a fiscal management plan with the Budget Administrator.
• Collaborates closely with the Budget Administrator to develop, prepare, monitor, and ensure the timely submission of the LPSC’s Strategic Plan and Operational Plan.
• Responsible for collecting and tracking monthly performance indicators for review. Prepares Quarterly Performance Indicator reports and submits data in LaGov by established deadlines.
• Responsible for entering lease and contract data into the State of Louisiana’s lease software, LeaseController, to ensure compliance with GASB 87 - Leases. Additionally, to support compliance with GASB 96 - Subscription Based Information Technology Arrangements, this role will also enter these arrangements into LeaseController.
• Work within the LPSC’s Case Billing and Management System for outside counsel and consultants, processing over $6 million in invoices each year. The role involves maintaining essential documents such as Requests for Proposals (RFPs), budget proposals, Commission hire documentation, and contracts.
• Responsible for the processing of wire transfers, deposits, and preparation of monthly and annual accounting reports for the LPSC’s Do Not Call Program. Confers with the Accountant regarding funds collected and monthly reporting.

Position-Specific Details

Appointment Type: Probational and Promotional

Career Progression: This position provides the opportunity to advance within the division.

Work Schedule: Work hours are 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM, Monday-Friday.

Contact Information

For further information about this vacancy, contact:

Sara Simpson

Louisiana Public Service Commission

[e-mail]

Louisiana is a State As a Model Employer (SAME) that supports the recruitment, hiring, and retention of individuals with disabilities.

Louisiana State Government represents a wide variety of career options and offers an outstanding opportunity to make a difference through public service. With an array of career opportunities in every major metropolitan center and in many rural areas, state employment provides an outstanding option to begin or continue your career.

As a State Employee, You Will Earn Competitive Pay, Choose From a Variety Of Benefits, And Have Access To a Great Professional Development Program

Insurance Coverage

More information can be found at https://info.groupbenefits.org/

Parental Leave

Up to six weeks paid parental leave

More information can be found at https://www.civilservice.louisiana.gov/Parental-Leave/Default.aspx

Holidays and Leave

State employees receive the following paid holidays each year:

• New Year's Day
• Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
• Mardi Gras
• Good Friday
• Memorial Day
• Independence Day
• Labor Day
• Veteran's Day
• Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day
• Additional holidays may be proclaimed by the Governor

State employees earn sick and annual leave which can be accumulated and saved for future use. Your accrual rate increases as your years of service increase.

Retirement

State Of Louisiana Employees Are Eligible To Participate In Various Retirement Systems (based On The Type Of Appointment And Agency For Which An Employee Works). These Retirement Systems Provide Retirement Allowances And Other Benefits For State Officers And Employees And Their Beneficiaries. State Retirement Systems May Include (but Are Not Limited To):

• Louisiana State Employees Retirement System (www.lasersonline.org). LASERS has provided this video to give you more detailed information about their system
• Teacher's Retirement System of Louisiana (www.trsl.org)
• Louisiana School Employees Retirement System (www.lsers.net), among others