Budget and Policy Analyst

careers-slco; Salt Lake City (UT); Hybrid; USD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

12 Holidays

24 vacation days

12 sick days

Personal day

Hybrid 401(k) options

Health insurance premium covered

Dental & Vision coverage

HSA with county contribution

FSA

Disability coverage

Professional development

Tuition reimbursement

Job summary

Salt Lake County is seeking a Budget and Policy Analyst to support its Council with timely, accurate, nonpartisan financial analyses of the county’s budgeting, accounting, and operations. You will communicate findings clearly and help identify policy options and their financial implications.

The ideal candidate has a Bachelor's in accounting/finance/economics and at least five years of related experience; a Master’s is preferred.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Economics, or related field plus at least five years of related experience; or equivalent combination.
• Ideal candidate has a master’s degree in a related discipline and shows curiosity about public policy; strong quantitative and software skills.

Responsibilities

• Analyze the county-wide budget with county officials and departments, examining expenditures and revenue patterns.
• Explain policy options and their financial implications to the Council and staff.
• Prepare and present budget proposals, forecasts, and variance analyses.
• Coordinate with stakeholders to advance Performance-Based Budgeting (PBB) and ensure metrics measure program impact.

Skills

Public administration

Budget analysis

Policy development

Communication skills

Quantitative analysis

Education

Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Economics or related field

Master's degree in a related discipline

Tools

Microsoft Office

Budgeting software

Reporting systems

Financial databases

Job description

Job Description

Salt Lake County…A career with a purpose in the community you love!

Salt Lake County invites you to explore our exciting career opportunities. We seek highly enthusiastic individuals to enrich our County with your experience and talent. If you enjoy working in a team environment that is committed to changing the lives of its community, please keep reading.

What it is like to work here:

At Salt Lake County our culture is woven into all aspects of our work and our employees’ lives, from the way we treat each other to the way we support the community. To promote and foster a fun and healthy work environment, we appreciate employees through great benefits, a healthy work life balance and room to grow and develop.

Surround yourself with:

Peers who are motivated to make a difference in the lives of those we serve. We serve Salt Lake County and envision a safe and beautiful place for all to live work and have fun. Salt Lake County is about connecting people and championing our community. Community is more than a place….its our heart and service that bring us together.

We encourage a work life balance:

Working for Salt Lake County is more than just a paycheck. A career with /Salt Lake County includes several benefits and perks. We support our employees with 12 Holidays, up to 24 vacation days, 12 sick days and one personal day every year.

Additional Benefits may include:

• Retirement options for hybrid pension/401(k) or 401(k) only with a 10% contribution
• Medical coverage including a 100% county paid premium option-Dental and Vision coverage including coverage for adult designees
• Health Savings account with a county contribution up to $1200/year, Flexible Spending Account
• 100% county-paid Long-Term Disability and Short-Term Disability option
• Professional Development including professional membership fees paid
• Tuition Reimbursement

For Benefits information Click HERE

JOB SUMMARY

The Budget and Policy Analyst for the Salt Lake County (SLCO) Council, under the general direction of the Council Fiscal Manager, helps provide analytical support to the SLCO Council and its staff in all aspects of the county’s budgeting, accounting, and financial operations. The SLCO Council requires information that is timely, accurate, and nonpartisan. It is necessary to communicate financial information both orally and in writing; identify policy options and their financial and operational implications, and clearly explain and defend analytical results and their policy implications.

QUALIFICATIONS

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in Accounting, Finance, Economics, or other closely related fields, plus at least five (5) years of related experience; OR an equivalent combination of related education and experience.

The ideal candidate has a master’s degree in a relevant discipline; thinks on one’s feet; anticipates and responds to questions as they arise; exhibits quantitative and software skills; and enjoys an abiding curiosity regarding public policy as it relates to county residents.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Analyze the county-wide budget, working with county elected officials and departments to address budget issues, including monthly expenditure patterns, revenue shortfall, and interim budget requests
• Identify financial options available to the SLCO Council, and be prepared to clearly explain, upon request, any implications the various options may have on established county policies, or on those policies the SLCO Council has asked the fiscal staff to consider as part of its budgetary analysis
• In conjunction with the Council Fiscal Manager, provide recommendations to the Council Members and their staff on annual, mid-year, and interim budget requests from county organizations and their budget and policy implications; verify specific needs and recommend changes for adjustments; prepare budget data and budget justification information as required. Prepare and present final budget proposals to the SLCO Council
• Prepare financial reports either periodically or on an ad hoc basis. Prepare revenue and expenditure projections, and analyze and review variances relative to the adopted budget
• Monitor Countywide revenues and expenditures
• Analyze and make recommendations regarding the strategic planning of county organizations
• Coordinate with various stakeholders to improve the County’s Performance-Based Budgeting (PBB) process
• Use PBB outcome measures to initiate program evaluations and to develop improvement strategies that result in cost-effective program changes.
• Ensure PBB metrics accurately measure the effects of new cost-effective program changes.
• Manage the SLCO Council’s annual budget and ongoing finances
• Prepare and deliver presentations; and help staff and represent the Council on various county boards and committees as requested
• Listen and respond effectively to elected and appointed officials and promotes understanding and partnership among them
• Perform special projects and studies as assigned--including associated inquiries, correspondence, and reports. Ensure appropriate record keeping is maintained consistent with SLCO policies
• Record and enter the Council budget requests in the County’s budgeting software
• Serve as the Council Office’s travel coordinator, property manager, and payroll coordinator, and coordinate the Office’s compliance with relevant policies and procedures

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES (KSA)

• Principles and practices of public administration, including management and organizational design
• Practices and techniques for researching and developing new or improved policies to enhance County operations on a broad and/or specialized scale
• Trends in public-sector management philosophies and effective implementation processes
• Government and cost accounting principles, methods, and techniques.
• Local, State, and Federal legislative processes
• Organization, structure, and functional responsibilities of County departments, agencies, and advisory groups
• Principles and techniques of effective public relations
• Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) standard for budget reporting and disclosure
• Performance-based budgeting and evidence-based budgeting

Skills and Abilities to:

Perform financial analysis and interpretation

Effectively use Microsoft Office applications, budgeting software, reporting systems, and financial database programs

Develop sound policy recommendations within own area of expertise and assignment

Identify policy shortfalls and initiate needed research to develop new or improved policies to address problem areas

Conduct sensitive research and investigations into managerial issues and problems which may lead to the formulation of new or revised policies

Analyze existing and proposed policies for financial soundness

Communicate the rationale, advantages, and implementation plans for new and revised policies

Maintain required security and confidentiality of information created or encountered in the course of assigned duties

Establish and maintain effective working relationships with County management and administrative officials

Communicate effectively both orally and in writing

WORKING CONDITIONS AND PAID LEAVE

In general, work duties are performed in an office setting on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays. Work-from-home options are available when approved in advance; when sensible; normally on Wednesdays and Fridays; and whenever you are not feeling well.

You are entitled to at least 36 days of paid time-off: 12 county holidays and 24 days of vacation.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION REGARDING THIS POSITION

This is an appointed at-will position without tenure and is exempt from the career service system.