Senior Budget Analyst

Ohio Department of Job and Family Services; Columbus (OH); On-site; USD 75,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

Ohio Department of Job and Family Services is seeking a Senior Budget Analyst in the Budget Bureau in Columbus, OH. You will manage complex budgets, forecast expenditures, and prepare insightful reports for program areas.

You will partner with program offices, analyze variances, and support process improvements to increase accuracy and efficiency in budgeting and grant management.

Qualifications

• 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).
• Graduate/undergraduate core program plus relevant experience in fiscal management & statistical analysis as described above.
• Completion of undergraduate or graduate core program in accounting/public finance/public administration/business administration as appropriate.
• 12 months’ experience as Budget Analyst or equivalent.
• Equivalent of Minimum Class Qualifications For Employment noted above.

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 to 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 for the audience.
• Investigate variances (actuals vs. estimates), identify drivers, and recommend corrective actions.
• Budget Exceptions and Agency Control: manage PO/Voucher/Paycard/Travel errors; complete budget transfers in a timely manner.
• Allotments: submit journal entries per ALI assignment; review OhioBuys daily.
• Contribute to process improvements and special projects increasing accuracy, speed, and transparency.
• Collaborate with program areas to understand operations and impacts of policy/volume changes on budgets.

Skills

Fiscal analysis

Forecasting methods

Report development

Independence & prioritization

OAKS BI reporting

Excel skills

Communication of data

Public sector budgets

Variance investigation

Process improvements

Education

Graduate core program in accounting/public finance/public administration/business administration

Undergraduate core program in accounting/public finance/public administration/business administration

Tools

OAKS BI reporting

Excel

Job description

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.

Duties Include, But Are Not Limited To

• 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.
• Budget Exceptions.
• Agency Control: Clear purchase order (PO)/Voucher/Paycard/Travel errors. Budget transfers need to be completed in the morning when possible.
• Allotments: Submit journal entries according to appropriation line item (ALI) assignment list.
• OhioBuys pending items: Review and approve daily.
• Payroll Errors: Wait for Cost Management.
• Journal Voucher Adjustment as needed.
• 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.
• Prepare budget meeting materials with program office.

Preferred 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.
• 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 will be headquartered at the James A. Rhodes State Officer Tower - 30 E. Broad Street, Columbus, OH 43215.

Travel

Occasional travel within the state of Ohio.

Position Number

Position Number: 20038697.

PN(s): 20038697.

Option 1: The candidate, at minimum, must have the following:

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

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

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

Option 4: The candidate, at minimum, must have the following:

• 12 months’ experience as Budget Analyst, 63261.

Option 5: The candidate, at minimum, must have the following:

• The equivalent of Minimum Class Qualifications For Employment noted above.

Pay Information

This position is in the State of Ohio’s OCSEA/AFSCME 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 $34.53 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.

Step 1

$34.53

Step 2

$36.20

Step 3

$38.01

Step 4

$39.86

Step 5

$41.81

Step 6

$43.90

Step 7

$46.00

Step 8

$48.28

Hourly

$34.53

$36.20

$38.01

$39.86

$41.81

$43.90

$46.00

$48.28

Annual

$74,822

$75,296

$79,061

$82,909

$86,965

$91,312

$95,680

$100,422

Months of Employment

• At Hire
• 6 Months
• 18 Months
• 30 Months
• 42 Months
• 54 Months
• 66 Months
• 78 Months

Organization

Job & Family Services

Agency Overview

Who We Are

• Cash and Food Assistance
• Employment Services and Workforce Development
• Unemployment Insurance
• Adult Protective Services
• Child Support

Guiding Principles

• We will be a leader in customer satisfaction.
• We will have a reputation that attracts and retains talented, diverse, and dedicated employees.
• We get better at what we do every day.