Senior Budget Analyst

Taleo; Columbus (OH); On-site; USD 72,000 - 79,000; Full time

Job summary

Ohio Department of Job and Family Services is seeking a Senior Budget Analyst in Columbus to manage complex budgets and provide data-driven insights across program areas. You will build grant-specific plans and present reports to diverse audiences.

The role requires strong budgeting discipline, analytics, and effective communication with program offices, while contributing to process improvements within OFMS.

Qualifications

• 4 years’ budgeting experience including fiscal management and control.
• Graduate program in accounting/public finance/public administration or business administration with related experience.
• Undergraduate program in accounting, public finance or business administration; 12 months fiscal management experience.
• Experience with budget variance analysis and grant planning is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Plan and manage budgets for operating, capital, and grant funding.
• Forecast and monitor appropriations, expenditures, and encumbrances to remain within targets.
• Analyze spending patterns and recommend fund transfers to meet obligations.
• Create reports and visuals from multiple data sources for clear insights.

Skills

Budgeting

Data Analytics

Accounting

Communications

Research

Tools

OAKS BI

Excel

Job description

Job Description - Senior Budget Analyst (260007H4)

Senior Budget Analyst ( 260007H4 )

Organization

Job & Family Services

Agency Contact Name and Information : [e-mail]

Unposting Date

Oct 13, 2026, 3:59:00 AM

Work Location

James A Rhodes Office Tower 31 30 East Broad Street 31st Floor Columbus 43215

Primary Location

United States of America-OHIO-Franklin County-Columbus

Compensation : 34.53

Schedule

Full-time

Union : OCSEA

Primary Job Skill

Accounting and Finance

Technical Skills : Budgeting, Data Analytics, Accounting and Finance, Communications, Research

Professional Skills : Analyzation, Attention to Detail, Critical Thinking, Interpreting Data, Organizing and Planning, Problem Solving, Reasoning, Results Oriented, Time Management, Verbal Communication, Written Communication

Agency Overview

The Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (ODJFS) supports Ohioans and their families through the following programs:

• 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.

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. This vacancy has been reposted.

PN(s): 20038697.

Why Work for the State of Ohio

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 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;

Option 4

• 12 months’ experience as Budget Analyst, 63261.

Option 5

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

Tips For Your Application

Pay Information

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

Pay Range 33

Step 1

Step 2

Step 3

Step 4

Step 5

Step 6

Step 7

Step 8

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

Selection Priority Notice

Current employees of ODJFS in the OCSEA/AFSCME 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.

ADA Notice

If you require an accommodation based on a disability for any step of the selection process, please contact [e-mail].

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.

ADA Statement

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.

Drug-Free Workplace

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.