Fiscal Policy Analyst

Job Description:

Fiscal Policy Analyst

Description

THE POSITION

With supervisor approval, incumbents may be eligible for intermittent remote work; however, they must physically reside within the Sacramento region or have the ability to regularly report to a City of Sacramento physical worksite with little notice.
Are you ready to use your analytical skills to drive meaningful change in city government? As a Fiscal Policy Analyst, you will play a crucial role in assessing the performance of City programs and policies, identifying opportunities for improvement, and helping to ensure that public resources are used effectively. If you are committed to enhancing public sector performance and have a keen interest in evaluating government operations, we encourage you to apply.

IDEAL CANDIDATE STATEMENT

The ideal candidate for this position will be a critical thinker with a strong interest in evaluating the efficiency and effectiveness of government programs and policies. They will have excellent research and analytical skills, with the ability to assess performance, identify areas for improvement, and make data-driven recommendations. A background in auditing, public administration, policy analysis, or a related field is preferred, along with strong communication skills and a commitment to enhancing public sector operations. The ideal candidate will be dedicated to contributing to meaningful improvements in government performance and have a keen interest in public service.
To perform independent analysis and review of budget and policy issues and develops options and recommendations to address these issues. Responsibilities include comprehensive review and analysis of proposed budgetary and legislative matters. Conducts independent and objective financial, operational, and program audits and investigations to determine compliance with prevailing laws and to identify opportunities to strengthen internal controls. Responds to City Council requests for information and analysis of the city's budget and programs, conducts independent fiscal and policy research, and reports on issues of importance to the City. Work must be solution-oriented and performed in a timely manner.

Fiscal Polic y Anal y st

The Fiscal Policy Analyst is a journey level classification in the professional Fiscal Policy Analyst classification series and is populated with multiple incumbents. The Fiscal Policy Analyst is distinguished from the Senior Fiscal Policy Analyst in that the latter performs analytical work with a very high degree of independence and responsibility.

Senior Fiscal Polic y Anal y st

The Senior Fiscal Policy Analyst is the advanced-journey level in this class series and is populated with multiple incumbent s. Positions in this class are flexibly staffed and are normally filled by advancement from the lower-level class of Fiscal Policy Analyst.

Appointment to the higher class requires that the employee be performing substantially, the full range of duties for the class and meet the qualification standards for the class.

The Senior Fiscal Policy Analyst is distinguished from the Fiscal Policy Analyst in that the former performs analytical work with a very high degree of independence and responsibility and may supervise Fiscal Policy Analysts. The Senior Fiscal Policy Analyst is distinguished from the Principal Fiscal Policy Analyst in that the latter performs analytical work with greater degree of complexity, independence and responsibility and provides direct supervision of lower-level Fiscal Policy Analysts.

Principal Fiscal Polic y Anal y st

The Principal Fiscal Policy Analyst is the supervisory level classification in the series and is populated with multiple incumbent s. Positions in this class are flexibly staffed and are normally filled by advancement from the lower-level class of Senior Fiscal Policy Analyst. Appointment to the higher class requires that the employee be performing substantially, the full range of duties for the class and meet the qualification standards for the class.

The Principal Fiscal Policy Analyst is distinguished from the Senior Fiscal Policy Analyst in that the former performs analytical work with increased complexity, independence and responsibility. Additionally, the Principal Fiscal Policy Analyst provides direct supervision of lower-level Fiscal Policy Analysts.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED

General supervision is provided by Principal Fiscal Policy Analyst or higher-level management positions.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The following duties are typical for this classification. Incumbents may not perform all the listed duties and/or may be required to perform related duties as needed:

• Conducts a comprehensive review and analysis of proposed budgetary items;
• Researches and analyzes data and information relative to budgetary issues;
• Conducts audits of City operations, programs and activities; evaluates actual versus projected outcomes; identifies areas of risk; recommends functional and operational changes needed to improve the economy, efficiency and effectiveness of City government services and programs;
• Conducts audit planning, executes field work, and documents audit steps in working papers;
• Develops comparative studies of other cities as they relate to municipal finance;
• Reviews fiscal forecasts including review of past, current, and proposed revenues and expenditures;
• Researches federal, state, and local programs to determine sources of funding and appropriate expenditure options;
• Researches and analyzes the policy and fiscal effects of new or proposed legislation;
• Participates in the construction of economic models and indexes;
• Assists in the preparation of fiscal and economic project analysis;
• Develops reports relating to budgetary and legislative policy concerns;
• Prepares and presents recommendations for review by management in connection with the analysis, studies, and reports described herein;
• Periodic attendance at evening City Council meetings, including presentation of reports;
• Conducts fraud, waste, and abuse investigations;
• Drives automotive vehicle as necessary in order to conduct research and attend meetings; and
• Other related duties may also be performed; not all duties listed are necessarily performed by each individual holding this classification.

QUALIFICATIONS

Knowledge of:

• Principles, practices, and techniques of public administration and public policy.
• Principles and practices of organizational, financial, and policy analysis.
• Principles, methods, and practices of municipal finance, budgeting, and accounting.
• Principles, methods, and practices of long-range financial planning.
• Operational characteristics, services and activities of audit and performance measurement programs.
• Principles and practices of complex auditing and accounting functions and their application to municipal/governmental accounting systems, with emphasis on fiscal and operational aspects of such organizations.
• Various professional accounting standards such as Generally Accepted Auditing Standards (GAAS), Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), and Generally Accepted Governmental Auditing Standards (GAGAS).
• Basic research and analytical methods, techniques, and procedures.
• Technical report writing and presentation.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and Word.
• Applicable federal, state, and local laws, rules, and regulations.

Skill in:

• Use of modern office equipment, including computers, computer applications and software.

Ability to:

• Analyze a variety of complex administrative and organizational problems, and make sound, independent policy and procedural recommendations.
• Communicate clearly, verbally and in writing.
• Effectively plan and organize complex budgetary and auditing projects; design, implement, and monitor internal audit programs, systems, and procedures.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with others at all staff levels.
• Interpret laws, regulations, and policies.
• Prepare comprehensive and accurate reports.
• Demonstrate patience, poise, flexibility, tact, reliability, and dependability.
• Work effectively with sensitive and confidential information.
• Display good judgment.
• Adjust to rapidly shifting priorities and timelines.
• Learn quickly and show initiative.
• Work effectively with multidisciplinary teams.
• Facilitate groups.

EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION

Experience:

One year of increasingly responsible professional-level administrative and analytical experience, including experience in budget, strategic planning, auditing, program evaluation, and/or policy analysis.

-AND-

Education:

Possession of a Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in public policy, public or business administration, economics, accounting, or a related field that includes a curriculum of economics, statistics, public finance, and policy analysis.

-OR-

Five years of increasingly responsible professional-level administrative and analytical experience, including experience in budget, strategic planning, auditing, and/or policy analysis.

Substitution:

A Master's degree in one of the above fields may substitute for one year of experience required.

PROOF OF EDUCATION

Should education be used to qualify for this position, then proof of education such as, but not limited to, university/college transcripts and degrees should be submitted with your application and will be required at the time of appointment. Unofficial documents and/or copies are acceptable.

An applicant with a college degree obtained outside the United States must have education records evaluated by a credentials evaluation service. Evaluation of education records will be due at time of appointment.

SPECIAL QUALIFICATIONS

Driver License:
Possession of a valid California Class C Driver License at the time of appointment. Individuals who do not meet this requirement due to physical disability will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.

Certification:
Designation as a CPA (Certified Public Accountant) or CIA (Certified Internal Auditor) is highly desirable. The following certifications (or equivalent) are also desirable:

• CISA (Certified Information System Auditor)
• CGAP (Certified Government Auditing Professional)
• CRP (Certified Risk Professional)
• CFFA (Certified Forensic Financial Analyst)
• CMA (Certified Management Accountant)
• CCSA (Certification in Control Self-Assessment)
• CFE (Certified Fraud Examiner)
• CQA (Certified Quality Auditor)
• CTP (Certified Treasury Professional)
• GPC (Grants Professional Certification)

THE SELECTION PROCEDURE

Please note, the City of Sacramento's preferred method of communication with applicants is via e-mail. As such, please ensure you verify the e-mail address on your application, and check your e-mail frequently, including your spam and junk folders. All e-mail notifications can also be accessed through the governmentjobs.com applicant inbox.

1. Application: (Pass/Fail) - All applicants must complete and submit online a City of Sacramento employment application by the final filing deadline ;

• Employment applications must be submitted online; paper applications will not be accepted.
• Employment applications will be considered incomplete and will be disqualified:
• If applicants do not list current and past job-related experience in the duties area of the "Work Experience" section. Note: Qualifying experience is based on full-time experience (40 hours per week). Qualifying experience is calculated to the full-time equivalent (pro-rated if less than 40 hours/week).
• If "see resume" is noted in the "Work Experience" section; a resume will not substitute for the information required in the "Work Experience" section.
• Position/job titles will not be considered in determining eligibility for meeting the minimum qualifications for this position.
• Proof of education such as, but not limited to, university/college transcripts and degrees should be submitted online with your application. Proof of education will be required at time of appointment.

2. Supplemental Questionnaire: (Pass/Fail) - In addition to the City of Sacramento employment application, all applicants must complete and submit online responses to the supplemental questionnaire to the City of Sacramento Employment Office by the final filing deadline ;

• Responses to the supplemental questionnaire must be submitted online; paper questionnaire will not be accepted.
• Incomplete supplemental questionnaire will not pass the review process; omitted information cannot be considered or assumed.
• A resume will not substitute for the information required in the supplemental questionnaire.
• Possession of the minimum qualifications is not necessarily a guarantee for further advancement in the selection process.

3. Screening Committee: (Pass/Fail) - All applications received by the final filing deadline will be forwarded to the hiring department for review. The hiring department will select the most competitive applications for further consideration. Human Resources will only evaluate employment applications for the minimum qualifications, as stated on the job announcement, for applications selected by the hiring department.

4. Interview Process: Human Resources will forward applications to the hiring department. Those determined to be the most qualified candidates will be invited to participate in an interview process.

5. Conditional Hire: Upon receipt of a conditional offer, the selected candidate must complete and pass Live Scan/fingerprinting . If applicable, candidates may also need to pass a pre-employment medical exam, controlled substance and/or alcohol test, and possess any required licensure or certification prior to receiving a start date from the Department. Failure to meet these prerequisites will be grounds for withdrawal of your conditional offer of employment.

QUESTIONS:
For questions concerning this job announcement and the application process:

• Please visit https://www.governmentjobs.com/Home/ApplicationGuide for a comprehensive, step-by-step guide to the application process.
• For technical support between 6 AM - 5 PM PT, contact Live Application Support at 855-524-5627.
• Visit the City of Sacramento Human Resources Department website at https://www.cityofsacramento.gov/HR/employment ;
• Send an email to employment@cityofsacramento.org ; or
• Call the Human Resources Department at (916) 808-5726

Bilingual Pay
Did you know that the City offers bilingual pay? That's right, most labor agreements offer the option of providing employees with bilingual pay if the department deems it to be operationally necessary.

Pension Reform Act
The City of Sacramento is covered by the California Public Employees' Retirement System, and as such, must adhere to the California Public Employee's Pension Reform Act (PEPRA) of 2013. Please note that the provisions within this act may affect or impact an applicant's eligibility and/or selection for open vacancies at the City of Sacramento.

Equal Opportunity Employer
The City of Sacramento is an equal opportunity employer to all, regardless of age, ancestry, color, disability (mental and physical), exercising the right to family care and medical leave, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, military or veteran status, national origin, political affiliation, race, religious creed, sex (includes pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding and related medical conditions), and sexual orientation.

Additional Information

Civil Service Rules: https://www.cityofsacramento.gov/content/dam/portal/hr/documentlibrary/CivilServiceBoardRules62012.pdf

Union Contracts: https://www.cityofsacramento.gov/HR/labor-agreements.html

Salary Schedule: https://www.cityofsacramento.gov/content/dam/portal/hr/documentlibrary/SalarySchedule.pdf

Closing Date/Time: 9/21/2024 11:59 PM Pacific

Salary:

$77,234.37 - $108,676.52 Annually