Business Analyst - Land Services

Crow Wing, County of•Brainerd, MN

3d•Onsite

About The Position

The position serves as an entry point into the analyst series, supporting department personnel by providing reporting and analysis on a broad range of financial, performance, and regulatory matters. The position's orientation and key priorities may flex based on department structure and staffing. From a financial perspective, the position is responsible for assisting in the development, administration, and analysis of financial reports, including departmental budgets, fund accounting, accounts payable and receivable, cost accounting, and payroll processing. The incumbent provides financial forecasting and analysis, making recommendations to ensure financial performance targets are achieved. There is an interdependent relationship with central finance, requiring the provision of information, reporting, and analysis to align with organizational financial objectives. Programmatically, the position is accountable for performing research, analysis, reporting, and communications on policy, programmatic, and performance matters related to departmental operations and services. This includes data collection and analysis, applying it to business performance, processes, and procedures, and developing, documenting, and presenting public policy analysis, options, and recommendations to department leadership and county officials. The position also analyzes regulations, emerging trends, and statutes, manages complex projects, and assesses current business processes. Technology and process improvement accountabilities involve shared responsibility for identifying and deploying technology solutions and assessing performance and process improvement opportunities. Responsibilities include data mining and reporting, developing standard and specialized reports, documenting and presenting analysis, options, and recommendations to department leadership for process improvements, department objectives, and key performance measures. Compliance accountabilities include producing financial reports, project and cost accounting, payroll and time reporting, managing state and federal grants and audits, preparing state and federal reports, and analyzing and reporting on regulations, emerging trends, and statutes. Labor relations accountabilities include labor cost modeling, grievance and arbitration preparation, internal investigations, evaluating contractual impacts and requirements, recommending proposals to enhance operational effectiveness, and serving as a member of the negotiating committee. Stakeholder communications involve issuing press releases, policies, and presentations, and frequent contact with various stakeholders. The position will serve as a key resource on a wide variety of program matters, requiring customer responsiveness, excellent communication skills, resourcefulness, ability to work well with others, sound critical thinking and problem-solving skills, project coordination, data management, and supervisory skills.

Requirements

A bachelor's degree from an accredited four-year college or university in accounting, business, public administration or a related field.
Closely related experience in a similar position would be considered in lieu of degree requirements.
Knowledge of principles and techniques of accounting practices, research, analysis and evaluation and budget analysis.
Knowledge of financial systems including Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems and ability to operate financial databases and spreadsheet software efficiently and to develop basic systems.
Ability to gather and analyze data and information, design and test solutions to problems and formulate logic based and well-reasoned plans.
Knowledge of research and planning techniques and of basic evaluation and statistical principles.
Knowledge of business analysis and project management principles in techniques sufficient to serve as a project manager for large projects.
Knowledge of and ability to effectively operate and analyze computer applications within program areas.
Skill in communicating in written and verbal form including presentations, reports, manuals and general correspondence.
Ability to analyze problems, develop solutions and contribute to policy and procedure development.
Ability to manage and measure work, establish measurable objectives and evaluate outcomes.
Ability to use analytical tools effectively.

Responsibilities

Produce and manage assigned financial budget and capital improvement plans, ensuring accomplishment of budgeted objectives and compliance with all county, state and federal guidelines.
Monitor and analyze actual performance versus approved budget and recommend alternative courses of action to ensure achievement of department financial performance objectives.
Prepare financial reports that accurately represent revenues and expenditures and provide projections and analysis to various stakeholders as assigned or requested.
Prepare and submit financial reports required by county, local state and federal agencies ensuring compliance with all reporting guidelines.
Conduct research; policy analysis; strategic planning, management, program development and evaluation studies on topics related to all areas of department operations.
Write reports recommending solutions or alternatives for action relating to assigned research and analysis, setting forth facts in a clear and concise manner, including rationale for the recommendation.
Analyze and communicate in written and oral presentations, options for improving programs and processes, including options for cost reduction and improved work management practices, including the establishment and continual improvement of objective and meaningful performance standards and measures.
Analyzes options for the reengineering/redesign of programs and processes, including options for cost reduction, improved management controls, and the establishment of benchmarks and performance standards.
Create methods and practices to regularly collect and clearly report objective facts regarding the performance of department programs and services.
Completes environmental scans at a local, regional and national level to inform department leaders on opportunities to improve processes, outcomes and efficiencies.
Addresses and makes presentations to staff, division heads, department directors, policy makers and community partners/groups on proposed changes and or new systems.
Coordinate proactive customer communication efforts including preparing and/or editing press releases, opinion editorials, newsletters, surveys, web pages, annual reports and other communication venues such as public forums and community events.
Lead and participate in CI initiatives, pursuing certifications and trainings to maximize impact and proactively identify process improvement opportunities for discussion and review by department leadership.
Participate in the identification, selection and implementation of business information systems and technology, ensuring the achievement of user and financial objectives.
Serve as project manager and/or participant for technology projects and ensure accomplishment of project objectives as assigned.
Develop reporting and analysis tools to maximize business intelligence and performance.
Develop user support materials and training to maximize application effectiveness.
Evaluate technology performance and identify continuous improvement opportunities to maximize business effectiveness and outcomes.
Participate in various projects as assigned as project manager and/or participant.
Ensure application of effective project management practices.
Ensure effective achievement of project goals and objectives.
Perform all other duties as assigned in a highly effective and professional manner.