CHIEF BUDGET AND POLICY ANALYS

State of careers Rhode Island

7d • $150,262 - $169,357

About The Position

The Chief Budget and Policy Analyst directs and coordinates staff performing technical work in the preparation, submission, and management of the state budget, and leads the planning, development, and implementation of budget systems and techniques for Rhode Island’s budgetary process. The role assists the Deputy Budget Officer and/or Budget Officer in formulating budget policies, practices, and procedures, and oversees staff and work related to the state’s capital development program.

The position identifies major policy questions and develops analyses and recommendations, balances competing needs across agencies and policy areas, and oversees complex strategic and budget-planning adjustments. It coordinates electronic budgeting systems, oversees long-range forecasting and revenue projections, advises agency executives on budget and financial matters, and maintains liaison with legislative committees. The analyst may appear as an expert witness and represent the Office of Management and Budget on boards and commissions.

The role also directs expenditure and revenue analyses, advises agencies on budget requests, monitors agency program performance and financial-management compliance, and develops training materials and programs for budget analysts. It interprets relevant federal and state laws and regulations, supports legislation relating to state programs, evaluates program effectiveness, and helps prepare and monitor the annual state strategic plan. The position works under the general supervision of a superior, with wide latitude for independent judgment, and plans, supervises, and reviews professional, technical, and clerical staff.

Requirements

• Master’s degree in Public or Business Administration, Economics, Finance, Public Policy, or a closely related field, including coursework in advanced quantitative analysis, research, and report compilation; or substantially equivalent education and experience.
• At least five years of employment as an analyst in a central budget, finance, or policy office involving preparation and presentation of a budget or other significant policy document, or commensurate related experience.
• Experience managing and overseeing budget analysts on projects and special assignments, or substantially equivalent experience.
• Thorough knowledge of public administration and policy principles and techniques.
• Thorough knowledge of budgetary and performance-management principles and practices.
• Thorough knowledge of public finance, including revenues and taxes.
• Thorough knowledge of governmental budget preparation, analysis, review, and administration.
• Thorough knowledge of government organization and the functions of departments and agencies.
• Thorough knowledge of strategic planning, program evaluation, and economic-analysis methods and practices.
• Working knowledge of budgetary information requirements and ability to develop processes and systems to derive that information.
• Background sufficient to understand existing and emerging federal and state legislation affecting state programs.
• Ability to plan, organize, and execute complex multidisciplinary projects; identify problems; and work creatively and independently.
• Ability to perform technical and complex tasks involved in preparing, consolidating, and presenting the state budget document.
• Ability to plan, organize, direct, and review professional, technical, and clerical staff engaged in executive-budget preparation, submission, and management.
• Familiarity with budget-analysis tasks and ability to consult with departmental and agency heads on budgetary problems.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with state employees, officials, the public, superiors, and associates.
• Ability to plan, supervise, and review the work of assigned planning staff and act on behalf of a supervisor during the supervisor’s absence.
• Ability to communicate clearly verbally and in writing.

Responsibilities

• Direct and coordinate staff work in preparing, submitting, and managing the state budget.
• Direct planning, development, and implementation of budget systems and techniques for Rhode Island’s budgetary process.
• Assist the Deputy Budget Officer and/or Budget Officer in formulating budget policies, practices, and procedures.
• Direct staff work related to all phases of implementing the state capital development program.
• Identify major policy questions and develop analyses and recommendations; advise the Budget Officer and Director of the Office of Management and Budget on policy alternatives.
• Balance competing needs across multiple agencies and government policy areas.
• Oversee policy and budget concerns related to complex adjustments to state strategic and budget planning.
• Coordinate electronic budgeting techniques and their interfaces with other systems.
• Oversee long-range forecasting and revenue projections.
• Consult with and advise agency executives on budgetary and financial matters.
• Maintain liaison with legislative committees and subcommittees; appear as an expert witness when required.
• Represent the Office of Management and Budget on assigned boards and commissions.
• Work with department directors and assistant directors on management and program problems and decisions.
• Assist in preparing and presenting the budget to the Governor and the Senate and House Finance Committees.
• Direct comparative analyses of historical and current expenditures and revenues.
• Advise state departments and agencies in preparing budget requests.
• Monitor and improve agency program performance.
• Direct review of work programs for policy conformance and oversee periodic monitoring for compliance with state financial-management practices, procedures, and controls.
• Develop training manuals and manage an in-house training program for budget analysts.
• Interpret federal and state laws and regulations affecting state programs and draft related legislation.
• Develop and monitor techniques for evaluating the effectiveness of state programs.
• Prepare issue overviews, objectives, recommended actions, and methods for assessing progress.
• Compile materials for an annual state strategic plan and prepare explanatory and supplementary materials.
• Design and conduct monitoring programs, evaluate results achieved by the plan, and recommend modifications as needed.
• Prepare work programs, time and cost estimates, and schedules for annual state strategic-plan activities.
• Plan, supervise, and review the work of professional, technical, and clerical staff.

Benefits

• State employee benefits are referenced; details are available through the Office of Employee Benefits website.
• Employees hired after September 30, 2014 are required to participate in direct deposit.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior