Fiscal Analyst

State of Michigan•Lansing, MI

5d•Hybrid

About The Position

Fiscal Analysts are responsible for the analysis, technical development, preparatory support, and presentation of an assigned budget area(s) to the Senate Appropriations Committee. This includes drafting appropriations bills, clerking Senate Appropriations subcommittee meetings, and responding to Senate inquiries regarding appropriations bills. In conjunction with this responsibility, a Fiscal Analyst will provide analysis of all Senate bills, House bills, and Administrative Rules which apply to the specific budget area(s) to which the analyst is assigned, design and conduct appropriate research relative to specific issues, and promptly complete related miscellaneous duties and projects determined to have merit and assigned by the Director of the Senate Fiscal Agency or his/her designee.

Requirements

Master’s degree in an appropriate field
Strong foundation in quantitative public policy analysis and public finance
Excellent writing, research, communication, and detail-oriented skills
Ability to perform objective and thorough fiscal policy analysis of State legislation
Ability to communicate complicated and technical issues effectively, both orally and in writing
Attention to detail and the ability to balance multiple priorities under tight timelines
Ability to use tact, discretion, confidentiality, and good judgment in dealing with Senators, Legislative staff, Executive Agency Directors and staff, and members of the public and press.
Knowledge of, or the ability to learn, the legislative process.
Familiarity with basic budgeting skills.
Basic research, analytical and statistical skills as evidenced by a master's degree in public policy, economics, business or other related field.
Experience with Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint
Ability to learn new technologies and software as needed.

Nice To Haves

Knowledge of child welfare and public assistance programs
Familiarity with statistical modeling software such as R

Responsibilities

Become familiar with a specific budget area(s), State budgeting practices, and Senate and Agency policies and procedures.
Analyze, make recommendations, answer questions, and prepare documents regarding budget issues.
Prepare the fiscal analysis portion of the Agency's bill analysis documents for assigned legislative proposals before committees and the full Senate.
Testify before Senate committees and subcommittees regarding fiscal issues as requested.
Provide staff assistance to assigned Senate subcommittees and other members and staff of the Michigan Senate.
Periodically update expenditure/revenue forecasts for specific budget areas throughout the fiscal year.
Develop appropriate databases, including historical and comparative information for assigned budget areas.
Establish professional relationships with significant budget and policy staff in the Executive Branch, the House Fiscal Agency, other Senate staff offices, other government offices, and professional organizations.
Arrange and provide staff support for public hearings on behalf of members of the Appropriations Committee.
Monitor changes in Federal-State and State-Local relations or statutory or regulatory changes for fiscal and/or program implications in assigned budget areas.
Design and conduct appropriation research and prepare concise reports on topical issues and their effect on State and local expenditures or revenue.
Serve on internal Senate Fiscal Agency committees.
Utilize available data processing systems or other tools to analyze and present information as needed.