Budget Analyst/Senior Budget Analyst

There are currently four specializations (Forecast, Operations, Projects, and Reporting) in the Office of Management and Budget.  Budget Analysts may have primary duties in one specialization but still perform duties across all specializations.  Budget Analysts may be reassigned based on the needs of the office.  This class is responsible for performing related duties as required.

Forecast Specialization:  Budget Analysts working in the Forecast area are responsible for providing assistance for the short-term, mid-term, and long-term financial forecasts.  Additional responsibilities include:  research and identification of economic influences on the City’s revenues and expenditures; performing statistical analysis and comprehensive review of forecast model variables through the use of regression analysis and statistical software packages; and preparing summary presentations and reports for City management.   Budget Analysts are also responsible for the development and testing of the Forecast system.

Operations Specialization:  Budget Analysts working in the Operations area are responsible for assisting with preparation of major budget processes in support of the City’s budget preparation process and budget monitoring during the fiscal year.  This includes the production of the annual Executive Budget Plan document; the development of training for City staff; and providing analysis of contingency requests, position costs, and other operational issues.

Projects Specialization:  Budget Analysts working in the Projects area are responsible for providing analytical support for the Capital Improvement Program (CIP).  This involves research, compilation, analysis, and summary of multi-year CIP related data such as:  monthly expenditures; bond reconciliations; project-based expenditure reporting; and preparation of tables, charts, and summaries used for the five-year CIP and seven-year forecast period.  Budget Analysts working in this area are also responsible for the compilation, analysis, and summary of multiyear Lifecycle and Infrastructure plans, as well as the set-up and support of projects in the City’s financial system.

Reporting and Data Modeling Specialization:  Budget Analysts working in the Reporting and Data Modeling area are responsible for maintaining and providing assistance in the development of financial and budgetary reports and database administration using Microsoft Excel, Access, SQL, or Power BI; assisting with system reviews and testing for system or software upgrades and container releases for enterprise platforms; conducting timely analyses of centralized data models and preparing financial projections; reviewing the accuracy of the financial and budgetary system interfaces; and producing reports for statutory requirements and other budget material adopted by the City Council.

This class is distinguished from the Senior Budget Analyst class primarily by the lesser complexity of both personal computer (PC) programming and detail of schedules, tables, and summaries prepared for the budget documents; and by the narrower scope of the statistical/fiscal data analyzed.  Budget Analysts serve as primary department liaisons with on-going support and direction for their supervisor.  Progression from a Budget Analyst to a Senior Budget Analyst is accomplished through a non-competitive, criteria-based promotional process.  The incumbent must be employed a minimum of two years as a City of Mesa Budget Analyst and have successfully completed initial City probation.  In addition, the incumbent must meet established work standards, demonstrate the level of competency necessary to independently perform assigned tasks, demonstrate knowledge of City financial practices and their application to daily situations, and meet the minimum qualifications of the Senior Budget Analyst classification.  An employee in this class functions with minimal day-to-day supervision and work results are reviewed for accuracy, thoroughness, reasonableness, and completion in a timely manner.  This class is FLSA exempt-professional. 


Senior Budget Analyst ($84,195.07 - $124,603.65 annually)

Senior Budget Analysts are responsible for the testing, documentation, and training of the Performance Budgeting system.  This includes the design and use of data queries to analyze data integrity as well as content conformity to set standards; and spreadsheet design, analysis of data linking, and formula integrity.  Senior Budget Analysts are also responsible for Citywide training for financial structure, database training, financial analysis techniques, and general budgetary policy; and for producing and maintaining publications, presentations, and reference documents on the internet (external customers) and the intranet (internal customers). 

There are currently four specializations (Forecast, Operations, Projects, and Reporting) in the Office of Management and Budget.  Senior Budget Analysts may have primary duties in one specialization but still perform duties across all specializations.  Senior Budget Analysts may be reassigned based on the needs of the office.  This class is responsible for performing related duties as required. 

Forecast Specialization:  Senior Budget Analysts working in the Forecast area are responsible for producing the short-term, mid-term, and long-term financial forecasts.  Additional responsibilities include:  research and identification of economic influences on the City’s revenues and expenditures; performing advanced statistical analysis and comprehensive review of forecast model variables through the use of regression analysis and statistical software packages; and preparing summary presentations and reports for City management.  Senior Budget Analysts are also responsible for the development and testing of the Forecast system.
 
Operations Specialization:  Senior Budget Analysts working in the Operations area are responsible for leading major budget processes in support of the City’s budget preparation process and budget monitoring during the fiscal year.  This includes the production of the annual Executive Budget Plan document; the development of training for City staff; and providing analysis of contingency requests, position costs, and other operational issues.
 
Projects Specialization:  Senior Budget Analysts working in the Projects area are responsible for the Capital Improvement Program (CIP).  This involves research, compilation, analysis, and summary of multi-year CIP related data such as:  monthly expenditures; bond reconciliations; project-based expenditure reporting; and preparation of tables, charts, and summaries used for the five-year CIP and seven-year forecast period.  Senior Budget Analysts working in this area are also responsible for the compilation, analysis, and summary of multiyear Lifecycle and Infrastructure plans, as well as the set-up and management of projects in the City’s financial system. 

Reporting and Data Modeling Specialization:  Senior Budget Analysts working in the Reporting and Data Modeling area are responsible for maintaining and developing financial and budgetary reports and database administration using Microsoft Excel, Access, SQL, or Power BI; leading system reviews and testing for system or software upgrades and container releases for enterprise platforms; conducting timely analyses of centralized data models and prepare financial projections; reviewing the accuracy of the financial and budgetary system interfaces; and producing reports for statutory requirements and other budget material adopted by the City Council.

This class is distinguished from the Budget Analyst primarily by the scope of assignment and complexity of the data analysis.  A Senior Budget Analyst is expected to display considerable initiative in meeting deadlines and target dates, as well as identifying ways to improve and/or streamline the process.  General guidelines, timetables, and procedures are established by OMB senior staff and Budget Coordinators, City code, and state law.  Work is reviewed prior to being submitted to the City Manager and City Council for final approval and/or adoption.  This class may be attained by non-competitive promotion upon demonstrating proficiency as a Budget Analyst including being employed a minimum of two years as a City of Mesa Budget Analyst and having successfully completed initial City probation.  In addition, the incumbent must meet established work standards, demonstrate the level of competency necessary to independently perform assigned tasks, demonstrate knowledge of City financial practices and their application to daily situations, and meet the minimum qualifications of the Senior Budget Analyst classification.  An employee in this class functions as a lead on projects and with other employees with minimal supervision.  Works results are reviewed for accuracy, thoroughness, reasonableness, and completion in a timely manner.  This class is FLSA exempt-professional.

Please refer to the link below for the full job description and additional information regarding assignments, preferred qualifications, and essential functions.
Budget Analyst:
apps.mesaaz.gov/JobDescriptions/Documents/JobDescriptions/cs4432.pdf

Senior Budget Analyst:
apps.mesaaz.gov/jobdescriptions/Documents/JobDescriptions/cs4628.pdf