Budget Manager

Department: Finance Reports to: Director of Finance

Summary: Under basic supervision, manages the development of the City budget, monitors fiscal and operational performance of City departments, and coordinates the technical budget process and procedures.

Essential Functions: -- Essential functions, as defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act, may include any of the following representative duties, knowledge, and skills. This is not a comprehensive listing of all functions and duties performed by incumbents of this class; employees may be assigned duties which are not listed below; reasonable accommodations will be made as required. The job description does not constitute an employment agreement and is subject to change at any time by the employer. Essential duties and responsibilities may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Manages preparation of City's operational budget; administers budget development standards and policies; manages the collection, analysis, compiling, and reporting of financial and technical data; reviews documents to evaluate data quality and accuracy; identifies and corrects errors and inconsistencies in budget documents, supporting documentation, and reports.
• Analyzes trends and estimates future financial status; develops forecasts for short and long range revenue and expenditures, personnel costs, infrastructure costs, and tax rates.
• Prepares composite target budget, compiles budget data from City departments and programs, and develops a final budget proposal; develops appropriate budget levels for each City department.
• Advises management on budget planning and management; confers with program managers regarding spending needs; assesses department requests and recommends funding priorities.
• Serves as subject-matter expert on technical budgeting issues; exercises independent judgment within broad policy guidelines; interprets and explains City budget policies, procedures, rules, and regulations; provides technical assistance and training to City staff as needed.
• Monitors budget documents and procedures for accuracy, completeness, timeliness, and compliance with federal, state, and City policies and practices; monitors and updates special fund budgets.
• Manages budget review and approval process; develops and presents City budget in clear, easy-to-use format for citizens in public forums and for City Council in work sessions.
• Supervises and trains staff; assures work products meet scope, schedule, and quality requirements.
• Responds to questions and requests for information as authorized; researches and resolves problems, and explains and interprets policies, procedures, and regulations.
• Cross-trains in other Finance Department functions, and executes special assignments as needed.
• Supports the departmental operations with regular and timely attendance.
• Supports the relationship between the City of Odessa and the general public by demonstrating courteous and cooperative behavior when interacting with visitors and City staff; maintains confidentiality of work-related issues and City information; performs other duties as required or assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:

Education, Training and Experience Guidelines: Bachelors' Degree in Accounting, Finance or Business Administration; AND four years' experience in accounting; four years' experience in government budgeting and accounting operations preferred.

Knowledge of:

• Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) standards, practices, policies, rules, and regulatory reporting requirements.
• Generally Accepted Accounting Principles for Public Sector financial management.
• Texas Constitution and Tax Code regulations governing truth-in-taxation requirements.
• Principles of municipal budget preparation and administration.
• Methods of financial forecasting and quantitative research.
• Business and personal computers, and financial spreadsheet software applications.

Skill in:

• Interpreting and applying City budget policies and procedures.
• Analyzing budget issues, evaluating alternatives, and developing recommendations and strategies.
• Developing and evaluating revenue and expenditure forecasting models.
• Reviewing interrelated financial and technical records, and identifying and reconciling errors.
• Interpreting financial data using spreadsheet software and comparative analysis techniques.
• Using initiative and independent judgment within established procedural guidelines.
• Assessing and prioritizing multiple tasks, projects, and demands.
• Supervising staff, and delegating tasks and authority.
• Establishing and maintaining cooperative working relationships with co-workers.
• Communicating effectively verbally and in writing.

License and certification requirements: A valid Texas State Driver's License is required.

Physical demands and working environment: Work is performed in a standard office environment.