Virginia Tech School of Public and International Affairs

Salary: $114,840.00 - $125,280.00 Annually

Location: Seattle, WA

Job Type: Civil Service Exempt, Regular, Full-time

Department: City Budget Office

Job Number: 2022-00977

Closing: 5/31/2022 4:00 PM Pacific

Position Description

THE POSITION

The City of Seattle’s City Budget Office (CBO) is seeking a process-oriented, critical thinker who is ready to help policy makers determine how to allocate funds to support initiatives and programs for a city of over 700,000 residents. Fiscal and Policy Analysts work as part of a team to facilitate the annual budget process which provides fiscal recommendations to the City's top officials, including the Mayor, City Council members, and members of City departments.

In support of these efforts, this analyst position fulfills a critical role in the budget office by coordinating the budget process calendar, providing deadlines and guidance to departments, and supporting the financial systems used to produce the $7.1 billion annual budget. Skills that will enable the analyst to excel in this position include: the ability to manage and maintain multiple projects under time constraints, capacity to adapt to change and work under pressure, experience working with large datasets such as databases, and excellent communication skills to provide customer service and maintain relationships with department clients, various teams, and budget office colleagues from a variety of backgrounds.

THE OFFICE

The City Budget Office works to make the best use of the City of Seattle's financial resources in implementing the priorities of the City's elected officials. The primary role of the analyst, and of the office, is to prepare the City’s annual budget and then monitor these budgets during the fiscal year. This is accomplished by scheduling the budget process into stages with defined deadlines and deliverables which enable analyzing departmental proposals and policies, advising decision-makers, looking for opportunities to make City government more fiscally sound and efficient, and working on behalf of the Mayor with departments and City Council staff.

CBO strives to be a collaborative, problem-solving work environment, where a diversity of backgrounds and perspectives allows us to approach some of the biggest challenges facing Seattle with solutions that work for all the people that live, work, and play in Seattle. CBO is committed to ongoing work to make the City of Seattle a diverse and anti-racist organization that provides resources to communities that ensure that all of Seattle is thriving and healthy.

Job Responsibilities

THE SKILLS

A successful Fiscal and Policy Analyst:

Is capable of handling multiple tasks at once. CBO is a fast-paced environment, where an analyst might work on several high-priority items in a day. While key tasks in the budget process follow a prescribed calendar, it is not uncommon to work on special projects in addition to normal day-to-day responsibilities, often with short turnaround times. Managing competing tasks and shifting deadlines while being able to judge which of their tasks are highest priority and accomplish them on time is key.

Is able to manage, interpret, and summarize data. The City’s budget funds dozens of departments and comprises thousands of revenue and expense line-items. An ability to work with financial management systems (such as Questica and/or PeopleSoft), databases and other large datasets, provide thoughtful mathematical/financial analysis, and explain it to people in an easy-to-understand way is key for success.

Is a clear communicator and provides robust customer service. The budget office is a central participant in the development and administration of the annual budget. The ideal analyst develops and maintains open lines of communication with client departments, other areas of the city, fellow analysts, and policymakers. This can include preparing memoranda, and other technical writing to include proposal narratives and budgetary legislation. Analysts also represent the budget office in presenting timelines and process overviews; so, experience in oral presentations is also highly preferred.

Demonstrates the ability to learn and adapt, while shifting between micro and macro projects. The nature of the budget office and public finance entails adapting on the fly where there isn’t always a clear solution. The most successful analysts can work in an environment where finding the right answer takes some time and identifying resources that can help is crucial. At times this can involve working on a small part of a larger project without losing sight of how it fits into the overall goal. Top analysts also think ahead and think critically, feeling empowered to ask ”why” and "has anyone considered what happens if...?"

Initiates change and innovates. The budget calendar generally follows a linear path during the year. However, the possibility for policy items to evolve and change is a frequent occurrence. The most successful analysts are self-starters who can take an issue and move it forward – even when the path forward isn’t clear or is full of obstacles. Even a relatively small proposal might require input from elected officials, executive staff, department staff, policy staff, community members and external partners. You may lead an interdepartmental team or be part of one.

Can apply high-level direction to specific circumstances. Part of CBO's role is to take direction and work with departments and within the budget office to implement it, so an ability to distil broad direction into specific actions is a necessary skill.

Wants to work in government. Successful analysts have an intellectual curiosity about how local government works and want to help improve how it runs.

Qualifications

THE APPLICATION

We are looking for candidates that can demonstrate they have the skills listed above through a combination of their work, education, and life experience as demonstrated in their resume, cover letter, and answers to supplemental questions.

Additional Information

In addition to completing the application www.governmentjobs.com/careers/seattle , please upload:

• A PDF of your current resume
• A cover letter explaining why you are interested in this position and the process management skills and finance management experience you would bring to it

Questions? Please contact Kate Moore at kate.moore@seattle.gov

This hiring process involves a background check of conviction and arrest records in compliance with Seattle's Fair Chance Employment Ordinance, SMC 14.17.Applicants will be provided an opportunity to explain or correct background information.

Who may apply: This position is open to all applicants that demonstrate their ability to perform this job. The City of Seattle values diverse perspectives and life experiences. Applicants will be considered regardless of race, color, creed, national origin, ancestry, sex, marital status, disability, religious or political affiliation, age, sexual orientation, or gender identity. The City encourages people of all backgrounds to apply, including people of color, immigrants, refugees, women, LGBTQ, people with disabilities, veterans, and those with diverse life experiences.