BUDGET ANALYST I

Budget Analyst I

The City of Sunnyvale is seeking a highly skilled Budget Analyst I to join the Department of Finance. This is a regular full-time employment opportunity. This position offers a unique opportunity to contribute to the development and oversight of Sunnyvale's performance-based budget within a collaborative and dynamic environment.

The selected candidate will serve as the primary fiscal liaison for City departments, providing in-depth analytical support and informing strategic recommendations to the Office of the City Manager. Success in this role requires a detail-oriented, forward-thinking professional with strong analytical expertise, exceptional customer service, and outstanding presentation abilities.

Additionally, the ideal candidate will demonstrate advanced proficiency in Excel, leveraging data-driven insights to enhance process efficiencies, ensure data integrity, and deliver comprehensive analysis.

Under general supervision to direction, performs complex and technical work related to preparation, review, analysis, planning, coordination, and evaluation of the City's annual operating budget; conducts budget and financial studies; prepares various statements and reports; and performs related duties as assigned.

Receives general supervision from the Budget Manager. Exercises no direct supervision over staff.

This is the entry-level classification in the Budget Analyst series. Initially under close supervision, incumbents learn and perform routine professional duties supporting the City's budget and finance systems, programs, and activities, while learning Agency policies and procedures. As experience is gained, assignments become more varied, complex, and difficult; close supervision and frequent review of work lessen as an incumbent demonstrates skill to perform the work independently.

Positions at this level usually perform most of the duties required of the positions at the II-level but are not expected to function at the same skill level and usually exercise less independent discretion and judgment in matters related to work procedures and methods. Work is usually supervised while in progress and fits an established structure or pattern. Exceptions or changes in procedures are explained in detail as they arise.

Reviews departmental budget submissions for completeness and accuracy; analyzes revenue and expenditure budget forecasts, full-time equivalent allocations, performance indicators, and makes recommendations and/or provides feedback to align with the City's financial goals; collaborates with departments to finalize budget requests and prepares budget summaries.

Monitors budget expenditures; ensures compliance with allocated funding and regulatory and policy requirements; provides technical guidance to departmental staff to address compliance issues and recommend corrective actions where necessary.

Performs a variety of complex and technical budget analysis involved in reviewing, analyzing, auditing, reconciling, and maintaining assigned funds, budgets, and accounts; forecasts revenue trends and identifies budget variances.

Conducts analytical studies of complex and sensitive financial and/or organizational issues; analyzes proposals for immediate and long-term policy and fiscal impacts on specific departmental operations and City-wide impact; makes recommendations based on findings.

Provides technical assistance in the preparation and analysis of budget, accounting, and other fiscally related issues for other departments in the City; serves as a resource for fiscal inquiries; supplies reports and information from the financial system; participates in the development of budget policies and procedures.

Compiles data and prepares reports, documentation, and correspondence; coordinates and assembles a variety of financial and statistical information for inclusion in reports and presentations; prepares presentations for City Council, directors, senior managers, and public workshops.

Makes presentations to City Council, directors, senior managers, and at public workshops.

Participates in the development of the annual City budget by reviewing and analyzing budget submittals; makes recommendations related to revenue sources and funding levels; and prepares long-range financial plans.

Conducts fiscal investigations and prepares written and oral reports with recommendations for financial resolution.

Represents the Finance Department in interdepartmental, interagency and public meetings; serves on committees and task forces as assigned.

Assists in the coordination of interdepartmental teams and complex projects and studies; manages programs and projects of a complex and varied nature.

Observes and complies with all City and mandated safety rules, regulations, and protocols.

Performs other duties as assigned.

This is primarily a sedentary office classification although standing in work areas and walking between work areas may be required. Finger dexterity is needed to access, enter, and retrieve data using a computer keyboard or calculator and to operate standard office equipment. Positions in this classification occasionally bend, stoop, kneel, reach, push, and pull drawers open and closed to retrieve and file information. Employees must possess the ability to lift, carry, push, and pull materials and objects up to 10 pounds. Some of these requirements may be accommodated for otherwise qualified individuals requiring and requesting such accommodation.

Employees work in an office environment with moderate noise levels, controlled temperature conditions, and no direct exposure to hazardous physical substances. Employees may interact with upset staff and/or public and private representatives in interpreting and enforcing divisional policies and procedures.

The minimum qualifications for education and experience can be met in the following way:

• Budget Analyst I: A bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in economics, accounting, finance, business administration or related field; AND
• Budget Analyst I: Three (3) years of increasingly responsible experience in management and/or administrative analytical work experience, including two (2) years of experience related to budget management or financial analysis.

Knowledge of:

• Data management practices to ensure accuracy and reliability in financial reporting.
• Financial systems software and the general application of information technology systems to forecasting and analysis.
• Generally accepted accounting principles.
• Methods and techniques of auditing, verifying, balancing, and reconciling accounting records.
• Principles of financial management, budget preparation, analysis, and monitoring.
• Principles, programs and practices of budget preparation, fiscal and statistical analysis, and research methodology.
• Research and reporting methods, techniques, and procedures.
• Technical report preparation, research, and writing of correspondence.
• Theory, principles, and practices of budgeting and finance.
• Applicable federal, state, and local laws, codes, and regulations as well as industry standards and best practices pertinent to the assigned area of responsibility.
• City and mandated safety rules, regulations, and protocols.
• Techniques for providing a high level of customer service by effectively dealing with the public, vendors, contractors, and City staff.
• The structure and content of the English language, including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
• Modern equipment and communication tools used for business functions and program, project, and task coordination, including computers and software programs relevant to work performed.

Ability to:

• Perform a variety of professional financial duties involved in reviewing, analyzing, auditing, reconciling, and maintaining assigned accounts.
• Prepare and analyze comprehensive financial statements and accounting reports.
• Calculate, post, audit, and adjust journal entries including income and expenditures.
• Reconcile various fiscal statements to ensure accurate fund accounting, as assigned.
• Analyze financial data and draw sound conclusions.
• Evaluate and develop improvements in operations, procedures, policies, or methods.
• Analyze, interpret, summarize, and present administrative and technical information and data in an effective manner.
• Train and provide guidance to City staff on budget matters.
• Conduct research projects, evaluate alternatives, make sound recommendations, and prepare effective technical staff reports.
• Make accurate arithmetic, financial, and statistical computations.
• Establish and maintain a variety of filing, record-keeping, and tracking systems.
• Use tact, initiative, prudence, and judgment within general policy, procedural, and legal guidelines.
• Organize work, set priorities, meet critical deadlines, and follow-up on assignments.
• Effectively use computer systems, software applications relevant to work performed, and modern business equipment to perform a variety of work tasks.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing, using appropriate English grammar and syntax.
• Establish, maintain, and foster positive and effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

Possession and continued maintenance of a valid class C California driver's license or the ability to provide alternative transportation as approved by the appointing authority and a safe driving record.

The application submitted must meet the minimum qualifications listed in the job description in order to move forward in the recruitment process with the City of Sunnyvale. The information provided in the Work Experience, Education, and Certificates/Licenses sections of the application will be used to determine if the application meets the minimum qualifications.

Note: The minimum qualifications for experience are based on full-time experience (40 hours per week). Experience included in the Work Experience section of the application is calculated to the full