Budget Analyst

Budget Analyst

The Legislative Service Commission (LSC) is a nonpartisan agency providing the Ohio General Assembly with drafting, research, budget and fiscal analysis, training, and other services. We serve all members of the General Assembly and are trusted to provide objective, nonbiased, and confidential answers to questions covering all of state government so that members can make informed policy decisions. We foster a professional work atmosphere that includes a system of review, collaboration, and support to help employees meet our commitment to excellence in the services we offer to the General Assembly.

Job Description

LSC's Legislative Budget Office (LBO) is seeking a budget analyst to join our team. Analysts work in one of six groups organized by subject and are assigned various state agencies that become the focus of their work. The day-to-day duties of an analyst vary considerably depending on the activity of the General Assembly. Duties include: researching topics on behalf of a legislator and providing written or verbal summaries to the member or their staff; analyzing bills for potential fiscal effects on state and local government budgets and preparing fiscal notes; attending committee hearings, tracking bills as they move through the legislative process, and updating fiscal notes as necessary; preparing extensive analyses of the executive's proposed and the final enacted agency operating budgets at the beginning and end of the biennial budget process; following assigned agencies throughout the budget process, including amendment drafting, research, and preparing analysis pieces; drafting appropriation and related language to be incorporated into legislation; creating written resources for the General Assembly on topics of interest.

The current starting salary for new analysts is $65,000. A higher starting salary may be awarded based on experience. We offer our analysts merit-based salary increases, opportunities to learn and grow in their careers, and a comprehensive state benefit package including: medical coverage, dental, vision and basic life insurance, paid time off, 11 paid holidays per year, childbirth/adoption leave, Ohio Public Employees Retirement System (OPERS), and the Ohio Deferred Compensation program.

Qualifications

Minimum qualifications: graduate degree in public administration, economics, political science, or related field; experience in conducting research and writing papers in a school or work environment; demonstrated ability to use mathematical reasoning and to think analytically; demonstrated ability to write clearly and concisely; willingness to limit public activity to not give any appearance of bias in work. Characteristics of a strong candidate: strong interest in non-partisan public service; preference for a variety of work assignments; desire to always be learning new things; ambition to become an expert on a topic of importance to the state of Ohio; wish to make a difference in state government in a "behind-the-scenes" role; and pride in being part of the legislative process.