Legislative Budget and Fiscal Policy Advisor

Position Description

The Legislative Research and Oversight (LRO) Division supports, informs, and facilitates the work of the City Council through consultations, independent research and analysis, evaluatory services, and technical support. LRO services are structured with the goal of providing clear, objective, nonpartisan research and analysis in support of effective, informed, and evidence-based legislative policymaking and oversight.

The LRO Division's core objectives are:

• Providing independent, nonpartisan research, reference, and analytical services in support of policymaking and oversight functions of the City Council and its Committees.
• Offering independent, nonpartisan analysis of the Mayor's Recommended Budget, the City's financial policies, and the financial implications of legislative and policy proposals.
• Maintaining capacity to conduct research, reference, and analytical support functions required by the City Council and its Committees.

The Legislative Budget and Fiscal Policy Advisor serves as a strategic partner in shaping the City of Minneapolis's fiscal policymaking and legislative oversight. This position plays a key role in the review, analysis, and oversight of the City's budget and fiscal policies to support fiscal responsibility and alignment with citywide priorities. The advisor provides expert guidance on budgetary and fiscal policy matters, evaluates the financial impact of expenditures, conducts in-depth research on service capacity and productivity, and recommends innovative solutions to improve service quality and operational efficiency across the City enterprise.

Job Duties and Responsibilities

1. Serves as a trusted advisor to the City Council by synthesizing complex financial, operational, and legislative data into actionable insights. Provides objective, evidence-based recommendations that promote fiscal transparency, accountability, and alignment with citywide strategic priorities and long-term financial goals.
2. Leads research and analysis of operating and capital budget proposals to evaluate the necessity and impact of expenditures, personnel changes, and funding requests on service delivery, fiscal sustainability, and policy objectives.
3. Analyzes proposed legislation, ordinances, and policy initiatives to identify comparative benchmark examples and assess potential fiscal impact and alignment with the City's budget. Prepares fiscal notes, funding scenarios, and cost-benefit analysis to inform policy making. Serves as a fiscal advisor during Council deliberations and the legislative budget process, providing real-time guidance on budget items and financial implications.
4. Applies forecasting models, economic data, and service trends to support fiscal policymaking, planning, and resource prioritization. Connect financial decisions to service outcomes by designing and applying performance indicators that track program and operational efficiency, effectiveness, and quality.
5. Conducts research and analysis on issues affecting service capacity, quality, and productivity. Assesses the cost-effectiveness of existing programs, identifies opportunities for innovation, and supports continuous improvement through process reviews and implementation of best practices.
6. Facilitate collaboration across policy, finance, and operations teams to support integrated planning and performance improvement. Works with internal stakeholders to align goals, share data, and coordinate efforts that advance strategic initiatives and citywide innovation.
7. Monitors the execution of adopted budgets and evaluates departmental adherence to fiscal and programmatic goals. Tracks contingency funds, fund balance use, and budget amendments throughout the year to ensure fiscal integrity and transparency.
8. Evaluates budget proposals and policies through an equity lens, reviewing departments' equity impact analysis to ensure resource allocations advance equitable outcomes and reflect the City's commitment to inclusive service delivery.

Working Conditions: Office Environment.

Required Qualifications

Minimum Education: College degree in Finance, Accounting, Business/Public Administration, Economics, or a closely related field. Master's degree (MPA, MPP, MBA or similar) is strongly preferred. Minimum Experience: Three or more years of progressively responsible experience in budgeting, fiscal policy analysis, or finance. Two years' experience conducting complex financial analysis, preferable for a policymaking environment. Licenses/Certifications: None Required Attachments: You must attach a cover letter to your application and complete the supplemental questions. Without a cover letter, the application may be deemed as incomplete and will not be considered further. A resume is not required but is strongly encouraged to be included with your application. Selection Process: The selection process will consist of one or more of the following steps: a rating of relevant education and experience (100%). It is important that your application is filled out completely and show all the relevant education and experience you possess. This information will be used to determine which candidates will proceed in the selection process. A submitted application is also used to verify the answers to any supplemental questions. Only those candidates who attain a passing score (70%) on each step in the selection process will be placed on the eligible list. The City of Minneapolis Human Resources Department reserves the right to limit the number in any phase of the selection process. Interview Selection: The hiring authority reserves the right to determine the maximum number of candidates to interview from the established eligible list. If the hiring authority decides to interview other than by exam score order, they may select additional people to interview based on a candidate's education or experience related to the field, work history, or skills uniquely related to the operational needs of the position. Background Check: The City has determined that a criminal background check and/or qualifications check may be necessary for certain positions with this job title. Applicants may be required to sign an informed consent form allowing the City to obtain their criminal history and/or verify their qualifications in connection with the position sought. Applicants who do not sign the informed consent form will not be further considered for the position. Union Representation: This position is not represented by a collective bargaining agreement. For more information on the terms and conditions of employment please see the Civil Service Rules. Eligible List Statement: The names of applicants who meet minimum qualification and who pass the screening process shall be placed on the eligible list for employment consideration. This list will be certified to the hiring manager who may use the list to fill a vacancy of the same job title. This eligible list will expire upon hire.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

1. Demonstrated expertise in public budgeting principles, including performance-based budgeting, capital improvement planning, and financial forecasting.
2. Knowledge of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB) guidelines, and relevant financial reporting protocols.
3. Strong analytical skills to evaluate how resource allocation decisions impact service delivery and long-term fiscal health across departments and citywide programs.
4. Strong data interpretation skills to interpret complex financial and operational data and identify patterns, relationships, and implications.
5. Proven ability to communicate clearly and concisely, both in writing and orally, with technical and non-technical audiences. Skilled in preparing reports, policy briefs, presentations, and other materials that translate complex financial and policy information into accessible formats for elected officials, stakeholders, and the public.
6. Strong organizational and project management abilities to manage multiple priorities and assignments in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment.
7. Demonstrated effective time management and the ability to adapt quickly to shifting priorities and stakeholder needs.
8. Ability to provide objective, evidence-based and impartial recommendation policy and budgetary recommendations to City Council and executive leadership. Skilled in weighing competing interests and using data to guide policy conversations toward practical, effective outcomes.
9. Ability to apply performance measures and program information to budget recommendations.
10. Ability to apply critical thinking and ethical reasoning to navigate complex organizational dynamics.
11. Demonstrated flexibility and resilience in response to changing political priorities, evolving Council direction, or organizational restructuring. Capable of quickly reorienting work to meet new challenges or mandates.
12. Ability to maintain the highest standards of professionalism when handling confidential, controversial, or politically sensitive information. Ensure that all communications and recommendations are presented with integrity and transparency.
13. Demonstrated experience with quantitative research and policy/program analysis.