Principal Budget Analyst

Finance Leader Position

This position serves as a finance leader who develops and manages complex budgets and or management processes including General Fund interdependencies between Capital and Grant programs and operational processes such as annual central budget development and reporting and financial support for labor negotiations. This role also partners with Grants, Accounting and Payroll to improve, streamline, and facilitate finance processes. Assists the Budget Director Financial Management with monitoring complex department budgets and district revenues to ensure variances are identified and incorporated into total district financial management data. Assists the Executive Budget Director with special projects in support of new district initiatives.

Essential Functions

30%

• Develops financial management or monitoring processes for district-wide activities such as central budget development, capital program interfaces and grants management.
• Reviews budget reporting and monitoring requirements and assists in the development, implementation, and analysis of new, revised, or proposed budget systems and reports.
• Makes recommendations to the Executive Director of Budget regarding potential major process changes.

15%

• Analyzes complex revenue formulas and calculates revenue and expenditure trends to support informed decision making.
• Identifies major financial cost or revenue risks to the district based on program changes or proposals.
• Performs cost analysis and develops reports related to proposed program changes or new district initiatives.

15%

• Initiates and conducts special projects in support of district goals
• Determines timelines and tasks required to achieve required outcomes and develops action plans and required tools.

10%

• Monitors and coordinates financial interactions between the Capital Fund and General Fund
• Sets recommended budget transfer amounts and capital to general fund revenue estimates.

10%

• Provides financial and advisory support for collective bargaining/employee agreements.
• Analyzes proposals and documents annual and multi-year contract costs and funding sources.
• Develops budget coding and processes for tracking new contract items and ensures resources are loaded into the district financial system.

10%

• Research local economic and legislative data.
• Maintains current knowledge of State and Federal laws and regulations to assess the fiscal impact of economic and policy changes.
• Interprets District budget and finances for the public, employee groups, and other agencies.

10%

• Selects, assigns, supervises, schedules, and evaluates the work of assigned staff.
• Advises, assists and trains assigned staff in new processes.

OTHER FUNCTIONS:

• Lead role in special projects including supervising the work of others.
• May perform related duties consistent with the scope and intent of the position.

RELEVANT COMPETENCIES:

• Anticipates future consequences and trends accurately; brings creative ideas to market; recognizes strategic opportunities for change; creates competitive and breakthrough strategies.
• Sees ahead clearly and accurately anticipates how potential ideas may play out.
• Thinks holistically by combining ideas in unique ways or making connection between different ideas.
• Examines and evaluates potential solutions to determine where the greatest gain can be achieved.
• Creates new ways of thinking to address complex issues.

• Identifies people and resources necessary to accomplish tasks.
• Develops success indicators and monitors and reports status based on those indicators.
• Develops effective communication skills and tools to interact with team

• Successfully mediates conflict between individuals and groups; can hammer out tough agreements and settle disputes equitably; can find common ground and obtain cooperation with minimum noise.
• Deals effectively with others in tough situations.
• Expresses disagreements in a way that does not disparage or attack others.
• Demonstrates the ability to expand areas of agreement and narrow areas of disagreement.
• Recognizes differences in opinion, brings them into the open and looks for win-win solutions.

• Develops cooperation and teamwork while participating in a group, working toward solutions which generally benefit all involved parties.
• Is seen as a team player who encourages efficient and effective collaborations.
• Works skillfully in difficult situations with both internal and external groups.
• Represents his/her own interests while being open-minded to other groups.
• Builds respectful and productive relationships internally and externally.

• Performs work with energy and drive; values planning, but will take quick, decisive action when an opportunity presents itself.
• Demonstrates a strong sense of urgency about solving problems and getting work done.
• Focuses on achieving the goal even in the face of obstacles.
• Assumes responsibility for starting and finishing work with minimal supervision.
• Strives for new levels of performance.

• Uses analysis, wisdom, experience and logical methods to make good decisions and solve difficult problems with effective solutions; appropriately incorporates multiple inputs to establish shared ownership and effective action.
• Weighs the consequences of options before making a decision.
• Applies appropriate criteria to situations for the purpose of making decisions.
• Displays self-confidence in own judgment.
• Focuses in the facts and solutions instead of opinions and problems.

• Is widely trusted; is seen as a direct, truthful individual; presents truthful information in an appropriate and helpful manner; keeps confidences; admits mistakes; doesn't misrepresent him/herself for personal gain.
• Deals with people and situations in an honest and forthright manner.
• Represents information and data accurately and completely.
• Represents the confidentiality of information and concerns shared by others.
• Takes ownership if a mistake is their own and does not blame others.

• Holds self and others accountable for measurable high-quality, timely and cost-effective results; determines objectives, sets priorities and delegates work; accepts responsibility for mistakes; complies with established control systems and rules.
• Takes responsibility and action as if the risks (financial or otherwise) are his or her own.
• Holds individuals and team accountable for their actions and results.
• Initiates action even if outcome is uncertain and is willing to accept the consequences of failure.
• Aligns own activities and priorities to meet broader organizational needs.
• Demonstrates courage and confidence in his or her own ability.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Knowledgeable in Washington State financial requirements for school districts.
• Proficient in the interpretation and application of laws, rules, and regulations that govern work processes.
• Ability to apply principles and practices of budget development, management, and oversight.
• Analyze problems and implements solutions.
• Work effectively with individuals and groups regarding sensitive or controversial issues.
• Mentor and provide leadership and direction to other budget staff and district financial leaders
• Effective oral and written communication.
• Take individual initiative, accept responsibility, and be held accountable.
• Coordinate multiple activities simultaneously.
• Adapt to change and remain flexible.
• Understands how to employ methods to collect, analyze, and interpret data.
• Expertise in identifying financial drivers for assigned high risk budget areas.
• Ability to work independently and to plan, organize and prioritize work while managing multiple large tasks under the pressure of inflexible deadlines.

Typical Qualifications

EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE: A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be: Five (5) years of experience in Financial Management, Budget development, or Analysis. Master's degree may substitute for two (2) years of