Utilities Analyst

Utilities Analyst

Be part of a team that is making a difference in the lives of our residents every day. Together, let's shape a brighter future for our community!

Salary: $40.23 per hour

Job Summary

The Utilities Analyst is responsible for providing specialized support to the Public Works Department's leadership and staff. This includes researching, collecting, maintaining, analyzing and reporting on various elements of budget, rates and fees, project management, efficiency, policy and procedures. This person interacts heavily with Finance and other key personnel across the City. Develops financial modeling, conducts forensic analysis of budget and project costs, and training. The incumbent reports to the Business Division Manager.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

• Financial analysis of budgets, project executions, rates/fees.
• Run financial scenarios to determine strategies around revenue and expense execution in City funds.
• Apply various methodologies to determine ROI, BCA around various types of projects or processes.
• Apply problem solving techniques to resolve various issues.
• Perform statistical and mathematical calculations to reach conclusions to support department activities.
• Maintain the department's rate and fee models.
• Aid department leadership in budget preparation and execution.
• Facilitate financial tracking of budget execution, overspend requests, budget amendments and the capital project portfolio costs.
• Maintain the Vendor Roster.
• Maintain "Cost of Service" data.
• Serve as the department expert on various City platforms that manage financial data.
• Responsible for benchmarking performance measures, best practices, legal ramifications around various activities/practices used by Public Works.
• Prepare and present complex financial data to various levels of department or City leadership in the form of written reports, graphical outputs, MS applications.
• Serve as a primary liaison with the City's finance department in obtaining information, inquiring about issues and providing feedback on various financial aspects impacting the department.
• Serves as the steward for the annual budget process for the department.
• Serves on various committees (Department and City level) as technical expert around various types of data.
• Assists in training/mentoring department staff around policies, procedures and tools in the areas of financial management.
• Assists the Business Division manager with coordinating efforts around rate/fee processes, studies/reports, continuous improvement and interfacing with other departments on matters important to PW.
• Follow all City policies and procedures.
• Perform other duties and tasks as assigned

Job Specifications

High school diploma plus a minimum of five years of professional experience in a finance, accounting or business administration field; OR a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in finance, accounting, economics, public or business administration; OR equivalent combination of experience and education and training which provides the knowledge, skills and abilities necessary to perform the job.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Knowledge of basic finance principles: Bookkeeping, budgeting, accounting;
• Proficiency related to data management, manipulation and reporting;
• High level of proficiency in MS Excel: database management, formulas, pivot tables, graphical interpretation;
• Proficiency with all other MS Office applications;
• Knowledge of basic financial analysis around ROI/BCA concepts;
• Knowledge of accounts payable and receivable principles;
• Knowledge of problem-solving techniques;
• Proficiency in interpreting complex sets of data and reaching conclusions, making recommendations and developing supporting arguments;
• Ability to rapidly change tasks, prioritize and manage time effectively;
• Knowledge of project management principles;
• Knowledge of continuous improvement principles;
• Proficiency in attention to detail, particularly with large data sets of similar nature;
• Proficiency in relationship management and communication;
• Ability to interpret and adhere to policies, procedures and directives;
• Strong customer service skills;
• Ability to work without supervision, establish priorities, and organize work assignments;
• Ability to train staff in software functionality, basic financial principles and supporting business processes;
• Ability to make sound and reasonable decisions in accordance with business processes and standards and work effectively with frequent interruptions;
• Ability to keep excellent records;
• Ability to communicate with management, supervisors, and co-workers and the public with respect in a pleasant, courteous manner;

City of Meridian is an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, national origin or ancestry, sex, age, physical or mental disability, veteran or military status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, military status, order of protection status, or any other legally recognized protected basis under federal, state, or local law.

The City of Meridian is unable to provide visa sponsorship at this time. This includes, but is not limited to, H-1B and F-1 visa categories. Candidates must possess valid work authorization in the United States that does not require employer sponsorship.