Job Description

Job Description and Duties

Join the California Secretary of State (SOS) in the Fiscal Affairs Division as a Budget Analyst! Are you a highly motivated and disciplined individual who can communicate with confidence, clarity, and credibility? Do you have an analytical mindset, enjoy solving puzzles, and like to learn a variety of tasks versus doing the same thing day after day? Would you like to be part of a team that contributes and provides recommendations to executive management? Can you act independently and as part of a team? If you answered yes to these questions, then this could be the opportunity for you.

At SOS, we recognize our employees are our most valuable asset. We are looking for talented and motivated individuals to be part of an organization that helps make a difference in the lives of Californians. If you are interested in a challenging opportunity in a high-energy, team-oriented environment, you are encouraged to apply.

The incumbent must be able to analyze and resolve governmental/administrative problems of average complexity; gather and analyze data to develop and evaluate alternatives for a variety of administrative and program related areas, making recommendations to management on those alternatives; communicate effectively orally and in writing, and function in an environment with demanding and changing priorities logically and creatively. The incumbent will work independently or as part of a team while maintaining a standard workload and responding to frequent short-term tasks.

The Secretary of State is one of eight constitutional offices. Our Agency is unique in our programs and services. We are looking for committed individuals looking to make a difference and willing to adopt our mission in making government more open and accessible in the areas of elections, business, political campaigning, legislative advocacy, and historical treasures.

The Secretary of State is recruiting to fill two (2) permanent, full-time Associate Budget Analyst positions in the Fiscal Affairs Division – Budget Section. The Agency will consider the classifications of Associate Governmental Program Analyst and Staff Services Analyst for purposes of recruitment. A Training and Development (T&D) Assignment for this recruitment will be considered for the Staff Services Analyst classification only. To be appointed to the classification, the successful T&D candidate must fully meet the minimum qualifications by the end of the T&D assignment.

Under the direction of the Staff Services Manager I (SSM I), this position is responsible for the following specific duties:

• Monitor and track the status of authorized positions, expenditures, and/or revenues monthly.
• Monitor and prepare in-depth analysis of expenditure projections on the various components of personal services and operating expenses and equipment.
• Research monthly labor distribution, cost allocation, and fund split data for errors and resolve as necessary.
• Identify and resolve a variety of financial discrepancies or oversights as they arise.
• Prepare various fiscal analyses to determine a cost impact or to validate the fiscal status to enable program staff to make informed decisions.
• Develop recommendations, and present resolutions to management for deficits or savings, in a timely manner.
• Read, analyze, and complete Budget Letter drills issued by the Department of Finance.
• Review, analyze, and evaluate program Budget Proposals; analyze the fiscal impact and feasibility; and make recommendations to upper management.
• Review and analyze divisional legislative analysis to verify fiscal impacts to the Secretary of State.

Desirable Qualifications: The most desirable candidate may possess the following:

• Experience in fiscal services in private or State Government.
• Experience with FI$Cal Hyperion and PeopleSoft.
• Proficient with Microsoft Excel, Word, and Outlook.
• Ability to research, analyze complex problems, reach a sound and defensible conclusion, and provide    recommendations to management.
• Ability to work under pressure and handle multiple assignments effectively, efficiently, and in a timely manner.
• Ability to be flexible and work in a fast-paced office environment.
• Experience and ability to effectively communicate across multiple methods.

You will find additional information about the job in the .

Working Conditions

Work Hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Positions provide telework opportunities based upon the agency’s telework policy and business needs.

Special Requirements

Supplemental Questionnaire: Applicants must submit a Supplemental Questionnaire responding to the questions listed below, it should be no more than two (2) pages typed, using business professional font, font size and formatting. Responses do not need to include the question but must be numbered in the same order. Applications that do not follow the directions as identified above, provide incomplete responses, or do not submit a Supplemental Questionnaire will not be considered.

1. Describe your experience with financial forecasting. What tools or methods did you use, and how did your forecast impact decision-making?
2. Tell us about a time when your attention to detail prevented a financial error or helped your team identify a compliance issue.
3. Describe your experience with variance analysis. How did you identify variances, investigate root causes, and communicate findings?
4. How do you prioritize tasks when managing multiple deadlines across projects with competing demands? Provide a specific example.
5. Tell us about a time you had to communicate a complex financial issue to someone without a financial background. How did you ensure they understood?

Benefits

Benefit information can be found on the CalHR website and the CalPERS website.

Examination Information

• Examination Information: Candidates new to state service or those seeking a promotional opportunity must take the online examination to establish eligibility. The examination can be found at the following links:

• There is also a Limited Examination & Appointment Program (LEAP) exam available for this classification. Information on the LEAP certification process is available on the Department of Rehabilitation LEAP Certification website .

Required Application Package Documents

The following items are required to be submitted with your application. Applicants who do not submit the required items timely may not be considered for this job:

• Current version of the State Examination/Employment Application STD Form 678 (when not applying electronically), or the Electronic State Employment Application through your Applicant Account at All Experience and Education relating to the Minimum Qualifications listed on the Classification Specification should be included to demonstrate how you meet the Minimum Qualifications for the position.
• Resume is optional. It may be included, but is not required.
• Supplemental Application - Please submit your responses to the Supplemental Questionnaire as indicated under the Special Requirements section above. 

Job Tags

Similar Jobs