Planning and Budget Analyst I, II, III, Senior

Salary : $65,000.00 - $95,000.00 Annually

Location : Austin, TX

Job Type : Full Time

Remote Employment : Flexible / Hybrid

Job Number : 24-09358

Department : Planning And Budget

Opening Date : 09 / 24 / 2024

Closing Date : Continuous

Job Summary

The Planning and Budget Office facilitates the efficient and effective use of county resources for the community's benefit. The office works on planning, researching, and evaluating budgetary and policy issues, integrating county-wide spending and strategic plans, and prepares the County's annual budget. The work performed is fast-paced and often time-sensitive. This posting reflects a series of four budget analyst-related job classifications within the Planning and Budget Office.

A Planning and Budget Analyst provides independent planning, budget, fiscal and policy analysis made directly to offices and departments and in public to the Commissioners Court. Works under only general direction with extensive latitude for independent judgment and action. Coordinates budget development, evaluation, and execution. Analyzes budget requests and develops funding recommendations throughout the budget process and as needed throughout the year. Conducts highly visible and sometimes controversial fiscal and programmatic research on a wide variety of topics. Required to publicly defend analytic conclusions to Elected and Appointed Officials. Provides analysis and recommendations on the development of County programs and policies, performance measures, and special analytic projects. Proactively identifies problems and solutions. Initiates independent and group analytic projects. Conducts economic and programmatic research and makes recommendations on County finances and projects, as required. May assist with departmental or County strategic planning efforts.

This position is eligible for telework, with in-office work as necessary from a central office location (700 Lavaca Street). Must live in or near Austin, Texas area or be willing to relocate. This classification may require a flexible work schedule in order to meet the needs of the office, including possible night or weekend work.

Travis County offers a premier compensation and benefits package that includes a highly rated retirement plan, vacation and sick leave, personal holidays, longevity pay, tuition reimbursement, parental leave, medical, dental, and vision, and employee health care clinics.

If you're passionate about making a difference in your community, we want you on our team!

Duties and Responsibilities

• Coordinates every phase of planning and development of the Adopted Budget for assigned departments. Conducts budget reviews and prepares analysis of departmental budget requests. Performs such reviews and analysis, independently and with little supervision, and as a member of work teams. Presents findings directly to Commissioners Court in a public forum and defends conclusions reached with Elected and Appointed Officials.
• Works during the year with respective departments to develop budgets consistent with relevant strategic plans and available County resources. Determines the effectiveness of programs and services using performance measures and identifies measures that best reflect departmental operations for the Commissioners Court and the public. Monitors the execution of departmental budgets, analyzes departmental expenditure patterns for anomalies, evaluates financial plans, interprets budget variances, and acts as liaison with County departments concerning budgetary and program matters. May function as a team leader on special projects and assignments.
• Conducts independent departmental, programmatic, and functional evaluations, research, and analysis. Presents findings and recommendations directly to Commissioners Court for improvement, including departmental reorganizations, new programs and management analysis. May function as a member of interdepartmental problem-solving teams to address high priority County issues with broad organizational impact. Prepares economic, social and programmatic research on countywide trends and finances, for evaluation of present and future components of County services.
• Performs periodic revenue and expenditure forecasts, cost-effectiveness analysis, and other financial studies. Performs cost comparisons and cost / benefit analysis. Develops forecasts to facilitate short- and long-term financial needs. Develops evaluative and statistical methods to appraise operating results. Analyzes and interprets fiscal variances. Evaluates data from national, state and local sources to assist in the planning and evaluation process. Assists County departments in the development of strategic plans, including establishing goals, objectives and performance measures and the assessment of internal and external environments.
• Performs other job-related duties as assigned.

Minimum Requirements

Education and Experience :

Planning & Budget Analyst I - Bachelor's degree in Public Administration, Business Administration, Finance or a directly related field AND three (3) years experience in the area of budget analysis and management, public administration and / or local governmental finance. Experience with strategic planning, development of outcome measures, and financial forecasts.

Planning & Budget Analyst II - Bachelor's degree in Public Administration, Business Administration, Finance or a directly related field AND five (5) years experience in the area of budget analysis and management, public administration and / or local governmental finance. Experience with strategic planning, development of outcome measures, and financial forecasts.

Planning & Budget Analyst III - Bachelor's degree in Public Administration, Business Administration, Finance or a directly related field AND six (6) years experience in the area of budget analysis and management, public administration and / or local governmental finance. Experience with strategic planning, development of outcome measures, and financial forecasts.

Planning & Budget Analyst Senior - Bachelor's degree in Public Administration, Business Administration, Finance or a directly related field AND seven (7) years experience in the area of budget analysis and management, public administration and / or local governmental finance. Experience with strategic planning, development of outcome measures, and financial forecasts.

Master's degree in Public Administration, Business Administration, Finance or a directly related field may substitute for two (2) years of the required experience.

Licenses, Registrations, Certifications, or Special Requirements :

None required.

Preferred :

Valid Texas Driver's License.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities :

The knowledge, skills and abilities outlined below should be appropriate for an entry-level individual, reflecting basic knowledge, good skills and the ability to perform the functions outlined.

Knowledge of :

Skill in :

Ability to :

Work Environment & Other Information

Physical requirements include the ability to lift / carry up to 10-15 pounds occasionally, visual acuity, speech and hearing, hand and eye coordination and manual dexterity necessary to operate a computer and office equipment. Subject to standing, sitting, walking, climbing, crawling, bending, stooping, crouching, kneeling, pushing, pulling, reaching, twisting, balancing, repetitive motion, and squatting to perform the essential functions.

Travis County employees play an important role in business continuity. As such, employees can be assigned to business continuity efforts outside of normal job functions.

This job description is intended to be generic in nature. It is not necessarily an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities. The essential duties, functions and responsibilities and overtime eligibility may vary based on the specific tasks assigned to the position.

Department : Planning & Budget Office

Location : 700 Lavaca St., Austin, TX 78701. Telework available.

Work Hours : 8 : 00 AM-5 : 00 PM, Monday through Friday, with nights and / or weekends as needed.

Criminal and Educational Background Verifications are Required.

Benefits

Employment at Travis County comes with a full array of benefits. We offer comprehensive health insurance, a no-cost, on-site Health and Wellness clinic, longevity pay, paid vacations, sick time and personal holidays, not to mention an industry competitive salary structure and a friendly, stable work environment.

FY2025 Travis County Benefit Guide

In this valuable you will find benefit summaries, eligibility requirements, costs, contact numbers and addresses as well as other general information on the benefits available to Travis County Employees and Retirees.

Credit Union

Employees may join the Travis County Credit Union which offers low-interest loans, savings plans through payroll deduction, safe deposit boxes and other benefits.

Deferred Compensation

Employees may enroll in a tax- free sheltered investment plan through payroll deduction.

Direct Deposit

Employees may sign up for direct bank deposit.

Employee Assistance Program

Travis County provides a confidential counseling and referral service free of charge to county employees and their family.

Employee Organizations

Membership in the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees Union is available through payroll deduction.

Employee Health & Wellness Clinic

Employees may access the clinic for a variety of wellness program and health care services with no co-pay, no deductible and no co-insurance costs.

Holidays

An average of eleven paid holidays are designated by the Travis County Commissioners Court at the beginning of each fiscal year.

Insurance

Employees may select from four plans : an Exclusive Physician Organization (EPO), Choice Plus Preferred Physician Organization (PPO), Consumer Choice or a High Deductible Health Plan (HDHP) with a Health Savings Account (HSA). All four options include a Pharmacy Plan. Travis County's current policy is to pay 100% of the employee's health insurance premium for the Consumer Choice and HDHP. Employees will pay a premium for both the EPO and PPO. Other insurance benefits include $50,000 Basic Life and AD&D paid by the County.

The following benefits are employee paid :

New employees are covered on the first day of the month following 28 calendar days of employment.

Longevity

Longevity pay is paid for each year completed after three years of continuous service. Peace Officers in a law enforcement activity, whose job requires state peace officer certification, receive pay after one year of certification.

On the regular payday on or after the employee's fourth and subsequent adjusted service dates, he or she receives a single payment for the previous year.

Parking

A limited number of assigned parking spaces are available to employees in the Courthouse Complex.

Personal Holidays

Regular, full-time employees are eligible for up to three paid personal holidays each calendar year. Part-time employees shall be granted personal holidays on a prorated basis. New employees earn personal holidays for the calendar year in which he / she begins employment, based on the month in which employment begins :

January - March

3 personal holidays

April - June

2 personal holidays

July - September

1 personal holiday

October - December

None

New employees are eligible to take personal holidays after 90 days of employment.

Retirement

Travis County is a member of the Texas County & District Retirement System with mandatory participation by certain classes of employees. Seven percent (7%) of the gross salary is deducted each pay period. An employee is fully vested after eight years of service. Benefits are prorated for part-time employees.

Sick Leave

Regular employees earn sick leave at a rate of eight hours per month with unlimited accrual during employment. Part-time employees earn sick leave on a pro-rated basis.

Parental Leave

Each Full-time Paid Parental Leave Eligible (PPL) Employee is entitled to a total of 320 hours of Paid Parental Leave in a 12 month period. Paid Parental Leave for Part-time PPL Eligible Employees is prorated based on the number of hours that they are regularly scheduled to work.

Tuition Refund

Certain classes of full-time employees may receive reimbursement for fees associated with pre-approved, job related course work completed satisfactorily.

Vacation

Based on years of county service, regular, full-time employees earn vacation time at the following rates :

0 to 5 years

4.0 hours per pay period

6 to 10 years

4.5 hours per pay period

11 to 15 years

5.0 hours per pay period

16 to 20 years

5.5 hours per pay period

21 plus years

6.0 hours per pay period

Part-time employees earn vacation leave on a pro-rated basis.

Workers' Compensation

The county provides all employees workers' compensation coverage with benefits in accordance with state statute, if the employee sustains an injury out of, or in the course of work.

What type of degree(s) do you hold? Check all that apply.

Please describe your educational background including level of education completed, area of study and completed major and minor programs.

Describe your skills and abilities using Microsoft Excel. Please be specific.

How many years of work experience do you have with econometric, statistical, and / or financial models?

Please describe your experience with econometric, statistical, and / or financial models.

How many years do you have experience in budget analysis?

Describe your experience performing duties related to this role as described above :

Describe any experience you have in performance measurement / management :

Required Question