Budget Analyst

The Budget Analyst is responsible for performing work related to the financial management and analysis of expenditure and revenue data, accounting, cashflow planning and budget research and overall monitoring of the positive fiscal health of the Town. Duties include, but are not limited to: Coordinates and monitors the functions and activities related to the preparation and administration of capital and operating budgets for all funds. Prepares and administers the Town's process for developing and maintaining budgets. Plans, coordinates, and administers financial expenditure tracking and forecasts, resolving accounting and budgetary issues for both capital and operation transactions, maintaining and implementing accounting and budgetary financial systems and monitoring expended capital and bond funds. Prepares periodic and non-recurring financial reports while ensuring compliance with professional standards and contractual, legal, and policy provisions. Identifies the Town's financial status by comparing and analyzing actual results with plans and forecasts. Guides the analysis process by establishing and enforcing policies and procedures, providing trends and forecasts, explaining processes and techniques and recommending actions. Improves financial status by analyzing results, monitoring variances, identifying trends, conducting lifecycle costs and recommending actions to management. Reconciles transactions by comparing and correcting data. Works with the Accounting Division within the Department of Finance to maintain the Town's Munis databases by entering, verifying, and backing up data. Recommends actions by analyzing and interpreting data and making comparative analyses and studies proposed changes in methods and materials. Increases productivity by developing automated accounting applications and coordinating information requirements. Protects operations by keeping financial information confidential. Estimates operating, maintenance, and repair costs. Revises revenue and expense budgets as required using current operating plans and estimates at completion. 14. Assists with the State Board of Accounts (SBoA) audit, as needed. 15. Assists the Budget Manager and Controller with the annual Budget Book submission to the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA). 16. Performs tasks related to the other jobs in the department during absences. 17. Attends meetings, as assigned.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

This job has no supervisory responsibilities.

Qualifications:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty according to the requirements of the organization. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential duties and responsibilities.

Town-related Competencies:

To perform this job successfully, all employees working in the Town should demonstrate the following competencies: Teamwork and Collaboration

• Gets along with and maintains positive relationships with co-workers.

Is willing to help with all types of work, no matter how big or small the task. Asks for and listens to coworkers' feedback; incorporates feedback into revised processes. Positively reinforces team members for their contributions and accomplishments. Admits mistakes when they occur, learns from them, and enables others to do the same. Service to Citizens

• Always represents the Town of Plainfield well; maintains personal accountability and ownership for customer service.

Lets customers know that he/she is willing to work with them to meet their needs. Follows up to ensure that requests and concerns are resolved. Understands customer problems and needs; quickly and effectively solves customer problems. Does more than what is normally required to resolve customer concerns. Professionalism

• Demonstrates professionalism in appearance and actions.

Maintains timely, personable, and effective communications with citizens and the general public, and local or intergovernmental contacts and neighboring community leaders. Demonstrates flexibility and a positive attitude when change occurs. Does not participate in conversations or actions that are disrespectful to others. Uses Town resources and assets wisely, efficiently, and according to Town policy. Dependability

• Attends work as scheduled; follows the attendance policy and informs his/her manager of absences in advance.

Accepts assignments willingly and can be counted on to complete tasks on time. Completes tasks accurately and thoroughly, eliminating the need for close review. Timely follow-through on tasks and projects issued by the Department Head, Town Manager, or Town Council. Does what he/she commits to doing. Interpersonal Communications

• Communicates clearly, accurately, and respectfully with coworkers and customers.

Keeps the Town Council well-informed of any incidents or issues; especially regarding offsite incidents. Keeps sensitive and confidential matters private. Listens to others and seeks to understand others' perspectives. Willingly accepts feedback and incorporates it into work activities and interactions. Job Knowledge and Work Habits

• Takes pride in work and coworkers; performs work with a positive attitude that enables others to perform well.

Is willing to ask questions when the job or task is not fully understood. Willingly participates in training to maintain or enhance current knowledge of principles, procedures, methods, and/or technology. Maintains an optimistic outlook when faced with difficulty or change and makes an effort to overcome obstacles. Retains the expected job knowledge; helps others by sharing knowledge. Job-related Competencies

• To perform this job successfully, employees in this job should demonstrate the following competencies: P roblem Solving
• Identifies andresolves problemsinatimelymanner; Gathersand analyzes information skillfully;Developsalternative solutions;Workswell ingroup problemsolvingsituations;Usesreason even when dealingwith emotional topics. Oral Communication
• Speaks clearly and persuasively in positive or negative situations; Listens and gets clarification; Responds well to questions; Demonstrates group presentation skills; Participates in meetings. Written Communication
• Writes clearly and informatively; Edits work for spelling and grammar; Varies writing style to meet needs; Presents numerical data effectively; Able to read and interpret written information. Organizational Support
• Follows policies and procedures; Completes administrative tasks correctly and on time; Supports organization's goals and values; Benefits organization through outside activities; Supports affirmative action and respects diversity.

Education and/or

Experience:

Bachelor's degree (B.A. /B.S.) from a four-year college or university; and five years related experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience. Previous experience in budget preparation, accounting, or closely related financial/fiscal activity is required. Previous experience working in an accounting/financial role within a government setting is desired.

Other Skills and Abilities:

The following skills and abilities are either required or desired.

Computer software skills required include:

Microsoft Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc. A working knowledge of computer-based financial systems is required. A comprehensive knowledge of the following is required: Corporate Finance Developing Standards Quality Management Problem Solving Process Improvement Accrual Accounting Statistical Analysis Financial Planning and Strategy Reporting Research Results Compliance Requirements Strong Financial Skills The ability to prepare and write reports, while paying close attention to detail is required. The ability to make sound and rational decisions including exercising independent judgment within established protocols and guidelines is required. The ability to enforce rules and follow all established protocols and guidelines is required. The ability to multi-task and work in a fast paced environment while providing exceptional customer service is required. The ability to remain current with all required licenses, certifications and in-service requirements is required. First Aid, CPR, and AED certifications are desired. The ability to operate a computer, printer, copy machine, scanner, fax machine, and other office equipment is required. The ability to speak, read and write in English is required. Spanish is desired.

Physical Demands:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential duties and responsibilities. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit; walk; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to stand; climb or balance; and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; and taste or smell. The employee is frequently required to lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision (clear vision at 20 inches or less), distance vision (clear vision at 20 feet or more), color vision (ability to identify and distinguish colors), peripheral vision (ability to observe an area that can be seen up and down or to the left and right while eyes are fixed on a given point), depth perception (three-dimensional vision, ability to judge distances and spatial relationships), and the ability to adjust focus (ability to adjust the eye to bring an object into sharp focus).

Work Environment:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential duties and responsibilities. While performing the duties of this job, the employee occasionally is exposed to working near moving mechanical parts and the risk of electrical shock when working with office equipment and outdoor weather conditions. The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet to moderate. While the business offices of the Town are open from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday this position may require work beyond these hours and on holidays. It also may require the ability to drive a Town vehicle and/or drive one's own vehicle on Town business. Thus, a valid driver's license may be required.