GENERAL STATEMENT OF DUTIES

Do you want to apply your expertise for a cause you can feel good about? Do you want to work for an organization that wants you to grow with it? Guilford County is a high-performing local government organization that maintains a culture embracing diversity, striving for equality, and inspiring individual and organizational excellence.

The Principal Budget & Management Services Analyst leads enterprise efforts to support strategically aligning resources to build a better community. The position manages complex county-wide planning efforts and serves as a department project leader. Direct responsibilities include developing multi-year plans, project managing the budget development process, coordinating with external education partners to develop annual budget requests, coordinating with Finance on long-term debt planning, coordinating budget forecasting, and supporting Board appointed departments through the budget development process. This position differs from the Senior Budget & Management Analyst position by supporting more county-wide planning efforts with less direct department assignments. Guilford County strongly encourages innovation, promotes career development, and offers excellent benefits for employees.

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES OF THE CLASS

This position performs responsible professional work in the overall review, preparation, administration, and evaluation of the County's Capital Improvements Program (CIP) budgets; development of a multi-year equipment and technology plan, supports the management of the county’s debt model, coordinates budget forecasting and monthly budget monitoring, conducts management analyses; conducts evaluations of County programs, assists in the development and review of benchmarking, performance measures and objectives; assists in the development of short and long-range financial plans and forecasting related to fiscal and program requirements; conducts general research; and participates in county-wide productivity improvements efforts. An employee in this role participates in the preparation of the County budgets through review and analysis of complex and sensitive departmental/program requests and issues and the presentation of recommendations to the appropriate county officials. Assists departments in preparing proposals, reports, contracts, and gives advice on management issues. Reviews contracts for compliance with established policies. This is a professional non-supervisory classification.

The position has more complex county-wide assignments than the Senior Budget & Management Analyst position. An employee in this position serves as a senior resource to lead other analysts, oversee and coordinate more complex county-wide initiatives.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Essential duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Coordinates multi-year planning processes, and components of general budget development.
• Coordinates budget monitoring activities, including the development of a monthly budget performance report. 
• Coordinates the development and analysis of budget requests from external agencies, including education organizations. 
• Supports partner departments in managing the County’s debt model
• Partners with assigned departments to review budget requests and makes appropriate recommendations as to funding levels using objective analytical methodology and established policy criteria.
• Evaluates county programs and services to determine efficiency and effectiveness and to assess the achievement of established goals and objectives.
• Conducts special management studies as assigned and presents findings and recommendations.
• Assists and coordinates as needed the work of other analysts and employees in the completion of assigned duties and tasks.
• Assists in the maintenance, operation, and troubleshooting of budget software.
• Performs other duties and responsibilities as assigned.

IDEAL CHARACTORISTICS OR TRAITS

Passionate Curiosity

• Gather and analyze information related to current and future trends and best practices
• Actively seek out thought leaders and strategic influencers
• Think critically to make connections that others miss
• Seek out alternative perspectives
• Gather qualitative data to develop practical empathy

Innovation

• Constructively challenge prevailing assumptions
• Minimize complexity and increase flexibility throughout the organization
• Help stakeholders overcome resistance to positive change
• Consult with departments on the development of new services, methods, or procedures

Change Advocacy

• Educate stakeholders on new approaches in an inclusive way to drive buy-in
• Partner effectively to identify opportunities for significant process enhancements
• Recommend organizational changes that strategically add value

Outcome Orientation

• Provide on-going tracking and monitoring for the performance of decision systems
• Set expectations for monitoring and feedback systems to review performance
• Involve peers in the evaluation of organizational strengths and weaknesses

Resiliency

• Anticipate, identify, and define problems
• Seek root causes to avoid symptomatic approaches
• Identify potential consequences and future test your solutions
• Document work in an easy to understand and transferable way

Collaboration

• Communicate in an effective and easy to understand way
• Work with stakeholders to build trust and consensus
• Recognize the importance of diverse perspectives
• Actively promote diverse working groups

RECRUITMENT STANDARDS

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Thorough knowledge of local government budget operations and of the assigned areas of responsibility, such as budget preparation, budget implementation, budget management, budget evaluation, and other related functions.

• Thorough knowledge of the functions and structure of county government and federal and state laws relevant to county operations and finance.
• Working knowledge of mathematical computations, analytical skills, budget and costing accounting theories, principles and methods and evaluation/research techniques and methodology.

• Knowledge of project management principles.

• Ability to analyze complex administrative and organizational problems, prepare andclearly present appropriate recommendations and working procedures in written or oral form.

• Ability to manage standards and quality assurance.

• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships.
• Ability to guide and coordinate the work of other staff members.
• Ability to plan, organize, and coordinate an effective work schedule.
• Ability to exercise independent and sound judgment, discretion, initiative, creativity, and resourcefulness.

• Ability to exercise political acumen, tact and diplomacy.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in Public Administration, public policy or a field related to one of the County's services and six years of progressively responsible experience in budget development, budget management, and/or budget evaluation and/or local government operational management, including project, program, or systems planning OR

 Master's degree in public administration, public policy or a field closely related to one of the county's services and four years of progressively responsible experience in budget development, budget management, and/or budget evaluation and/or local government operational management, including project, program, or systems planning.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORK CONDITIONS

Must be able to physically perform the basic life operational functions of fingering, and talking. Must be able to perform light work exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and/or a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects, including the human body.

Must possess the visual acuity to prepare and analyze data and figures, accounting, operate a computer terminal, and do extensive reading.

May Require Driving 

This position may require driving for this position whether driving a County owned or personal vehicle to conduct county business such as but not limited to attending conferences, meetings, or any other county related functions. Motor Vehicle Reports may be verified for valid driver’s license and that the driving record is compatible with the county’s driving criteria. 

If a personal vehicle is operated for county business proper insurance is maintained as per Guilford County’s vehicle use policy. 

Special Note: This generic class description gives an overview of the job class, its essential job functions, and recommended job requirements. However, for each individual position assigned to this class, there is available a completed job questionnaire with a physical abilities checklist which can give further details about that one specific position. Those documents should be reviewed before initiating a selection process. They can provide additional detailed information on which to base various personnel actions and can assist management in making legal and defensible personnel.