CLASS SPECIFICATION

M A N A G E M E N T A N D B U D G E T S P E C I A L I S T I

DEFINITION OF CLASS:

This is beginning level staff work primarily involving the conduct of analyses and providing recommendations concerning routine County Government operating and capital budgets. Some introductory level special issue and project management assignments may be assigned to employees, but usually after employee "seasoning" in the position has occurred. Work also includes the implementation and monitoring of executive level fiscal and programmatic decisions. In addition to and depending upon the needs of the Department/Agency to which assigned, some positions in this class are assigned technical support functions/duties which facilitate the work of more senior Management and Budget Specialist employees, but which functions/duties are assigned to a lesser degree than the primary duties and responsibilities of this occupational class. Personal contacts are primarily with other employees and supervisors in the Office of Management and Budget, but also include occasional contacts with a limited number of Department/Agency representatives and staff employees of the County Executive and County Council. This class of work usually does not require employees to meet or speak before the general public and citizen groups, nor does it require employees to provide direct public service or assistance on a one-to-one basis.

An employee in this class is responsible for developing the basic knowledge, skills and abilities necessary for understanding and applying the commonly used budgetary methods, practices, procedures, regulations, precedents and policies appropriate to a position's assignment. Work is regularly assigned by an employee's supervisor who furnishes specific guidance and instructions concerning work methods and procedures to be used, time frames for completion of work steps, and scope and limitations of new and continuing assignments. Work assignments and objectives are usually of relatively short duration. Within the framework provided by the supervisor, and subject to established procedures and guidelines for the work, employees in this class exercise initiative in planning the sequence and scheduling of individual work tasks. Employees seek assistance from their supervisor for problems not covered by a supervisor's instructions or guides. Work is closely and frequently monitored and reviewed for compliance with instructions and guidelines; appropriateness of facts, figures and statistical data; consistency; timeliness; soundness of judgments made; and adherence to accepted work methods and procedures. The complexity of this class of work is marked by the simultaneous assignment of a few work projects which become increasingly difficult and are intended to develop an employee's analytical skills. Work is to be completed within tight, often conflicting time frames, and employees are expected to analyze and provide recommendations concerning various issues after gathering, considering and evaluating information from several sources. The work involves conditions and elements that must be identified and analyzed to discern interrelationships, and requires using sophisticated computer programs and systems to facilitate work completion. The impact of properly performed work is realized through the examination and analysis of beginning level budget requests, and the influence that work effort has upon the conclusions drawn and decisions made primarily by supervisors and managers in the Office of Management and Budget. Work is performed in a comfortable office environment which is appropriately lighted, heated and cooled. Typically employees sit comfortably to do their work, interspersed by brief periods of walking, standing, bending, carrying of papers and books, and extended periods requiring the use of computer terminals to accomplish work objectives. During extended periods each year, employees are required to work considerable overtime.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES: (Illustrative Only)

Collects, tabulates, summarizes, and analyzes preliminary budgetary data necessary for the compilation and evaluation of departmental budgetary requests; evaluates alternative courses of action, and assesses merits and consequences of each.
Advises Department/Agency representatives on the proper use of budget request forms, appropriate narrative justification, and on the propriety of specific requests.
Makes recommendations concerning budget needs based on investigations of departmental and agency requirements and program objectives.
Monitors control of transfers of funds and account adjustments for assigned departments and agencies, and insures that all figures are accurate and correctly stated for all years concerned.
Provides quarterly review and analysis of Department/Agency programs during budget execution phase.
Serves as a team member in conducting management analyses, program evaluation, and other special projects and studies.
Performs related duties.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Experience: One (1) year of experience reviewing, analyzing and monitoring operating and/or capital budgets.
Education: Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor's Degree.
Equivalency: An equivalent combination of education and experience may be substituted.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
Some knowledge of the principles and practices of public administration with particular reference to budgetary concepts and techniques.
Ability to analyze and comprehend organization operations and structures and make pertinent recommendations.
Ability to prepare concise and comprehensive reports for presentation both orally and in writing.
Ability to work tactfully and equitably with people.
Ability to use automated systems technology and software as tools for analyzing operating and capital budgets and related matters.
Ability to attend meetings or perform other assignments at locations outside the office, if necessary.

PROBATIONARY PERIOD:

Individuals appointed to a position in this class will be required to serve a probationary period of twelve months and, if promoted to a position in this class, will be required to serve a probationary period of six months. Performance will be carefully evaluated during the probationary period. Continuation in this class will be contingent upon successful completion of the probationary period.

MEDICAL PROTOCOL: Medical History Review

Class Established: May 1983
Revised: May 1991 (M)
November 1994 (M)
August, 2007