Budget Specialist (Grade 16)

at Yuma County in Yuma, Arizona, United States

Job Description

NATURE OF WORK  Under minimal supervision, provides technical and analytical support in the development, monitoring, and reporting of the County’s annual budget. This position requires strong critical thinking, independent analysis, and sound judgment to interpret complex financial data and support strategic decision-making. This position has county wide responsibility. 

Nature of Work

(Illustrative Only) Provides technical analysis in the evaluation, preparation, and presentation of the annual countywide budget, ensuring alignment with fiscal policies, strategic priorities, and available resources; evaluates departmental budget requests ensuring compliance with budget guidelines; conducts ongoing budget analysis and variance reporting across departments; identifies root causes of variances and collaborates with departments to implement corrective actions; exercises independent judgment to challenge assumptions, validate data integrity, and ensure fiscal responsibility; interprets and evaluates large datasets to identify anomalies, inefficiencies, and emerging budget issues; assists with preparing and presenting budget amendments through agenda items to the County Board of Supervisors; serves as a resource to departments and elected offices by providing guidance on budget development, budget policies, and resource allocation; provides training and ongoing support to department staff, department directors, and elected officials; ensures effective system utilization and data integrity with budget software applications; assists in the preparation, analysis, and publication of the County’s annual Budget Book and Budget-in-Brief; assists in the development, analysis, and maintenance of the County’s Capital Improvement Program (CIP);assists in the development and maintenance of long-range planning; supports OMB leadership by preparing summaries, reports, and presentation materials that translate complex financial data into understandable information for decision-makers; responds to complex ad hoc reporting and analytical requests, often under tight deadlines; assists in the development and implementation of budget policies and procedures; regular and reliable attendance is required; performs other duties as assigned.  

Work Environment:

The usual and customary methods of performing the job’s functions require the following physical demands: occasional lifting, carrying, pushing, and/or pulling; some stooping, kneeling, crouching, and/or crawling; and significant fine finger dexterity; generally the job requires 60% sitting, 20% walking and 20% standing; working at a computer monitor for extended periods required; the job is performed under minimal temperature variations and in a generally hazard free environment; this position operates in a deadline-driven environment requiring attention to detail and the ability to manage multiple assignments.

Contacts: 

Work involves substantial contact with department staff, department directors, elected officials, County Administrator, County Board of Supervisors, outside agencies, and the public. 

Independent Judgment: 

Work is performed within general policy guidelines and under the direction of the Budget Director; this position is expected to go beyond transactional tasks by actively analyzing, questioning, and improving processes while ensuring accountability and stewardship of public funds; assignments are received in the form of results expected and due dates; work product and results are regularly monitored.