Special Project Worker - Planning And Budget Analyst I, Ii, Iii, Senior

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 a Full-Time Special Project Worker position with an end date. 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

• Performs other job-related duties as assigned.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.