DISTINGUISHING FEATURES OF THE CLASS

The work involves responsibility for assisting in the direction, organization and planning for all budget and related accounting and fiscal matters for Onondaga County. The major emphasis of the position is to coordinate and control the budget review process, budget execution and development, and budget systems and cost analysis programs. The incumbent assists the Chief Fiscal Officer in preparing and defending the county budget, monitoring and enforcing the budget, performing fiscal analysis and other duties related to the distribution and management of county finances. This position requires interaction with state and local government employees and legislators, elected officials, the County Executive, administrators, department heads, fiscal officers, businesses, and the general public. Work is performed independently under the general supervision of the Chief Fiscal Officer. An employee in this class exercises functional and direct supervision over related department staff. Does related work as required.

TYPICAL WORK ACTIVITIES

Organizes, reviews, and makes recommendations to the Chief Fiscal Officer on all proposed departmental budgets for a fiscal year, meeting with department heads to revise or finalize projected expenses;

Assists in the prioritization and allocation of resources within the county budget;

Assists in the review and analysis of the annual state budget;

Advises and assists county departments and employees in the interpretation and analysis of financial matters;

Provides technical assistance and interpretation regarding complex budget and accounting issues;

Assists in the prioritization or allocation of resources to the various departments in accordance with priorities and possible consequences determined and with proposed levels and/or methods of operation of these units;

Develops a monthly forecast of the county’s budget appropriations and revenue status;

Monitors and forecasts sales tax, debt, retirement and indirect costs relative to the county;

Reviews budget procedures and systems and makes recommendations for changes to improve efficiency and cost control;

Reviews and approves fiscal transfers under a preset monetary limit;

Coordinates the preparation of special reports and analyses at the request of the County Executive or the County Legislature;

Recommends and coordinates cost analysis studies to reduce operating costs and analyze trends affecting budget needs; prepares recommendations from these studies; and,

Supervises the work of professional and paraprofessional staff in reviewing requests, analyzing departmental operations, controlling budgets and preparing reports.

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FULL PERFORMANCE KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS, ABILITIES AND PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS

Comprehensive knowledge of the principles and practices of modern public budgeting including budget preparation, cost analysis, monitoring and forecasting of expenditures and program evaluation.

Thorough knowledge of governmental programs, operations, goals and objectives.

Thorough knowledge of legislation, principles, and professional practices in the fields of budget preparation, fiscal analysis and financial management.

Thorough knowledge of financial investing and county tax assessment and collection.

Good knowledge of the principles and practices of public administration as applied to the budget process.

Ability to gather and analyze program and fiscal information and draw logical conclusions.

Ability to express ideas clearly and concisely and to prepare reports of studies and budget analyses for use in the budget process.

Ability to recognize the implications of present and projected resources in evaluating existing and proposed programs.

Ability to review, analyze and make recommendations of the financial impact of legislation.

Ability to identify existing and anticipated budget problems and recommend appropriate solutions.

Ability to relate well with others in working relationships.

Ability to perform mathematical calculations.

Outstanding professional leadership ability.

Physical condition commensurate with the demands of the position.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Open-Competitive

A) Graduation from a regionally accredited college or university or one accredited by the New York State Board of Regents to grant degrees with a baccalaureate degree and four (4) years of professional level work experience, or its part-time equivalent, in budget administration; capital program administration; personnel or organization management; program planning or development in government; or in business organization and methods planning, of which two (2) years must have been in a supervisory capacity in budget administration; budget analysis; budget research; capital program analysis; or capital budgetary planning; or,

B) Eight (8) years of paraprofessional or professional level work experience, or its part-time equivalent, in budget administration; capital and program administration; personnel or organization management; program planning and development in government; or in business organization and methods planning; four (4) years of which must have been in a professional level capacity including two (2) years in a supervisory capacity in budget administration; budget analysis; budget research; capital program analysis; or capital budgetary planning; or,

C) An equivalent combination of training and experience as defined by the limits of A and B.

NOTE: Successful completion of graduate semester hours in finance, economics, public administration, business administration, methods analysis or a closely related field from a regionally accredited or New York State registered college or university may be substituted for work experience as follows: Thirty (30) graduate semester hours is equivalent to one (1) year of non-supervisory work experience; Sixty (60) graduate semester hours is equivalent to two (2) years of non-supervisory work experience.

3/02 Revised