Job Description
Budget and Policy Analyst
Dept of Transitional Assistanc
Boston, MA 02111
$63,781 - $92,382 a year - Full-time, Part-time
The Department of Transitional Assistance is seeking qualified individuals for the position of Budget and Policy Analyst. In support of state and federally funded cash and nutritional assistance safety net programs, the Budget and Policy Analyst is responsible for working with agency staff to develop the Department’s annual budget throughout the state budget building process, conduct fiscal and policy analysis, forecast expenditures, monitor and report on assigned line items and other cost areas. This position will be involved in the preparation of budget requests; contributing to the development of new programs and policies; managing resources and contracts; and providing general Budget Unit support as necessary.
Duties and Responsibilities (these duties are a general summary and not all inclusive):
Prepare budget requests by projecting resource needs through the analysis of expenditure, caseload, and other available cost information and by extracting information stored in large databases as well as other information sources.
Prepare required documentation for incorporation into the Department’s current year spending plan, maintenance funding estimate, and next year budget request.
Analyze and report on the estimated cost impact of policy and regulatory changes and the effectiveness of existing programs.
Using a problem solving approach prepare fiscal and policy impact analyses of proposed critical management, legislative, and regulatory changes using a variety of statistical, economic, and financial analysis techniques. Use clear, defensible methodologies and outline specific assumptions in the note of the analysis.
Collaborate with senior level staff, both internal and external to the Department, in developing new programs and policies and in pursuing other agency goals.
Present in a professional manner written and/or verbal fiscal and policy analysis to key decision makers in the Department as well as in the Executive Office of Health and Human Services, Executive Office of Administration and Finance, and the legislative branch, including analysts in the Ways and Means Committees.
Update and report on spending projections on a monthly basis.
Manage resources supporting the Department’s programs through tracking, analyzing and reporting on program expenditures and savings, with an eye toward early identification of potential funding issues.
Review contracts, RFRs, and other procurement documents for budgetary implications.
Ensure that funding is aligned in the state accounting system (MMARS) with projected expenditures.
Collaborate with program staff to maximize the use of available funding.
Work to make the Budget Unit a collaborative and effective unit within the Department by taking a team approach with Budget Unit colleagues by communicating well, sharing information, and assisting others with technical skills and analysis to ensure that the Budget Unit’s role in performing the Department’s mission is always executed with excellence.
Performs other duties as assigned.
Required Qualifications:
Strong analytical, mathematical, and statistical skills.
Ability to communicate and write effectively.
Ability to collect, extract and manage complex data sets while maintaining data integrity.
Ability to synthesize complex data sets to non-technical collaterals.
Experience working with large databases, forecasting, and analyzing data sets using Microsoft Access, Microsoft Excel and other data analysis software.
Knowledge of the health and human services industry.
Familiarity with the Massachusetts State accounting system, MMARS, and/or the state budget processes.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
Strong critical thinking skills.
Experience working with large databases using SQL, forecasting, and analyzing data sets using Microsoft Access, Microsoft Excel and other data analysis software.
Graduate degree in public policy or business.
Familiarity with contracting.
Please Note: This is not an accounting position
TO APPLY:
Please upload both Resume and Cover Letter. First consideration will be given to those applicants that apply within the first 14 days.
About The Department of Transitional Assistance:
The Department of Transitional Assistance (DTA) assists and empowers low-income individuals and families to meet their basic needs, improve their quality of life, and achieve long term economic self-sufficiency. DTA serves one in nine residents of the Commonwealth with direct economic assistance (cash benefits) and food assistance (SNAP benefits), as well as workforce training opportunities.
Learn more about our services and programs visit: www.mass.gov/dta
Total Compensation:
As an employee of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts you are offered a great career opportunity influencing a wide-spectrum of services to the diverse populations we serve - but it's more than a paycheck. The State's total compensation package features an outstanding set of employee benefits which you should consider towards your overall compensation, including:
75% state paid medical insurance premium
Reasonable Dental and Vision Plans
Flexible Spending Account and Dependent Care Assistance program
Low cost basic and optional life insurance
Retirement Savings: State Employees' Pension and a Deferred Compensation 457(b) plan
11 paid holidays per year and competitive Sick, Vacation and Personal Time
Tuition Benefit for employee and spouse at state colleges and universities
Short-Term Disability and Extended Illness program participation options
Incentive-based Wellness Programs
Professional Development and Continuing Education opportunities
Qualified Employer for Public Service Student Loan Forgiveness Program
Pre-Hire Process:
A criminal background check will be completed on the recommended candidate as required by the regulations set forth by the Executive Office of Health and Human Services prior to the candidate being hired. For more information, please visit http://www.mass.gov/hhs/cori and click on "Information for Job Applicants".
Education, licensure and certifications will be verified in accordance with the Human Resources Division’s Hiring Guidelines
Education and license/certification information provided by the selected candidate(s) is subject to the Massachusetts Public Records Law and may be published on the Commonwealth’s website.
For questions, please the contact the Office of Human Resources at 1-800-510-4122 and select option #2.
Qualifications
First consideration will be given to those applicants that apply within the first 14 days.
MINIMUM ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS:
Applicants must have at least (A) four years of full-time, or equivalent part-time, professional experience in work simplification, management analysis, program analysis, methods analysis, economic analysis. fiscal analysis, financial analysis, budget analysis, program administration, or program management, or (B) any equivalent combination of the required experience and the substitutions below.
Substitutions:
I. A Bachelor's degree with a major in business administration, business management, public administration, industrial engineering or industrial management may be substituted for a maximum of two years of the required experience.*
II. A Graduates degree with a major in business administration, budget management, public administration, industrial engineering or industrial management may be substituted for a maximum of three years of the required experience.*
III. A Bachelor's or higher degree with a major other than in business administration, business management, public administration, industrial engineering or industrial management may be substituted for a maximum of one year of the required experience.
Education toward such a degree will be prorated on the basis of the proportion of the requirements actually completed.
NOTE: Educational substitutions will be permitted for a maximum of three years of the required experience.
An Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action Employer. Females, minorities, veterans, and persons with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply.
Official Title: Management Analyst III
Primary Location: United States-Massachusetts-Boston-600 Washington Street
Job: Administrative Services
Agency: Department of Transitional Assistance
Schedule: Full-time
Shift: Day
Job Posting: May 18, 2020, 1:52:09 PM
Number of Openings: 1
Salary: 63,780.86 - 92,381.90 Yearly
If you have Diversity, Affirmative Action or Equal Employment Opportunity questions or need a Reasonable Accommodation, please contact Diversity Officer / ADA Coordinator: Thomas Massimo - 617-348-5169