Senior Fiscal Policy Analyst

The Senior Fiscal Policy Analyst leads high-level fiscal policy, budget, and legislative analysis related to early childhood systems, focusing on the fiscal and policy impact of local ballot initiatives and other revenue sources. Conducts quantitative and qualitative research, builds financial models, evaluates policy proposals, and develops evidence-based recommendations that strengthen First 5 Alameda County’s strategic priorities. Informs both internal decision-making and external advocacy with local, state, and community partners.

Fiscal Modeling & Budget Analysis

• 
  Leads quantitative financial modeling, including revenue forecasting, cost modeling, and scenario analysis for early childhood programs.

• Assesses fiscal sustainability of existing and proposed initiatives, including the Local Ballot Initiative 5-Year Plan and Annual Expenditure Plans.

• Partners with Finance, Data, Program, and Policy teams to align budgets with policy priorities and strategic goals through cross-functional collaboration.

Policy & Legislative Analysis

• Monitors, analyzes, and interprets local, state, and federal legislation and budget proposals that affect Alameda County’s early childhood systems, funding, and services.

• Develops policy briefs, fiscal impact analyses, and recommendations for the Executive Team, First 5 Alameda County Commission, and stakeholders.

• Tracks emerging trends, policy debates, and funding opportunities that could influence early childhood investment strategies.

Research & Data Analysis

• Research and analyze data on early childhood fiscal and policy issues, integrating racial equity and inclusion frameworks into all analyses.

• Prepares reports, dashboards, and presentations to clearly communicate complex data and policy issues to diverse audiences, including policymakers, community partners, and the public.

• Analyzes how fiscal and policy decisions impact communities differently based on race, ethnicity, income, and other intersecting factors, and integrates this analysis into actionable recommendations.

Stakeholder Engagement & Advocacy

• Represents First 5 Alameda County in policy and advocacy coalitions, commission meetings, and public forums.

• Builds and maintains relationships with policymakers, county agencies, community organizations, and advocacy groups to advance equitable early childhood fiscal policy.

• Provides fiscal and policy expertise to inform joint advocacy strategies with external partners.

Organizational Development & Leadership

• Collaborates cross-functionally to ensure policy analysis informs program planning, evaluation, and funding strategies.

• Contributes to internal capacity building by sharing fiscal policy knowledge and tools with colleagues.

Minimum Qualifications

Any combination of training and experience that would provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities is qualifying. Additional experience and/or education can be substituted to meet typical qualifications. A typical way to obtain the required qualifications would be:

Six years of relevant experience in a fiscal policy analysis, budgeting, and/or legislative analysis, ideally in early childhood, government, nonprofit, or philanthropic setting, AND the equivalent to a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in public policy, public administration, economics, finance, or a related field. A master's degree may substitute for two years of experience.

Additional relevant work experience may be substituted to meet the college coursework/bachelor’s degree standard.

Knowledge of

• Principles and practices of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP); strongly prefer knowledge of practices for municipal governments.
• Voter-approved revenue measures
• Strong understanding of early childhood policy and funding streams, including childcare, health, and family support systems.
• Knowledge of California’s state budget process, particularly early childhood and human services funding streams.
• Alameda County policy environment, fiscal systems, and budget processes
• Principles of municipal investment accounting.
• Internal control mechanisms.
• Familiarity with common accounting software; prefer knowledge of Abila MIP Fund Accounting.
• Processes and procedures for accounts payable and 1099 preparation.
• Principles of public administration.
• Principles of research and report preparation.
• Principles and practices of management, supervision, training, and team leadership.
• Cross-cultural sensitivity.
• Principles and practices of contract negotiation, development, and management.
• Budgetary and contract administration practices.
• Principles and practices of planning and project management.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, including advanced level Excel; Office 365 preferred.

Ability to

• Demonstrate expertise in quantitative financial modeling and budget analysis, with strong spreadsheet and data visualization skills.
• Integrate racial equity and social justice frameworks into fiscal and policy analysis.
• Provide leadership and effectively organize, coordinate, and supervise professional and administrative staff.
• Establish and maintain effective collaborative working relationships with a wide range of professionals, including but not limited to agency staff and financial institutions.
• Work with and safeguard confidential information.
• Exercise sound judgment within generally established policies and procedures to select appropriate strategies and make and carry out effective decisions.
• Think proactively, anticipate and identify problems, gather information/data to analyze situations, and develop effective recommendations and solutions.
• Organize and implement a variety of financial operations; maintain accurate work records and files.
• Complete complex financial calculations accurately and demonstrate attention to detail.
• Verify the accuracy of accounting, banking, investment, payroll, and financial data.
• Review documents for completeness, accuracy, appropriate authorization, and compliance with regulations and procedures.
• Communicate clearly and effectively, orally and in writing, including the ability to write reports.
• Read, analyze, and interpret common professional publications; policy documents; financial statements, reports, transactions, and records; and related business documents and information.
• Demonstrate initiative and work independently with little supervision.
• Plan and organize work to ensure organizational and finance goals are achieved.
• Meet attendance requirements of the position; be punctual and timely in meeting all requirements for work performance.
• Adapt with minimal or no advance notice to changes in agency operations and work assignments or procedures.
• Promote teamwork and integration within and across the agency.
• Demonstrate cultural awareness and sensitivity in a variety of contexts.
• Plan and project manage work to ensure organizational goals are achieved.
• Engage with elected officials, legislative staff, and public agency leadership.
• Excellent communication skills, including the ability to translate complex fiscal and policy concepts into clear, compelling language for diverse audiences.
• Strong project management skills and ability to balance multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.

Please note

We are currently working a hybrid 2 day per week in-office schedule and employees also come to the office to attend meetings and as requested.

All First 5 employees must live and work in California.

The salary range for this position is $110,000 to $159,000 and as an independent government agency, the posted salary is the set salary range for this position. We cannot offer salaries above this posted range.

We conduct reference and background checks for all potential employees.

About First 5 Alameda County

First 5 Alameda County believes every child in Alameda County should have optimal health, development, and well-being to reach their greatest potential. Through innovative programs and policy advocacy, we help provide children and their families access to resources that support their first five years of development.

Join our mission-driven team that in partnership with the community, supports a county-wide continuous prevention and early intervention system that promotes optimal health and development, narrows disparities, and improves peak years of child development.

First 5 Alameda County Benefits

We offer a comprehensive benefits package with health care options to meet the diverse needs of our employees and their families. These benefits include but are not limited to Medical, Dental, & Vision Coverage, $1,500 credit per year to spend on benefits, Health and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs), Employer Paid & Voluntary Life & AD&D Insurance, Long-Term Disability Insurance, Retirement Plans including the ACERA Pension Plan, Commuter Benefits, Employee Assistance Plan and more.

We also offer paid vacation, paid time off and sick time. We have 17 paid holidays including the week between Christmas Day and New Year's Day as paid time off.