State of Connecticut Executive Branch

Principal Budget Specialist (6335MP)

$58.36-$79.58 Hourly / $4,668.51-$6,365.68 BiWeekly /
$121,848.00-$166,144.00 Yearly

PURPOSE OF JOB CLASS (NATURE OF WORK)

In the Office of Policy and Management, Budget and Financial Management Division and the Office of Finance this class is accountable for directing the development and administration of the State’s fiscal policies for one or more of the largest state agencies or programs.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED

Receives administrative direction from a Fiscal and Program Policy Section Director or other administrative official of higher grade.

SUPERVISION EXERCISED

May direct analysts as assigned.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

  • Directs development and administration of the State’s fiscal policies for one or more of the largest state agencies or programs;
  • Coordinates, plans and manages financial analysis activities;
  • Analyzes, reviews and makes recommendations on budget requests and options in terms of agency functions, policy, programs and objectives including programmatic, revenue and capital portions of their budgets;
  • Assists and advises commissioners or executives of assigned agencies in preparation and presentation of budget requests and options;
  • Reviews state agencies fiscal management policies, procedures and systems;
  • Recommends agency budget or program revisions;
  • Assists in revising agency budgets or programs;
  • Provides input and analysis for on-going refinement of program budget development and budget option process;
  • Consults with and advises agency personnel on fiscal policy, procedures and operations;
  • Confers with and instructs agency heads in process and implementation of financial objectives;
  • Negotiates with agencies for compliance with recommended changes;
  • Assists agency managers and executive staff in making improvements to fiscal management operations;
  • Provides extensive technical advice to agencies on financial processes of government operations;
  • Performs long range financial and programmatic strategic analysis, planning and program evaluation;
  • Interprets and monitors agency spending, capital, revenue and program accomplishments in accordance with established policy and legislative intent;
  • Assists in preparation of or prepares testimony for and/or testifies at legislative hearings, fact findings, binding arbitrations, etc.;
  • Analyzes and updates statewide financial plan, developing necessary adjustments and modifications as required or analyzes and updates statewide capital policy through preparation and implementation of State Bond Commission monthly agenda;
  • Provides analysis of the State’s overall financial position for inclusion in the official statement;
  • Provides oversight of and/or conducts research projects;
  • Plans and implements automated budget systems design, analysis and maintenance;
  • Performs analytical and technical work involving examination of budgetary controls, fiscal operations and purchasing functions;
  • Provides consultation, advice and functional assistance to state agencies business staff in use of financial management and financial information systems;
  • Oversees identification and analysis of appropriate benchmarks and best practices;
  • Reviews state agency requests for Personnel Service Agreements and Purchase Service Contracts;
  • Prepares reports;
  • Makes presentations;
  • Provides training to agency staff and executives;
  • Participates in the recruitment and hiring of staff, including outreach, interview and selection;
  • Performs related duties as required.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY

  • Considerable knowledge of
    • and ability to interpret and apply relevant state and federal laws, statutes and regulations;
    • principles and practices of organization and management including public administration;
    • governmental program budgeting and accounting;
  • Knowledge of research techniques and statistical principles and procedures;
  • Considerable
    • interpersonal skills;
    • oral and written communication skills;
  • Considerable ability to
    • analyze budgetary and financial management problems accurately and develop effective courses of action;
    • utilize financial information systems;
  • Ability to design and interpret graphic representations.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - GENERAL EXPERIENCE

Eight (8) years of professional experience in budget preparation, financial management or operations including budget responsibility. 
NOTE:
  • Professional experience in budget management is interpreted as principal responsibility for aspects of budget work such as planning, preparation and administration.
  • Professional experience in financial management or operations is interpreted as principal responsibility for a combination of budget work and financial planning, accounting and/or financial analysis and reporting.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - SPECIAL EXPERIENCE

One (1) year of the General Experience must have been at the working level in budget development and management.
NOTE:
  • For state employees this experience is interpreted at the level of a Budget Specialist.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - SUBSTITUTIONS ALLOWED

  • College training may be substituted for the General Experience on the basis of fifteen (15) semester hours equalling one-half (1/2) year of experience to a maximum of four (4) years for a Bachelor's degree.
  • A Master's degree in public administration, business, economics, finance or a closely related field may be substituted for one (1) additional year of the General Experience.
  • For state employees experience in one of the following classes may be substituted for the General and Special Experience:
    • One (1) year of experience as a Fiscal Administrative Manager 1 or an Accounting Manager.
    • Two (2) years of experience as an Automated Budget System Specialist or Agency Information Technology Manager where incumbents function as a development specialist and are accountable for the development, enhancement and maintenance of a highly complex Financial Management and Reporting Information Technology system that supports large and complex enterprise level financial reporting applications.

JOB CLASS DESIGNATION

Classified/Competitive

OCCUPATIONAL GROUP

(03)-Budget Program and Control

BARGAINING UNIT

(02)-MANAGERIAL

EEO

(2)-Professional

SALARY INFORMATION

MP 70

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

As defined by Sec. 5-196 of the Connecticut General Statutes, a job class is a position or group of positions that share general characteristics and are categorized under a single title for administrative purposes. As such, a job class is not meant to be all-inclusive of every task and/or responsibility.

CANCELLATION CLAUSE

This replaces the existing specification for the class of Principal Budget Specialist in Salary Group MP 68 approved effective August 17, 2007. (Revised to add Acknowledgement section and modify content) Final 22-007

EFFECTIVE DATE

04/01/2022
CLASS: 6335MP; EST: 10/23/1964; REV: 12/16/2022;