STATE OF CONNECTICUT EXECUTIVE BRANCH JOBS

Budget Analyst Trainee

Leadership Associate (Confidential)

Recruitment #220929-5989VR-001

Introduction


ABOUT US
The State of Connecticut’s Office of Policy and Management (OPM) is recruiting for a Budget Analyst Trainee (Leadership Associate (confidential) target class Budget Analyst) position in the Budget and Financial Management Division. This is an exciting opportunity to be part of a team of professionals responsible for budget and policy analysis on behalf of the Governor.

YOUR ROLE
Do you enjoy governmental budgeting, financial analysis and public sector policy development? Are you looking to make an impact by making government more efficient? If so, discover the opportunity to be a part of the exciting and professional team at OPM. 

OPM functions as the Governor’s staff agency and plays a central role in state government, providing the information and analysis used to formulate public policy for the State and assisting State agencies and municipalities in implementing policy decisions on the Governor’s behalf. OPM prepares the Governor’s budget proposal and implements and monitors the execution of the budget as adopted by the General Assembly. Through intra-agency and inter-agency efforts, OPM strengthens and improves the delivery of services to the citizens of Connecticut and increases the efficiency and effectiveness of state government through integrated process and system improvements.

OPM’s Budget and Financial Management Division: 
  • Develops effective guidelines, procedures and automated tools that support the formulation and execution of state fiscal policy;
  • Provides analyses, evaluations and recommendations on all issues, including but not limited to policy, economic, labor relations, pensions and revenues, which impact the development and implementation of the State's financial and programmatic policies, and advises the Governor, Secretary of OPM, agency heads and the Legislature;
  • Implements the State's policies through development of a capital spending program that meets the statutory bonding cap, and executes and monitors that program through the State Bond Commission; and
  • Ensures compliance with applicable state laws, administrative policy, legislative intent and Judicial decisions as they relate to agency fiscal budgets; seeks efficiency and effectiveness of agency operations; undertakes in-depth analysis of agency current and future financial and programmatic needs and accomplishments.
In this role as a Budget Analyst Trainee, you will participate in a program where you will be trained to become a leading expert on the issues and departments within your section’s portfolio. The position will also directly support the section director with special projects, requests for analysis, team coordination, and other specific needs as necessary.

We offer a competitive benefits package, excellent healthcare, generous leave policies, retirement plan, and more!  We also encourage a healthy work-life balance to all employees!
Interested in becoming a state employee?  Watch the video below to learn more:

Selection Plan

In order to comply with Public Act 21-69, the State of Connecticut is no longer asking for resumes during the initial application process.

Please ensure your application is complete prior to submission.  You will be unable to make revisions once you officially submit your application to the State of Connecticut.

Note:  At any point during the recruitment process, applicants may be required to submit additional documentation which support their qualification(s) for this position.  These documents may include:  a cover letter, resume, transcripts, diplomas, performance reviews, attendance records, supervisory references, licensure, etc., at the discretion of the hiring agency.  Applicants must meet the minimum qualifications as indicated to apply for this position. 

This posting may require completion of additional referral questions (RQs) which will be sent to you via email after the closing date. The email notification will include an expiration date by which you must submit (Finish) your responses. Please regularly check your email for notifications. Please check your SPAM and/or Junk folders, as emails could end up there in error.

All application materials must be received by the recruiting agency by the time specified on the job opening for the position for which you are applying. Late applications may not be submitted and will not be considered. Exceptions are rare and limited to documented events that incapacitate a candidate during the entire duration of the job posting time period.  It is the candidate’s obligation and responsibility to request an exception and provide a legally recognized justification to accommodate such exception.  Requests should be made to opm.recruitment@ct.gov.

Although applicants will receive correspondence via email, as a backup they are also encouraged to sign on to their Personal Status Board on a daily basis to monitor their status, view all emailed notices and complete tasks required in the recruitment process.

The immediate vacancy is listed above, however, applicants to this recruitment may be used for future vacancies in this job class.

Any questions regarding this recruitment may be directed to the hiring agency's human resources office: opm.recruitment@ct.gov.

PURPOSE OF JOB CLASS (NATURE OF WORK)

In a state agency incumbents in this class participate in a formal development program designed to provide the necessary knowledge and skills to qualify for appointment to a designated managerial or professional confidential class assigned to the MP Pay Plan.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

This position performs a full range of financial analysis for state agencies or programs.  Major duties include:
  • Performs technical financial analysis work, assisting a specialist of higher grade in administering the State financial program for a group of State agencies or programs; 
  • Analyzes, reviews, and makes recommendations for the financial affairs of the agencies or programs assigned; 
  • Assists in the analysis and review of budget requests and options for assigned agencies or programs; 
  • Studies operations and needs, makes suggestions for modifications of financial proposals when appropriate; 
  • Assists in performing analytical work involving examination of budgetary controls, fiscal operations and purchasing functions; 
  • Monitors agency spending/revenue/capital programs during the fiscal year; 
  • Makes recommendations to the section director on the financial requests in terms of agency or program policy or objectives; 
  • Participates in review of state agencies fiscal management policies, procedures and systems; 
  • Prepares background data and conducts studies on various problems arising in connection with fiscal administration; 
  • Reviews requests for establishment of new positions, leases, and capital projects; 
  • Assists in reviewing state agency requests for Personal Service Agreements and Purchase Service Contracts; 
  • Prepares reports; 
  • Participates in on-going refinement of program budget development and the budget option process; 
  • Participates in conferences and legislative hearings regarding the financial requirements of assigned agencies and programs; 
  • Participates in negotiations with agencies for voluntary compliance with recommended changes; and
  • Performs related duties as required.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY

Considerable oral and written communication skills; interpersonal skills; considerable ability to understand and apply state and federal laws, statutes and regulations; considerable ability to analyze and solve problems; considerable ability to effect and manage change; considerable ability to plan for and implement excellent customer service; considerable ability to learn a new knowledge base in functional area; considerable ability to learn and apply policy and procedure; managerial aptitude.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Candidates must be able to meet the experience and training requirements of the designated class at the completion of the development program.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

The preferred candidate will have the following:
  • An advanced degree (e.g., Master's, PhD) in the field of public administration, public policy, economics, business administration, finance or a related discipline; 
  • Training or experience in quantitative or statistical analysis;
  • Experience with Microsoft Excel and/or Access, including manipulating data sets and advanced computational functions; and
  • Training or experience in public budgeting.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

1. Prior to appointment to this class there must be an approved managerial or professional confidential designated class identified to which the incumbent will be appointed upon successful completion of an approved development program. Incumbents in this class must meet the experience and training requirements of the identified designated class at the end of the development program.
2. The work schedule for this classification is full-time. Incumbents must work a full-time forty (40) hours per week schedule.
3. Incumbents in this class will be eligible for reclassification to the designated class without competitive examination upon successful completion of the development program and satisfactory service. The length of the development program should be designed around the requirements of the designated class and the prior experience of the incumbent but in no case should be less than one (1) year or exceed three (3) calendar years in accordance with C.G.S. 5-234.
4. All appointments to this class shall be under terms of an approved development program and in accordance with a time schedule approved by the Department of Administrative Services.
5. No additional working test period shall be required upon successful completion of the development program.

Conclusion

AN AFFIRMATIVE ACTION/EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

The State of Connecticut is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and strongly encourages the applications of women, minorities, and persons with disabilities.