STATE OF CONNECTICUT EXECUTIVE BRANCH JOBS

Principal Budget Specialist

Recruitment #240403-6335MP-001

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Introduction


Are you a state employee that enjoys 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.

THE POSITION
The State of Connecticut, Office of Policy and Management (OPM), is currently accepting applications from qualified state employees for the position of Principal Budget Specialist in their 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.

CONTINUE TO ENJOY:
  • A Platinum Healthcare Plan, the nation’s best for state employees and dependents, according to a report by Georgetown’s Center on Health Insurance Reform an article by Ellen Andrews, Ph.D., along with comprehensive benefit offerings.
  • Extensive pension plan and supplemental retirement offerings.
  • Paid time off including thirteen (13) paid holidays.
  • A culture that encourages work/life balance.
  • Professional growth and development opportunities.
  • Work for a Forbes top company - ‘Forbes’: State of Connecticut Ranked One of the Best Employers of 2023 - State of CT Receives National Recognition for Offering Job Growth, Competitive Benefits, and Flexible Schedule.
  • State of Connecticut is an eligible Public Service Loan Forgiveness employer, meaning you may be eligible to have qualifying student loans forgiven after 10 years of service. Click here for more information.
HIGHLIGHTS
This is a full time (40 hours per week) position conveniently located in Hartford, CT, easily accessible to all major highways. 
  • LOCATION: OPM, Budget and Financial Management Division 
  • ADDRESS: 450 Capitol Avenue, Hartford, CT
  • WORK HOURS: Full-time, first shift, 40 hours per week
  • SCHEDULE: Monday through Friday
DISCOVER THE OPPORTUNITY TO
  • Perform a full range of financial analysis for the largest and most complex state agencies or programs.
  • Interpret and monitor agency spending, capital, revenue and program accomplishments in accordance with established policy and legislative intent.
  • Analyze programmatic, revenue and capital portions of agency budgets.
About Us
At OPM we report directly to the Governor and provide information and analysis that the Governor uses to formulate public policy for the state. We also assist state agencies and municipalities in implementing the law and public policy on behalf of the people of Connecticut. We prepare the Governor’s budget proposals; implement and monitor the execution of the enacted budget; and oversee the executive branch agencies that report to the Governor.

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.

  • 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.
Learn more about making an impaCT by serving the state of Connecticut as a Principal Budget Specialist by watching the video below:

Selection Plan

For Assistance in Applying:
Please read or watch our "Applicant Tips on How to Apply" page.
Read through this helpful link to prepare for your interview. 

To Apply:
  • In order to be considered for this job opening, you must be a current State of CT employee, who has worked for the state for at least six (6) months of full-time service or full-time equivalent service, absent any applicable collective bargaining language, and meet the Minimum Qualifications as listed on the job opening.  You must specify your qualifications on your application.
  • For current state employees, salary calculations are not necessarily comparable from one of the three branches of state government (i.e., Executive, Legislative, Judicial) to the other.
  • The minimum experience and training requirements must be met by the close date on the job opening, unless otherwise specified.
  • Ensure that your application is complete and detailed before submitting it. In order to comply with Public Act 21-69, the State of Connecticut is no longer asking for resumes during the initial application process. You will not be able to make revisions once your application is submitted into the JobAps system.
  • Please select all location(s) and shift(s) you are willing to work on your application. Failure to do so may result in not being considered for vacancies in that specific location.
  • 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 DAS.SHRM@ct.gov.
After You Apply: 
  • Although applicants will receive correspondence via email, as a backup they are also encouraged to sign on to their Personal Status Board daily to monitor their status, view all emailed notices and complete tasks required in the recruitment process.
  • This posting may require completion of additional referral questions (RQs). You can access these RQs via an email that will be sent to you after the posting's closing date or by visiting your JobAps Personal Status Board (Certification Questionnaires section). Your responses to these RQs must be submitted by the question's expiration date. Please regularly check your email and JobAps Personal Status Board for notifications. Please check your SPAM and/or Junk folders daily in the event an email provider places auto-notification emails in a user's spam. 
  • 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, 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. 
  • The immediate vacancy is listed above, however, applications to this recruitment may be used for future vacancies in this job class. 
  • Interviews will be limited to candidates whose experience and training most closely meet the requirements of the position.
Connect With Us:
  • Due to the large volume of applications received, we are unable to provide confirmation of receipt or status during the recruitment process. Updates will be available through your JobAps portal account. 
  • If have any questions pertaining to this recruitment, please contact opm.recruitment@ct.gov. 
  • Follow the State of Connecticut on LinkedIn.    

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.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

This position performs a full range of financial analysis for the largest and most complex state agencies or programs.  Major duties include:
  • Analysis of programmatic, revenue and capital portions of agency budgets;
  • Assists and advises commissioners or executives of assigned agencies in preparation and presentation of budget requests and options; 
  • Analyzes, reviews and makes recommendations on budget requests and options in terms of agency functions, policy, programs and objectives; 
  • Recommends agency budget or program revisions; 
  • Assists in revising agency budgets or programs; 
  • Provides input and analysis for ongoing refinement of program budget development and budget option process; 
  • Reviews state agencies' fiscal management policies, procedures and systems; 
  • 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 the preparation or prepares testimony 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 state overall financial position for 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; 
  • Prepares reports and makes presentations; 
  • Provides training to agency staff and executives; and
  • 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.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

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

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.

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.




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