Principal Fiscal Policy Analyst

Job Description:

Principal Fiscal Policy Analyst

Description

THE POSITION

With supervisor approval, incumbents may be eligible for intermittent remote work; however, they must physically reside within the Sacramento region or have the ability to regularly report to a City of Sacramento physical worksite with little notice.

The Principal Fiscal Policy Analyst serves as the Audit Manager for the Performance Audit Division within the Office of the City Auditor. This key leadership position supports the City Auditor in promoting accountability, transparency, and improved performance across City operations by managing and overseeing performance audits in alignment with Generally Accepted Government Auditing Standards (GAGAS). This position plays a critical role in shaping audit priorities, leading high-impact projects, and ensuring the work of the division contributes to improved services and outcomes for the community. This position functions as a working manager, supervising a team of auditors while also directly managing complex audits.

IDEAL CANDIDATE STATEMENT
The ideal candidate is an experienced and forward-thinking audit professional with a strong background in performance auditing, public policy analysis, and program evaluation. They are a strategic leader who thrives in a collaborative environment, brings sound judgment, and communicates complex information clearly and effectively to diverse audiences. They have a deep commitment to public service and are passionate about using data-driven insights to improve government operations and outcomes for the community. They are skilled in managing projects, coaching staff, and navigating sensitive issues with professionalism, independence, and integrity.

The Principal Fiscal Policy Analyst performs independent analysis and review of budget and policy issues and develops options and recommendations to address these issues. Responsibilities include comprehensive review and analysis of proposed budgetary and legislative matters. Conducts financial, operational, and program audits and investigations to determine compliance with prevailing laws and to identify opportunities to strengthen internal controls. Responds to City Council requests for information and analysis of the City's budget and programs; conducts independent fiscal and policy research, and reports on issues of importance to the City. Work must be solution-oriented and performed in a timely manner.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

Fiscal Policy Analyst

The Fiscal Policy Analyst is a journey level classification in the professional Fiscal Policy Analyst classification series and is populated with multiple incumbents. The Fiscal Policy Analyst is distinguished from the Senior Fiscal Policy Analyst in that the latter performs analytical work with a very high degree of independence and responsibility.

Senior Fiscal Policy Analyst

The Senior Fiscal Policy Analyst is the advanced-journey level in this class series and is populated with multiple incumbents. Positions in this class are flexibly staffed and are normally filled by advancement from the lower-level class of Fiscal Policy Analyst. Appointment to the higher class requires that the employee be performing substantially the full range of duties for the class and meet the qualification standards for the class.

The Senior Fiscal Policy Analyst is distinguished from the Fiscal Policy Analyst in that the former performs analytical work with a very high degree of independence and responsibility and may supervise Fiscal Policy Analysts. The Senior Fiscal Policy Analyst is distinguished from the Principal Fiscal Policy Analyst in that the latter performs analytical work with greater degree of complexity, independence and responsibility and provides direct supervision of lower-level Fiscal Policy Analysts.

Principal Fiscal Policy Analyst

The Principal Fiscal Policy Analyst is the supervisory level classification in the series and is populated with multiple incumbents. Positions in this class are flexibly staffed and are normally filled by advancement from the lower-level class of Fiscal Policy Analyst. Appointment to the higher class requires that the employee be performing substantially the full range of duties for the class and meet the qualification standards for the class.

The Principal Fiscal Policy Analyst is distinguished from the Senior Fiscal Policy Analyst in that the former performs analytical work with increased complexity, independence and responsibility. Additionally, the Principal Fiscal Policy Analyst provides direct supervision of lower-level Fiscal Policy Analysts.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED

General supervision is provided by higher-level management positions. Responsibilities include direct supervision of lower level positions in the Fiscal Policy Analyst class series.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The following duties are typical for this classification. Incumbents may not perform all the listed duties and/or may be required to perform related duties as needed:

• Conducts a comprehensive review and analysis of proposed budgetary items.
• Researches and analyzes data and information relative to budgetary issues and oversees the research and analysis of lower level staff.
• Conducts audits of City operations, programs and activities; evaluates actual versus projected outcomes; identifies areas of risk; recommends functional and operational changes needed to improve the economy, efficiency and effectiveness of City government services and programs.
• Conducts audit planning, executes field work, and document audit steps in working papers.
• Oversees the development of comparative studies of other cities as they relate to municipal finance and participates in the development as needed.
• Reviews fiscal forecasts including review of past, current, and proposed revenues and expenditures and reports on the findings.
• Researches federal, state, and local programs to determine sources of funding and appropriate expenditure options.
• Researches and analyzes the policy and fiscal effects of new or proposed legislation.
• Participates in the construction of economic models and indexes.
• Prepares fiscal and economic project analysis.
• Develops reports relating to budgetary and legislative policy concerns.
• Performs supervisory work.
• Oversees the development of recommendations and assists lower-level staff in presenting the recommendations for review by higher-level management in connection with the analysis, studies, and reports described herein.
• Attends public meetings and presents reports as necessary.
• Conducts fraud, waste, and abuse investigations.
• Performs related duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

Knowledge of:

• Principles, practices, and techniques of public administration and public policy.
• Principles and practices of organizational, financial, and policy analysis.
• Principles, methods, and practices of municipal finance, budgeting, and accounting.
• Principles, methods, and practices of long-range financial planning.
• Advanced research and analytical methods, techniques, and procedures.
• Operational characteristics, services and activities of audit and performance measurement programs.
• Principles and practices of complex auditing and accounting functions and their application to municipal/governmental accounting systems, with emphasis on fiscal and operational aspects of such organizations.
• Various professional accounting standards such as Generally Accepted Auditing Standards (GAAS), Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), and Generally Accepted Governmental Auditing Standards (GAGAS).
• Technical report writing and presentation.
• Public speaking.
• Basic supervisory principles and practices.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and Word.
• Applicable federal, state, and local laws, rules, and regulations.

Skill in:

• Use of modern office equipment, including computers, computer applications and software.

Ability to:

• Analyze a variety of complex administrative and organizational problems, and make sound, independent policy and procedural recommendations.
• Plan and organize complex budgetary and auditing projects; design, implement, and monitor internal audit programs, systems, and procedures.
• Communicate clearly, verbally and in writing.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with others at all staff levels.
• Interpret laws, regulations, and policies.
• Prepare comprehensive and accurate reports.
• Demonstrate patience, poise, flexibility, tact, reliability, and dependability.
• Work with sensitive and confidential information.
• Display good judgment.
• Adjust to rapidly shifting priorities and timelines.
• Learn quickly and show initiative.
• Work effectively with multidisciplinary teams.
• Facilitate groups.
• Train, supervise, and evaluate assigned staff.

EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION

Experience:

Six years of progressively responsible professional-level administrative and analytical experience, including four years journey-level experience in budget, strategic planning, policy analysis, auditing, program evaluation, and/or financial analysis. Government experience is desirable.

-AND-

Education:

Possession of a Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in public policy, public or business administration, economics, accounting, or a related field that includes a curriculum of economics, statistics, public finance, and policy analysis.

-OR-

Ten years of progressively responsible professional-level administrative and analytical experience, including four years journey-level experience in budget, strategic planning, policy analysis, auditing, program evaluation, and/or financial analysis. Government experience is preferred.

Substitution:

A Master's degree in one of the above fields may substitute for one year of the required experience.

PROOF OF EDUCATION

Should education be used to qualify for this position, then proof of education such as, but not limited to, university/college transcripts and degrees should be submitted with your application and will be required at the time of appointment. Unofficial documents and/or copies are acceptable.

An applicant with a college degree obtained outside the United States must have education records evaluated by a credentials evaluation service. Evaluation of education records will be due at time of appointment.

SPECIAL QUALIFICATIONS

Certification:

Designation as a CPA (Certified Public Accountant) is desirable.

Designation as a CIA (Certified Internal Auditor) is desirable.

Designation as a CFE (Certified Fraud Examiner) is desirable.

THE SELECTION PROCEDURE

Please note, the City of Sacramento's preferred method of communication with applicants is via e-mail. As such, please ensure you verify the e-mail address on your application, and check your e-mail frequently, including your spam and junk folders. All e-mail notifications can also be accessed through the governmentjobs.com applicant inbox.

1. Application: (Pass/Fail) - All applicants must complete and submit online a City of Sacramento employment application by the final filing deadline ;

• Employment applications must be submitted online; paper applications will not be accepted.
• Employment applications will be considered incomplete and will be disqualified:
  • If applicants do not list current and past job-related experience in the duties area of the "Work Experience" section. Note: Qualifying experience is based on full-time experience (40 hours per week). Qualifying experience is calculated to the full-time equivalent (pro-rated if less than 40 hours/week).
  • If "see resume" is noted in the "Work Experience" section; a resume will not substitute for the information required in the "Work Experience" section.
• Position/job titles will not be considered in determining eligibility for meeting the minimum qualifications for this position.
• Proof of education such as, but not limited to, university/college transcripts and degrees should be submitted online with your application. Proof of education will be required at time of appointment.

2. Supplemental Questionnaire: (Pass/Fail) - In addition to the City of Sacramento employment application, all applicants must complete and submit online responses to the supplemental questionnaire to the City of Sacramento Employment Office by the final filing deadline ;

• Responses to the supplemental questionnaire must be submitted online; paper questionnaire will not be accepted.
• Incomplete supplemental questionnaire will not pass the review process; omitted information cannot be considered or assumed.
• A resume will not substitute for the information required in the supplemental questionnaire.
• Possession of the minimum qualifications is not necessarily a guarantee for further advancement in the selection process.

3. Screening Committee: (Pass/Fail) - All applications received by the final filing deadline will be forwarded to the hiring department for review. The hiring department will select the most competitive applications for further consideration. Human Resources will only evaluate employment applications for the minimum qualifications, as stated on the job announcement, for applications selected by the hiring department.

4. Interview Process: Human Resources will forward applications to the hiring department. Those determined to be the most qualified candidates will be invited to participate in an interview process.

5. Conditional Hire: Upon receipt of a conditional offer, the selected candidate must complete and pass Live Scan/fingerprinting. If applicable, candidates may also need to pass a pre-employment medical exam, controlled substance and/or alcohol test, and possess any required licensure or certification prior to receiving a start date from the Department. Failure to meet these prerequisites will be grounds for withdrawal of your conditional offer of employment.

QUESTIONS:
For questions concerning this job announcement and the application process:

• Please visit https://www.governmentjobs.com/Home/ApplicationGuide for a comprehensive, step-by-step guide to the application process.
• For technical support between 6 AM - 5 PM PT, contact Live Application Support at 855-524-5627.
• Visit the City of Sacramento Human Resources Department website at https://www.cityofsacramento.gov/HR/employment ;
• Send an email to employment@cityofsacramento.org ; or
• Call the Human Resources Department at (916) 808-5726

Bilingual Pay
Did you know that the City offers bilingual pay? That's right, most labor agreements offer the option of providing employees with bilingual pay if the department deems it to be operationally necessary.

Pension Reform Act
The City of Sacramento is covered by the California Public Employees' Retirement System, and as such, must adhere to the California Public Employee's Pension Reform Act (PEPRA) of 2013. Please note that the provisions within this act may affect or impact an applicant's eligibility and/or selection for open vacancies at the City of Sacramento.

Equal Opportunity Employer
The City of Sacramento is an equal opportunity employer to all, regardless of age, ancestry, color, disability (mental and physical), exercising the right to family care and medical leave, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, military or veteran status, national origin, political affiliation, race, religious creed, sex (includes pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding and related medical conditions), and sexual orientation.

Additional Information

Civil Service Rules: https://www.cityofsacramento.gov/content/dam/portal/hr/documentlibrary/CivilServiceBoardRules62012.pdf

Union Contracts: https://www.cityofsacramento.gov/HR/labor-agreements.html

Salary Schedule: https://www.cityofsacramento.gov/content/dam/portal/hr/documentlibrary/SalarySchedule.pdf

Closing Date/Time: 6/3/2025 11:59 PM Pacific

Salary:

$103,743.70 - $145,977.81 Annually