Placer County

To act as an analytical resource in support of assigned County departments in the budget review, analysis, and monitoring process; to serve as the liaison between the County Executive Office and assigned departments; to support assigned departments in strategic planning, organizational and policy review, staffing considerations, and other assigned projects by providing research, guidance, and tactical advice; to conduct research, data collection, and analysis for Countywide programs and special projects; and to act as a positive and effective team member.

The Management Analyst job series represents professional positions responsible for establishing, maintaining, and monitoring a variety of administrative policies, budgets, fiscal processes, and organizational and legislative issues on a Countywide basis, as well as serving as a liaison to departments and providing support to departments as a representative of the County Executive Office.  While typically allocated to the County Executive Office, positions with oversight for a major Countywide program(s), including budget and contract administration, policy development and implementation, and the management and coordination of work assigned to multiple departments on behalf of the County Executive, may also be allocated at the department level with CEO approval.

This series is distinguished from the Administrative and Fiscal Officer series in that the latter is primarily responsible for managing the budget and administration process for an assigned department/division, whereas classifications in the Management Analyst series review, coordinate, and manage these processes across multiple departments in support of the Countywide budget or a Countywide program.

Management Analyst I

This is the entry-level class in the Management Analyst series.  This class is distinguished from the Management Analyst II by the performance of more routine tasks and duties assigned to positions within this series. Incumbents perform a smaller scope of analytical, budgetary, and administrative assignments. Employees at this level are not expected to perform with the same independence of direction and judgment on matters allocated to the journey level.  While this class is typically used as a training class relative to the County Civil Service System, employees are required to have professional-level and related work experience.  Employees work under general supervision while learning specific job tasks and the County’s organization, policies, and procedures.

Management Analyst II

This is the full journey-level class within the Management Analyst series.  This class is distinguished from the Management Analyst I by the assignment of the full range of duties.  Employees at this level receive only occasional instruction or assistance as new or unusual situations arise and are fully aware of the operating procedures and policies within the County Executive Office.  Incumbents work independently or as a member of a team and may provide training and work direction to lower-level personnel. Positions in this class are flexibly staffed and are normally filled by advancement from the entry level.

This class is distinguished from the Senior Management Analyst in that the latter is the advanced journey-level in the series and serves as a first-line supervisor to professional staff. Incumbents at the Senior level also have program responsibility for specialized programs/projects, with a greater level or responsibility, higher complexity of duties assigned, including sensitive fiscal and policy issues or projects, assignments of multiple fiscally complex budgets, or projects, more independence of action taken, and greater scope of public contact than those at the entry and journey levels.

• Review assigned departments' budgets as a representative of the County Executive Office and as a resource to the department; analyze budget requests, confer with department staff, and position the department budget in relation to the County’s budget, goals, objectives and strategies.
• Assist assigned departments in the preparation of budgets; work with department staff to prepare the budget documents; participate in the effective design and composition of the budget documents, recommend layout, and advise staff on areas of emphasis; support department in the development of the presentation and its justification of proposed budget.
• Participate in monitoring departments' adherence to approved budget; review financial reports and accounting documents periodically for accuracy; identify any needs for adjustments or modifications to the approved budget; make recommendations, provide support, and research alternatives for departments. 
• Serve as a liaison between the County Executive Office and assigned departments; review and analyze agenda items and memorandums and provide guidance regarding appropriateness, presentation, and overall effectiveness; assist and participate in the prioritization and organization of departmental requests to the County Executive Officer and the Board of Supervisors. 
• Assist in organizational reviews within assigned departments; provide support and advice regarding strategic planning; identify staffing needs and growth estimates to ensure consistency with County goals and priorities; identify alternative solutions, prepare recommendations, and assist departments in implementing recommended and/or mandated changes.
• Conduct a variety of administrative, productivity, and efficiency studies related to budget process, performance audits, management reviews, and administrative analyses of operational systems and procedures; assist in the development of solutions to enhance efficiency and productivity.
• Conduct research and analysis on a variety of issues and topics requested by departments, the County Executive Officer or the Board of Supervisors; participate in special projects; research issues, document findings, and justify recommendations. 
• Monitor, research, review, and analyze existing and new legislation and examine its effect on the County’s operations; make recommendations and provide alternatives to the County, departments, or special project team consistent with legislative guidelines and requirements. 
• Respond to requests for information from within the County as well as federal, state, and local agencies; research, analyze, and present information as requested. 
• Attend and participate in various board, commission, community groups, and committee meetings as assigned, and serve as a liaison from the County Executive Office. 
• Prepare agreements, contracts, financial spreadsheets, correspondence, reports, charts, graphs, and presentations; respond to questionnaires and surveys; establish and maintain documentation and records as appropriate. 
• Facilitate the development and implementation of Countywide programs and projects at the department level; coordinate meetings and project activities; assist departments in identifying goals, objectives, activities, and outcomes. 
• Conduct analyses and policy review as requested by assigned departments or by supervisor; identify opportunities for improvement and make recommendations. 
• Represent the County Executive Office or assigned departments at designated meetings, workshops, and/or task forces as necessary. 
• Maintain awareness of and participation in external professional environment and resources to ensure the highest level of professional standards are applied to service delivery within the County Executive Office. 
• Participate in special projects; may act as lead in a team project.  
• Build and maintain positive working relationships with co-workers, other County employees, and the public using principles of effective customer service. 
• Perform related duties as assigned.

Management Analyst I

Experience and Training
Any combination of experience and training that would provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying.  A typical way to obtain the required knowledge and abilities would be:

Experience: 

One year of professional analytical, budgetary, and/or management experience in an area to which the incumbent is assigned.

Training: 

Equivalent to a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in business or public administration, political science, finance, economics, or a related field.

Required License or Certificate:

• May be required to possess a valid driver's license as required by the position.  Proof of adequate vehicle insurance and medical clearance may also be required.

Experience and Training
Any combination of experience and training that would provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying.  A typical way to obtain the required knowledge and abilities would be:

Experience: 

Two years of responsible analytical experience performing duties similar to a Management Analyst I in assigned program areas with Placer County, including budget development and evaluation.

Training: 

Equivalent to a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in business or public administration, political science, finance, economics, or a related field.

Required License or Certificate:

• May be required to possess a valid driver's license as required by the position.  Proof of adequate vehicle insurance and medical clearance may also be required.

Management Analyst I

Knowledge of:

• Principles and practices of public administration and principles of organization, management, and staffing.
• Principles and practices of budget development and preparation.
• Modern office procedures, methods, and standard office equipment, including a computer and related computer equipment.
• Assigned computer software, including word processing, spreadsheet, presentation, and database applications.
• English usage, spelling, punctuation, and grammar.
• Pertinent local, state and federal laws, rules, regulations, and statutes.
• Principles and practices of public finance and fiscal control.
• Standard and accepted uses and applications of statistics, including calculation of mean and median.
• Standard and accepted modern research techniques, including the use of surveys and questionnaires.
• Principles and techniques of report preparation and graphic presentation.
• Principles and techniques of administrative analysis, including workload measurement, workflow and layout, work simplification, and procedure analysis.
• Principles and practices of local government, including county administration, organization, programs, and functions. 

Ability to: 

• On a continuous basis, know and understand all aspects of the job; intermittently analyze work papers and special projects; identify and interpret technical and numerical information; observe and problem solve operational and technical policies and procedures; recall and utilize a variety of information; work under time pressure and complete a high volume of tasks; focus on a single task for long periods of time.
• On a continuous basis, sit at a desk or in meetings for long periods of time; intermittently twist to reach equipment surrounding desk; walk, stand, bend, stoop, squat, kneel, or twist; perform simple grasping and fine manipulation; use telephone, write, or use a keyboard to communicate through written means or to enter/retrieve data from a computer; lift light weight.
• Read, analyze, evaluate, and summarize written materials and statistical data, including reports, financial reports, and budgets.
• Learn the principles and practices of motivation, team building, and conflict resolution.
• Understand, interpret, explain, and apply complex rules and procedures.
• Analyze systems and administrative and management practices and identify opportunities for improvement.
• Obtain information through interview; effectively handle multiple assignments; and interact firmly and courteously with the public.
• Determine effective research methods, compile data, and present in a form most likely to enhance understanding.
• Prepare reports, statistical data, forms, questionnaires, and surveys.
• Learn to analyze problems, identify alternative solutions, project consequences of proposed actions, and implement recommendations in support of goals.
• Interpret and apply pertinent local, state, and federal laws and regulations, including Civil Service rules.
• Analyze situations quickly and objectively, apply appropriate elements of decision-making, and determine the proper course of action. 
• Work with various cultural and ethnic groups in a tactful and effective manner.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the performance of required duties.

Management Analyst II

In addition to the qualifications for Management Analyst II and depending on the area of assignment:

Knowledge of:

• Policies and procedures used by the County in budget and administrative analysis.
• Operating policies and procedures and functions of assigned departments, divisions, or program areas.
• Local, state, and federal laws, rules, regulations and statutes relevant to assigned duties.
• Methods of statistical research and presentation.
• Principles and practices of training.

Ability to:

• Independently apply the principles and practices of public administration as assigned.
• Independently analyze budgets, systems, and administrative and management practices and identify opportunities for improvement.
• Independently read, analyze, evaluate, and summarize written materials and statistical data.
• Independently analyze problems, identify alternative solutions, project consequences of proposed actions, and implement recommendations in support of goals.
• Independently prepare technical written materials and apply statistical formulae.
• Independently interpret and apply pertinent local, state, and federal laws and regulations, including Civil Service rules.
• Review fiscal operations, practices, and internal controls.
• Perform a variety of specialized duties to assist in the preparation, analysis, and maintenance of designated budgets.