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DEPARTMENT INFORMATION:

Are you looking for a position in a fast-paced organization where there are opportunities to engage in important policy issues? Would you find working with high-level management in State Government and with the State Legislature exciting and rewarding? If so, the Department of Finance offers a broad range of professional career paths in such areas as budgeting, accounting and auditing, information technology, economic and population research, and general administration, with great potential for personal and career advancement.

Department Website: http://www.dof.ca.gov

POSITION DESCRIPTION:

Finance Budget Analysts perform analytical and consultative duties necessary to carry out the budget development and management functions of the California Department of Finance, which is the Governor's chief fiscal policy advisor. Analysts are responsible for:

• Developing the annual Governor's Budget, including analyzing departmental budget requests and testifying during legislative hearings.
• Developing written analyses of the fiscal and programmatic impacts of proposed legislation.
• Analyzing unmet public needs and developing alternatives and recommendations for meeting those needs.
• Providing information and instruction to other state agencies concerning budget and financial procedures. 

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS:

• Excellent analytical, writing, and problem solving skills
• Understanding of basic statistical concepts and good working math skills
• Experience in making oral presentations and using Excel
• Good judgment
• Ability to easily adapt to change and to act effectively under pressure
• Ability to gain and maintain cooperative working relationships 
• Patience, poise, flexibility, tact, reliability, and dependability
• Ability to work overtime on short notice

HOW TO APPLY:

In order to be considered for this position, applicants must submit the following:

• A State of California application (Examination and/or Employment Application, Std. 678). You may obtain an official state application (STD 678) here.
• A resume.
• Three references including name, relationship, and telephone number. References will not be contacted until after hiring interviews are conducted.
• Copy of degree or copy of unofficial transcripts showing degree obtained or current school status. 
• A one-page Statement of Interest indicating why you are interested in a Finance Budget Analyst position with the Department of Finance, using a font no smaller than 12 point.

Applicants must provide complete, thorough and detailed descriptions of job and/or volunteer experience. This information is critical in determining acceptance into the selection process and determining at which level you are hired.

Current state employees must indicate on their application their current civil service classification, NOT working titles. 

WHO MAY APPLY:

Individuals who are currently in the classification, eligible for lateral transfer, eligible for reinstatement, eligible for a Training and Development assignment, have SROA and/or Surplus eligibility, or have list eligibility (or are in the process of obtaining list eligibility) may apply. SROA and Surplus candidates must attach "surplus letters" to their applications. Applicants must meet the Minimum Qualifications stated in the Classification Specification(s). More information on the Junior Staff Analyst and Finance Budget Analyst minimum qualifications may be found at the California Department of Human Resources (CalHR) website:

http://www.calhr.ca.gov/state-hr-professionals/Pages/job-descriptions.aspx

Applicants using education to meet the Minimum Qualifications may apply before completing the education required, but must provide proof of completion of the education requirements prior to hire.

Applicants must also meet Minimum Qualifications and successfully complete and obtain list eligibility on either the Staff Services Analyst or Associate Governmental Program Analyst on-line exam to be eligible for appointment.

SALARY RANGES (per month):

Junior Staff Analyst 

Range L: $3,549 - $4,449

Range M: $3,844 - $4,812

Finance Budget Analyst

Range A: $4,846 - $6,605

Range B: $5,823 - $7,294

Staff Finance Budget Analyst

$6,720 - $8,351

SALARY NOTE:

These positions are eligible for an additional recruitment and retention pay differential (10% in the first year, and 15% in the second year).

BENEFITS

For general information related to benefits with the State of California, please click here: California State Civil Service Employee Benefits Summary

Finance employees are excluded from collective bargaining and are eligible to receive the following enhanced benefits:  

• Enhanced medical, dental, and disability benefits
• Employer paid Life Insurance
• Additional hour of Vacation/Annual Leave
• Excluded employees are not subject to State Disability Insurance payroll withholding

For more details about employee benefits, visit the Department of Finance's website here.

HIRING PROCESS:

Due to the impacts of COVID-19, the majority of correspondence from the Recruitment Team will be through e-mail. Applicants must provide the most up-to-date e-mail address on their application to ensure timely correspondence. 

Virtual interviews via web portals or phone may be offered as deemed appropriate and feasible. 

Beginning April 2022, Finance implemented a hybrid telework model, which requires employees to work in the office a minimum of two days during the workweek. We are scheduled to continue this hybrid telework policy until further notice.

The three-phased process gives interested individuals an opportunity to demonstrate the skills and abilities needed to perform Finance Budget Analyst duties. 

Phase I (Application Screening) is tentatively scheduled for approximately August 3rd – 5th:

Application packages will be screened to ensure all materials were submitted accurately and timely. 

Additionally, applications will be screened to ensure candidates have critical skills, knowledge, competencies and minimum qualifications that demonstrate potential success as a Finance Budget Analyst. Those candidates who pass Phase I will be invited to participate in Phase II.

Phase II (Writing/Math Exercise) is tentatively scheduled for approximately August 16th – 17th:

The second phase of the process assesses writing and math competencies. Successful individuals proceed to the third phase of the hiring process. The math/writing exercise may be given either in person or electronically thru email.

Phase III (Interviews) are tentatively scheduled during late August, 2022:

The third phase of the hiring process consists of interviews with our budget units. This interview is pass/fail. Successful candidates are either hired or placed in a hiring pool for future consideration. Placement in the pool does not guarantee appointment to a Budget Analyst position. The interviews for this recruitment will be held via Zoom.

INFORMATIONAL SESSIONS:

To hear more about the role of a Finance Budget Analyst, and to ask questions, Informational Sessions will be held. Due to the impacts of COVID-19, these will be held via Zoom only on:

Thursday, July 7th (tentative)

12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.

Tuesday, July 12th (tentative)

12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.

Please e-mail FBARecruiting@dof.ca.gov to sign up for an informational session. Please indicate your preferred date in your request.

QUESTIONS ABOUT THE JOB:

Department of Finance

Human Resources Office

(916) 323-4071

E-mail: FBARecruiting@dof.ca.gov