Principal Program Budget Analyst Series

California State Personnel Board Specification

Series established July 2, 1970

Scope

The classes in this series are used in the Department of Finance to perform a wide variety of staff work concerned with program budget planning, evaluation, and support; program budget policy analysis and formulation; reviewing budget requests; developing and defending the Governor's program budget; evaluating program performance; analyzing proposed legislation in process and providing assistance to management in conducting in-depth program analysis. Incumbents in this series are typically specialists who have demonstrated possession of intellectual abilities, analytical techniques, and personal qualifications to succeed in a variety of program budget analysis assignments with a particular area of program expertise. They identify program issues, conduct and/or review analytical studies and surveys and revenue forecasts; develop the cash budget, including cash management and supervision of debt programs; identify budget information system needs and interface requirements among other departments and branches of government; develop budget information systems; formulate program procedures-related problems; review and analyze bills proposed before the Legislature and advise management on the program and fiscal impact or potential fiscal impact; participate on or act as team, conference, or task force leaders on larger studies; and represent the Department of Finance and the administration as assigned.

This series is available for use only in the California State Department of Finance. Entry into this series would typically be by State employees who have had employment in or outside the State service that provided responsible analytical experience directly related to the preparation and/or review of program budgeting proposals.

Factors Affecting Position Allocation

Although it is recognized that this type of work represents a broad level concept, which justifies the use of three classes, the core level is represented by the Principal Program Budget Analyst II. As such, this represents a "control" level and the average salary range for all positions allocated to this series shall not exceed the salary range for the class of Principal Program Budget Analyst II.

Within this constraint, factors that affect the level of positions include: the scope of responsibility assigned, the complexity of work, the independence of action, program responsibilities, impact of decisions on statewide programs, degree to which consultation by the analyst is sought after and accepted by top management, decision-making responsibilities, and the demonstrable effect of analyst activity on major agency programs. Allocation to the appropriate level is governed by the following criteria:

1. The extent to which the program is susceptible to influence by the Principal Program Budget Analyst.

2. The relative complexity, variety, and magnitude of the programs.

3. The rate and intensity of program change.

4. The intensity and significance of special interest group pressures.

5. The magnitude of the expenditure program, giving consideration to the extent to which it is subject to control by the administration.

In addition, major consideration will be given to the degree of expertise in the program area and the creativity applied by the incumbent; the value of such factors to the Department of Finance and the capacity of the incumbents to deal effectively with the Department, group of departments, or agency to which assigned.

Definition of Levels

All Levels:

Serves as the Department of Finance's primary contact with one or more departments; develops expert fiscal and program knowledge in assigned area; identifies policy and program issues on which program analysis projects should be initiated; works with the department(s) to which assigned in preparation of the Governor's Program Budget; consults with line program managers regarding program; advises the Director of Finance and Governor's Office on decisions relating to the program budget and proposed legislation; has final authority to approve a wide range of financial documents that require Department of Finance approval; carries out program analysis projects, using a variety of analytical techniques to evaluate program effectiveness and program alternatives; serves as a resources person in assigned program area to assist other staff conducting program analyses; monitors program implementation; and represents the Department of Finance at subcommittee hearings of appropriate committees.

Principal Program Budget Analyst I

Positions are allocated at this level based on an evaluation of the assignment and incumbent in terms of the criteria discussed under Allocation Factors. Assignments are typically to a department, group of departments, or agency which currently have a minimum of sensitive programs, relatively small expenditures, or do not have significant impact on the State's total fiscal program; or the incumbent, due to newness to the assignment, is not yet able to function at a level of expertise that makes as major a contribution to the decision-making process as would be possible after a more prolonged exposure to the program within the assignment.

Principal Program Budget Analyst II

Positions are allocated at this level based on an evaluation of the assignment and incumbent in terms of the criteria discussed under Allocation Factors. Allocation at this level represents the acknowledged fully qualified level of principal responsibility. Assignments are typically to a department, group of departments, or agency which currently have an average range of sensitive programs, moderately complex expenditure patterns, have a significant impact on the State's fiscal resources, including important policy on program issues, and which deal with programs that are undergoing redefinition or redirection. The incumbent generally has been associated with the assignment to an extent sufficient to provide accepted expertise in the program areas, and she/he makes major contributions to the decision-making process, which are widely accepted within the administration and the Legislature.

Principal Program Budget Analyst III

Positions are allocated at this level based on an evaluation of the assignment and incumbent in terms of the criteria discussed under Allocation Factors. Assignments are only to those departments, groups of departments, or agencies which currently represent the most sensitive and complex programs and that have a major impact on the State's total fiscal resources. Typically, the assignments include policy-influencing recommendations in dynamic and controversial program areas. The incumbent brings an expertise to the assignment gathered over a period of association with the programs involved. She/he is alert in recognizing significant issues and creative in generating alternative solutions. She/he has considerable influence on the decision-making process and is respected for his/her knowledge, analytical ability, and judgment by the administration and the Legislature.

Minimum Qualifications

All Levels:

Experience applicable to one of the following patterns may be combined on a proportional basis with experience applicable to the other pattern to meet the total experience requirements.

Education: The following education is required when general experience is used to qualify at any level:

Equivalent to graduation from college. (Additional qualifying experience may be substituted for the required education on a year-for-year basis.)

Principal Program Budget Analyst I

Either I

Experience: One year of experience in the California state service performing duties of a Staff Finance Budget Analyst.

Or II

Experience: Four years of progressively responsible experience with duties involving the preparation, justification, and analysis, or the control and administration of a budget or budgetary program which may include revenue forecasting or expenditure estimates, and also must have included substantial utilization of program budgeting techniques. (Experience in the California state service applied toward this requirement must have included one year performing duties of a class comparable in level of responsibility to that of a Staff Finance Budget Analyst.) and

Education: Equivalent to graduation from college. (Additional qualifying experience may be substituted for the required education on a year-for-year basis.)

(Applicants who are within six months of satisfying the experience or education requirements will be admitted to the examination, but they must fully meet the experience or education requirements before being eligible for appointment.)

Principal Program Budget Analyst II

Either I

Experience: One year of experience in the California state service performing duties of a Principal Program Budget Analyst I.

Or II

Experience: One year of experience in the California state service performing duties of a Staff Finance Budget Analyst.

Or III

Experience: Five years of progressively responsible experience with duties involving the preparation, justification, and analysis, or the control and administration of a budget or budgetary program which may include revenue forecasting or expenditure estimates, two years of which must have involved the utilization of program budgeting techniques. (Experience in the California state service applied toward this requirement must have included one year performing duties of a class comparable in level of responsibility to that of a Principal Program Budget Analyst�I or Staff Finance Budget Analyst.) and

Education: Equivalent to graduation from college. (Additional qualifying experience may be substituted for the required education on a year-for-year basis.)

(Applicants who are within six months of satisfying the experience or education requirements will be admitted to the examination, but they must fully meet the experience or education requirements before being eligible for appointment.)

Principal Program Budget Analyst III

Either I

Experience: One year of experience in the California state service performing duties of a Principal Program Budget Analyst I or Principal Program Budget Analyst II.

Or II

Experience: Five years of progressively responsible experience with duties involving the preparation, justification, and analysis, or the control and administration of a budget or budgetary program which may include revenue forecasting or expenditure estimates, two years of which must have involved the utilization of program budgeting techniques and one year of supervisory experience. (Experience in the California state service applied toward this requirement must have included one year performing duties of a class comparable in level of responsibility to that of a Principal Program Budget Analyst�I or Principal Program Budget Analyst II.) and

Education: Equivalent to graduation from college. (Additional qualifying experience may be substituted for the required education on a year-for-year basis.)

(Applicants who are within six months of satisfying the experience or education requirements will be admitted to the examination, but they must fully meet the experience or education requirements before being eligible for appointment.)

Knowledge and Abilities

All Levels:

Knowledge of: Principles, practices, and trends of governmental budgeting and accounting; research techniques; program budgeting techniques and governmental functions and organization; methods and techniques of effective program management and supervision; the legislation process and its impact on program selection and budgeting; a manager's/supervisor's responsibility for promoting equal opportunity in hiring and employee development and promotion, and for maintaining a work environment that is free of discrimination and harassment.

Ability to: Reason logically and creatively and utilize a variety of analytical techniques to resolve complex governmental budgeting and managerial problems; develop expertise on the subject matter administered by the department or departments to which assigned; develop and evaluate program alternatives; analyze data and present ideas and information effectively; consult with and advise administrators or other interested parties; appear before legislative and other committees and testify in behalf of the Department of Finance and the administration on fiscal and program-related matters for either revenues or expenditures; use techniques such as model building and simulation, formulating assumptions and identifying constraints, estimating market demand in the public sector, allocation of limited resources, risk and uncertainty, systems analysis, problem formulations, price incentives, and comprehensive program monitoring, evaluation, and control; gain and maintain the confidence and cooperation of those contacted during the course of work; coordinate the work of others; act as a team or conference leader; effectively promote equal opportunity in employment and maintain a work environment that is free of discrimination and harassment.

Special Personal Requirements

All Levels:

Demonstrated ability to act independently, open-mindedness, flexibility, and tact.

Class History