Legislative State Budget Specialist

POSITION:   Legislative State Budget Specialist, Budget and Fiscal Review Section

GRADE:         SPC01

SUMMARY OF POSITION: The Legislative State Budget Specialist is an entry-level position that works under direct supervision of the Legislative Budget Administrator of the Budget and Fiscal Review Section and is responsible for providing nonpartisan review and analysis of fiscal, budgetary, or programmatic issues related to an assigned subject. The Legislative State Budget Specialist is responsible for researching and preparing narrative and data-based reports, reviewing and evaluating resources and operations of programs or public organizations, providing technical assistance in assigned area to members of the General Assembly, preparing fiscal legislation such as appropriation bills and amendments, and providing staff support to various committees and subcommittees that are responsible for legislative oversight of agency budgets.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Research data as requested by members of the General Assembly and supervisors and prepare reports of findings.


• Analyze policy issues, prepare reports, and make presentations to legislative committees.


• Compile budget and fiscal reports, including the review and analysis of budget and policy issues.


• Draft, proof, and track appropriation bills, amendments and special language.


• Provide staff support, including research and presentations, to the Arkansas Legislative Council and its subcommittees, the Joint Budget Committee and its subcommittees, and the Joint Budget Committee/Arkansas Legislative Council Committee.


• Be available to members of the General Assembly, state agency staff, and Bureau staff to provide information and assistance regarding policy research issues.


• Develop and maintain knowledge in assigned subject matter areas, including monitoring national policies, policy trends in other states, news items, and emerging developments.

OTHER FUNCTIONS:

• May serve as a Joint Budget Committee bill clerk during legislative sessions.


• Occasional out-of-state travel to seminars or conferences.


• Perform other related responsibilities as required or assigned by the Legislative Budget Administrator for the Budget and Fiscal Review Section, the Deputy Director for Fiscal Services, and the Director of the Bureau.


• Travel as needed to in-state and out-of-state legislative committee meetings.

QUALIFICATIONS/SKILLS:

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, business administration, economics, public administration or related field from an accredited college or university.


• Good interpersonal and organizational skills with the ability to navigate complex state budget processes.


• Basic understanding of budget related terminology and practices.


• Basic understanding of the legislative process and the functions of state and federal agencies.


• Ability to conduct objective research and data analysis.


• Knowledge and basic proficiency in Windows Applications, such as Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint.


• Ability to learn to extract and compile information from various sources including the statewide accounting system.


• Ability to express the results of research and data analysis in concise written and verbal form.


• Ability to present reports, requests, and recommendations in public committee meetings.


• Ability to develop and maintain a good working relationship with legislators, state agency contacts, legislative staff and Bureau peers to provide cohesive data, reports, and legislation for the General Assembly.


• Knowledge of the laws and procedures related to the General Assembly.


• Ability to communicate with Bureau staff, state agency staff, members of the General Assembly, and members of the public.

PRODUCTION STANDARDS:

• Provides accurate and clear policy research and analysis.


• Adept in communicating with Bureau staff, members of the General Assembly, state agency personnel, and members of the public, both verbally and in writing.


• Developing time management skills, including the ability to complete work under strict time deadlines.


• Maintains high standard of professional ethics and exercises appropriate discretion with confidential matters.


• Effectively organizes and monitors the status of projects and workflow.

• Works cooperatively at problem solving and assists co-workers with a variety of tasks.

• Attention to detail to ensure accuracy on budget matters.