Role Responsibilities

The Senior Budget Analyst plays a critical role in the corporate finance team in managing and analyzing the Ministry's budget and forecasts, and providing recommendations on financial challenges to the management team. Education and Childcare (ECC) is responsible for providing a high-quality, accessible, and affordable education system that equips every student with the skills and knowledge needed for fulfilling lives, while also fostering economic prosperity through improved and affordable childcare options for families and the community. This position contributes significantly to the development of strategies and systems that strengthen budget oversight and fiscal evaluation, ensuring that the Ministry's initiatives and mandates are achieved.

This position reports directly to the Manager, Budget and Fiscal Analysis, who provides day-to-day guidance and strategic direction in relation to specific projects and initiatives; however, there are occasions when the analyst will work directly with the Director on ad-hoc requests.

Fiscal analysis activities undertaken by the Senior Budget Analyst include the development of scenarios, models, and methods to describe, examine, and evaluate solutions to complex budget and financial issues facing the Ministry and contributes to informed decision-making by senior ministry representatives and stakeholders.

Job responsibilities include, but not limited to:

• Allocate budget and monitor spending throughout the fiscal year. These activities are vital to ensure spending authority is not exceeded and funds are redirected to address top priority pressures.
• Perform comprehensive technical analysis to assist the Director/Manager in the development of the annual budget in accordance with Treasury Board & Finance (TBF) guidelines.
• Assist with the review and verification of financial information in key documents, such as the fiscal portion of the 3-year Ministry Business Plan, annual report and Ministry's year-end financial statements.
• Provide assistance to the ministry reporting team and coordinate the development of the briefing materials for the annual budget.
• Review financial data submitted by program areas in the annual report and verify to budget documents and 1GX reporting
• Development of scenarios, models and methods to describe, examine and evaluate solutions to complex budget and financial issues facing the Ministry and contributes to informed decision-making by senior ministry representatives and stakeholders.

Please click on this link to view the job description for this position.

APS Competencies

Competencies are behaviors that are essential to reach our goals in serving Albertans. We encourage you to have an in depth understanding of the competencies that are required for this opportunity and to be prepared to demonstrate them during the recruitment process.

This link will assist you with understanding competencies: https://www.alberta.ca/system/files/custom_downloaded_images/psc-alberta-public-service-competency-model.pdf

Systems Thinking – This position requires a strong understanding of how budget decisions impact the operations of different programs and how funding constraints impact the ministry's ability to achieve business outcomes.

Creative Problem Solving – The position is required to take on a lead role for departmental budget allocations, internal reorganizations, and resource allocations. This requires working with multiple business areas to develop effective budget solutions through creative means.

Agility – Identifies and manages required change and the associated risks by adapting quickly to changing and emerging priorities. Proactively explains impact of said changes.

Drive for Results – The position will focus on achieving goals, for instance allocating operational budgets and providing forecast updates within the prescribed time. Reaches goals consistent with APS direction.

Build Collaborative Environments – The success of the position relies on other business units to meet budget goals and must therefore work closely with staff and managers across the Ministry to develop innovative solutions to budget constraints.

Qualifications

Required:
Four-year university degree in a related field such as Business, Finance, Accounting, Commerce or Management plus at least four years of progressive experience in budgeting, accounting and/or financial reporting, preferably in a public sector setting.

Equivalency:
An equivalent combination of education and experience which includes as a minimum, completion of a recognized applied accounting degree or diploma program.

Assets:

• Budgeting, financial administration, and financial forecasting and costing theories, techniques and processes, including the preparation of complex financial analysis and supporting documents.
• Provide consultation, guidance, and advice relating to budgets, financial administration and fiscal analysis to departmental staff at all levels.
• Effectively use word processing and spreadsheet software (i.e. Word and Excel), 1GX, and other Ministry systems as required.
• Relevant Acts and manuals relating to budgeting and financial administration (e.g. Financial Administration Act, Government Organization Act, Grants Policy and procedures, Treasury Board Minutes and Directives).
• The financial impact of legislation, regulations and policies, and processes related to all programs in the areas assigned.

A cover letter must accompany your application and should indicate how your previous work experience aligns with the qualifications and competencies required. Please provide clear examples of how you meet the criteria and skills required in your cover letter. Failure to provide a cover letter will lead to the application being screened out. A cover letter will be one of the ways to assess communication skills of candidates.

In your resume, please include dates (including months and years) associated with all education and work experience. For example, January 2006 – June 2009 (part-time). This example is provided for illustrative purposes only. Applicants are encouraged to present their information clearly and thoroughly, using a format that best conveys their experience.

Please also clearly outline your educational credentials, including the type of credential obtained (e.g., Master’s degree, Bachelor’s degree, diploma, or certificate) and the field of study.

Minimum recruitment standards outline the minimum education and experience required for appointment to a job classification. Refer to https://www.alberta.ca/alberta-public-service-minimum-recruitment-standards

Notes

Hours of Work: 36.25 hours per week.

Final candidates will be required to undergo a security screening.

Any costs associated with obtaining the required documents/checks as noted or interview travel expenses, will be the responsibility of the candidate. Out-of-province applicants can obtain the required documents/checks from the province they currently reside in.

What we offer:

• Working for the Alberta Public Service – https://www.alberta.ca/advantages-working-for-alberta-public-service.aspx
• Public Service Pension Plan (PSPP) – https://www.pspp.ca
• Alberta Public Service Benefit Information – https://www.alberta.ca/alberta-public-service-benefits
• Professional learning and development – https://www.alberta.ca/professional-development-support-directive
• Research Alberta Public Service Careers tool – https://researchapscareers.alberta.ca
• Positive workplace culture and work-life balance
• Leadership and mentorship programs