Budget & Research Analyst - Budget and Research Department

ABOUT THIS POSITION

The City of Phoenix is the fifth largest municipality in the United States and manages a $2.1 billion General Fund Operating Budget as part of its efforts to provide world class services to its residents. The City's Budget and Research Department is seeking a Budget and Research Analyst for the Program Budgeting and Research Division. The Budget and Research Department directs the preparation and administration of the annual operating budget and capital improvement program. Additional department responsibilities include revenue and expenditure estimating and forecasting, long range fiscal planning, and conducting organization and management studies.

Working with all City departments, the Program Budgeting and Research Division is responsible for the development and monitoring of operating budgets. This includes monitoring and forecasting department operating expenditures on a line-item basis, enforcing administrative regulations concerning the budget and position management, coordinating the development of the Trial Budget and community budget hearings, and providing budget process and budget software training to departments. Staff ensure citywide operating expenditures stay within appropriated limits and estimates and work with departments to manage costs in all budget line items.

The Program Budgeting and Research Division is also responsible for carrying out research projects that may involve financial analysis, service delivery methods and organizational effectiveness, and policy analysis. This position is responsible for carrying out that analysis and writing reports summarizing findings and recommendations. This position is responsible for numerous critical functions and processes in the department, which require technical ability, analytic skill, independent judgment, and effective time management. Incumbents report to a Deputy Budget and Research Director.

Areas of responsibility include:

• Ensure operating expenditures for departments stay within appropriated limits and estimates and work collaboratively with staff to manage costs in all budget line items.
• Conduct central reviews of select citywide expenditures and analyze department estimates, recommend changes, and discuss with departments.
• Prepare key portions of city budget documents.
• Prepare monthly expenditure forecasts with variance analysis.
• Review position management requests for funding availability and compliance with administrative regulations.
• Conduct independent research involving surveys, identifying best practices, and producing cost-benefit analysis with recommendations.
• Prepare written reports for a large variety of audiences, including executive management staff.
• Communicate regularly and provide excellent customer service to department liaisons.
• Identify improvements, cost savings, and efficiencies for a diverse array of city programs and services.
• Assist with each stage of the budget development process and provide training and support on how to use budget development software.

IDEAL CANDIDATE

• Demonstrates superior critical-thinking and problem-solving ability.
• Excels at staying organized while driving results with persistence and analytical precision.
• Communicates effectively through writing, speaking, and presenting, with a strong grasp of technical concepts.
• Thrives in both autonomous roles and collaborative team environments.
• Manages multiple priorities and projects with confidence and efficiency.
• Maintains exceptional attention to detail and consistently follows written and verbal instructions accurately.
• Leverages proficiency in Microsoft Office and quickly adapts to new software tools, including Sherpa budgeting and SAP accounting systems.
• Brings proven experience in managing municipal operating budgets at a department-wide or citywide level.
• Builds strong partnerships and accomplishes goals collaboratively, even without direct authority.

SALARY

Pay Range and Hiring Range: $97,780.80 - $131,040.00 annually.

Pay Range Explanation:

• Pay range is the entire compensation range for the position classification.
• Hiring range is an estimate of where you can receive an offer. The actual salary offer will carefully consider a wide range of factors, including your skills, qualifications, experience, education, licenses, training, and internal equity.

Internal Only: Please understand that this is pay grade 067. If selected, your salary offer will be based on the applicable promotion or demotion worksheet in accordance with the City Pay Ordinance.

• Promotions occur when the last two digits of the pay grade increase.
• Demotions occur when the last two digits of the pay grade decrease.
• Lateral transfers occur when there is no change to the last two digits of the pay grade.
• When there is a change in the first digit of the pay grade, there may also be a change to your classification or unit.

Your job classification can be found in eCHRIS > Personal Details under your name, located in the top left section of the page.

The pay grade and classification/unit of your current position may be found by looking up your job title on the job description page.

BENEFITS

A comprehensive benefits package is offered which includes:

• Traditional pension with employer and employee contributions, click here for more details: Pension Information
• 401(a) and 457 plans with employer contributions
• Choice of generous medical HMO, PPO, or HSA/HDHP plans
• Medical enrollment includes a monthly $150 City contribution to a Post-Employment Health Plan
• Wellness incentive of up to $720 annually
• Dental, vision, and life insurance options
• Employer paid long-term disability
• Free Bus/light rail pass
• Tuition reimbursement program up to $6,500 per year
• Paid time off includes 13.5 paid holidays, 12 vacation days, and 15 sick days and personal leave days
• Paid Parental Leave for eligible employees up to 480 hours (12 weeks) of paid leave for the birth, adoption, or foster care placement of a child during a 12-month period
• Federal Student Loan Forgiveness offered through Savi

For more details, visit: Unit 007 Benefits

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's degree in economics, finance, accounting, statistics, or a related field.
• Three years of professional-level experience in governmental budgetary and finance activities which included some experience analyzing and interpreting financial and economic data and trends.
• Other combinations of experience and education which meet the minimum requirements may be substituted.
• All finalists for positions are subject to a criminal background check applicable to the department or position.
• Candidates who receive a conditional offer of employment must be fingerprinted and will have their fingerprints used to check the Criminal History Records of the State of Arizona Department of Public Safety and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Any records returned will be reviewed to determine the candidate's suitability for the job.
• Some positions require the use of personal or City vehicles on City business. Individuals must be physically capable of operating the vehicles safely, possess a valid driver's license and have an acceptable driving record. Use of a personal vehicle for City business will be prohibited if the employee is not authorized to drive a City vehicle or if the employee does not have personal insurance coverage.
• For information regarding pre-screening and driving positions, click here.
• The City job description can be found here.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

The minimum qualifications listed above, plus:

• Master's degree in public administration, business, economics, accounting, finance, or a related field.
• One year or more of experience with operating budget development through the different phases of a fiscal year.
• Two or more years of experience preparing monthly expenditure forecasts and performing variance analysis to support financial planning and decision-making.
• Experience conducting comprehensive research studies, including survey design and analysis, identification of best practices, and development of cost-benefit analyses with actionable recommendations.
• Experience preparing clear, well-structured written reports for diverse audiences, including executive leadership.
• Experience identifying cost savings and operational efficiencies across a wide range of municipal programs and services.
• Experience with fund balance analysis.

RECRUITMENT DATES

Recruitment closes June 05, 2026. All materials must be received by 11:59 p.m. on this date.

This is a position-based recruitment and will not result in any ongoing eligibility list. This recruitment and any selection processes resulting from this recruitment may be used to fill other related vacancies within the organization now or in the near future.

HOW TO APPLY

Apply online by completing the required information and attaching, as one document, your cover letter and resume. Please include your experience as it relates to the qualifications stated above. Only the highest qualified may be posted to the eligible to hire list. The results of the resume screening process will be sent to your primary email address.

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• If you require assistance at any stage of the application process due to an accessibility issue, please contact the Human Resources Department by phone at ... or by text at .... You may also fill out and submit a Reasonable Accommodation Request Form.

REFERENCE

Budget & Research Analyst, JC:05600, ID# 61928, 05/29/26, USM, MR, Benefits:007

Building the Phoenix of tomorrow.

#DoWorkThatMakesPhoenixWork

City of Phoenix is an equal opportunity employer. AmeriCorps, Peace Corps, and other national service alumni who meet the required qualifications are encouraged to apply.