Senior Budget Analyst

Chicago Public Schools (CPS) is the third-largest school district in the United States, serving over 340,000 students in 600+ schools and employing nearly 36,000 people, most of them teachers. CPS has set ambitious goals to ensure that every student, in every school and every neighborhood, has access to a world-class learning experience that prepares each for success in college, career, and civic life. In order to fulfill this mission, we make three commitments to our students, their families, and all Chicagoans: academic progress, financial stability, and integrity. Six core values are embedded within these commitments - student-centered, whole child, equity, academic excellence, community partnership, and continuous learning.

Job Summary

The Office of Budget and Grants Management supports strategic utilization of all resources, aligning them to district priorities, to increase student achievement. A key role in this work is the Senior Budget Analyst position. These positions operate primarily in the following functional areas:

• Operations and Administration
• Education Programs and Academic Supports
• Special Education
• Portfolio Planning and Charter Schools
• Revenue and Budget Strategy

The Senior Budget Analyst will be held accountable for the following responsibilities:

• Understanding and ability to provide strategic support for all of the programs within his/her budget area of responsibility, including the purpose, effectiveness, staffing methodologies, numbers served, types of participants, service delivery methods, and/or other relevant information
• Conducting detailed personnel analyses and projections, estimating current and future year costs under various scenarios
• Conducting detailed non-personnel cost analyses to determine effectiveness and appropriateness of expenditures
• Understanding grant funding or revenue generated within the budget area(s) to assist with reporting and/or projections
• Working closely with the assigned budget area(s) to monitor and explain variations from the budget, pressures that may lead to variations, or opportunities for savings/increased revenue throughout the year
• Analyzing legislation, new policies, or programs for fiscal impact, making recommendations, and preparing memos/spreadsheets summarizing the analysis and recommendations
• Understanding the basics of the district's financial systems sufficient to generate needed, accurate information, to ensure budgets are loaded appropriately, and necessary actions are handled timely, effectively, and accurately
• Synthesizing and analyzing information from the assigned budget area(s) and presenting easily understandable, accessible, accurate materials including spreadsheets, memos, PowerPoint presentations, and oral presentations, Board report recommendations, or other reviews, as appropriate
• Support project-based work around budget development and other department processes
• Provide mentoring support to new and developing analysts
• Participate in cross-departmental work, including RFP committees, internal working groups, and other organization-wide projects
• Perform related duties as required

In order to be successful and achieve the above responsibilities, the Budget Analyst must possess the following qualifications:

Type of Education Required:

• Bachelor's or Master's degree from an accredited college or university in Finance, Business Management, Public Policy or related field.

Type of Experience Required:

• 3-5 years of relevant experience in budget and grants management, government or education finance, or other related experience preferred
• Experience conducting budget and/or cost analysis preferred
• Demonstrated experience in Microsoft Office and enterprise financial systems preferred

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Possess and use critical thinking skills
• Be able to conduct financial analyses using Excel and other financial tools
• Be able to understand programmatic design, goals, and implementation
• Have initiative and follow-through to achieve goals with limited direction
• Be able to write clearly, concisely, and effectively
• Be able to present spreadsheets that are accurate, clear, and efficient
• Be willing and able to work with colleagues within and external to the Office and provide back-up and support to others within the Office
• Be able to work well under pressure
• Be willing to occasionally work extended hours in order to complete projects with condensed timeline
• Be committed to work in public service/education field.

Conditions of Employment

As a condition of employment with the Chicago Public Schools (CPS), employees are required to:

• Establish/Maintain Chicago Residency - Employees are required to live within the geographic boundaries of the City of Chicago within six months of their CPS hire date and maintain residency throughout their employment with the district.
• Be Fully Vaccinated or Submit to Weekly COVID-19 Testing - Employees are required to be fully vaccinated within 30 days of their hire date. Full vaccination is defined as at least two weeks after your second shot of a two-shot vaccination course, or at least two weeks after a one-shot vaccination course. Unvaccinated staff must submit to weekly testing.