Title: Budget Analyst Senior (Div. of Finance) - #W0001

State Role Title: Financial Services Specialist II

Hiring Range: $75,000-$90,000 salary commensurate w/exp.

Pay Band: 5

Agency: Department of Social Services

Location: DSS HOME OFFICE

Agency Website: www.dss.virginia.gov

Recruitment Type: General Public - G

Job Duties

At the Virginia Department of Social Services, we put people at the center of everything we do. We believe that every Virginian can live a life of dignity and that all voices, ideas, and experiences contribute greatly to our pursuit of excellence. Inspired by continuous improvement, we commit ourselves to listening, learning, and cultivating environments of trust, respect, and positive engagement. Together, we are mission-driven, eager to achieve, and passionate about bringing the best of who we are to those we serve.

We design and deliver high-quality human services that help Virginians achieve safety, independence, and overall well-being. We are a $2 billion agency – one of the largest in the Commonwealth of Virginia – partnering with 120 local departments of social services and 31 community action agencies, along with faith-based and non-profit organizations, to promote the well-being of children, adults, and families statewide. We proudly serve alongside 1,650 (state) and 12,200 (local) human services professionals throughout the Social Services System, who ensure that thousands of Virginia’s most vulnerable citizens have easy access to the services and benefits available to them.

The Division of Finance (DOF) performs management and oversight of the annual budget and spending for VDSS. It provides guidance for the departments’ financial policies and ensures fiscal compliance with state and federal regulations. The Division of Finance is also responsible for processing financial transactions for VDSS and reporting the results of those transactions to local agencies, field offices, state, and federal entities.

We are currently seeking a Budget Analyst Senior to maintain high-level budgetary controls for assigned programs and units. Responsible for the full range of budget execution activities including developing budget targets and local allocations consistent with appropriations, monitoring, and projecting of expenditures, analyzing problem areas and possible solutions, adjusting appropriations as necessary within state guidelines, and monitoring of grant funds availability. Acts as a liaison between the various departments in Finance (General Accounting, Accounts Payable, Chart of Accounts, Local Reimbursement Unit, Grants Unit, etc.), other administrative departments (General Services, Training, Research, Human Resources, Commissioner’s Office, etc.) and various programs within the agency (Benefit Programs, Family Services, etc.). This position also has contact with local departments of social services, the Department of Planning and Budget (DPB) and other state agencies. Utilizes agency financial and program management systems to create ad-hoc, issue-specific reports for senior management. Significant responsibilities in the area of budget planning and program planning, to include development and implementation of budget instructions, long-range forecasting of expenditures and revenues, and execution of in-depth analyses of agency budget issues. In addition, responsible for analyzing proposed legislation and writing narratives detailing the potential impact of the legislation on the agency.

Minimum Qualifications

Considerable analytical skills to include demonstrated ability to forecast revenues and expenditures, analyze historical trends, and manipulate data contained in financial systems into clear, concise reports for management. Considerable spreadsheet and word processing skills. Experience using automated financial systems. Experience in public sector policy development, budgeting practices, and accounting. Demonstrated effective oral communication skills. Demonstrated effective written communication skills to include the ability to write reports or analytical findings in narrative form. Ability to work independently and as a team member. Demonstrated critical thinking skills including the ability to analyze spreadsheets, data, legislation, and policy and to interpret and communicate the impact of the analyses through reports or presentations (PowerPoint or oral) and make recommendations.

Additional Considerations

Considerable experience in public sector budgeting/accounting or in private sector financial management, preferably as a financial analyst.

Special Instructions

You will be provided a confirmation of receipt when your application and/or résumé is submitted successfully. Please refer to “Your Application” in your account to check the status of your application for this position.

To be considered for this position, you must submit a Commonwealth of Virginia application or resume through the on-line “Virginia Jobs” (RMS) employment site no later than 11:55 p.m. on the closing date listed. Each application is reviewed for documentation that shows the applicant meets the minimum and additional qualifications stated in the job announcement. The decision to interview an applicant is based on the information provided. This website will provide a confirmation of receipt when the application is submitted for consideration. Please refer to your RMS account for the status of your application and this position. Multiple positions may be filled from recruitment. This position will remain open for a minimum of five consecutive workdays or until position is filled.

VDSS values the service and experience of our Veterans. As such, Veterans are encouraged to apply and receive preference in the hiring process. AmeriCorps, Peace Corps and other national service alumni also are encouraged to apply. Reasonable accommodations are available to applicants, if requested, during the application and/or interview process.

Virginia Department of Social Services does not provide sponsorship. The Virginia Department of Social Services is an Equal Opportunity Employer and encourages diversity within its workforce.

We are a “Virginia Values Veterans” (V3) official certified company and state agency that provides hiring preference to Veterans and Members of the Virginia National Guard in support of Executive Order 29, (2010). If you are a Veteran or Virginia National Guard Member, we urge you to respond accordingly on your state application or resume. Minorities, Individuals with disabilities, Veterans and people with National Service experience are encouraged to apply. For more information about our employment practices, please visit our “Vision, Mission and Strategic Plan”. Multiple positions may be filled from this recruitment within 90 days of the closing date.

In addition to a rewarding work experience, VDSS offers excellent health and life insurance benefits, pre-tax spending accounts, state funded Short and Long Term Disability, paid holidays, vacation, tuition assistance, free wellness programs, and a state retirement plan with options for tax-deferred retirement savings including employer matching – Employee Benefits.

If you have been affected by Policy 1.30 Layoff as a state employee and possess a valid Interagency Placement Screening Form (Yellow Form) or a Preferential Hiring Card (Blue Card), you must submit this document through the “Virginia Jobs” (RMS) employment site when you apply.

Selected candidate(s) must successfully pass a fingerprint-based criminal history background check. A record of criminal history does not automatically bar an applicant from consideration. Employment verification will be conducted to include current/previous supervisory employment reference checks.

VDSS will record information from each new employee’s Form I-9 (Employment Eligibility Verification) into the Federal E-Verify system to confirm identity and work authorization.

This position may be eligible for telework opportunities; availability, hours, and duration will be in accordance with the Commonwealth’s Teleworking policy on a case-by-case basis. This is not a 100% telework position.

Selected candidate may be required to assist the agency or state government generally in the event of an emergency declaration by the Governor.

Contact Information

Name: VA Department of Social Services-Div. of Human Resources

Phone: dssrecruitment@dss.virginia.gov

Email: dssrecruitment@dss.virginia.gov

In support of the Commonwealth’s commitment to inclusion, we are encouraging individuals with disabilities to apply through the Commonwealth Alternative Hiring Process. To be considered for this opportunity, applicants will need to provide their AHP Letter (formerly COD) provided by the Department for Aging & Rehabilitative Services (DARS), or the Department for the Blind & Vision Impaired (DBVI). Service-Connected Veterans are encouraged to answer Veteran status questions and submit their disability documentation, if applicable, to DARS/DBVI to get their AHP Letter. Requesting an AHP Letter can be found at AHP Letter or by calling DARS at 800-552-5019.

Note: Applicants who received a Certificate of Disability from DARS or DBVI dated between April 1, 2022- February 29, 2024, can still use that COD as applicable documentation for the Alternative Hiring Process.