Budget and Policy Analyst

The Department of Transitional Assistance (DTA) is seeking qualified applicants for the position of Budget and Policy Analyst. The ideal candidate will collaborate with agency staff to develop the Department’s annual budget, conduct fiscal and policy analyses, forecast expenditures, and monitor and report on assigned budget line items and other cost areas.

Duties and Responsibilities (these duties are a general summary and not all-inclusive):

Prepare budget requests by projecting resource needs through the analysis of expenditure, caseload, and other available cost information.

Prepare required documentation for incorporation into the Department’s current-year spending plan, maintenance funding estimate, and next year budget request.

Analyze and report on the estimated cost impact of policy and regulatory changes and the effectiveness of existing programs.

Using a problem-solving approach, prepare fiscal and policy impact analyses of proposed critical management, legislative, and regulatory changes.

Use clear, defensible methodologies and outline specific assumptions in the notes of the analysis.

Collaborate with senior-level staff in developing new programs and policies and in pursuing other agency goals.

Present in a professional manner written and/or verbal fiscal and policy analysis to key decision makers in the Department, Executive Office of Health and Human Services, Executive Office of Administration and Finance, and the legislative branch.

Update and report on spending projections on a monthly basis.

Manage resources supporting the Department’s programs through tracking, analyzing, and reporting on program expenditures and savings, with an eye toward early identification of potential funding issues.

Review contracts, RFRs, and other procurement documents for budgetary implications.

Ensure that funding is aligned in the state accounting system (Mosaic) with projected expenditures.

Work to make the Budget Unit collaborative and effective by taking a team approach, communicating well, sharing information, and assisting others with technical skills and analysis.

Required Qualifications

• Strong analytical, mathematical, and statistical skills.
• Ability to communicate and write effectively.
• Ability to collect, extract, and manage complex data sets while maintaining data integrity.
• Ability to synthesize complex data sets into non-technical collaterals.
• Experience working with large databases, forecasting, and analyzing data sets using Microsoft Access, Microsoft Excel, and other data analysis software.
• Knowledge of the health and human services industry.
• Graduate degree with a public policy, statistics, research, or business focus preferred.

Preferred Qualifications

• Knowledge of the laws, rules, regulations, policies, procedures, specifications, standards, and guidelines governing budget unit activities.
• Knowledge of the organizational structure and functions of DTA.
• Familiarity with the Massachusetts state budget process.
• In-depth knowledge of BEACON, Mosaic, HRCMS, and other back-end databases.
• Advanced Structured Query Language (SQL).
• Oracle databases and tools, including the development, automation, and scheduling of data extraction reports.
• Knowledge of data warehousing, database version control, data extraction, and business intelligence theories.
• TO APPLY: Please upload both Resume and Cover Letter. First consideration will be given to those applicants who apply within the first 14 days.

About The Department of Transitional Assistance

The Department of Transitional Assistance (DTA) is the state agency responsible for administering public assistance programs to low-income residents of the Commonwealth. DTA is committed to providing a high level of service to all those in need. The mission of the Department is to assist and empower low-income individuals and families to meet their basic needs, improve their quality of life, and achieve long-term economic self-sufficiency. DTA serves one out of every seven people in Massachusetts – including working families, children, elders, and people with disabilities. Our services include food and nutritional assistance, economic assistance, and employment supports.

Learn more about our services and programs visit: www.mass.gov/dta

Pre-Hire Process

A criminal background check will be completed on the recommended candidate as required by the regulations set forth by the Executive Office of Health and Human Services prior to the candidate being hired. For more information, please visit http://www.mass.gov/hhs/cori.

Education, licensure and certifications will be verified in accordance with the Human Resources Division’s Hiring Guidelines.

Education and license/certification information provided by the selected candidate(s) is subject to the Massachusetts Public Records Law and may be published on the Commonwealth’s website.

ADA Reasonable Accommodation: If you require a reasonable accommodation with the application/interview process, please contact us at: EOHHS Candidate ADA Requests

For questions, please contact the Office of Human Resources at 1-800-510-4122 and select option #4.

First consideration will be given to those applicants that apply within the first 14 days.

MINIMUM ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS: Applicants must have at least (A) four (4) years of full-time, or equivalent part-time, professional experience in work simplification, management analysis, program analysis, methods analysis, economic analysis, fiscal analysis, financial analysis, budget analysis, program administration, or program management, or (B) any equivalent combination of the required experience and the substitutions below.

Substitutions

I. A Bachelor's degree with a major in business administration, business management, public administration, industrial engineering, or industrial management may be substituted for a maximum of two years of the required experience.*

II. A Graduate degree with a major in business administration, budget management, public administration, industrial engineering, or industrial management may be substituted for a maximum of three years of the required experience.*

III. A Bachelor's degree or higher degree with a major other than in business administration, business management, public administration, industrial engineering or industrial management may be substituted for a maximum of one year of the required experience.*

*Education toward such a degree will be prorated on the basis of the proportion of the requirements actually completed.

NOTE: Educational substitutions will be permitted for a maximum of three years of the required experience.

Salary placement is determined by a combination of factors, including the candidate’s years of directly related experience and education, and alignment with our internal compensation structure as set forth by the Human Resources Division’s Hiring Guidelines. For all bargaining unit positions (non-management), compensation is subject to the salary provisions outlined in the applicable collective bargaining agreement and will apply to placement within the appropriate salary range.

Comprehensive Benefits

When you embark on a career with the Commonwealth, you are offered an outstanding suite of employee benefits that add to the overall value of your compensation package. We take pride in providing a work experience that supports you, your loved ones, and your future.

Want the specifics? Explore our Employee Benefits and Rewards!

An Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action Employer. Females, minorities, veterans, and persons with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply.

The Commonwealth is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, disability, national origin, veteran status, or any other basis covered by appropriate law. Research suggests that qualified women, Black, Indigenous, and Persons of Color (BIPOC) may self-select out of opportunities if they don't meet 100% of the job requirements. We encourage individuals who believe they have the skills necessary to thrive to apply for this role.