Budget/Legislative Analyst

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Job Req ID: 588 

Division: Office of the IBA - Staff 

Salary Range: $160,000.00 to $175,000.00 

Job Type: Unclassified     

Department: Independent Budget Analyst 

Personnel Area: Independent Budget Analyst 

Closing Date: 01/11/2026 

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The Fiscal and Policy Analyst is a principal-level analyst position within the Office of the Independent Budget Analyst. Analysts typically concentrate on a specific field of analysis within the City organization that generally corresponds to specific business centers and/or Council Committees. The primary duty of the Fiscal & Policy Analyst is to review all legislative items within the specific field of concentration that bear a fiscal or policy impact to the City, and to provide clear, objective and unbiased analysis and advice to Council Committees and the full City Council. The Fiscal and Policy Analyst is also responsible for analyzing and recommending modifications to the proposed fiscal year budget, monitoring the implementation of the final Council-approved budget, and conducting proactive research projects and reports as necessary. 

The Office of the Independent Budget Analyst has eight budgeted Fiscal & Policy Analyst positions that review all items docketed for City Council or Council Committee consideration. Each Analyst is assigned to cover certain City departments and/or issue areas based on workload considerations, expertise, interest, and areas of need. Areas of responsibility will be assigned to the open position once a hiring decision has been made and Office needs have been evaluated.

Key Areas of Responsibility:

• Review and analyze all City legislative items that have a financial and/or policy impact;
• Prepare analytical reports to the City Council and Council Committees to provide clarification on complex issues, identify potential unintended consequences, and make fiscal and policy recommendations;
• Review and analyze the annual fiscal year budget, identify budgetary and policy implications, and develop recommendations for potential revisions based on IBA analyses, community input, and City Council priorities;
• Monitor items such as, City’s infrastructure improvement needs and capital financing plans; departmental budgets, needs, and outcomes; and implementation of citywide plans to achieve specified goals and objectives;
• Present reports and analysis to the City Council or Council Committee including but not limited to analysis of the annual fiscal year budget, weekly docketed legislative items, and proactive research projects and Council requests for analysis;
• Respond to inquiries from Council members, Council staff, and members of the public;
• Represent the Office of the Independent Budget Analyst in policy-level discussions with top City officials, including the Mayor, City Attorney, City Auditor, Chief Operating Officer, Chief Financial Officer and Department Directors; and
• Participate in public outreach to educate the public and stakeholder groups on the budget process.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Possession of a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science, Public Administration, Business Administration, Economics, Finance, or any other related field (an advanced degree is preferred but not mandatory), and 
• Five years of progressively responsible professional experience in or closely related to government finance, budgeting, or operations. Experience in a state or municipal government is highly desirable, and 
• Experience demonstrating the applicant possesses most of the qualifications listed below.

Desirable Qualifications:

The ideal candidate will possess the following qualifications:

• Strong quantitative analytical abilities, including a thorough understanding of common data analysis tools and programs;
• Familiarity with municipal budgets, public policy, and financial systems; 
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills and attention to detail;
• Ability to communicate complex and technical information in a simple, clear and straightforward manner, including the use of graphs and tables as needed;
• Ability to communicate effectively to different audiences, including elected officials, various levels of City management, and members of the public;
• Ability to comprehend technical details and understand how they relate to and impact the “big picture”;
• Interest in municipal activities and services, and how they impact the community;
• Strong business and political acumen to work effectively with high level administrators and elected officials;
• Highly ethical and objective, with the ability to navigate in a political environment without being political;
• Ability to work both independently and as part of a team in a fast-paced, high-pressure environment where you will sometimes need to juggle multiple priorities with tight time constraints;
• Ability to collaborate and work effectively in a team environment on various group reports developed by the Office; and
• Energetic and motivated with the ability and desire to take initiative.

The Department: 

The Office of the Independent Budget Analyst (IBA) in San Diego is a crucial support system for the City Council and public. It provides objective budgetary and policy analysis for the City Council to assist in its decision making and ensures access to clear information for the public. Major functions include reviewing all legislative items that bear a fiscal or policy impact to the City, supporting standing committees, participating in various policy discussions and working groups on behalf of the Council, producing comprehensive reports on the City's budget and other policy issues, promoting transparency and public participation in the budget process, and offering well-informed recommendations to improve San Diego's governance. For more information, please visit this link.

The City:

With more than 1.4 million residents, the City of San Diego is the eighth largest city in the United States and the second largest in California. The City of San Diego’s strong economy, diverse population, great educational institutions, unsurpassed quality of life, and world-renowned location make it the ideal place to work, live, and play. With its great weather, miles of sandy beaches, and major attractions, San Diego has something to offer for everyone.

The City’s Mission, as stated in the Strategic Plan is “Every day we serve our communities to make San Diego not just a fine city, but a great City.” The City’s Vision is "Opportunity in every neighborhood, excellent service for every San Diegan".

As one of the region’s largest employers, the City of San Diego employs nearly 12,000 highly dedicated employees and has a combined Fiscal Year 2024 operating and capital budget of approximately $5 billion. Additional information about the City of San Diego can be found on the City’s website.

Benefits:

The City offers a robust benefits package that includes:

• Defined retirement plan, including pension reciprocity, dependent on an employee’s eligibility status (new hire, rehire, etc.). 
• A wide variety of cafeteria-style health and wellness plans or in-lieu cash waiver.
• 11 paid City holidays per calendar year and 1 floating holiday per fiscal year.
• Approximately 176 hours of paid annual leave for an employee’s first 15 years of service, and approximately 216 hours for 16+ years of service.
• Up to 24 hours of paid discretionary leave per fiscal year.
• Up to 320 hours of paid Parental Leave per childbirth or placement of a child.
• Up to 40 hours of paid Bereavement Leave per fiscal year.
• Tuition reimbursement up to $2,000 per fiscal year, and complimentary LinkedIn Learning professional development opportunities.
• Free transit pass (including MTS Trolley, MTS Bus, and all Rapid and Rapid Express bus services).
• Access to premier City golf courses at a discounted rate. 
• Reduced-rate fitness center memberships.
• City-paid life insurance. 

For additional details, please review the Benefits Summary for Unclassified Employees  (Download PDF reader) or contact the Benefits Division of the Risk Management Department at (619) 236-5924. 

Pre-Employment Requirements and Screening Process:
Employment offers are conditional, pending the results of all screening processes applicable to the position. All the processes required by the City of San Diego must be successfully completed before employment begins. Nothing in this job posting constitutes or should be construed as part of an express or implied contract for employment with the City of San Diego. 

Resumes, cover letters and references will be screened according to the qualifications outlined above and the most qualified candidates will be invited to interview.   
 
The City of San Diego has an active Equal Opportunity/ADA Program for employment and vigorously supports diversity in the workplace.