ASSISTANT ADMINISTRATIVE ANALYST

ASSOCIATE ADMINISTRATIVE ANALYST

(Series Specification)

Class Code:	UR3/UR5
Analyst:	PT/NP; CC

Date Originated:	8/80
Date Revised:	10/81, 9/12; 6/15

SANTA CRUZ COUNTY

DEFINITION

Under direction of the County Administrative Office, obtain and analyze data for the purposes of preparing financial and statistical reports and other information as required for the use of the County; organize and coordinate a countywide public information program; act as a channel of communication between the County and the public; and to do related work as required.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

Assistant Administrative Analyst is the trainee and first working level in the Administrative Analyst series. Incumbents of positions in this class are initially assigned work of a well-defined and limited nature which is subject to review in progress and upon completion; more difficult and greater latitude are provided as skill and knowledge are acquired through experience.

Associate Administrative Analyst is the journey level class. Incumbents work independently and under limited supervision, and may train lower level Administrative Analysts. This class differs from the higher class of Senior Administrative Analyst in that positions in the latter class have more difficult and complex assignments.

Program assignments may include, but are not limited to: budget analysis, communications development and management of public information, county-wide program coordination. Incumbents are expected to analyze programs, evaluate program effectiveness, and develop and implement solutions.

TYPICAL TASKS

Depending on assignment, duties may include but are not limited to the following:

· Conducts budget review, investigations and special studies and makes recommendations on the operation of County government;

· Performs budget analysis for departments and oversees budget conformity;

· Collects, assembles, analyzes, and reports information and data relating to departmental and inter-departmental operations, including policies and procedures, organizational structure and workload;

· Assists departments in the establishment of management procedures;

· Develops recommendations to solve issues and assists higher level classifications as assigned

· Collects, assembles, analyzes and interprets data including policies, functions, organizational structures, forms and procedures; prepares accompanying reports

· Confers with departments in order to secure necessary information

· Prepares narrative and statistical reports in a variety of administrative and management areas, and makes recommendations in connection with these studies

· Prepares operating manuals and organization and work flow charts

· Prepares information on operations and activities of County departments for dissemination to various communications media

· Keeps the public informed about the operations and objectives of County government

· Advises County management in the development and maintenance of effective communication policies, plans and practices

· Assists in the development of a strategic plan for media, informational and educational programs relating to the County

· Researches, develops, writes and edits presentations and written materials

· Researches emerging issues and reviews informational and program activities, makes modifications as needed and identifies opportunities to generate educational information as well as positive media coverage of the County

EMPLOYMENT STANDARDS

Knowledge:

Assistant Administrative Analyst

Some knowledge of:

• The principles of public administration, finance and budgeting
• Principles and techniques of program and budget evaluation
• Communication skills and techniques required for gathering, evaluating, analyzing  and  presenting information
• Generally accepted rules of English usage, including spelling, grammar, punctuation and syntax
• Office methods and procedures

 Associate Administrative Analyst

Working knowledge of the above, plus:

Working knowledge of:

• Organizational principles and relationships
• Principles and techniques of administrative analysis, including workflow and layout
• Statistics and methods of  presentations
• Principles and practices of strategic planning

· Principles, techniques and methods of public relations, program management and evaluation principles, techniques and methods of preparing information, news releases and instructional materials, including graphics and written copy

· Fundamentals of public speaking, marketing, and mass and targeted communication

Ability to:

Assistant and Associate Administrative Analyst

• Develop concise and descriptive written and oral reports that relate to the theme or objective and reflect continuity of thought
• Collect, organize, interpret and evaluate data
• Identify, define and analyze administrative, operational and programmatic problems, examine alternatives,  develop recommendations, and determine a course of action
• Exercise initiative, ingenuity, independent analysis, and judgment in solving difficult and complex administrative, managerial, technical and/or public relations problems

· Creatively communicate program goals, strategic direction, and operational issues in an effective and tactful manner

• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with the public, other departments and agencies, boards and commissions, public officials, community groups, members of the media, County staff, and others contacted in the course of work
• Research, analyze, and interpret complex data, regulations, laws, policies, and guidelines
• Use a variety of software applications relative to desktop publishing and presentations

· Exercise discretion and sensitivity in interpreting and communicating County policies and programs

· Develop creative and visually appealing public information materials

· Speak publicly, in an effective manner, before a variety of diverse groups

· Anticipate and predict issues that may generate media interest

· Present technical information and supportive materials

Training and Experience: Any combination of training and experience that would provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying.  A typical way to obtain these knowledge and abilities would be:

Assistant Administrative Analyst: Equivalent to graduation from an accredited college with completion of upper division coursework in  Public Administration, Finance, Economics, Business , Journalism, Communications, Public Relations,  or a closely related field.

Associate Administrative Analyst: Equivalent to graduation from an accredited college with completion of upper division coursework in Public Administration, Finance, Economics, Business , Journalism, Communications, Public Relations,  or a closely related field AND two years of progressively responsible experience that would provide the required knowledge and abilities.

Previous Class Title:  None

Bargaining Unit: 05/08

EEOC:  02

Occupational Group:  85

Worker’s Compensation Code:  0053