PRINCIPAL ADMINISTRATIVE ANALYST

Job Specifications

Class Code:	UT4
Analyst: MM	CC

Date Originated:	8/69
Dates Revised:	7/81, 7/00 (class code change); 2/07; 6/14

SANTA CRUZ COUNTY

DEFINITION

Under administrative direction, the Principal Administrative Analyst is responsible for the analysis of highly complex and difficult administrative and budget assignments, which carry significant consequence of error; responsible for the administration and coordination of designated functions, programs and/or projects; performs complex analytical, budgetary, and/or fiscal analysis having extensive involvement with County departments, other governmental bodies, and private entities; provides accurate, comprehensive and timely information and recommendations to top level centralized management staff upon which final policy, budgetary and administrative decisions are made. The Principal Administrative Analyst reports directly to the Assistant County Administrative Officer or County Administrative Officer. This class is the highest technical specialist class in the Administrative Analyst Series and is responsible for providing ongoing Countywide or multi-departmental administrative and programmatic coordination and performs other duties as assigned.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

The Principal Administrative Analyst class is distinguished from the Senior Administrative Analyst as the former class performs the most complex, and difficult assignments, which carry significant consequence of error. The Principal level may directly supervise subordinate analyst, technical or clerical staff or a division of the County Administrative Office. The Principal Analyst may be assigned overall coordination and responsibility for budget preparation, analysis, coordination and reconciliation.

TYPICAL TASKS

Manages County-wide or multi-departmental administrative and programmatic functions in the County Administrative Office; Supervises subordinate analysts, technical and/or clerical staff in the County Administrative Office; Makes and supervises special studies involving inter-governmental cooperation and investigations of administrative and budgetary problems; assists departments in establishing programs and objectives; reviews proposed programs to evaluate alternatives; provides for the conduct of cost effectiveness studies; develops methods to measure or report departmental performance; analyzes or reviews the analysis of departmental workloads and recommended staffing patterns and budgets; coordinates local programs with cities, special districts and schools; coordinates and reviews requests for Federal and State funds; assists and acts as a resource for County departments, cities and districts in preparing requests for Federal and State assistance; acts as the County's representative in regional associations; coordinates local government activities that cut across agency lines; manages specific county-wide programs such as liability and property insurance, worker's compensation, etc.; develops plans toward consolidation of service activities and special purpose districts; performs most complex and difficult assignments with little or no supervision; conducts or attends meetings as required

EMPLOYMENT STANDARDS

Knowledge:

Thorough knowledge:

• principles of local government organization and administration.
• principles and practices of complex operational and programmatic research and analysis
• public finance and budgeting.
• Research methodology, report writing, and basic statistics
• Computer applications including spreadsheet analysis and methods of graphic presentation
• modern office methods and procedures.
• Federal and State funds available for local purposes, methods of securing grants and cooperative efforts that can be entered into on the local level.
• County budgeting and administrative procedures.

Working knowledge:

•  of staff supervision and training.

Ability to:

• Investigate and analyze complex administrative problems and arrive at effective solutions
• Write and speak effectively and professionally
• Manage a variety of work projects simultaneously and carry them through successful completion
• Interpret, explain, and apply pertinent laws, rules, regulations, policies, procedures and precedents
• Complete projects within strict deadlines
• Establish and maintain effective relations with those contacted in the course of work including elected officials, community organizations, public agencies and county departments
• Exercise initiative, good judgment and tact in the performance of duties
• Supervise, mentor and train analyst, technical and clerical staff
• Operate a personal computer with word processing, spreadsheet and database software applications

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

Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor’s Degree in Public Administration, Public Finance or Accounting or a closely related field, AND four years of experience performing journey level administrative and budgeting duties comparable to a Senior Administrative Analyst in Santa Cruz County or other public agency.



Bargaining Unit: 08
EEOC Job Category: 02
Occupational Grouping: 85
Workers' Comp Code: 0053