Budget Analyst

Chicago Public Schools (CPS) is one of the largest school districts in the United States, serving over 320,000 students in 600+ schools and employing approximately 40,000 people, most of them teachers. CPS has set ambitious goals to ensure that every student, in every school and every neighborhood, has access to a world-class learning experience that prepares each for success in college, career, and civic life. In order to fulfill this mission, we make three commitments to our students, their families, and all Chicagoans: academic progress, financial stability, and integrity. Six core values are embedded within these commitments - student-centered, whole child, equity, academic excellence, community partnership, and continuous learning.
The Office of Budget and Grants Management supports the strategic utilization of all resources, aligning them to district priorities by spearheading CPS' financial strategy to support effective budget planning and maximizing available funds.
Job Summary:
Reporting to a Budget Manager, a Budget Analyst plays a critical role in supporting an assigned portfolio with budget planning in one of the functional areas within the district:

• Operations and Administration
• Education Programs and Academic Supports
• Special Education
• Portfolio Planning and Charter Schools

The Budget Analyst will be held accountable for the following responsibilities:
• Understand and articulate the needs of all of the programs within an assigned budget area of responsibility, including the purpose, effectiveness, staffing methodologies, numbers served, types of participants, service delivery methods, and/or other relevant information
• Conduct detailed personnel analyses and projections, estimating current and future year costs under various scenarios
• Conduct detailed non-personnel cost analyses to determine effectiveness and appropriateness of expenditures
• Understand grant funding or revenue generated within the budget area(s) to assist with reporting and/or projections
• Work closely with the assigned budget area(s) to monitor and explain variations from the budget, pressures that may lead to variations, or opportunities for savings/increased revenue throughout the year
• Analyze legislation, new policies, or programs for fiscal impact, making recommendations, and preparing memos/spreadsheets summarizing the analysis and recommendations
• Understand the basics of the district's financial systems sufficient to generate needed, accurate information, to ensure budgets are loaded appropriately, and necessary actions are handled timely, effectively, and accurately
• Synthesize and analyze information from the assigned budget area(s) and present easily understandable, accessible, accurate materials including spreadsheets, memos, PowerPoint presentations, and oral presentations, Board report recommendations, or other reviews, as appropriate
• Perform related duties as assigned
In order to be successful and achieve the above responsibilities, the Budget Analyst must possess the following qualifications:
Education Required:

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in Finance, Business Management, Public Policy or related field
• Master's degree preferred

Experience Required:

• Minimum of two (2) years of relevant experience in budget and grants management, government finance, or education finance
• Experience conducting budget and/or cost analysis preferred
• Experience working in Microsoft Office and enterprise financial systems preferred

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Possess and use critical thinking skills
• Ability to conduct financial analyses using Excel and other financial tools
• Ability to understand programmatic design, goals, and implementation
• Have initiative and follow-through to achieve goals with limited direction
• Ability to write clearly, concisely, and effectively
• Ability to present spreadsheets that are accurate, clear, and efficient
• Be willing and able to work with colleagues within and external to the Office and provide back-up and support to others within the Office
• Ability to work well under pressure
• Be willing to occasionally work extended hours in order to complete projects with condensed timeline
• Be committed to work in public service/education field

Conditions of Employment
As a condition of employment with the Chicago Public Schools (CPS), employees are required to:
• Establish/Maintain Chicago Residency - Employees are required to live within the geographic boundaries of the City of Chicago within six months of their CPS hire date and maintain residency throughout their employment with the district. The Chicago residency requirement does not apply to temporary/part-time positions, however, all CPS employees must be residents of Illinois.
• Be Fully Vaccinated Against COVID-19 - Unless approved for a medical or religious exemption, all employees are required to be up-to-date on COVID-19 vaccinations, including boosters, and to submit proof of vaccination to the district within 30 days of hire. "Up-to-date" on vaccination is defined as being at least two weeks past all primary vaccine doses and any applicable boosters.