05/01/1987 08273

FISCAL POLICY SPECIALIST 3

DEFINITION: This is responsible professional fiscal policy analysis and development work in the Office of the Budget.

An employee in this class is responsible for reviewing state programs related to a cluster of governmental services, or major service areas. Work involves designing and conducting studies of current policy problems, of programs to address those problems and of the social, economic and fiscal implications of alternatives; and developing fiscal policy recommendations made within the framework of current and future fiscal constraints. Work also includes meeting with cabinet level officials to gather information and identify program and program policy conflicts in a specialized governmental service area, and advising agency heads of findings and alternatives. Employee supervise other policy specialists on a project basis. Work also includes providing direction to agencies for the implementation of programs and monitoring, coordinating and reporting on the progress of program implementation. Carrying out this work involves contacts and meetings with program recipients, program providers and program managers and drafting reports of findings. Work is performed with considerable independence and is distinguished from the next lower class by its accountability for all analysis for a cluster of related government services or major service areas. Work is reviewed by an administrative supervisor through discussions and written reports.

EXAMPLES OF WORK: Confers with cabinet level officials to gather information and identify areas of program and program policy conflicts in specialized segments of governmental services, and advising agency heads of findings and alternatives.

Reviews selected state programs related to a cluster of governmental services or major service areas, and develops fiscal policy recommendations and strategies to accommodate state needs.

Designs and conducts research on complex policy issues and develops formal recommendations as a part of the total state policy development process.

Provides input on information submitted to legislative committees to explain and describe considerations weighed in the policy development process.

Reviews programs, proposed legislation and other government initiatives impacting upon local government to insure computability with state policies.

Provides direction to agencies for the implementation of programs and monitoring, coordinating and reporting on the progress of program implementation.

Supervises and directs the work of other policy specialists on a project basis.

Performs related work.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES: Knowledge of principles and methodology used in fiscal analysis including relevant aspects of areas such as economic analysis, cost accounting, cost estimating, fiscal planning, fiscal management and budgeting.

Knowledge of the theory and practice of a specialized discipline associated with Commonwealth programs such as economic development, environmental protection, education and job training, engineering and construction and others.

Knowledge of the principles and methodology used in the collection, analysis, and presentation of statistical, economic, or administrative data.

Knowledge of techniques used in policy research, program analysis and planning.

Knowledge of the professional and academic work done by others on problem definition, causal relationships and program alternatives in place or in the theoretical and experimental states in other jurisdictions and in the Commonwealth and knowledge of the laws and regulations governing state agencies and programs.

Knowledge of the structure and operations of state government, and its relationship to Federal, regional and local governments.

Knowledge of econometrics and uses of the Commonwealth's econometric model.

Knowledge of the Legislative process, and the authority and responsibility of various legislative committees.

Ability to conceive, identify and analyze highly complex policy issues and design and conduct research studies, and develop recommendations.

Ability to present complex policy recommendations involving social and economic impacts, in a form conducive to program modification and/or development.

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with agency program officials, co-workers and officials of other governmental units.

Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing.

MINIMUM EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING: One year as a Fiscal Policy Specialist 2;

                                                                                                                                                                    or

Two years of policy analysis and planning, experience; and a Master's Degree in policy analysis and planning, public administration, a specialized discipline relating to a Commonwealth program area, or a closely related field;

                                                                                                                                                                    or

Four years of experience in policy analysis and planning or a specialized discipline relating to a Commonwealth program area; and a Bachelor's Degree in policy analysis and planning, public administration, or a closely related field;

                                                                                                                                                                    or

Any equivalent combination of experience and training.