The Budget Officer oversees and manages the operations, maintenance, and oversight of the Smith County budgetary process including administration of the County's long-range Capital Improvement Program. This position directs, plans, organizes, analyzes, and prepares a comprehensive review and recommendation for all departmental budget requests and administers professional budgeting activities in compliance with the principals and procedures of public budgeting. The position performs complex professional level tasks related to budgeting and budget control and is responsible for the design and maintenance of the County budgeting program.

• Provides expert advice, budget analysis, guidance and recommendations on all aspects of the Smith County Budget to Commissioners Court, department heads, elected officials and staff; directs the activities of assigned staff to include the compilation, review, examination, and interpretation of financial data.
• Plans and directs the county's annual budget process including review of departmental requests and presentation of a recommended budget to Commissioners Court including existing operations, new programs, and staffing levels for all departments; recommends tax rates needed to finance the budget.
• Conducts interviews and assists department heads and elected officials in developing budget requests; prepares legal notices for budget and tax rate statutory requirements.
• Monitors and assists county departments' expenditures on an on-going basis, ensuring compliance with established policies and procedures, and adherence to budget limitations; reviews availability of funds and evaluates requests for interdepartmental fund transfers and budget amendments, preparing reports for court detailing impact on budget and recommendations.
• Coordinates, compiles, plans, and directs the long-term Capital Improvement Program for the county.
• Develops and proposes policies and procedures for budget development and administration, and assists with the design of the on-line budget application in order to streamline the budget process through the use of advanced technology.
• Reviews Commissioners Court agenda packet prior to meetings for budget impact or verification and provides any necessary clarification and/or research associated with agenda items.

Other Responsibilities

• Directs the work activities of assigned staff to include the compilation, review, examination, and interpretation of financial data; the recommendations for the future; and the implementation of new ideas and financial strategies also ensuring adherence to established policies and procedures.
• Conducts analytical studies, utilizing expertise in financial and budgetary areas, and in accordance with outlined goals and objectives; prepares and presents oral or written reports on findings and recommendations for improvements, as appropriate.
• Regular and punctual attendance is required.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Required Skills/Abilities

• Requires the ability to compare and/or judge the readily observable, functional, structural, or composite characteristics (whether similar to or divergent from obvious standards) of data, people or things.
• Requires the ability to use and interpret various technical and professional languages, including legal and government accounting terminology.
• Requires the ability to utilize mathematical formulas; to add and subtract totals; to multiply and divide; to determine percentages and decimals; to understand and apply the theories of algebra and statistical inference.
• Requires the ability to deal with people beyond giving and receiving instructions.
• Requires the ability to perform under stress and when confronted with persons acting under stress.
• Requires the ability to make recommendations that impact the budget.
• Requires the ability to manage the budget within assigned unit/division.
• Requires the ability to determine allocation of budget among departments.
• Requires the ability to use small office equipment, including copy machines or multi-line telephone systems.
• Requires the ability to use computers for data entry.
• Requires the ability to create and guide implementation of capital improvement plans or programs.

Bachelor's degree and a minimum seven years of experience in a related field; or an equivalent combination of education and related experience required.

Licenses and Certifications

None required for this position.

Physical Demands and Work Environment

Must be physically able to operate a variety of automated office machines. Must be able to exert a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects. Sedentary work involves sitting most of the time, but may involve walking or standing for periods of time. Position requires the ability to see, hear, and speak as well as color and depth perception. Position requires the ability to lift more than 30 pounds.

Travel

Must be able to travel to and from county facilities as needed.

Comments

Smith County is an Equal Opportunity Employer and maintains compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act by providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals and employees with disabilities. If you need special services or accommodations, please contact Smith County Human Resources at (903) 590-4644 or personnel@smith-county.com.

NOTICE:

This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee occupying this position. Employees will be required to follow any other job-related instructions and to perform any other job-related duties requested by their supervisor.

All requirements are subject to possible modification to reasonable accommodate individuals with disabilities. Some requirements may exclude individuals who pose a direct threat or significant risk to the health and safety of themselves or other employees.

All employment with Smith County shall be considered “at will” employment. No contract of employment shall exist between any individual and Smith County for any duration, either specified or unspecified.