Principal/Senior Policy and Data Analyst

Marketing Statement

Ride BART to a satisfying career that lets you both: 1) make a difference to Bay Area residents, and 2) enjoy excellent pay, benefits, and employment stability. BART is looking for people who like to be challenged, work in a fast-paced environment, and have a passion for connecting riders to work, school and other places they need to go. BART offers a competitive salary, comprehensive health benefits, paid time off, and the CalPERS retirement program.

Pay Rate

AFSCME Pay Band E
Sr. Policy & Data Analyst: $116,530.67 (Minimum) - $151,489.49 (Maximum)

AFSCME Pay Band G
Principal Policy & Data Analyst: $132,605.65 (Minimum) - $172,387.34 (Maximum)

Salary commensurate with experience and depending on position level which will be filled. Negotiable initial salary will be between the minimum to the midpoint range.

Reports To
Assigned Department Manager or his/her designee.

DEFINITION
Under general supervision, performs the most technical and complex tasks relative to assigned area of responsibility; may supervise, assign, and review the work of staff responsible for providing professional level support on budget development and administration, financial analysis and project control work; ensures work quality and adherence to established policies and procedures; and performs related duties as assigned.

CLASS CHARACTERISTICS
This is the highest level within the Financial Analyst series. Positions at this master level perform the most complex duties assigned to the series and may be responsible for participating in supervising, assigning and reviewing the work of subordinate staff. Incumbents may also be responsible for overseeing the work of outside contractors or assisting higher-level managerial staff in planning and evaluating the quantity and quality of work performed by subordinate staff. Master level classes such as this are an extension of the advanced journey level class representing the highest non-supervisory principal tier or specialized advanced journey level. Positions in this class are flexibly staffed and can be filled by advancement from the advanced journey level, or when filled from the outside, by incumbents with prior full journey level experience. This class is distinguished from the Senior Financial Analyst in that it performs the most complex duties assigned to the series and may be responsible for assisting management with supervisory duties.

Days Off
Saturday and Sunday

Who May Apply
All current BART employees and qualified individuals who are not yet BART employees.

Current Assignment
First review of applications will be on December 9, 2024.

The San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit District (BART) is recruiting a Principal or Senior Policy and Data Analyst (Financial Analyst) position (distinction will be made based on skills and work experience of the applicants).
The Financial Planning department is responsible for:

• developing and updating the BART District's operating financial plan.
• analyzing past and forecasting future ridership.
• setting the District's annual revenue budget.
• analyzing and implementing fare policies and programs.
• managing financial relationships with partner transit operators.
• performing financial analysis to support the work of other BART departments.
• preparing and publishing memos, reports, and presentations for Board and public consumption.

• pace of work addresses a combination of long-term and short-term ad hoc needs.
• collaborates with other department members, other District departments, and external stakeholders.
• start-to-finish approach of carrying tasks and projects from technical analysis to public presentation.
• innovative and critical thinking for analysis and process improvement.

• having advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel and the ability to develop expertise in other data tools.
• working independently, managing workload, deliverables, and schedule.
• clearly and concisely communicating complex financial analyses in oral presentations and in writing.
• identifying and understanding issues, problems, and opportunities; and devising appropriate solutions.
• taking initiative, including developing and supporting process improvement.
• building and maintaining strong relationships both within the District and with external stakeholders.

• understanding the complex issues facing BART and the Bay Area transportation sectors.
• advanced skills in complex transportation and financial analyses.
• knowledge of transportation forecasting, transportation planning principles, and financial planning.
• experience in policy and strategy development.
• ability to monitor performance and make recommendations for process improvements.

Senior Financial Analyst

1. Participates in the more difficult work of staff responsible for complex financial, statistical, and program management analysis in assigned division area.
2. Participates in the preparation, administration, and monitoring of District-wide budgets; compiles and analyzes budget data; monitors funding agreements and maintains budget schedules to assure conformance with funding agencies; ensures maintenance of expenditure records which conform to funding agency and District reporting requirements.
3. Analyzes contract provisions and change orders related to approved cost of work and budget allocations; analyzes and reports cost variances, ensures that cost control methods are implemented and applied to program objectives; analyzes funding and cost data for management inquiries regarding work plans, consultants, and contract authority.
4. Monitors and administers construction or funding agreement contracts in accordance with District and mandated guidelines; compiles actual costs by project; performs financial, statistical and comparative analysis of actual and budget costs.
5. Identifies funding sources for proposed projects; projects cash flow requirements; maintains budgetary records for proposed projects.
6. Provides support to project managers in setting budgets, schedules and estimates; tracks progress on projects versus original budgets and schedules; works closely with project staff and consultants to ensure project compliance.
7. Develops and recommends improvements to computerized financial management system.
8. Coordinates project activities with other departments, divisions and external agencies; works closely with other divisions to apply for and monitor the use of fund grants from city, county, state, and federal sources; monitors work in progress and authorizes contract payments.
9. Conducts financial and management studies to evaluate system performance and operating efficiencies; presents studies to communicate findings and recommendations to senior management and the Board of Directors.
10. May train assigned employees in their areas of work including budgeting and financial analysis methods, procedures and techniques.
11. Prepares quarterly, semi-annual, and special analytical and statistical reports on operations and activities for management, regulatory and outside agencies.
12. Reviews invoices; determines budget conformity; reports discrepancies and billing adjustments.
13. Prepares the Annual Budget and the 5-Year forecast for each capital project and program assigned; involves budgeting for staffing requirements and coordinating with various departments who support the projects; includes budgeting for non-labor expenses for the budget year and for the out years.
14. Participates in special projects as assigned.

1. Establishes schedules and methods for providing financial analysis services; identifies resource needs; reviews needs with appropriate management staff; allocates resources accordingly.
2. Participates in the development of policies and procedures; monitors work activities to ensure compliance with established policies and procedures; makes recommendations for changes and improvements to existing standards and procedures.
3. Recommends and assists in the implementation of goals and objectives; implements approved policies and procedures.
4. Conducts complex financial and management studies to evaluate District system performance and operating efficiency; prepares and presents study findings and recommendations; implements recommendations and provides assistance to District departments in assessing performance against stated objectives.
5. Performs the most technical and complex tasks of the work unit including specialized analyses and studies related to the District's budgeting, financial control and management analysis functions.
6. Provides financial oversight on assigned projects; identifies funding sources; projects cash flow requirements; maintains budgetary records for proposed projects; compiles actual project costs; performs financial, statistical and comparative analysis of actual and budgeted costs.
7. Participates in the preparation and administration of District-wide budgets; compiles and analyzes budget data; coordinates activities within other divisions and departments.
8. Analyzes contract provisions and change orders related to approved cost of work and budget allocations; analyzes and reports cost variances; ensures that cost control methods are implemented and applied to program objectives.
9. Develops and recommends improvements to computerized financial management system.
10. Participates in the selection of assigned staff; provides or coordinates staff training; works with employees to correct deficiencies; implements discipline procedures.
11. Prepares analytical and statistical reports on operations and activities.
12. Attends and participates in professional group meetings; stays abreast of new trends and innovations in the field of financial analysis and program management.
13. May plan, prioritize, assign, supervise, review and participate in the work of staff responsible for complex financial, statistical and project control analysis in assigned area.

Education:
A Bachelor's degree in business administration, accounting, economics or a closely related field from an accredited college or university.

Experience:
Senior Financial Analyst
Three (3) years of (full-time equivalent) verifiable professional budgetary, financial, or management analysis experience.

Principal Financial Analyst
Four (4) years of (full-time equivalent) verifiable professional budgetary, financial or management analysis experience.

Substitution:
Additional professional experience as outlined above may be substituted for the education on a year-for-year basis. A college degree is preferred.

Senior Financial Analyst
Knowledge of:

• Operations, services and activities of a comprehensive budget and financial control program.
• Principles of lead supervision and training.
• Principles of financial and operational analysis.
• Federal, State and local funding programs, associated guidelines and processes.
• Principles and practices of project management.
• Principles and practices of engineering and construction management.
• Advanced principles, practices, and procedures of accounting.
• Financial, statistical and comparative analysis principles, techniques and formulas.
• Principles and practices of project budget development, administration and control.
• Principles and practices of procurement.
• Methods and techniques for assessing performance against established objectives.
• Principles and practices of project scheduling.
• Principles and practices of financial record keeping and reporting.
• Current office procedures, methods and equipment including computers.
• Applicable financial computer software applications.
• Related Federal, State and local codes, laws and regulations.

• Independently performing the most difficult financial and statistical analyses.
• Interpreting and explaining department policies and procedures.
• Leading, organizing and reviewing the work of assigned staff.
• Monitoring and reporting budget variances.
• Analyzing problems, identifying alternative solutions and implementing recommendations.
• Identifying funding sources for proposed and current projects.
• Creating timely purchase requisitions and disbursements of purchase orders.
• Performing accurate complex financial calculations.
• Utilizing, maintaining and updating computerized financial/project management systems and reports.
• Developing, organizing, reviewing and analyzing technical documents, proposals, contracts, and reports.
• Exercising a high degree of individual initiative, discretion, diplomacy, accuracy, and judgment.
• Understanding and following oral and written instructions.
• Communicating clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• Establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work including internal departments, vendors, and consultants.

• Operations, services and activities of a comprehensive budget and financial control program.
• Principles of supervision, training and performance evaluation.
• Principles of financial and operational analysis.
• Financial, statistical and comparative analysis techniques and formulas.
• Principles and practices of project budget development, administration and control.
• Advanced principles and practices of accounting.
• Principles and practices of financial project management and scheduling.
• Methods and techniques for assessing performance against established objectives.
• Current office procedures, methods and equipment including computers.
• Applicable computer software applications.
• Related Federal, State and local laws, codes and regulations.

• Selecting, supervising, training and evaluating staff.
• Performing complex financial, statistical, comparative and management analyses.
• Establishing and implementing procedures for budget and project control.
• Identifying funding sources for proposed and current projects.
• Performing accurate complex financial calculations.
• Developing, organizing and maintaining accurate financial records.
• Interpreting complex computerized records and reports.
• Interpreting complex contract provisions and change orders.
• Interpreting and explaining District policies and procedures.
• Preparing clear and concise financial and administrative reports.
• Operating office equipment including computers and supporting word processing and spreadsheet applications.
• Communicating clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• Establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

Equal Employment OpportunityGroupBox1

The San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit District is an equal opportunity employer. Applicants shall not be discriminated against because of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age (40 and above), religion, national origin (including language use restrictions), disability (mental and physical, including HIV and AIDS), ancestry, marital status, military status, veteran status, medical condition (cancer/genetic characteristics and information), or any protected category prohibited by local, state or federal laws.

The BART Human Resources Department will make reasonable efforts in the examination process to accommodate persons with disabilities or for religious reasons. Please advise the Human Resources Department of any special needs in advance of the examination by emailing at least 5 days before your examination date at employment@bart.gov.

Qualified veterans may be eligible to obtain additional veteran's credit in the selection process for this recruitment (effective Jan. 1, 2013). To obtain the credit, veterans must attach to the application a DD214 discharge document or proof of disability and complete/submit the Veteran's Preference Application no later than the closing date of the posting. For more information about this credit please go to the Veteran's Preference Policy and Application link at www.bart.gov/jobs.