Budget Strategist

Budget Strategist

Salary

$85,488.00 Annually

Location

County Manager - Minden, NV

Job Type

Full Time

Job Number

26/27-00031

Department

County Manager

Division

County Manager

Opening Date

08/21/2026

Closing Date

10/21/2026 4:00 PM Pacific

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

DESCRIPTION

Applications are reviewed regularly. Postings may close prior to the listed date. Individuals are encouraged to apply immediately.

Douglas County is seeking an individual with a strong background in complex budgeting and financial forecasting to fill the role of Budget Strategist. Serving as a liaison between the County Managers office, elected officials, and County departments as well as a key resource in providing recommendations to the County Manager and Board of County Commissioners on complex fiscal matters, the Budget Strategist will play a vital role in ensuring the Countys budget development aligns with strategic priorities, financial policies, and long-term fiscal sustainability. By undertaking the responsibilities of conducting organizational analysis, budget performance monitoring, and critical evaluation of financial operations, this position will lead efforts to improve financial management processes and reporting, budget transparency, and accountability, ensuring that Douglas County can successfully continue in its mission to provide cost-effective public services fostering a safe, healthy, scenic, and vibrant community for the enjoyment of our residents and visitors.

Primary Objectives

Serves as the Countys lead strategist for budget development, fiscal planning, and resource allocation. Provides executive-level leadership in developing and administering the Countys operating and capital budgets, long-range financial strategies, and organizational planning initiatives. Provides recommendations to the County Manager and Board of County Commissioners on complex fiscal, operational, and policy matters; develops strategic recommendations that promote fiscal sustainability and organizational effectiveness; and ensures financial resources are aligned with Board priorities, legal requirements, and the Countys Strategic Plan through collaboration with the Finance Department, elected officials, and County leadership; performs related tasks as apparent or assigned.

Supervision Exercised

None

PRIMARY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Plans, organizes, and coordinates the development, preparation, implementation and administration of the County's annual operating, capital improvement and supplemental budgets under the direction of the County Manager, developing and recommending budget schedules, guidance, priorities, and timelines for countywide budget development.
• Conducts complex financial, operational, and organizational analyses to critically evaluate departmental budget submissions, staffing models, and resource requests; synthesizes data to formulate options and recommendations for the County Manager.
• Collaborates closely with the Comptroller and Finance Department to ensure alignment between budget development, financial reporting, accounting practices, revenue forecasting, cash flow considerations, debt management, capital planning, and long-range fiscal sustainability.
• Monitors countywide budget performance throughout the fiscal year, analyzes significant revenue and expenditure variances and emerging fiscal risks, and recommends corrective actions, budget amendments, funding alternatives, or other management strategies to the County Manager/Chief Operating Officer.
• Evaluates the fiscal impact of proposed legislation, Board actions, organizational changes, labor agreements, capital projects, and new programs, developing analytical reports and funding strategies for executive review.
• Assists in developing, recommending, and implementing countywide budget policies, procedures, standards, and budget instructions to promote consistency, transparency, accountability, and compliance with applicable laws, policies, and established budgeting principles.
• Serves as primary budget liaison between the County Manager's Office, Finance Department, elected officials, and County departments to facilitate communication, resolve routine budget issues, and support effective decision-making.
• Supports the implementation and ongoing tracking of the County's Strategic Plan and performance measures into the annual budget process, evaluating alignment between strategic priorities, departmental goals, and budget allocations.
• Reviews and evaluates departmental budget submissions for accuracy, completeness, fiscal impact, and compliance with County policies, applicable laws, established budgeting principles, and relevant accounting requirements.
• In collaboration with the Comptroller and Finance Department, develops and maintains multi-year financial forecasts, revenue projections, and long-range capital planning to support the County's fiscal sustainability.
• Leads and coordinates the preparation, consolidation, and presentation of the County's budget documents, including public-facing budget reports, executive summaries, and supporting schedules.
• Develops and maintains systems, tools, and processes to improve budget transparency, efficiency, and accountability.
• Prepares and presents financial and budgetary reports to the County Manager, Board of County Commissioners, and other internal or external stakeholders as required.
• Conducts long-range financial and fiscal policy analysis to identify emerging trends, risks, and opportunities; develops funding strategies, financial scenarios, and policy options to support executive decision-making and the County's long-term fiscal sustainability.
• Participates in special projects, policy development, organizational planning initiatives, and process improvement efforts related to countywide financial management and strategic planning.
• Represents the County with dignity, integrity, professionalism, and a spirit of cooperation in all interactions with elected officials, County leadership, employees, governmental agencies, and the public.
• Contributes effectively to the accomplishment of departmental and organizational goals, objectives, strategic initiatives, and continuous improvement efforts.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS/CERTIFICATIONS & LICENSES

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelors degree from an accredited college or university in Public Administration, Finance, Accounting, Economics, or a closely related field; and six (6) years of progressively responsible professional experience in governmental budgeting, strategic financial planning, fiscal policy, or public finance, including experience developing complex budgets, and financial forecast; OR an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.

CERTIFICATIONS/LICENSES

• Certified Public Accountant (CPA) Preferred

WORKING CONDITIONS/ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

WORKING CONDITIONS

The characteristics listed below are representative of the physical demands, physical agility, sensory requirements, and environmental exposures required by an individual to successfully perform the essential duties of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential duties.

• This work requires the occasional exertion of up to 10 pounds of force.
• Work regularly requires sitting, using hands and repetitive motions; frequently requires speaking or hearing; occasionally requires standing and walking.
• Work has standard vision requirements; vocal communication is required for expressing ideas by means of the spoken word; hearing is required to receive detailed information through oral communication and/or to make fine distinctions in sound.
• Work requires preparing and analyzing written or computer data.
• Work is generally in a moderately noisy location (e.g. business office, light traffic).
• Work has no exposure to adverse environmental conditions.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

• Continued employment is contingent upon all required licenses and certificates being maintained in active status without suspension or revocation.
• Employment is contingent upon successful completion of background/screening.
• Douglas County participates in E-Verify and will provide the Social Security Administration (SSA) and, if necessary, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), with information from each applicant's Form I-9 to confirm work authorization. All candidates who are offered employment must complete Section 1 of the Form I-9 along with the required proof of their right to work in the United States and proof of their identity prior to starting employment. Please be prepared to provide required documentation as soon as possible after the job offer is made.
• This job description indicates, in general, the nature and levels of work, knowledge, skills, abilities and other essential functions expected of the incumbent. The duties listed above are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to the position. Incumbent may be asked to perform other duties as required.

Douglas County provides benefits to full-time employees. Benefits are prorated for part-time employees working 20-29 hours per week. Part-time employees working 19 hours or less, as well as on-call employees, are not eligible for benefits.

No Nevada State income tax.

Retirement - Public Employees Retirement System of Nevada (PERS)

Douglas County contributes 36.75% of an eligible regular member and 50% of an eligible Police and Fire members salary for retirement.

Deferred Compensation Plans - Employees have the option to participate in a deferred compensation program through VOYA, which is funded by the employee.

Employee Perks

• Vacation: Accrued at the rate of 4.6154 hours per pay period, or 120 hours per year (increase with years of service).
• Sick Leave : Earned at the rate of 3.6923 hours per pay period, or 96 hours per year.
• Holidays: 12 paid holidays per year.
• Employee Recognition Programs
• Annual Gym Membership
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Tuition Reimbursement Programs

Health Insurance

As a Douglas County employee, you'll enjoy a comprehensive benefits package with several medical plan options, plus dental and vision coverage, life insurance, and disability insurance. Benefits start on the first of the month after a 30-day waiting period. To learn more about our health insurance and employee benefits, please visit our website for details.

Compensation

Douglas County uses a Pay for Performance compensation system, where employees receive annual performance evaluations and may be eligible for merit-based salary increases. Qualified employees can earn up to a 3% merit increase on their anniversary date, and may also receive an annual Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) during the first pay period of each fiscal year, based on the Consumer Price Index, up to a maximum of 5%. In addition, eligible employees who demonstrate exceptional, above-and-beyond performance may receive further compensation through the County's Recognition of Excellence Program.

01

What is your highest level of completed education?

• High School or GED
• Vocational Certification
• Associates Degree
• Bachelors Degree
• Masters Degree or Higher
• None of the Above

02

If you indicated a degree, what was the major?

• Public Administration
• Finance
• Accounting
• Economics
• Closely Related Field
• None of the Above
• No degree

03

If you indicated a Closely Related Field above, please list the degree major.

04

How many years of progressively responsible professional experience do you possess in governmental budgeting, strategic financial planning, fiscal policy, or public finance, including experience developing complex budgets, and financial forecast? (all experience must be listed in work history; stating "see resume" in lieu of completing application is not acceptable)

• No experience
• Less than 5 years
• 5 years
• 6 years
• 7 years
• 8 years
• 9 years
• 10 years or more

05

Do you hold a current Certified Public Accountant (CPA) certification?

• Yes
• No

06

Briefly describe your experience of developing, implementing, and administering annual operating, capital improvement, and/or supplemental budgets, including developing and recommending schedules, guidance, priorities, and timelines.

07

Briefly describe your experience of monitoring budget performance and developing multi-year fiscal forecasts.

08

Briefly describe your familiarity with and professional experience utilizing fund accounting.

09

Briefly describe your experience of preparing and presenting financial and budgetary reports to Boards, Commissions, or other executive level bodies.

10

Briefly describe why you are interested in the Budget Strategist position with Douglas County.

11

Douglas County requires applicants to list all work history from your most current employment to 10 years back. If additional relevant work experience exceeds 10 years, please list it on your application. If you do not have at least 10 years of work history, include all work history you do have. Writing "See Resume" on the application in place of completing your information is not acceptable. Have you listed all work history from most current to 10 years back plus any additional relevant experience that exceeds 10 years, or all work history if less than 10 years total?

• Yes, I have listed all work history from most current to 10 years back.
• I have relevant experience that exceeds 10 years, and I have also included the experience on my application.
• I do not have 10 years of work history, but I have included all employment history.
• No, I have not listed all work history from most current to 10 years back.

12

Are you able to perform the primary duties and responsibilities of the job listed on the job description with or without a reasonable accommodation?

• Yes
• No

13

Douglas County employees are required to uphold the Countys Values and are evaluated based upon these Values. MISSION STATEMENT Working together with integrity and accountability, the Douglas County team is dedicated to providing essential and cost-effective public services fostering a safe, healthy, scenic, and vibrant community for the enjoyment of our residents and visitors. VALUES STATEMENT Integrity - We demonstrate honest and ethical conduct through our actions. Accountability - We accept responsibility for our actions. Customer Service - We deliver efficient and effective service with an attitude of respect and fairness. Leadership - We establish the tone and direction for success motivating and inspiring others to accomplish a shared vision. Communication - We ensure open dialogue through proactive listening and sharing of information throughout the organization and the community. Teamwork - We work together to achieve shared goals. Respect - We will treat all citizens, employees, and visitors with respect. Do you understand Douglas Countys Mission and Values Statement and will you be able to uphold them if hired?

• Yes
• No

Required Question

Employer Douglas County (NV)

Address P O BOX 218

Minden, Nevada, 89423

Phone (775) 782-9860

Website http://www.douglascountynv.gov