Fiscal and Policy Analyst
Legislative Analyst's Office
Sacramento, California
Duties and Responsibilities
The Legislative Analyst's Office (LAO) provides nonpartisan fiscal and policy analysis
to the California Legislature. The Fiscal and Policy Analyst's primary responsibility
is to be the LAO's expert in the policy area to which he or she is assigned. These
assignments fall into one of the following general areas:
economics,
revenues, and taxation; local government; health; social services;
K-12 education; higher education; transportation, business, and
housing;
resources and environmental protection; criminal justice;
and state administration. Toward this end, an analyst:
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Spends considerable time in the field learning first-hand how programs work in practice.
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Keeps up on the laws and available literature in the program area.
- Knows and stays in contact with legislative, administrative, and intergovernmental
staff, as well as industry groups and nonprofit organizations in the assigned policy
area.
The analyst uses this expertise to:
- Identify and analyze budget and policy issues and develop options and recommendations
for the Legislature to address these issues. These analyses are contained in such
office products as the Analysis of the Governor's Budget and Perspectives
& Issues (P&I),
reports, legislative assignments, and initiative and ballot pamphlet write-ups.
- Testify before legislative committees on issues contained in the Analysis
and P&I,
and on other relevant issues.
- Serve as a fiscal and program resource to legislators whenever needed.
Because analysts are nonpartisan fiscal and policy staff, it is essential their
work be objective, analytical, accurate, and thorough. In addition, for the analyst's
work to be useful to the Legislature, it must be solution-oriented and performed
in a timely manner.
Minimum Qualifications
At a minimum, applicants must possess a Master's degree in public policy, public
or business administration, economics, or a related field that includes a curriculum
of economics, statistics, public finance, and policy analysis. In addition, analysts
must: (1) possess strong quantitative and analytical skills, (2) be able to communicate
effectively through clear and concise writing and oral presentations, (3) work well
with others in a fast-paced and production-oriented environment; and (4) learn quickly,
show initiative, and be willing to take on increasing levels of responsibility.
Salary
The entry-level salary for the Fiscal and Policy Analyst position is approximately
$47,000 per year. The office will consider salaries that are above this amount,
depending on the candidate's qualifications and experience. Salaries for Senior
Fiscal and Policy Analysts—analysts who have demonstrated the ability to perform
all analytical tasks and produce all office products at a consistently high quality
with a minimum amount of supervision—begin at approximately $77,000 per year. Salaries
for Principal Fiscal and Policy Analysts range from $98,000 to $114,000 per year.
The LAO also provides a comprehensive package of health, vision, dental, and
retirement benefits.
In addition, the LAO provides vacation, sick leave, compensatory time-off for overtime
above a specified level, and about 15 holidays per year.
Background Information
The LAO has served the Legislature and the people of California for over 65 years.
The office currently employs 44 analytical and 13 support staff. Staff of the LAO
are hired and promoted on a merit basis and are exempt from civil service.
The LAO enjoys a national reputation for the quality and nonpartisanship of its
analyses and staff.
Follow this link for information on
how to apply.
The LAO
is an equal opportunity employer.