About the Department

The City of Palm Desert provides exemplary and sustainable services, amenities and programs for the benefit of the local and surrounding communities. When you interact with a City employee, you will find our collaborative, driven and efficient staff working together to provide strategic solutions for the community and each other. We are a city focused on external and internal customer service and try to find a way to say “yes,” while not compromising the City’s or our own integrity.

Our efforts are guided by our core values:

Integrity
Stewardship
Service
Community
Innovation
Teamwork

Our employees are passionate about innovation, collaboration and growth, which is supported by the City’s Council and Executive Team. We are an environment that thrives on making changes, pivoting quickly, and is full of movers and shakers. We are constantly striving to improve processes and better our approach so that we can better support the needs of the City. If you have growth mindset and find change exciting, the City of Palm Desert may be your ideal working environment!

THE OPPORTUNITY

Are you a strategic thinker who thrives on solving complex problems and shaping organizational success? The City of Palm Desert is seeking a highly skilled and forward-thinking Senior Management Analyst to lead critical initiatives with City-wide impact. This is an exciting opportunity for a professional who excels at conducting advanced analysis, developing innovative solutions, and guiding programs that support the City’s core business priorities. If you enjoy working in a collaborative environment and driving meaningful operational improvements, we invite you to consider joining our team.

Appointment to this position is expected to fall within the salary range of $95,722 to $110,802; however, the final amount will be carefully determined based on the candidate’s knowledge, skills, qualifications, and an evaluation of internal equity within the organization. Exceptional candidates with highly relevant experience and credentials may be considered for compensation above the anticipated hiring range.

Under general direction, performs advanced professional management, financial, budgetary, policy, legislative, and operational analysis in support of one or more assigned program(s) that have City-wide impact; recommends and administers departmental and programmatic practices and procedures; conducts complex needs analyses, feasibility studies, and evaluations; makes recommendations for improvements and develops implementation plans; fosters cooperative working relationships among City departments and acts as a liaison with the media and various community, public, and regulatory agencies; and performs related duties as assigned.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED
Receives supervision from assigned management staff. May exercise direct and/or indirect supervision over assigned professional, technical, and/or clerical employees.

Position Duties

This is the advanced-level classification in the Management Analyst series. Incumbents perform advanced and complex administrative analytical work that includes designing, planning, implementing, evaluating, and modifying assigned program(s), including: development of short- and long-term plans; budget preparation and implementation; conducting extensive, in-depth, and specialized administrative, budgetary, financial, legislative, and regulatory compliance research and analysis; supporting and analyzing programmatic practices and procedures; and developing and implementing recommendations for operational, policy, and procedural improvements for the assigned program(s). Incumbents serve as technical experts in multiple disciplinary and/or programmatic areas using initiative and resourcefulness in deviating from traditional methods or researching trends and patterns to develop new methods, criteria, or proposed policies and procedures. Positions in this class are typically assigned to manage large, complex, and multi-disciplinary projects, programs, studies, and initiatives that involve contacts outside of the City. Duties require the ability to manage multiple stakeholder interests as well as a high level of technical expertise and acumen in support of management and/or City Council priorities, strategic initiatives, and directives. Work typically has high visibility and sensitivity for the City in areas of its core business initiatives. Incumbents play a leading role in City planning discussions related to their assigned area of responsibility, and the work involves a high-level of problem-solving requiring analysis of unique issues or increasingly complex problems without precedent and/or structure and formulating, presenting, and implementing strategies and recommendations for resolution. Work assignments are typically given as broad, conceptual ideas and directives and incumbents are accountable for overall results and responsible for developing guidelines, action plans, and methods to produce deliverables on time and within budget.

Minimum Qualifications

Management reserves the right to add, modify, change, or rescind the work assignments of different positions and to make reasonable accommodations so that qualified employees can perform the essential functions of the job.

Manages large, complex, and multi-disciplinary projects, programs, studies, and initiatives involving a high level of technical complexity, numerous contacts with management and officials both inside and outside of City, and are of high visibility to the City in the area of its core business initiatives; develops work plans consisting of mission, objectives, scope of work, budget, schedules, baseline requirements, and implementation strategies; identifies strategic, project management, and external issues, recommends solutions, and implements solutions to manage risks and issues.
Performs a variety of advanced and complex professional-level organizational, planning, management, operational, financial, and legislative analysis, public information, and community outreach duties in support of projects, programs, and activities.
Develops City-wide standards for assigned projects, programs, and studies including methodology, deliverable templates, and performance measurements; leads planning related to assigned area of responsibility.
Prepares, develops, monitors, and administers operating and capital improvement program (CIP) budgets for assigned programs or departments; prepares preliminary budget estimates; performs financial forecasting and planning; recommends revenue and expenditure adjustments; prepares budget reports for review by management and the Director.
Establishes and maintains internal control procedures and ensures that accounting standards are met.
Prepares, reviews, and approves solicitation documents (e.g., Requests for Proposals, Requests for Quotes, Scopes of Work, and Construction Specifications), manages bid process, and administers contracts and agreements; interprets, applies, and advises staff regarding City procurement processes and policies.
Serves as a liaison and represents the department and City to local businesses, the public, media, various regulatory agencies, community groups, and other agencies; analyzes, interprets, and explains departmental and programmatic policies and procedures to various stakeholders.
Conducts a variety of complex analytical and operational studies by selecting, adapting, and applying appropriate analytical, research, and statistical techniques; evaluates alternatives, makes preliminary and final recommendations, and implements procedural, administrative, and/or operational changes after approval.
Provides consultation to meet user needs including recommending, designing, and coordinating changes to both business practices and specific technology solutions.
Receives, investigates, negotiates, and responds to difficult, controversial, and/or sensitive problems and inquiries in a professional manner; identifies and reports findings and takes necessary corrective action.
Some positions plan, organize, assign, review, and evaluate the work of assigned administrative support staff; train staff in work procedures; evaluate employee performance, counsel employees, and effectively recommend initial disciplinary action; and assist in selection and promotion.

Other Qualifications

Knowledge of:

Applicable federal, state, and local laws, regulatory codes, ordinances, and procedures relevant to assigned area of responsibility.
Advanced theories, principles, and practices of public and business administration as applied to assigned operations, programs, and projects.
Advanced administrative principles and practices related to goal setting, program development, implementation, and evaluation, project management, budget development and administration, and contract administration.
Advanced organizational and management practices as applied to the analysis, evaluation, development, and implementation of programs, policies, and procedures.
Quality assurance and quality control principles and practices within areas of expertise.
Principles and techniques of conducting analytical studies, evaluating alternatives, making sound recommendations, and preparing and presenting effective and technical reports.
Public relations techniques.
Recent and on-going developments, current literature, and sources of information related to assigned programs, projects, and services.
Principles and practices of employee supervision, including work planning, assignment, review and evaluation, and the training of staff in work procedures.
Record keeping principles and procedures.
Modern office practices, methods, and computer equipment and applications related to the work.
English usage, grammar, spelling, vocabulary, and punctuation.
Techniques for effectively representing the City in contacts with governmental agencies, community groups, and various business, professional, educational, regulatory, and legislative organizations.
Techniques for providing a high level of customer service by effectively dealing with the public, vendors, contractors, and City staff.

Ability to:

Interpret, apply, explain, and ensure compliance with applicable federal, state, and local policies, procedures, laws, and regulations.
Provide leadership and technical guidance as a recognized subject matter expert and advisor in assigned areas of responsibility.
Develop goals, objectives, policies, procedures, and work standards for assigned programs, projects, and activities.
Develop, implement, and manage large, complex, and multi-disciplinary projects, programs, studies, and initiatives in an independent and cooperative manner, evaluate alternatives, make sound recommendations, and prepare effective technical and administrative reports.
Coordinate and oversee departmental administrative, budgeting, and fiscal reporting activities.
Plan, organize, and carry out assignments from management staff with minimal direction.
Analyze, interpret, summarize, and present administrative and technical information and data in an effective manner.
Evaluate and develop improvements in operations, procedures, policies, or methods.
Research, analyze, and evaluate new service delivery methods, procedures, and techniques.
Prepare clear and concise reports, correspondence, policies, procedures, and other written materials.
Plan, organize, schedule, assign, train, review, and evaluate the work of staff.
Effectively represent the department and the City in meetings with the media, governmental agencies, community groups, and various businesses, professional, and regulatory organizations, and in meetings with individuals.
Establish and maintain accurate databases, records, and files.
Organize and prioritize a variety of projects and multiple tasks in an effective and timely manner.
Organize own work, set priorities, and meet critical time deadlines.
Effectively use computer systems, software, and modern business equipment to perform a variety of work tasks.
Use tact, initiative, prudence, and independent judgment within general policy, procedural, and legal guidelines.
Communicate effectively in English, both orally and in writing.
Establish, maintain, and foster positive and effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

Education and Experience:
Any combination of training and experience that would provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required qualifications would be:
Equivalent to graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with major coursework in business or public administration or a related field; AND four (4) years of increasingly responsible administrative, operational, management, and/or financial analysis and/or program management experience, including at least two (2) years of experience equivalent to that of a Management Analyst II in the City of Palm Desert.

Licenses and Certifications:

Possession of, or ability to obtain, a valid California driver’s license by the time of appointment may be required for certain assignments.

Physical Demands

Must possess mobility to work in a standard office setting and use standard office equipment, including a computer; to operate a motor vehicle and to visit various City and meeting sites (if required of the assignment); vision to read printed materials and a computer screen; and hearing and speech to communicate in person, before groups, and over the telephone. This is primarily a sedentary office classification although standing and walking between work areas may be required. Finger dexterity is needed to access, enter, and retrieve data using a computer keyboard or calculator and to operate standard office equipment. Positions in this classification occasionally bend, stoop, kneel, reach, push, and pull drawers open and closed to retrieve and file information. Employees must possess the ability to lift, carry, push, and pull materials and objects up to 10 pounds with the use of proper equipment. Reasonable accommodations will be made for individuals on a case-by-case basis.

Environmental Elements

Employees work in an office environment with moderate noise levels, controlled temperature conditions, and no direct exposure to hazardous physical substances. Employees may interact with upset staff and/or public and private representatives in interpreting and enforcing departmental policies and procedures.

Benefits

The City of Palm Desert offers a competitive benefits package to all employees. These benefits include:

Competitive Salary & Leave
- Competitive salary and vacation leave accrual
- The City does not participate in the Social Security program, except for the mandatory 1.45% Medicare contribution.
- 12 paid holidays annually
- 12 paid sick days annually
- Two weeks of annual paid vacation, additional vacation available for Management positions
Insurance Coverage
- Medical, dental and vision coverage for employee and dependents (up to 100% paid by employer)
- Life insurance (equal to annual salary, up to $200,000)
- Long Term Disability Plan (paid by employer)
- Accidental Death & Dismemberment Coverage (paid by employer)
- Voluntary Short-term disability
- Voluntary Additional Life Insurance for employee and family
Retirement Benefits
- 2% @ 62 CalPERS retirement, 2% @ 55 for Classic Members
- Retiree Health Savings Plan: 1% Employee Contribution, 1% Employer Match
- Voluntary 457b Deferred Compensation Program; City match of up to $200 per month
- Voluntary 401a Deferred Compensation Program; City match of up to 2% annual salary
Other Incentives
- Tuition Reimbursement Program
- Employee Assistance Program
- Rideshare Incentive Program
- Qualified employer for PSLF Program eligibility
- IRC 125 Cafeteria Plan (flexible spending plans)

Supplemental Questions

Instructions for completing the supplemental questionnaire: Responses to the questions below will be used to determine your eligibility to advance in the recruitment process. An attached resume is not an acceptable substitution for a completed application. Please do not type "see resume" or "see application" in your responses. Incomplete responses, false statements, or omissions may result in disqualification in the selection process. By continuing in the process, you are certifying that all information provided in the application and supplemental questionnaire is true to the best of your knowledge. Select "Yes" to reflect that you have read and understand this statement.

This position would oversee or support multiple program areas simultaneously. Describe your experience managing competing priorities across diverse assignments and how you maintain organization and accuracy.

Describe your leadership style and how you foster collaboration, accountability, and professional development within a team.

APPLICANT'S ACKNOWLEDGMENT - NOTIFICATION VIA EMAIL: I understand that it is my responsibility to check my email, including junk mail or spam folders, for any communication from the City of Palm Desert. Communication will be sent via email to the email address I have provided on my application. Select "Yes" to reflect that you have read, understand, and agree to this statement.

Required Question

Agency Information

Employer: City of Palm Desert
Address: 73510 Fred Waring Drive

Palm Desert, California, 92260
Phone: 760.636.5865
Website: https://www.palmdesert.gov/