Fiscal Policy Officer

Under the strategic direction of the Senior Advisor, Fiscal Policy & Strategy Officer and in support of the Chief Executive Officer’s priorities, the Fiscal Policy Officer supports the Agency's fiscal policy, funding strategy, and implementation of strategic initiatives by analyzing state, federal, and local funding developments; evaluating fiscal, operational, and implementation impacts; and developing recommendations that inform organizational strategy and decision-making. The position works collaboratively with Finance, Government Affairs, Programs, Data, Evaluation, Technology, and other Agency teams to translate fiscal policy into implementation strategies, strengthen funding approaches, improve fiscal sustainability, and support effective delivery of Agency priorities. 
 
The position serves as a technical resource on fiscal policy and public financing, providing analysis and decision support related to public funding, revenue opportunities, financing strategies, and implementation of complex initiatives. It supports revenue maximization, funding alignment, and cross-functional coordination to help operationalize Agency priorities. 

Fiscal Policy Analysis & Funding Strategy 

• Monitor and analyze state, federal, and local fiscal policy developments, budget proposals, legislation, regulations, funding opportunities, and administrative actions affecting early childhood systems. 
• Analyze fiscal, operational, and implementation impacts of policy and funding changes and develop recommendations for Agency leadership. 
• Prepare fiscal analyses, policy briefs, presentations, and other materials that support decision-making. 
• Identify opportunities to maximize, align, braid, blend, and leverage funding sources to advance Agency priorities and long-term sustainability. 

Implementation Planning & Systems Strategy 

• Support implementation planning for initiatives involving multiple funding streams, agencies, and partners. 
• Analyze operational, fiscal, policy, and administrative implications of proposed initiatives and recommend implementation strategies. 
• Coordinate with cross functional teams to support organizational alignment and successful implementation. 
• Support development of funding strategies, fiscal policy recommendations, and budget strategy recommendations. 

Fiscal Analysis & Decision Support 

• Conduct research and analysis related to public financing, reimbursement methodologies, funding structures, and fiscal policy. 
• Develop policy scenarios, funding assumptions, and implementation options and partner with Finance on financial modeling and analysis to support strategic planning, resource allocation, and executive decision-making. 
• Lead analysis of opportunities for revenue maximization through braiding, blending, leveraging, reimbursement optimization, and strategic use of public funding sources. 
• Translate complex fiscal and policy information into clear, actionable recommendations for technical and non-technical audiences. 

Cross-Functional Coordination 

• Partner with Finance to translate fiscal policy strategies into financial models, projections, and decision-support tools. 
• Partner with internal teams to operationalize fiscal policy strategies and support implementation of Agency priorities. 
• Coordinate work across multiple initiatives to align fiscal policy, funding strategy, operational planning, and implementation activities. 
• Support coordination with external partners and agencies as needed to advance Agency priorities. 

Organizational Support 

• Support Leadership in advancing agency-wide fiscal policy priorities and strategic initiatives. 
• Lead assigned fiscal and policy workstreams and provide guidance, project management, and direction to staff, consultants, and cross-functional teams. 
• Participate in cross-functional workgroups, organizational planning efforts, and continuous improvement initiatives. 

Minimum Qualifications

Any combination of training and experience that would provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities is qualifying. Additional experience and/or education can be substituted to meet typical qualifications. A typical way to obtain the required qualifications would be:

• Five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in fiscal policy analysis, public finance, governmental budgeting, public administration, health or human services financing, or a closely related field, including experience conducting complex analyses and supporting implementation of strategic initiatives, and the equivalent to a bachelor's degree in public administration, public policy, economics, finance, business administration, public health, political science, or a related field.
• A Master’s degree may substitute for one year of the required experience. 
• Additional relevant work experience may be substituted to meet the college coursework/bachelor's degree standard. 

Desireable Qualifications:

• Experience with public funding systems, governmental budgets, grants, or public finance. 
• Experience analyzing state or federal budgets, regulations, or funding proposals. 
• Experience with Medi-Cal, childcare funding, early childhood systems, or other human services financing. 
• Experience supporting strategic planning, systems implementation, or cross-functional initiatives. 
• Experience preparing executive reports, policy briefs, and presentations. 

Additional Requirements 

Travel within Alameda County and occasional travel outside the County as needed. May require occasional evening meetings.  

Knowledge of:

• Public finance, governmental budgeting, fiscal policy, financial management, planning and public funding administration
• Federal, state and local funding systems and government budget processes.
• Funding alignment strategies including braiding, blending, leveraging, and revenue maximization.
• Fiscal policy analysis, implementation planning, project management, and organizational change.
• Research methods, policy analysis, data interpretation, and Results-Based Accountability (RBA).
• Effective written and verbal communication techniques.

Ability to: 

• Conduct complex fiscal, policy, operational, and financial analyses.
• Translate fiscal policy into implementation strategies and actionable recommendations.
• Coordinate fiscal policy and funding initiatives across departments and Leadership.
• Evaluate funding opportunities and recommend sustainable, revenue-maximizing approaches.
• Prepare reports, policy briefs, presentations, and executive materials.
• Build collaborative working relationships with internal and external partners.
• Manage competing priorities and make sound independent decisions
• Use data and technology to support analysis, planning, reporting, and decision-making.
• Lead complex policy and fiscal workstreams.
• Direct, mentor and/or supervise staff

Please note: 

• We are currently working a hybrid 2 day per week in-office schedule and employees also come to the office to attend meetings and as requested. 
• All First 5 employees must live and work in California. 
• The salary range for this position is $126,000 to $182,000 and as an independent government agency, the posted salary is the set salary range for this position. We cannot offer salaries above this posted range.  
• We conduct reference and background checks for all potential employees. 

About First 5 Alameda County 

First 5 Alameda County believes every child in Alameda County should have optimal health, development, and well-being to reach their greatest potential. Through innovative programs and policy advocacy, we help provide children and their families access to resources that support their first five years of development. 

Join our mission-driven team that in partnership with the community, supports a county-wide continuous prevention and early intervention system that promotes optimal health and development, narrows disparities, and improves peak years of child development. 

First 5 Alameda County Benefits 

We offer a comprehensive benefits package with health care options to meet the diverse needs of our employees and their families. These benefits include but are not limited to Medical, Dental, & Vision Coverage, $1,500 credit per year to spend on benefits, Health and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs), Employer Paid & Voluntary Life & AD&D Insurance, Long-Term Disability Insurance, Retirement Plans including the ACERA Pension Plan, Commuter Benefits, Employee Assistance Plan and more. 

We also offer paid vacation, paid time off and sick time. We have 17 paid holidays including the week between Christmas Day and New Year's Day as paid time off.