Senior Analyst - Legislation and FOIA

The Legislative Fiscal & Policy Analyst supports the Finance Department’s legislative and governance functions by coordinating Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests, preparing fiscal impact statements, and assisting in the development of Finance-initiated legislation.

This position provides objective, data-driven fiscal analysis to support executive leadership and elected officials, assists with drafting the financial components of ordinances and resolutions, and evaluates proposed legislation to ensure financial viability and operational feasibility. The role works in coordination with the City Attorney’s Office and Chief Administrative Office staff to support informed decision-making. This position supports legislative development through financial analysis and coordination and does not provide legal interpretation or policy advocacy.

Legislative Analysis & Development

• Provide fiscal analysis to Finance leadership on proposed ordinances, resolutions, and policy actions.
• Support the development of Finance-initiated legislation by preparing cost projections, funding analyses, and implementation considerations.
• Identify fiscal risks, structural impacts, and operational challenges associated with legislative proposals.
• Collaborate with the City Attorney’s Office and departmental stakeholders to ensure financial consistency and feasibility.
• Prepare briefing materials and supporting documentation for executive leadership and City Council.

Fiscal Impact Statements

• Prepare fiscal impact statements for legislation presented to City Council.
• Analyze short- and long-term financial effects, including operating costs, revenue impacts, staffing implications, debt considerations, and budget risks.
• Coordinate with Budget, Revenue, Procurement, Human Resources, and other departments to validate assumptions.
• Update analyses as legislation advances through the adoption process.
• Maintain standardized methodologies to promote consistency and reliability.

FOIA Coordination

• Serve as the Finance Department’s primary coordinator for FOIA requests.
• Track and manage requests to ensure compliance with statutory timelines and City procedures.
• Coordinate with Finance divisions to gather responsive records and partner with the City Attorney’s Office or designated FOIA officials regarding exemptions and redactions.
• Prepare organized responses and maintain documentation.

Executive & Legislative Support

• Coordinate with Chief Administrative Office staff on fiscal impacts and financial considerations associated with legislative matters.
• Respond to executive leadership inquiries related to legislation or public records.
• Provide fiscal context and analysis to support Finance leadership during Council deliberations.

Knowledge (some combination of the following):

• Agencies, support staff, companies, products, and requirements in area of focus
• Analytical testing procedures
• Business development
• Constituent service
• Cross-system and interagency collaboration
• Budget management
• Management practices
• Federal, state, and local laws and procedures related to area of focus
• Legal concepts
• Legislative processes particularly for the City
• Logistics in area of focus such as multi-modal transportation
• Policy development and implementation
• Microsoft Office Suite
• Project management
• Rules, regulations, procedures, and policies in area of focus

Skills (some combination of the following):

• Advancing complex planning and project initiatives
• Communicating technical and complex information easily and concisely
• Communicating with various internal and external departments at all levels
• Developing annual capital and operating budgets
• Developing programs and services in area of focus including scope, schedule, and budget
• Strategic negotiating
• Drafting and creating documents, correspondences, presentations, and memos
• Evaluating program measures and outcomes
• Leading and motivating people and teams
• Managing federal grants and contracts
• Providing technical and marketing information to appropriate external and internal departments
• Analytical reasoning

• Think critically
• Delegate tasks
• Make decisions
• Be diplomatic
• Multi-task
• Problem solve
• Speak publicly
• Build relationships
• Provide direction and accountability
• Provide senior leadership and management
• Manage multiple projects and assignments
• Oversee the execution of goal setting and monitor the compliance of stated goals

Core Competencies

• Strong fiscal and policy analysis skills
• Exceptional written communication
• High attention to detail
• Sound professional judgment
• Organizational and deadline management capability
• Political and organizational awareness
• Ability to translate complex financial information for diverse audiences

• Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, Public Administration, Business Administration, Economics, or a related field.
• Five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in public sector finance, legislative analysis, policy support, compliance, or records management.
• Experience preparing financial analyses that inform policy or operational decision-making.
• Experience managing or coordinating FOIA or public records requests.
• An equivalent combination of training and experience (as approved by the department) may be used to meet the minimum qualifications of the classification.

• Experience in local government finance.
• Familiarity with Virginia FOIA requirements.
• Experience preparing fiscal impact statements.
• Knowledge of municipal budgeting and financial planning.
• Strong project management and cross-department coordination skills.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job. Prospective and current employees are invited to discuss accommodations.

ENVIRONMENTAL HAZARDS:Working conditions may include exposure to travel to other locations within the City of Richmond as well as outside of the City of Richmond; exposure to hazardous physical conditions such as mechanical parts, electrical currents, vibrations, etc.; atmospheric conditions such as fumes, odors, dusts, gases, and poor ventilation; inadequate lighting; intense noise; and environmental hazards such as disruptive people, imminent danger, and a threatening environment.

Physical Requirements and Working Environment:Due to the nature of work assignments, incumbents must be able to perform detailed work on multiple, concurrent tasks, with frequent interruptions and under time constraint. The essential duties of this classification may require the ability to regularly talk, hear, and see; frequently reach and perform repetitive motions; and occasionally stoop, kneel, crouch, stand, walk, push, pull, lift, finger, grasp, and feel. The working conditions may not include environmental hazards. In terms of the physical strength to perform the essential duties, this classification is considered to be sedentary, exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally, and a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to move objects.