Strategic Planning & Budgeting Returnship Program

The Governors Office of Strategic Planning and Budgeting (OSPB) Returnship Program is a paid temporary transition program designed for experienced mid-career professionals looking to re-enter the workforce following a career break.

This program offers a structured supportive pathway into state government allowing returning professionals to update their skills build a contemporary network in state budgeting or strategic planning and apply their seasoned expertise to high-level challenges facing the State of Arizona.

Returnees participate in hands-on budget or strategic planning work with high-level exposure to executive decision-making processes.

Returnees will tackle assignments tailored to their professional background & areas of interest with core exposure to State-level administration:

Executive Privilege: Handle confidential information and contribute directly to the budget and strategic planning processes at the highest levels of state government

Fiscal & Operational Analysis: Leverage past public/non-profit sector experience to analyze the fiscal impacts and operational feasibility of government policy decisions

Impact: Solve statewide fiscal operational and policy challenges alongside experienced analysts

Special Projects: Support targeted division initiatives through special projects as assigned

Major Duties by Division:

Budget Division

Perform in-depth fiscal and operational analyses of agency budget requests and legislative items

Analyze complex financial models state revenues and agency spending trends

Assist in drafting executive budget recommendations

Strategic Planning Division

Coordinate with agency leaders to collect analyze and track performance metrics and key deliverable submissions

Assist with statewide performance dashboard management reporting and process improvements

Support the statewide strategic planning lifecycle across state cabinet agencies

Grants Division

At this time OSPB is not accepting returnship applications for the Grants Division

Monitoring and management of federal grants awarded to the State

Assist with grant data analytics and reporting

Program Requirements:

Minimum of a 1 year break from full-time professional employment unless:
- Affiliated with the U.S. Armed Forces as a military service member transitioning service member veteran &/or a military spouse or partner; or
underemployed at the time of application(underemployed is defined as not doing work that makes full use of skills abilities &/or educational background)

Bachelors Degree in Public Administration Public Policy Finance Business Economics Non-Profit Management or a related field

Minimum of 5 years of relevant professional work experience or Graduate students pursuing a Masters Degree in Public Administration Public Policy Finance Business Economics Non-Profit Management or a related field with a minimum of 3 years of relevant professional work experience may also be considered for the Returnship Program

Preferred Knowledge & Skills:

Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite (Excel Word PowerPoint) and a willingness to quickly adapt to state technology systems (e.g. Arizona Budget System)

Excellent written verbal and visual communication skills (including report writing and data presentation)

Strong analytical organizational problem-solving and detail-oriented capabilities

Demonstrated expertise in finance policy development or project management

Passion for public service in the State of Arizona

Employees who drive on state business are subject to drivers license record checks must maintain acceptable driving records and must complete any required driver training (see Arizona Administrative Code R.12.)

Requires possession of and ability to retain a current valid state-issued drivers license appropriate to the assignment

If this position requires driving or the use of a vehicle as an essential function of the job to conduct State business then the following requirements apply:Drivers License Requirements.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact Ariel Gonzalez at for assistance