Rating Analyst, Rating Analyst, Americas Public Finance - Local Governments

About the Role

Grade Level (for internal use): 09

Join the Americas Public Finance team at S&P Global Ratings, a leading credit risk research provider. As a Rating Analyst on the Local Governments Central Region team, you will lead credit analysis for local government issuers, provide committee‑ready credit opinions, conduct research and financial statement analysis, and support rating recommendations.

We are a professional team of analysts committed to analytical excellence and customer service in a supportive, diverse, and collegial environment.

Key responsibilities include:

• Leading credit analysis for local government issuers – cities, counties, school districts, special districts, and related entities.
• Preparing well‑supported rating recommendations and clear rating reports for rating committees.
• Conducting comprehensive credit analysis, in‑depth research, and detailed financial statement analysis.
• Actively participating in rating committees, investor calls, and contributing to research for publications or special projects.
• Improving team processes and efficiency, providing guidance and resolving non‑routine issues.
• Meeting office requirements: working from the office a minimum of 2 days per week.

• Serve as the primary analyst on credit transactions and prepare well‑supported rating recommendations for rating committees.
• Conduct comprehensive credit analysis and in‑depth research to evaluate creditworthiness of local government issuers.
• Perform detailed financial statement analysis to assess fiscal health and credit risk factors.
• Serve as an active voting member of the rating committee.
• Publish timely and insightful credit reports and contribute to research pieces.
• Maintain strong knowledge of ratings criteria and stay informed on relevant market issues.
• Contribute to team initiatives to improve processes and efficiency.
• Provide guidance and clarification to support the team.
• Resolve varied and non‑routine issues using analytical skills.

Basic

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree (Master’s preferred).
• 2+ years of public finance experience; local government sector experience preferred.
• Strong credit analysis and financial statement analysis capabilities.
• Strong analytical and problem‑solving abilities with capacity for independent decision‑making.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Demonstrated teamwork and independent work capability.
• Strong time management and organizational skills.
• Final stage interview requires at least one in‑person interview at the nearest S&P Global Ratings office.

Additional

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience advising on complex local government finance issues.
• Proven ability to conduct in‑depth research and comprehensive financial analysis.
• Relationship building across teams and functions.
• Initiative in identifying problems and suggesting process improvements.
• Change‑ready mindset and willingness to adopt evolving analytical workflows, including AI‑human collaboration.

Base salary range: 63,000 USD to 90,000 USD, depending on location, experience and skills. Eligible for an annual incentive plan and additional S&P Global benefits.

Role limited to persons with an indefinite right to work in the United States.

S&P Global is an equal opportunity employer and all qualified candidates will receive consideration for employment without regard to race/ethnicity, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, marital status, military veteran status, unemployment status, or any other status protected by law. Only electronic job submissions will be considered for employment.

If you need an accommodation during the application process due to a disability, please send an email to  and your request will be forwarded to the appropriate person.

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Job

Posted On:

Location:

Chicago, Illinois, United States