Budget and Policy Analyst IV

State of Colorado•Denver, CO

3d•Hybrid

About The Position

This position represents the Division as the staff authority and definitive expert for the fiscal and policy administration of TANF, Adult Financial, and DEWS programs. The role develops, enhances, and implements advanced fiscal models and guidelines to manage multi-million-dollar program budgets. As a strategic partner to senior leadership, the position analyzes complex state and federal legislative changes, formulates advanced budget requests, and provides authoritative guidance to county executives and partner agencies. The position mitigates financial risks, negotiates solutions for competing fiscal interests, and directs the Division’s fiscal policy response to external stakeholders.

Requirements

Eight (8) years of full-time professional work experience in an occupation directly related to state or governmental budgeting, fiscal policy, or resource planning.
A Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in accounting, finance, business administration, public administration, public policy, economics, or a closely related field plus 4 years of professional budget, policy, or fiscal analysis experience (totaling 8 years of combined education and experience).
Current, valid licensure as a CPA by the Colorado Board of Accountancy will substitute for the degree requirement and two (2) years of the required experience.
A Master’s degree in a related field (such as MPA, MPP, or MBA) typically counts toward two years of required general experience, requiring 2 to 3 years of direct post-graduate professional experience.
Standard Background ALL CDHS employees (non-direct contact): CBI name check, ICON Colorado court database, Medicare fraud database, Reference checks, Professional License verification (licensure requirements), and drug screen (commercial Driver’s license)
This position requires State of Colorado residency at the time of application (unless otherwise identified in the posting), and residency within the state throughout the duration of employment in this position
May be required to travel to CDHS locations across Colorado.
Former State employees who were disciplinarily terminated or resigned in lieu of termination must: Disclose that information on the application. Explain why the prior termination or resignation should not disqualify you from the current position. Provide your employee number from your prior State employment.

Nice To Haves

Direct experience navigating the State of Colorado's annual budget cycle, including developing decision items for the Office of State Planning and Budgeting (OSPB) and presenting to the Joint Budget Committee (JBC).
Demonstrated success in evaluating complex state/federal legislation and authoring legislative fiscal notes.
Advanced proficiency in financial modeling, and forecasting.
Background in managing multi-sourced funding, federal grant management, cost allocation plans, and indirect cost recovery strategies.
Proven ability to translate intricate financial data into clear policy briefs and executive recommendations for department directors, legislators, and external stakeholders.
Direct experience managing multi-million-dollar federal block grants, specifically TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families).
Deep working knowledge of federal Maintenance of Effort (MOE) calculations, federal reporting mandates, and TANF transfer/reserve rules.
Background in designing, evaluating, or auditing county allocation formulas for public assistance and economic security programs across Colorado's 64 counties.
Hands-on experience navigating Colorado human services platforms, such as the County Fiscal Management System (CFMS) or data interfaces with the Colorado Benefits Management System (CBMS).
Relevant years of State service experience.

Responsibilities

Act as the definitive staff authority for Colorado Works/TANF, Employment First, and Adult Financial Programs' fiscal operations.
Develop, enhance, and implement division-wide methodologies and processes for analyzing spending patterns, forecasting caseload trends, and establishing fiscal priorities.
Direct the formulation of fiscal reporting strategies and deliverables due to the Office of State Planning and Budgeting (OSPB), the Joint Budget Committee (JBC), and the Works Allocation Committee.
Lead inter-departmental consultations (with CDLE, DOLA, DOR, HCPF, CDEC and counties) to resolve complex, unprecedented fiscal policy conflicts.
Provide executive-level guidance to the CFO and Division Directors regarding mid-year and year-end Maintenance of Effort (MOE) strategy and adjustments.
Regularly update internal trackers and manuals, including documenting processes and decisions made.
Other budget process tasks as assigned.
Represent the Division as the primary legislative and policy fiscal expert, researching best practices and defining strategic options for rule changes to senior leadership.
Synthesize complex quantitative and qualitative data to direct policy formulation and draft critical fiscal notes and fiscal impact statements for proposed legislation.
Provide policy recommendations to the Senior Policy Advisor and Division Director regarding the operational and fiscal impact of sweeping state and federal legislative overhauls.
Responsible for the tracking and monitoring of Departmental fiscal note requests to ensure timely submission to legislative partners.
Review and coordinate fiscal note requests for potential impact to the Department.
Develop professional relationships with internal partners, legislative coordinators, Governor’s Office staff, legislative staff, and other relevant stakeholders in the fiscal note process.
Provide recommendations and policy guidance to the Budget Director, CFO, and other department leadership.
Collaborate with department staff to analyze issues, draft requests, edit documents according to established guides, identify department-wide priorities and/or concerns, and reach resolution on policy issues.
Discuss and explain agency requests and positions with internal and Governor’s Office staff.
Responsible for the continued implementation and adherence to the guiding principles, roles, and responsibilities of the Department and the Office of State Planning and Budgeting.
Design, direct, and oversee the comprehensive framework for fiscal data management used for multi-million-dollar allocations, expenditure, monitoring, and predictive modeling.
Autonomously evaluate the strategic efficacy of programmatic priorities based on deep analysis of the TANF Work Participation Rate, Caseload Reduction Credit, and participant spending metrics.
Provide authoritative training and direction to county executives and fiscal staff on funding optimization and structural changes needed to impact statewide metrics through presentations, one on one consultations, or Management Evaluations.
Determine key partners and nurture professional relationships to ensure optimal development and implementation of projects.
Perform other strategic budget and policy duties as assigned.

Benefits

Strong, secure, yet flexible retirement benefits including a PERA Defined Benefit Plan or PERA Defined Contribution Plan plus 401(k) and 457 plans
Medical and dental health plans
Employer supplemented Health Savings Account
Paid life insurance
Short- and long-term disability coverage
11 paid holidays per year plus vacation and sick leave
State of Colorado Employee BenefitHub Resource Center
Employee Wellness program
Excellent work-life programs, such as flexible schedules, training and more
Remote work arrangements for eligible positions
Some positions may qualify for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.