Budget & Policy Analyst IV - Denver

State of Colorado•Denver, CO

12d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Budget & Policy Analyst IV works in the Colorado Department of Transportation’s Office of Financial Management and Budget within the Division of Accounting and Finance. The office manages CDOT’s financial activities, including revenue forecasts, budgets, legislative fiscal analysis, spending authority, debt, and State Infrastructure Bank programs. Its financial information supports department leadership, state agencies, legislative bodies, federal partners, local governments, and the public. This position serves as CDOT’s subject matter expert and staff authority for transportation revenue forecasting and state transportation funding. It develops and maintains short- and long-term revenue forecasts and financial models, analyzes revenue trends and forecast changes, and evaluates the fiscal and policy effects of proposed changes to transportation funding, fees, taxes, and other revenue sources. The analyst provides reporting and recommendations to executive leadership and other stakeholders, monitors actual revenues against forecasts, and explains financial implications and variances. During legislative sessions, the analyst evaluates proposed legislation and prepares or reviews fiscal note responses, including assessments of revenue, expenditure, workload, and other financial impacts. The role also provides technical revenue and financial analysis for annual and legislative budget submissions, helps validate revenue assumptions and funding requests, and supports legislative hearings and inquiries. The position regularly responds to requests for analysis and communicates complex financial and policy issues to varied audiences, often under tight deadlines and in a politically sensitive environment.

Requirements

At least eight years of qualifying combined education and experience, including the experience specified in the minimum qualifications.
Under the experience-only pathway: four years of experience in public administration, accounting, finance, economics, business administration, or a closely related field, plus four years of full-time professional experience primarily involving revenue forecasting, financial modeling, fiscal analysis, budget analysis, budget development and implementation, policy development and implementation, or public- or private-sector management or administration involving one or more of those areas.
Alternatively, a combination of relevant education and experience totaling at least eight years; qualifying education must be in public administration, accounting, finance, economics, business administration, or a field closely related to the major job duties.
Current, valid Colorado CPA licensure may substitute for four years of education and two years of required experience.
Experience used to qualify must be documented in the application; part-time experience is prorated.
Must pass a pre-employment screening, which may include social security number trace, criminal and public court records, education, and driving records checks.
Must be a Colorado state resident.
Ability to provide accurate, timely, and technically detailed analysis and financial information.
Ability to analyze revenues, forecasts, legislation, budgets, and transportation funding issues and explain their financial and policy implications.
Strong written and oral communication skills, including preparing analytical documents and presentations and explaining complex topics to different audiences.
Ability to manage multiple assignments and priorities, work independently and collaboratively, and maintain accuracy under tight deadlines.
Ability to work effectively with internal and external stakeholders in a politically sensitive environment.

Nice To Haves

Demonstrated success performing the duties described in the position description.
State service experience related to the position’s duties.
High ethical standards, personal integrity, and commitment to professional conduct.
Knowledge of public administration, government budgeting, accounting principles including GAAP, and applicable federal, state, and department regulations.
Comprehensive experience in financial analysis, governmental budget processes, policy analysis, legislative analysis, and fiscal impact assessment.
Expertise in financial forecasting, statistical analysis, and financial modeling, including developing, analyzing, and reporting financial and performance data.
Experience forecasting state transportation revenues and maintaining short- and long-term forecasting models.
Experience modeling proposed legislation, estimating revenue impacts, evaluating funding scenarios, and preparing fiscal note responses or similar analyses.
Experience with financial systems, including SAP financial modules.
Strong reasoning, investigative, analytical, problem-solving, organizational, time-management, and project-management skills.
Ability to adapt to changing assignments and independently identify issues and develop solutions.
Ability to facilitate discussions, deliver presentations, and build effective working relationships with public and private organizations, interest groups, elected and appointed officials, and other stakeholders.
Fluency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, and PowerPoint), Gmail, and Google applications, and ability to learn other software systems.

Responsibilities

Serve as subject matter expert and staff authority on CDOT revenue forecasting and state transportation funding.
Develop, maintain, and continuously improve annual, monthly cash, and long-range revenue forecasting models.
Evaluate and update forecast assumptions, methodologies, and model inputs, taking account of economic conditions, legislation, and other factors affecting transportation revenues.
Coordinate with CDOT programs, OFMB staff, and internal and external stakeholders to collect and validate revenue data and develop forecast assumptions.
Compare actual revenues with forecasts, reconcile revenue, identify and explain variances, and prepare reports and financial information for leadership and stakeholders.
Develop financial models and scenario analyses to evaluate alternative revenue and funding scenarios and the financial impacts of proposed legislation, policy changes, altered assumptions, and funding structures.
Identify material changes or risks to CDOT’s financial position and budget and communicate significant findings and recommendations to OFMB and executive leadership.
Provide technical expertise and guidance to analysts and CDOT staff on forecasting methods, model assumptions, revenue data, and forecast results.
Provide financial analysis, technical expertise, and policy guidance on transportation funds, including the Highway Users Tax Fund and State Highway Fund, and advise on constitutionally and statutorily permissible uses.
Serve as a primary contact for requests for transportation revenue, budget, and financial information; gather and validate data and prepare analyses, written responses, presentations, tables, and other materials.
Work with executive and department leadership and subject matter experts to analyze information, develop recommendations, and communicate the financial and policy implications of transportation funding decisions.
Ensure relevant budget and financial information is accurate, timely, transparent, and accessible in a format suitable for its audience.
Provide revenue and financial analysis for annual and legislative budget submissions, including decision items, supplemental requests, budget amendments, and other budget-related submissions.
Work with OFMB staff, executive management, program managers, and department leadership to resolve revenue issues, validate assumptions, and ensure proposed expenditures and funding requests are supported by available revenues.
Support annual Joint Budget Committee hearings and other legislative meetings by preparing revenue information and responding to hearing questions, inquiries, and requests.
Analyze proposed legislation for potential fiscal impacts to CDOT and coordinate revenue estimates and assumptions with Legislative Council Staff and department leadership.
When required, defend CDOT estimates and negotiate solutions with Legislative Council Staff concerning budget implications of legislation.
Perform other duties as assigned.