Lead Finance and Policy Analyst - Budget Analyst III

State of Colorado•Denver, CO

5d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Division of Child Welfare (DCW) Finance Unit manages a budget of more than $574 million and oversees compliance with applicable fiscal rules, policies, state statutes, and federal requirements. It supports county child welfare programs through funding allocation, technical assistance, policy development, reporting, and fiscal oversight. The Lead Finance and Policy Analyst functions as a senior-level analyst, providing fiscal, policy, legislative, and data analysis for statewide child welfare programs and county-administered services. The role works with significant autonomy and independent judgment, advising program leadership, the Division Finance Director, and counties on complex budget and policy issues. It develops allocation methodologies, evaluates program performance, interprets legislative and regulatory changes, and translates complex financial and policy information into actionable guidance. The position plays an ongoing role in the Allocation Methodology Team, a subgroup of the Child Welfare Allocation Committee, helping design, test, and implement county allocation models. It supports data integrity, program evaluation, and accurate reporting to state and federal partners. The role is open to current Colorado residents only. The position has a weekly hybrid arrangement requiring at least two days in the office and allowing up to three days of remote work; these arrangements may change.

Requirements

Seven years of relevant experience in an occupation related to the assigned work; alternatively, a combination of related education and/or relevant experience equal to seven years.
A current, valid CPA license from the Colorado Board of Accountancy may substitute for the degree requirement and two years of required experience.
Must be a Colorado resident at the time of application and remain a Colorado resident throughout employment.
Must possess a valid, non-restricted Colorado Driver’s License.
A standard background check and reference check are required.
Strong understanding of government accounting and budgeting.
Close attention to detail when drafting, proofreading, and revising written reports.
Ability to self-manage competing priorities; strong organization, documentation, and process orientation.
Five years of professional experience in public policy fiscal analysis, accounting, budgeting, contract creation and monitoring, procurement, and program administration, including familiarity with state and federal guidelines and programs.
Understanding of federal and state fiscal rules and procurement policies.
Ability to research and problem-solve independently and as part of a team.
Knowledge of programs administered by the Division of Child Welfare and federal program requirements, including reporting, administration, and procurement guidelines.
Excellent writing skills and the ability to communicate information in plain language.
Ability to communicate verbally and in writing with high-level audiences.
Ability to gather, analyze, and present data to technical and general audiences.
Excellent computer skills with desktop and mobile office productivity applications, including Microsoft products such as Excel, and Google Suite.
Ability to balance federal and state guidelines and intent with stakeholder needs.
Ability to creatively analyze and interpret information to support decisions.
Experience working on projects with a team of peers and building legislative decision items.

Nice To Haves

Experience with the Colorado Operations Resource Engine (CORE).
Experience with the County Fiscal Management System (CFMS).
Knowledge of the programs administered by the Division of Child Welfare.
Experience with federal program requirements, including reporting, administration, and procurement guidelines.

Responsibilities

Lead development, execution, and ongoing management of the Division’s statewide child welfare block grant and initiative budgets; monitor expenditures, project needs, analyze caseload trends, and identify fiscal risks.
Prepare fiscal analyses, recommendations, and decision materials for program leadership and the Division Finance Director to support strategic planning, annual budgets, and supplemental funding requests.
Serve as a primary liaison to counties, providing guidance on allocation methodology, funding assumptions, and budget implementation requirements.
Develop, evaluate, and maintain funding allocation formulas, including scenario modeling, forecasting, and validation, to support equitable, accurate, and sustainable county allocations.
Ensure fiscal analyses and allocation work comply with state fiscal rules, procurement requirements, and statutory directives.
Lead data collection, validation, and evaluation for DCW programs; develop and apply metrics to assess program performance, financial integrity, and outcomes at state and county levels.
Analyze service utilization, caseload growth, provider-rate changes, and expenditure patterns across funding sources, including Title IV-E funds and the annual county block grant.
Develop and manage annual and ad hoc reports, including Joint Budget Committee Requests for Information, Decision Item analyses, Annual Provider Rate Memos, and required state and federal submissions.
Provide technical guidance to counties on surveys and data submissions, monitor reporting compliance, and reconcile data anomalies.
Analyze proposed and enacted state and federal legislation, regulatory changes, and budget items for their impacts on DCW programs, funding, and county partners.
Produce legislative and fiscal analyses, including House and Senate bill reviews and interpretations of federal guidance; provide recommendations and scenario analyses to leadership.
Perform other duties consistent with the scope and responsibilities of a Budget and Policy Analyst, including special projects, cross-divisional workgroups, and emergent legislative, budgetary, or policy initiatives.

Benefits

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.
Flexible schedules, training, and other work-life programs.
Remote work arrangements for eligible positions.
Some positions may qualify for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.