Lead Budget and Policy Analyst - Budget & Policy Analyst III

This position is open to current Colorado residents only

Please note: This recruitment may be used to fill multiple vacancies.

Most State of Colorado employees are eligible for a great benefit package! Please see the Supplemental Information section below for details!

Weekly Hybrid Working Arrangements

Minimum 2 days In Office and Maximum 3 days Remote Work

Division of Community Programs (DCP): The Division of Community Programs (DCP) works to create and elevate a community of practice around the work of the community-facing units within OCACS. These units include the Collaborative Management Program, Colorado Sexual Health Initiative, Domestic Violence Program, Juvenile Parole Board, MINDSOURCE Brain Injury Network, and Tony Grampsas Youth Services Program. DCP develops and maintains effective working relationships between OCACS and grantees, Tribes, county departments of human/social services, client services, and other partner organizations and their activities related to community outreach, technical assistance, grant distribution, contracts and budgeting, board and commission recruitment, and incorporation of lived experience in policy making.

The Division of Community Programs provides support to the Department of Human Services (CDHS), Office of Children, Aging, and Community Services concerning all outward-facing partners, including grantees, community providers, families/youth, and Colorado communities.

The Finance Unit ensures compliance with all applicable fiscal rules, policies, state statutes, and federal requirements across DCP. The Finance Unit manages DCPs budget including execution and oversight of contracts and purchase orders with vendors statewide. In addition, the Finance Unit provides modelling of multiple funding streams for allocation of resources to community programs.

The Finance Unit exists to direct, lead, and supervise the fiscal operations of community programs through development and implementation of resources, policies and rules; training of division staff on fiscal policies and procedures; work with the General Assembly on legislative and fiscal initiatives; and monitor program performance in their any budget and funding issues.

About this position: This position serves as a senior-level Budget and Policy Analyst for the Division of Community Programs (DCP), providing high-level fiscal, policy, legislative, and data analysis to support statewide programs and services. It operates with significant autonomy and independent judgment in analyzing complex budgetary and policy issues, developing allocation methodologies, evaluating program performance, and interpreting legislative and regulatory changes.

The Budget and Policy Analyst acts as a trusted advisor to program leadership, the Division Director, and the office-level Chief Financial Officer, offering actionable recommendations that inform decisions related to resource allocation, program rules, and policy development. This position serves as a member of the DCP leadership team. The position translates complex financial and policy information into clear, practical guidance to ensure DCP programs operate efficiently, equitably, and in compliance with statutory and fiscal requirements.

This role plays a critical and ongoing part in program finance and budgeting, including designing, testing, and implementing tools that support effective service delivery and program operations.

The position is essential to the Divisions effectiveness, bridging department objectives, program administration, and fiscal management. Through evidence-based analysis, policy recommendations, and high-quality reporting, it enables leadership to make informed decisions that directly impact community programs and outcomes statewide.

In addition, this position serves as the Budget and Policy Analyst for OCACS. It evaluates budget and policy needs in alignment with long-term program plans and performance measures, and recommends adjustments to OCACS leadership. The role is responsible for coordinating program budget analysis, formulation, presentation, implementation, execution, and monitoring. It also collaborates with program staff to prepare fiscal note responses for draft legislation from the General Assembly..

Summary of Job Duties :

Budget Development, Execution, and Fiscal Oversight - Leads the development, execution, and ongoing management of the Divisions budget for statewide community programs, including monitoring expenditures, projecting needs, analyzing trends, and identifying fiscal risks to ensure
resources are allocated efficiently and aligned with program priorities. Conducts scenario modeling, forecasting, and validation to support accurate and sustainable budgets, while exercising independent judgment in designing analyses, interpreting data, and recommending improvements to budgeting methodologies in compliance with state fiscal rules, procurement requirements, and statutory directives.

Provides direct support to program leadership, the Division Director, and the office Chief Financial Officer by preparing analyses, recommendations, and decision materials that inform strategic planning, annual budgets, and supplemental funding requests across multiple funding sources, including federal grants and cash funds. Partners with OCACS program staff to identify financial issues, manage the offices budget process, and review proposed budget actions, including decision items and supplemental requests. Plays a key role in drafting, editing, fact-checking, and finalizing budget change requests for executive review.

Guides OCACS budget requests through the executive and legislative budget processes and keeps program staff and leadership informed of developments. Collaborates with office staff to finalize funding splits and letter note annotations for the annual Long Bill and supplemental appropriation bills. Prepares and maintains appropriation reconciliations to track the impact of all budget actions across Long Bill appropriations, federal grants, and cash revenue sources, and leads preparation for JBC briefings and hearings, including development of briefing materials to support executive
leadership.

Provides fiscal and analytical support for annual contracting processes and Requests for Proposals/Requests for Applications (RFPs/RFAs), including development of funding methodologies, budget templates, cost analyses, and review of applicant budget submissions for compliance with fiscal requirements and program objectives. Assists with the preparation and submission of federal grant applications, including completion and review of SF-424M and SF-424A forms, ensuring alignment between program narratives, funding requests, and federal budget requirements. Develops and delivers budget presentations and fiscal updates to Division boards and committees, including the Brain Injury Trust Fund Board, Juvenile Parole Board, TGYS Board, and other stakeholder groups, translating complex fiscal information into clear and actionable recommendations for decision-making audiences.

Supports Program Budget Monitoring - This position is responsible for monitoring current-year revenues and expenditures for assigned program areas and exercises independent judgment in analyzing, projecting, and reconciling financial activity to ensure compliance with appropriated funding levels. The role proactively identifies and anticipates budget risks, such as revenue shortfalls or over- and under-expenditures, and determines appropriate actions to address emerging issues, working in close coordination with program and accounting staff.

The position plays a lead role in program budget management by identifying financial issues, evaluating options, and determining recommended solutions. It independently develops high-level reports that assess budget-to-actual performance and project fiscal outcomes through the end of the fiscal year, providing leadership with clear, actionable insights.

This role also determines the structure, frequency, and focus of ongoing fiscal team meetings with program and accounting staff, using these forums to surface issues, drive analysis, and facilitate resolution of complex financial challenges. The position is responsible for identifying cash fund sources, developing revenue projections, and ensuring sufficient resources are available to support program budgets. Additionally, it monitors and verifies changes to appropriations, ensuring accuracy and proper recording in CORE.

Fiscal Note Analysis -This position serves as the fiscal note lead for DCP during the legislative session and is the primary point of contact for
all fiscal note requests. In this role, the position independently manages communications with the office Chief Financial Officer and responds to general and technical inquiries on behalf of the Division.

The position is responsible for implementing and enforcing the Departments policies and procedures for fiscal note responses, including establishing timelines, assigning requests to the appropriate program areas, and ensuring all responses are accurately tracked and archived in the fiscal note log. The position exercises discretion in setting internal deadlines to meet statutory requirements and legislative timelines.

Upon receipt of draft legislation for fiscal analysis, this position evaluates the scope and complexity of the request and determines the appropriate program areas for review. The position provides direction to program staff on expectations for analysis and level of detail required.

The position plays a central role in developing fiscal note responses by guiding program staff, shaping the narrative, and ensuring supporting data, spreadsheets, and analyses are complete and aligned with departmental and legislative standards. The analyst independently reviews and approves all fiscal note submissions, ensuring they are accurate, defensible, and professionally presented prior to submission to the Legislative Council.

In addition, this position monitors all legislation impacting assigned budget areas and determines how fiscal impacts should be incorporated

Legislative and Regulatory Analysis - Analyzes proposed and enacted state and federal legislation, regulatory changes, and budget items to determine impacts on DCP programs, funding, and county partners. Produces legislative and fiscal analyses, including bill reviews and interpretation of federal guidance.

During legislative sessions, evaluates multiple proposals with uncertain and interrelated outcomes, identifying embedded statutory changes that may affect funding, reporting, or program implementation. Develops scenario analyses and provides recommendations to leadership to mitigate fiscal risk and ensure statutory compliance. The position exercises autonomy in determining legislative impacts, selecting modeling assumptions, and recommending policy or budget adjustments to maintain program alignment with legislative intent.

This position serves as a key liaison for information requests from the Office of State Planning and Budgeting and the Joint Budget Committee, coordinating the development of clear, accurate verbal and written responses. The position also prepares and coordinates required footnotes, requests for information (RFIs), and legislative reports for assigned program areas, including responses for the Departments annual hearing with the Joint Budget Committee.

Working closely with the Office of Judicial and Legislative Liaison and program staff, this position tracks all required reports and deadlines, establishes internal timelines, and directs the development of responses. The position determines the appropriate data and level of detail needed to ensure responses fully address legislative and stakeholder inquiries.

Other Duties as Assigned - Performs other duties as assigned that are consistent with the scope, responsibilities, and classification of a Budget
and Policy Analyst. These may include special projects, ad hoc fiscal or policy analyses, participation in cross-divisional workgroups, or support for emergent legislative, budgetary, or policy initiatives. Assignments require analytical judgment, independent problem-solving, and application of policy and fiscal expertise. Work often supports program leadership, the Division Director, or the office Chief Financial Officer in urgent or high-impact decision-making scenarios. Minimum Qualifications:
Experience Only:

• Seven (7) years of relevant experience in an occupation related to the work assigned to this position

OR

Education and Experience:

• A combination of related education and/or relevant experience in an occupation related to the work assigned equal to seven (7) years
• 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.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Strong understanding of government accounting and budgeting.

• High attention to detail when drafting, proofreading, and revising written reports.

• Highly motivated, detail-oriented, and a self-starter

• Comfortable self-managing competing priorities

• Highly organized with an emphasis on thorough documentation and process orientation

• Experience successfully communicating both verbally and in written form to high-level audiences

• Ability to gather, analyze, and present data for both technical and general audiences

• Excellent computer skills with desktop and mobile office productivity applications, and general tools such as Microsoft products, including Excel, and Google Suite

Conditions of Employment

• Standard Background ALL CDHS - CBI name check, ICON Colorado court database, Medicare fraud database, Reference checks, Professional License verification (licensure requirements), and drug screen (commercial Drivers license)
• Former State employees who were disciplinarily terminated or resigned in lieu of termination must (1) disclose that information on the application (2) provide an explanation why the prior termination or resignation should not disqualify the applicant from the current position, (3) provide the employee number from the applicants prior State employment. Absent extraordinary circumstances, prior disciplinary termination or resignation in lieu of termination and failure to provide this information will disqualify the applicant from future State employment with CDHS.

CDHS Selection Process Explanation

Employment history is calculated on a full-time basis (40/hrs per week). Part-time employment is calculated on a prorated basis to determine qualifications. Be sure your application specifically addresses your qualifications, experience, work products, and accomplishments as they relate to the position and minimum requirements.

• Preferred Qualifications & Competencies:

  • Relevant years of state service experience.

Minimum Qualification Screening Process

A Human Resources Analyst will review the work experience/job duties sections of the online job application to determine whether your experience meets the minimum qualifications for the position. You must complete the official State of Colorado online application. Cover letters and resumes WILL NOT be reviewed during the minimum qualifications screening process. You must specifically document your work experience and qualifications in the application form . Do not use "see resume" or "see attached."

You must meet the minimum qualifications to continue in the selection process. Part-time work experience will be prorated.

Comparative Analysis Process Structured Application Review

After minimum qualification screening, the comparative analysis process will involve reviewing and rating of all the information you submit. The comparative analysis step may also include your results from standardized testing.

Your Work Experience/Job Duties

Document your work experience/job duties to the extent to which you possess the skills, education, experience, minimum qualifications, and preferred qualifications.

If listed, answer all supplemental questions as your answers to these questions will be evaluated during this phase. Provide at least 4-8 sentences for each supplemental question.

Supplemental Questions

Answer the supplemental questions completely and thoughtfully. We will rate your answers based on the content of your response and your writing skills (spelling, grammar, and clarity of your writing).

Appeal Rights

You may file an appeal with the State Personnel Board or request a review by the State Personnel Director if your application is eliminated. You will find the appeals process, the official appeal form, and how to deliver it on the State Personnel Board website.

• You or your representative must sign and submit the official appeal form for review.

• You can find the official appeal form here .

• You must be deliver the official appeal form to the State Personnel Board:

  • By email (...), or

  • Postmarked in US Mail to(1525 Sherman Street, 4th Floor, Denver CO 80203, or

  • Hand delivered (1525 Sherman Street, 4th Floor, Denver CO 80203), or

  • Faxed ...) within ten (10) calendar days from your receipt of notice or acknowledgement of the departments action.

Contact the State Personnel Board for assistance:

• At ..., or

• Refer to the Colorado Code of Regulations (CCR) 801-1, State Personnel Board Rules and Personnel Director's Administrative Procedures, Chapter 8, Resolution of Appeals and Disputes, within the Rules webpage.

How to Apply

The Assessment Process

For additional recruiting questions, please contact ...

About Us & Benefits

If your goal is to build a career that makes a difference, join the dedicated people of the Colorado Department of Human Services (CDHS). Our professionals strive to design and deliver high quality human and health services that improve the safety, independence, and well-being of the people of Colorado. Each of us is committed to contributing to a safe and accessible CDHS . In addition to a great location and rewarding and meaningful work, we offer:

• 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 .

Our Values

• We believe in a people-first approach: We prioritize the needs, well-being, and dignity of the individuals, families and communities we serve. We commit to respect, fairness and access in every decision, policy and interaction. We engage client voices and experiences in the development and implementation of the services we provide.

• Balance creates quality of life: We want our team to be resilient through a supportive workplace that values flexibility, health and wellness, and employee engagement.

• We hold ourselves accountable: We take responsibility through our actions, programs, and results for the state of health and human services in Colorado.

• Transparency matters: We are open and honest with employees, our partners, the Coloradans we serve, and the public.

• We are ethical: We abide by what is best for those we serve by doing what is right, not what is easy.

• Collaboration helps us rise together: We work together with all partners, employees, and clients to achieve the best outcomes for Coloradans.

ADA Accommodations

CDHS is committed to a Colorado for ALL qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, our agency will assist individuals who have a disability with any reasonable accommodation requests related to employment.

This includes completing the application process, interviewing, completing any pre-employment testing, participating in the employee selection process, and/or performing essential job functions where the requested accommodation does not impose an undue hardship. If you have a disability and require reasonable accommodation to ensure you have a positive experience applying or interviewing for this position, please direct your inquiries to ... .

EEO Statement

The State of Colorado is an equal opportunity employer

We are committed to increasing a Colorado for ALL" of our staff and providing culturally responsive programs and services. Therefore, we encourage responses from people of all backgrounds and abilities. The State of Colorado believes that a Colorado for ALL drives our success, and we encourage candidates from all identities, backgrounds, and abilities to apply. The State of Colorado is an equal opportunity employer committed to building inclusive, innovative work environments with employees who reflect our communities and enthusiastically serve them. Therefore, in all aspects of the employment process, we provide employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, medical condition related to pregnancy, creed, ancestry, national origin, marital status, genetic information, or military status (with preference given to military veterans), or any other protected status in accordance with applicable law.

Additional Support For Your Application

Toll Free Applicant Technical Support

If you experience technical difficulty with the NEOGOV system (e.g. uploading or attaching documents to your online application) call NEOGOV technical support at ... Mon-Fri between 6 am and 6 pm (Pacific Time). Helpful hints: if you are having difficulty uploading or attaching documents to your application 1) ensure your documents are PDF or Microsoft Word files and 2) close the document before you attempt to upload (attach) it.

~THE STATE OF COLORADO IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER~

<span class="fr-mk" style="display: none;"> </span><span class="fr-mk" style="display: none;"> </span>

Toll Free Applicant Technical Support