Budget Analyst I - Denver

State of Colorado; Denver (CO); Hybrid; USD 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

PERA retirement

Health insurance

Tuition reimbursement

Paid time off

Job summary

State of Colorado, CDOT Division of Accounting and Finance, seeks a Budget Analyst I to support federal obligation and state-funded programs. You will help prepare budgets, monitor expenditures, and provide financial analyses to support decision making and federal reimbursements.

The role requires collaboration with regional offices, strong analytical skills, and experience with SAP and BI tools. Hybrid schedule and competitive benefits are offered.

Qualifications

• At least four years of full-time professional work experience in budget administration, finance, accounting, economics, public administration, or related field.
• Combination of relevant education and experience equal to at least four years.
• Proficiency with data analysis tools and public-sector budgeting processes.
• Strong communication and collaborative skills for cross-team work.
• Fluency in Microsoft Office Suite and SAP; able to learn new software quickly.

Responsibilities

• Compile, analyze, and submit data to FHWA for project authorization of Federal reimbursement.
• Review project expenditures and accruals to optimize obligation and reimbursement.
• Submit daily activities to FHWA FMIS and update CDOT systems.
• Guide HQ and regional staff on preparing project budget requests and funding alternatives.
• Review regional budget actions to ensure funding priorities and toll credit use follow guidelines.
• Develop tools and guidance documents for managers of projects and programs.
• Train to monitor financial status of programs using PowerBI, Datamart, and related tools.

Skills

Budget administration

Financial analysis

Public administration

Data analysis

Project management

Education

Bachelor's degree in business administration, finance, accounting, economics, or public administration

Tools

SAP

PowerBI

Datamart

BigQuery

Job description

This position is only open to Colorado state residents.

New employees to the State will be paid biweekly. There are 26 biweekly pay periods in a year.

About CDOT

CDOT employees make a difference by providing freedom, connection, and experience to the traveling public, while also keeping them safe. The State of Colorado offers competitive medical, dental and vision insurance, life and disability insurance, and flexible spending and health savings accounts. Visit State of Colorado benefits for details, current premium rates and a summary video about benefits. The state also offers PERA retirement, great optional PERA plans such as 401K, a generous paid time off package of annual, sick, holiday and other leave, strong career growth, tuition reimbursement and professional development. Perks include Colorado Employee Assistance Program (CSEAP) counseling, wellness, credit union membership and employee discount program. Visit CDOT Benefits for details. Some positions may qualify for Public Service Loan Forgiveness.

CDOT for All

CDOT’s strength is our people, and our commitment to our people is to shape, support, and sustain the employee experience, and ultimately, create a supportive workplace where everyone, regardless of gender, race, ethnicity, religion, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, citizenship status, education, disability, socio-economic status, or any other identity, has the opportunity to thrive.

The eligible list created from this announcement may be used to fill current and future vacancies for a period of up to 6 months.

About the Unit

The Budget Analyst I works in the Colorado Department of Transportation's (CDOT's) Division of Accounting and Finance Office (DAF) of Financial Management and Budget (OFMB). The Division of Accounting and Finance is responsible for the overall financial management of CDOT. The Office of Financial Management and Budget assists the department through the monitoring of cash, spending authority, program budgets, and project budgets. The Office develops the Statewide Transportation Improvement Program (STIP), develops budgetary forms and procedures and reviews funding actions of State and Federal-Aid projects. Funds are tracked from budget to execution using various software applications. Partnering with internal and external stakeholders, including the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), is essential.

About the Position

This position assists in the implementation of the state administered capital construction program, the obligation of federal dollars and project level budgeting. It advises regional and Headquarter (HQ) business office staff and other partners on the requirements for Federal authorization and reimbursement and achieving the Division’s financial management goals. Projects are created and funded in the SAP software and as necessary submitted to Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) for authorization and partnership.

The Budget Analyst assists with ushering projects through the appropriate planning and budgeting processes as well as providing program level support and monitoring. This position performs routine federal obligation and advance construction conversions of the state administered capital construction program and other Federal and State funded programs such as Asset Management, the 10-Year Plan, Federal Grants and Earmarks. This position supports the work lead and manager with the monthly federal apportionment and obligation balance reconciliation.

Your duties and responsibilities are performed under supervision from senior staff and will include, but not be limited to, the following:

• Compile, analyze, and submit data, including required supporting documentation, to Federal Highway Administration to obtain project authorization for Federal reimbursement of project expenditures to CDOT.
• Perform routine reviews for project expenditures and accruals, looking for opportunities for “obligation” and subsequent reimbursement by FHWA, executing numerous monthly transactions to ensure that reimbursement and cash flow from FHWA to CDOT is occurring promptly and appropriately.
• Submit daily activities to the FHWA FMIS system and update the CDOT system when projects are approved.
• Provide guidance to CDOT headquarter, region, and business office personnel in preparing project budget requests, including recommending funding alternatives and advising on best management practices in the financial management of projects.
• Review regional budget actions for projects, ensuring the funding priorities and use of toll credits follow CDOT’s guidelines.
• Assist in developing tools and guidance documents that are shared with stakeholders to help managers of projects, programs, and others.
• With guidance from senior staff, train to:
  • monitor and analyze the financial status of the various state highway administered programs such as Asset Management and Planning and Research.
  • utilize analytical skills and technology such as BigQuery, Datamart, PowerBI to improve the methods for reconciling available funding.
  • analyze, model and provide updates on the status of Federal Highway Administration funding including apportionment balances, obligation limitation balances, status of advance construction, projections for federal redistribution of funds and possible lapsing and/or rescissions.
  • utilize the applications and processes for interfacing CDOT’s software with FHWA’s software.
  • compile and analyze data to provide accurate, up-to-date information in a logical manner with adequate detail to the Department's management.
  • utilize Datamart. Queries, PowerBI and other tools to enhance CDOT's current analytical capabilities.
  • serve as a back up to the Pool Operation analyst in reviewing transaction data entered into EcoInteractive software for the Statewide Transportation Improvement Program (STIP) and use SAP to allocate funding to the various regions and programs for subsequent budgeting.
  • Other duties as assigned.

Work Environment

• Your schedule will primarily be 8:00 am – 5:00 pm work hours, Monday-Friday, but we are flexible to meet your work/life balance needs while ensuring CDOT business needs are met.
• You will work a hybrid schedule with a combination of in-office and remote work.
• Work in a politically sensitive environment

Experience Only

• At least four (4) years of full-time professional work experience in budget administration, business administration, finance, accounting, economics, public administration, or another field closely related to the duties of this position.

OR

Education and Experience

• A combination of relevant education and experience equal to at least four (4) years.
  • Education from an accredited college or university with coursework in business administration, finance, accounting, economics, public administration, or another field of study closely related to the duties of this position will be considered.
  • Professional work experience in business administration, finance, accounting, economics, public administration, or another field closely related to the duties of this position will be considered

Please Note: The required experience must be substantiated within the work experience section of your application. “See Resume” statements on the application or resumes in lieu of a complete application may not be accepted. Additional information submitted after the closing date of this announcement will not be considered in the review of your application. In addition, part-time work will be prorated.

College Transcripts

If you are using education to qualify, a legible copy of your official or unofficial college transcript(s) or an official foreign credential evaluation report must be submitted with your application. Transcripts must show the name of the school, completed credit hours, and (if applicable) that a degree was conferred. Transcripts from colleges or universities outside of the United States must have been assessed for U.S. equivalency by a NACES educational credential evaluation service. The credential evaluation report must be an official report. Failure to provide a transcript or official foreign credential evaluation report may result in your application being rejected and you will not be able to continue in the selection process for this position.

Conditions of Employment

• Must pass a pre-employment screening which may include social security number trace, criminal records check, public court records check, educational records, and driving records checks. More information in the supplemental information section.

Preferred Qualifications

The exceptional applicant will possess proven ability or accomplishment in the following:

• Demonstrated success with the duties listed in the Description of the Job section;
• Years of State service experience related to the duties of this position;
• Highest work/personal ethics and integrity;
• Knowledge and understanding of theories, principles, and best practices of public sector financial and budget management, project level budgeting, resource allocation, and annual financial reporting in a large organization;
• Understanding and experience in financial analysis and budgetary processes;
• Governmental budget analysis experience, including analyzing project budgeting;
• Statistical analysis skills and experience;
• Policy analysis skills and experience;
• Strong aptitude for, and experience working with data and using integrated software solutions and business intelligence tools;
• Proven ability to manage multiple assignments, priorities, and projects in a demanding environment;
• Ability to work under tight deadlines and be adaptable to changing assignments;
• Ability to take initiative to solve problems in an innovative manner;
• Interpersonal and relationship building skills;
• Strong time and project management skills, including prioritization;
• Excellent reasoning, investigative, analytical, and problem-solving skills;
• Excellent oral and written communication skills, including presentation and facilitation skills;
• Strong attention to technical detail and accuracy;
• Strong research skills;
• Ability to work effectively in both independent and team situations;
• Fluency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel), Gmail and Google Applications, SAP, and the ability to quickly learn other software systems.
• Strong spreadsheet and other data analysis software experience highly preferred including use of PowerBI or other analysis and reporting tools.

Applicant Checklist

1. A complete CDOT Application for Announced Vacancy (please submit online using the green 'APPLY' button at the top of this announcement)

2. A complete Supplemental Questionnaire (The questionnaire is part of the online application. You will be prompted to answer them as you are completing your online application.)

3. A cover letterthat describes your interest in this position, how your experience aligns with the minimum and preferred qualifications of this position. Cover letters must be uploaded as an attachment to your online application. Cover letters will not be accepted after the closing date and time of the announcement.

4. A detailed chronological resume. Resumes must be uploaded as an attachment to your online application.

5. If you are using education to qualify, a copy of your official or unofficial transcript showing completed coursework and credit hours, degree(s) has been conferred (if applicable), your name, and the name of your school, or your NACES credit evaluation report. Please submit this as an attachment to your online application.

6. If you are a veteran, a copy of your DD214. Please submit this as an attachment to your online application.