Budget & Policy Analyst IV - Denver

State-of-Colorado; Denver (CO); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Colorado Employee Assistance Program (

Wellness programs

Credit union membership

Employee discount program

Job summary

Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) seeks a Budget & Policy Analyst IV to serve as a subject matter expert on revenue forecasting and transportation funding.

You will develop financial models, forecast revenue trends, and provide analyses for executive leadership, the Transportation Commission, and legislative staff. The role requires advanced analytical skills and collaboration with multiple stakeholders.

Qualifications

• Minimum 8 years of relevant experience in public administration, accounting, finance, economics, or related field.
• Experience in revenue forecasting, financial modeling, and budget analysis for transportation funding is preferred.
• Ability to write and present fiscal notes, memos, and technical reports clearly.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain revenue forecasting models (annual and monthly cash flow).
• Analyze revenue trends and forecast revisions for executive leadership and stakeholders.
• Prepare fiscal notes and responses during legislative sessions and budget submissions.
• Support CDOT in forecasting, funding policy analysis, and scenario planning.
• Coordinate with internal programs and external consultants to validate data and assumptions.
• Communicate financial implications of policy changes to decision makers.

Skills

Revenue forecasting

Financial modeling

Fiscal analysis

Budget analysis

Policy development

Education

Public administration degree

Accounting/finance degree

CPA license (substitution)

Tools

SAP

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 the 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 & Policy Analyst IV works in the Colorado Department of Transportation's (CDOT's) Office of Financial Management and Budget (OFMB) within the Division of Accounting and Finance (DAF). OFMB is responsible for the overall financial management of CDOT. OFMB forecasts revenue and cash balances; develops and manages the budget for all CDOT organizations, programs and Federal-aid projects; analyzes pending legislation for potential fiscal impacts; develops and submits the legislative budget; helps manage the debt of CDOT and the Enterprises; manages spending authority in the Colorado Operations Resource Engine (CORE); manages the CO State Infrastructure Bank (SIB) Program; provides ad hoc financial analysis and develops the CDOT budgetary forms and procedures. Information developed by OFMB is utilized by the Executive Management Team (EMT), the Transportation Commission (TC), the Governor’s Office, the Office of State Planning and Budgeting (OSPB), the Joint Budget Committee (JBC), the Legislative Council, legislative committees, the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), the Federal Transit Administration (FTA), Local governments, and the general public.

About the Position

The Budget & Policy Analyst IV serves as a Subject Matter Expert/Staff Authority for CDOT’s transportation revenue program and provides advanced financial and fiscal analysis to support Department decision-making. The position is responsible for developing, maintaining, and improving the Department’s short- and long-term revenue forecasting models, including the annual revenue forecast and monthly cash model, and for analyzing revenue trends, assumptions, and forecast changes. The position develops financial models and scenario analyses to evaluate the fiscal and policy implications of proposed changes to transportation funding, fees, taxes, and other revenue sources and provides analysis and recommendations to Executive Management and other stakeholders.

The position also provides detailed revenue reporting and analysis, including monitoring and reconciling actual revenues to forecasts, evaluating variances, and communicating the financial implications of changes in revenue. During the legislative session, the position performs fiscal analysis of proposed legislation, develops and reviews fiscal note responses, and evaluates potential revenue, expenditure, workload, and other financial impacts to the Department. The position also provides technical support for the development and review of the Department’s annual and legislative budget submissions, including analysis of budget requests, revenue assumptions, and other financial information.

Your duties and responsibilities will include, but are not limited to, the following:

Revenue Forecasting and Financial Modeling

• Serve as Subject Matter Expert/Staff Authority on revenue forecasting.
• Develop, maintain, and continuously improve the Department’s revenue forecasting models, including the annual revenue forecast, monthly cash model, and long-range revenue models.
• Independently evaluate and update forecast assumptions, methodologies, and model inputs.
• Analyze changes in economic conditions, legislation, and other factors affecting transportation revenues and determine the appropriate modeling approach to produce accurate and reliable revenue forecasts.
• Coordinate with CDOT programs, OFMB staff, and other internal and external stakeholders to gather and validate revenue data and develop forecast assumptions.
• Analyze actual revenues against forecast, reconcile revenue, identify and explain variances and prepare revenue reports and other financial information for Executive leadership, the Transportation Commission, OSPB, JBC, legislative staff, and other stakeholders.
• Independently develop financial models and scenario analyses in response to requests from Executive leadership, CDOT programs, legislative staff, and other stakeholders including evaluating alternative revenue and funding scenarios, modeling the financial impacts of proposed legislation and policy changes, assessing changes to revenue assumptions or funding structures, and communicating the financial implications of various scenarios to decision makers.
• Use the outputs of the short- and long-term revenue models to identify material changes or risks to CDOT’s financial position and budget and proactively communicate significant findings and recommendations to OFMB and Executive leadership.
• Provide technical expertise and guidance to other analysts and CDOT staff regarding revenue forecasting methodologies, model assumptions, revenue data, and interpretation of forecast results.

State Transportation Funding

• Serve as a Subject Matter Expert/Staff Authority on State transportation funding.
• Provide detailed information, technical expertise, financial analysis, and policy guidance to Executive Leadership, the Transportation Commission, Legislative Council Staff (LCS), Joint Budget Committee (JBC), Governor’s Office of State Planning and Budgeting (OSPB), the State Controller’s Office, other state agencies, local governments, and other stakeholders. This includes advising on the constitutionality and statutorily permissible uses of the Highway Users Tax Fund (HUTF), State Highway Fund (SHF), and other State transportation funds, as well as the financial and policy implications of changes to these funding sources.
• Serve as a primary point of contact for internal and external requests for transportation revenue, budget, and financial information.
• Represent CDOT in explaining complex financial, revenue, and budget policy issues, often within tight timeframes.
• Respond to requests for financial modeling, scenario analysis, revenue forecasts, financial reports, and other customized analyses; gather and validate data; develop analytical models and assumptions; perform financial and fiscal analyses and prepare written responses, presentations, tables, and other materials appropriate to the audience.
• Work closely with Executive and Department leadership and subject matter experts across CDOT to gather and analyze information, develop recommendations, and communicate the financial and policy implications of transportation funding decisions.
• Proactively identify and communicate significant revenue, financial, and policy issues to OFMB and Executive leadership and ensure that relevant budget and financial information is accurate, timely, transparent, and accessible to stakeholders in a format appropriate for the intended audience.

Support Legislative and Annual Budget Submissions

• Provide technical revenue and financial analysis in support of the Department’s annual and legislative budget submissions to OSPB, the JBC, the Governor, and other stakeholders.
• Provide revenue data, forecasts, financial analysis, and supporting information needed to develop legislative budget requests, including decision items, supplemental requests, budget amendments, and other budget-related submissions.
• Work closely with OFMB staff, Executive Management, program managers, and other Department leadership to identify and resolve revenue-related issues, validate assumptions, and ensure that proposed expenditures and funding requests are supported by available revenues.
• Provide technical support for the Department’s annual JBC hearing and other legislative meetings, including preparation of revenue information and responses to hearing questions, legislative inquiries, and other requests for financial information.

Fiscal Analysis

• Analyze legislation for possible fiscal impacts to CDOT.
• Coordinate with Department staff and Executive leadership to provide Legislative Council Staff with comprehensive information on revenue estimates and assumptions.
• May be required to defend the Department’s estimates and negotiate solutions on the budget implications of legislation with Legislative Council Staff.

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 likely work a hybrid schedule with a combination of in-office and remote work.
• Work in a politically sensitive environment.

Minimum Qualifications

Experience Only

Must total at least 8 years and include:

• Four (4) years of experience in public administration, accounting, finance, economics, business administration or another field closely related to the Major Job duties
• AND four (4) years of full-time professional work experience where the primary purpose of the position was revenue forecasting, financial modeling, fiscal analysis, budget analysis, budget development and implementation, policy development and implementation, or public or private sector management or administration that included any of the following: revenue forecasting, financial modeling, fiscal analysis, budget analysis, budget development and implementation or policy development and implementation

OR

Education and Experience:

A combination of relevant education and experience equal to at least 8 years

• Education from an accredited college or university in public administration, accounting, finance, economics, business administration or another field of study closely related to the Major Job Duties d will be considered.

Professional work experience where the primary purpose of the position where the primary purpose of the position was revenue forecasting, financial modeling, fiscal analysis, budget analysis, budget development and implementation, policy development and implementation, or public or private sector management or administration that included any of the following: revenue forecasting, financial modeling, fiscal analysis, budget analysis, budget development and implementation or policy development and implementation will be considered.

Substitution

Current, valid licensure as a CPA by the Colorado Board of Accountancy will substitute for four years of education and two years of the required experience (6 years).

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 completed 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

• 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;
• High ethical standards, personal integrity, and a commitment to professional conduct;
• Knowledge and comprehensive understanding of the theories, principles, and best practices of public administration, government budgeting, and accounting, including generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) and applicable federal, state, and Department regulations;
• Comprehensive knowledge and experience in financial analysis, governmental budget processes, and policy analysis, including analyzing legislation and determining potential fiscal impacts ;
• High-level expertise in financial forecasting, statistical analysis, and financial modeling, including the ability to develop, analyze, and report financial and performance data;
• Experience forecasting state transportation revenues, including analyzing revenue trends, developing and maintaining short- and long-term forecasting models, and evaluating the financial impacts of changes in revenue assumptions, legislation, and economic conditions;
• Experience developing financial models and conducting fiscal analysis of proposed legislation, including estimating revenue impacts, evaluating alternative funding scenarios, and preparing fiscal note responses or similar analyses for decision makers;
• Experience using financial systems, including SAP financial modules;
• Ability to produce accurate, comprehensive, and technically detailed analytical documents under tight deadlines; adapt to changing assignments; and maintain strong attention to detail and accuracy;
• Excellent reasoning, investigative, analytical, and problem-solving skills, including the initiative to independently identify issues and develop innovative solutions;
• Proven ability to manage multiple assignments, priorities, and projects in a demanding environment, with strong organizational, time management, and project management skills;
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, including the ability to facilitate discussions, deliver presentations, and explain complex financial and policy issues clearly to different audiences;
• Ability to work effectively both independently and collaboratively as part of a team;
• Ability to build and maintain effective working relationships with public and private organizations, special interest groups, elected and appointed officials, and other stakeholders, including navigating politically sensitive situations and being responsive to stakeholders' needs, priorities, commitments, and concerns;
• Fluency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint), Gmail and Google Applications, and the ability to quickly learn other software systems.

Please note that you may redact information on your attachments that identifies your age, date of birth, or dates of attendance at or graduation from an educational institution.

Only complete applications submitted by the closing date for this announcement will be given consideration. Every effort must be made to submit all application materials by the announcement close date. Where unusual circumstances prevent timely acquisition of transcripts, they must be submitted within five business days of the announcement close date. Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of a completed application. Failure to submit properly completed documents by the closing date of this announcement may result in your application being rejected.

The State of Colorado strives to create a Colorado for All by building and maintaining workplaces that value and respect all Coloradans through a commitment to equal opportunity and hiring based on merit and fitness.

The State is resolute in non-discriminatory practices in everything we do, including hiring, employment, and advancement opportunities.

Notifications:

All correspondence regarding your status in the selection/examination process will be viaemail. Include your current workingemailaddress on your application and check your email frequently as you could receive time sensitive correspondence regarding this position. We highly recommend that you set up youremailto accept messages from "state.co.us" and "[e-mail]" addresses. It is your responsibility to ensure that youremailwill accept these notices and/or review your junk mail and spam filteredemail.Immediately after you submit your application you should receive an email that confirms that you successfully submitted an application for this position. If you do not, try submitting again until you receive the confirmation email. Be sure to also check your junk folder for email communications from the State of Colorado's website.

Transfer, Non-Disciplinary Demotion or Reinstatement

If you believe that you are eligible to be considered as a transfer, non-disciplinary demotion, or reinstatement to this vacancy, you must submit a completed application following the directions in this job announcement and you will be included in the selection process along with other qualified applicants. If you are the finalist for this position after the selection process, Human Resources will confirm your eligibility to be appointed as a transfer, non-disciplinary demotion, or reinstatement applicant.

Employment Screening

If an applicant reaches the finalist stage of the hiring process, the Colorado Department of Transportation may procure a consumer report and/or investigative consumer report on the applicant in connection with his/her application for employment purposes, as defined under the Fair Credit Reporting Act. These reports may be obtained at any time after receipt of the applicant's authorization. As part of the employment screening an applicant will be requested to disclose any deferred judgments and convictions as well as an explanation of the circumstances around any arrest or conviction. In the event that a screening returns information that the applicant believes is not accurate, he or she will have an opportunity to dispute the information with “Accurate.

“Accurate, a consumer reporting agency, will obtain the report for CDOT. Further information regarding Accurate including its privacy policy, may be found online at www.accurate.com. Accurate is located at 200 Spectrum Center Drive Suite 1100, Irvine, CA 92618.The report may contain information bearing on the applicant's character, general reputation, personal characteristics, and mode of living.

The information that may be included in the report includes social security number trace, criminal records check, public court records checks, educational records, and driving records checks. CDOTwill only request credit reports insofar as they relate to the position for which the applicant is applying. The