Child Care Budget and Policy Analyst

State of Wisconsin; Milwaukee (WI); Hybrid; USD 79,000 - 89,000; Full time

Job summary

The State of Wisconsin's Department of Children and Families seeks a Budget and Policy Analyst to advance child care funding and policy, manage complex budgets, and support division leadership. This role requires analyzing budgets, expenditures, and federal funding rules to inform decisions.

Hybrid work is available with in-office reporting in Madison or Milwaukee locations; collaboration with OBP and program teams is essential. Applicants must be legally eligible to work in the U.S.

Qualifications

• Experience conducting budget analysis (gathering funding source information/data, reviewing funding data against standards/policies, forecasting results, making recommendations).
• Experience presenting budget analysis findings to internal and/or external stakeholders.
• Experience with fiscal responsibilities in a program setting (budget management, contracting and procurement, administering grants or other funding).

Responsibilities

• Analyze budgets, expenditures, and policies to support decision making.
• Track funding sources and provide budget development guidance.
• Coordinate with OBP and leadership on budget and funding strategies.

Skills

Budget analysis

Budget presentation

Fiscal management

Job description

Introduction

The Wisconsin Department of Children and Families (DCF), Division of Early Care and Education (DECE), Bureau of Operations and Planning (BOP) is currently recruiting to fill a Child Care Budget and Policy Analyst position. DCF offers great benefits, personal growth opportunities and work-life balance as a State of Wisconsin employee; and the intrinsic reward associated with serving the children and families of Wisconsin. To learn more about DCF’s complete compensation package, please visit our Total Rewards Calculator! This position may allow hybrid work for a portion of the work schedule up to 95% depending on the employee’s preference and needs of the work unit. Any hybrid work flexibility that may be available will be discussed in more detail in the interview process. For positions that do allow hybrid work flexibility, employees may need to report to a DCF office location on short notice. There is no mileage reimbursement when traveling to the headquarter location. Our DCF locations are in the following cities: Madison, Milwaukee, Green Bay, Eau Claire, and Rhinelander. Employees need to report to the 201 W. Washington Ave. Madison, WI office or the 635 N 26 St. Milwaukee, WI office on their first day for onboarding and orientation. High speed internet access is required to meet the needs of remote work. Come see why DCF is such a great place to work! DCF is committed to the important work of helping children, youth and families become safer, more secure and progress down the road to true independence. For more information about DCF, visit our website at http://dcf.wi.gov/.<\/p>

Position Summary

This position performs professional, confidential analysis of budgets, expenditures, and policies. As a budget and policy analyst for the division, this position is responsible for maintaining knowledge about agency operations and budgets to perform complex assignments supporting agency decision making regarding program, policy, and fiscal management, and/or potential initiatives and their implementation. This includes supporting biennial budget issue identification and development for the Division, serving on and leading project teams for development of strategic issues with a department-wide or cross-division scope, and coordinating budget development and monitoring within the Division. This position is responsible for tracking the complex funding structure and appropriations for child care services in Wisconsin. Child Care funding is made up of several different funding sources (CCDF, TANF appropriations and other large in scope and funding grants, such as Preschool Development Grant). This position coordinates with the Department of Children and Families (DCF) Office of Budget and Policy (OBP) to monitor the spending in these various funding sources and working with Division Leadership on budget and funding strategies. This position also is responsible for understanding the various federal rules and policies that govern the use and spending of those federal resources. View the complete position description.<\/p>

Salary Information

The classification title for this position is Budget and Policy Analyst – Division - Advanced. The starting salary is between $38.00 and $43.00 per hour ($79,040 and $89,440 annually), depending on qualifications. Pay for current State of WI employees will be based on the compensation plan in effect at the time of the appointment. Pay for current state employees who are transferring will be determined based upon the pay on transfer rules (higher level duties or equity) as outlined in the compensation plan in effect at the time of appointment. The pay schedule/range is 81-03. A one-year probationary period may be required.<\/p>

Job Details

Due to the nature of the position, final candidates may be required to allow DCF to conduct a security background check to determine whether the circumstances of any pending charges or convictions would be substantially related to the job being filled.

Applicants must be legally entitled to work in the United States (i.e., a citizen or national of the U.S., a lawful permanent resident, an alien authorized to work in the U.S. without DCF sponsorship.) The Department of Children and Families does not sponsor visas, either at time of hire or at any later time.

Qualifications

Minimally qualified applicants will have:

• Experience conducting budget analysis (gathering funding source information/data, reviewing funding data against standards/policies, forecasting results, making recommendations, etc.)


• Experience presenting budget analysis findings to internal and/or external stakeholders.


• Experience with fiscal responsibilities in a program setting (budget management, contracting and procurement, administering grants or other funding, etc.)

Well-qualified Applicants Will Have

• Experience managing public-sector (local, county, state, federal, K12) budgets (data analysis, compliance, administration of multiple funding sources, etc.)


• Experience managing audits (developing and monitoring audit plans, identifying and mitigating risks, preparing and presenting audit status reports, etc.)


• Experience administering/operating budgets for an early care and education program

Permanent classified state employees who are eligible for consideration (transfer, voluntary demotion, or former employees as a reinstatement) must complete the application process to apply.

The State of Wisconsin offers a special program for qualified veterans with a 30% or greater service-connected disability. If you are a qualified veteran, please visit the Veterans Employment page for application instructions to be considered for the Veterans Non-Competitive Appointment program.

Deadline to Apply

The deadline to apply is 11:59 PM on September 29, 2026.