CPW BUDGET ANALYST II (Denver, CO)

State of Colorado; Denver (CO); Hybrid; USD 70,000 - 95,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical and Dental plans

PERA Defined Benefit/Defined Contrib.

Paid life insurance

Disability coverage

Wellness programs

Flexible Spending Accounts

Health Savings Accounts

11 paid holidays + generous leave

Flexible work schedule and remote-work

Career advancement opportunities

Public Service Loan Forgiveness (some

Job summary

State of Colorado's Colorado Parks and Wildlife Budget Office seeks a professional to lead complex financial analyses, model development, and policy recommendations to support fiscal priorities and legislative budgeting processes.

The role requires six years of budget-related experience, strong analytical and communication skills, and proficiency with Excel and BI tools. This remote/hybrid position offers a chance to influence statewide conservation finances and performance reporting.

Qualifications

• Six (6) years of relevant experience in budget analysis, budget development and implementation, policy development and implementation, public or private sector financial management or administration.

Responsibilities

• Perform complex financial analyses including cost estimation, revenue projections, cash flow and risk analyses.
• Develop models and communication reports for management, the public and the General Assembly.
• Provide training and support within the Budget Office and assist with purchases and travel reimbursements.
• Research, draft and recommend policies and procedures related to fiduciary responsibilities.
• Contribute to capstone projects and other assigned duties as needed.

Skills

Budget analysis

Budget development

Policy development

Public finance knowledge

Tools

Excel

Power BI

Access

Job description

OPEN TO STATE OF COLORADO RESIDENTS ONLY

Consider joining the dedicated people of the Colorado Department of Natural Resources. It’s our mission to manage and conserve Colorado’s natural resources for the benefit of people today – and tomorrow. That means we have to balance development with conservation so the state we all love provides similar opportunities for our children and their children.

We invite you to explore our website at https://dnr.colorado.gov/about-us to find out more about the work we do to manage Colorado’s natural resources for today – and tomorrow.

The State of Colorado believes that equity, diversity, and inclusion drive our success, and we encourage candidates from all identities, backgrounds, and abilities to apply.

In addition to offering rewarding, meaningful work, we offer:

• Medical and Dental plans
• Strong, flexible retirement plans including PERA Defined Benefit Plan or PERA Defined Contribution Plan, plus pre-tax and Roth 401K and 457 plans
• Paid life insurance
• Short- and long-term disability coverage
• Employee Wellness programs
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Health Savings Accounts
• 11 paid holidays per year plus generous vacation and sick leave
• Flexible work schedule options and remote-work options
• Career advancement opportunities throughout the State system
• Some positions may qualify for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.

COLORADO PARKS AND WILDLIFE

Our Mission is to perpetuate the wildlife resources of the state, to provide a quality state parks system, and to provide enjoyable and sustainable outdoor recreation opportunities that educate and inspire current and future generations to serve as active stewards of Colorado's natural resources.

This work unit exists to manage the Colorado Division of Parks and Wildlife’s (CPW) finances, by developing, directing and implementing the CPW’s financial planning, budgeting and evaluation programs; to direct the CPW’s strategic, financial program and operational planning efforts; to establish policies and resolve issues relating to division-wide financial priorities, resource allocation, and performance evaluation; to prepare, defend and manage the CPW’s annual legislative budget request; to disseminate financial information within CPW and to outside stakeholders; to evaluate CPW programs and operations; to develop long and short term financial policies and strategies for managing the CPW’s finances; and to plan and coordinate budget and resource allocation activities with accounting and purchasing functions in both CPW and DNR.

This position exists to provide professional-level budget and policy analysis in the preparation and execution of the agency’s budget. This position develops and presents a wide array of financial information, including developing models, compiling, analyzing, interpreting financial information, and ensuring the accuracy of complex inter-relational financial information, spreadsheets, and databases, and preparing schedules and reports to communicate financial information, both internally and externally. This position is a subject matter expert and, as such, designs and formulates various (proven/unproven) economic, analytical, and statistical models or algorithms as needed to meet changing budget, economic, and programmatic needs, and develops long-term financial projections, and makes recommendations for policy change.

Financial Analysis and Monitoring

Perform a variety of complex and technical financial analyses, including cost estimation, expense and revenue projections, cash flow analysis, risk analysis, cost-benefit analysis, variance analysis, and other types of supporting analysis. Develop new models and/or apply existing budgeting and accounting techniques to adequately support each analysis and meet the Division’s changing needs. Provide information and/or prepare reports for management, the public, and the General Assembly that present and analyze a wide range of financial and performance data. The frequency of these various analytical tools ranges from weekly to annually. Compare budget requests to business plans, identify variances, and handle multiple types of funding streams and limitations therein. Interpret appropriations, issue guidance to managers, and determine management information needs through the use of necessary reports.

Work includes a review of agency spending authority, grant budget vs actuals, ad-hoc reporting, special projects, and chart of accounts information collection and dissemination. This information will be used by the Budget Office and management to set or adjust policies or practices within the agency.

Special Projects

Continually assess opportunities for improving work unit efficiencies; and as needed, design, implement, and communicate any identified enhancements. Take on additional responsibilities as they arise to fulfill the CPW mission and goals.

Training

As a diverse and varied agency between the Parks, Wildlife Areas, Education, Marketing, Technology, Land Use (including the acquisition of land and water), grant programs, Terrestrial and Aquatic biology, hatchery rearing, equipment management, Capital Development, this position will be responsible for developing and implementing a consistent training program to help increase financial efficiency and mitigate potential errors in application of funding sources.

Budget Office Support

Provide assistance to other Budget Office staff in making purchases, travel reimbursements, and other support functions. As a budget analyst, this will enable the position to learn firsthand how field support staff make these types of entries, so that higher-quality customer service can be provided.

Policy and Procedure Development

Research, develop, draft, and recommend any policies and procedures that are required in carrying out the fiduciary responsibility of the work unit or are requested by agency management. Analyze and determine the need for any formal policy, collaborate with stakeholders throughout the agency (internal and external), analyze issues, and draft policy formally (written and oral presentation). Communicate with management and staff to compile information and formally draft final policies. Develop, organize, and recommend updates to technical procedure manuals for the full range of processes carried out in the work unit, including annual internal and external budget development, variance analysis, database management, budget system management, fund transfer processes, and any other financial or non-reporting and management. Document processes used and decisions made, create procedures for each position function, and organize the documentation of all other procedures within the work unit.

Other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

Six (6) years of relevant experience in budget analysis, budget development and implementation, policy development and implementation, public or private sector financial management or administration (including budget formulation, execution, and analysis), or an occupation related to the work assigned to this position.

OR

A combination of related education in economics, finance, statistics, and/or relevant experience in an occupation related to the work assigned, equal to six (6) 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

• Current or former State experience relevant to this position
• Current or former Colorado Parks & Wildlife work or volunteer experience
• Experience with government finance, and/or the legislative process
• Excellent oral, written, analytical, and interpersonal skills
• Highly proficient in Microsoft products (Excel, Access, Power BI, etc.)
• Complex analytical skills working with large sets of data and/or complex subjects

Required Competencies

• Strong written skills with an understanding of legal and regulatory concepts and language
• Excellent organizational and time management skills
• Ability to identify priorities
• Ability to accomplish goals and objectives
• Ability to develop effective solutions
• Ability to coordinate the needs of stakeholders despite competing requirements and priorities
• Ability to work in a complex political environment

Conditions of Employment

• State of Colorado residency is required at the time of application.
• Must possess and maintain a valid state of Colorado driver's license if operating a State vehicle.
• Occasional travel and overnight stays are required for training, meetings, with CPW staff or partners, volunteer events, and similar activities.
• The position may be required to work some weekends and long/odd hours.
• The current work arrangement for this position is as follows: (Please note, this arrangement can be subject to change). This is a Remote/Hybrid position. Work is primarily performed from a home office, however, the selected candidate will at times report to a CPW office as directed by the Supervisor for meetings, training, and projects. Travel will be required at times around the state to support staff.
• Former State employees who were disciplinarily terminated or resigned in lieu of termination must disclose the information on the application and provide an explanation why the prior termination or resignation should not disqualify their application from the current position. (Please Note: Absent extraordinary circumstances, prior disciplinary termination or resignation in lieu of termination will disqualify the applicant from future State employment with DNR).
• Pursuant to the DNR-120 Fleet and Driving Standards Administrative Directive, any worker who will be expected to drive a State-owned vehicle is responsible for maintaining a safe driving record and a valid driver's license prior to driving any State-owned vehicle. To be compliant with the new fleet vehicle policy, Motor Vehicle Records (MVRs) will be pulled for review for workers who:
  • Have an assigned State fleet vehicle
  • Are required to operate a vehicle as part of the position
  • Utilize a State fleet vehicle as a pool vehicle

APPEAL RIGHTS

It is recommended that you contact the Human Resources Specialist listed below to resolve issues related to your possession of minimum qualifications. However, if you receive notice that you have been eliminated from consideration for this position, you may file an appeal with the State Personnel Board or request a review by the State Personnel Director.

An appeal or review must be submitted on the official appeal form, signed by you or your representative. This form must be delivered to the State Personnel Board by email ([e-mail]), postmarked in US Mail or hand delivered (1525 Sherman Street, 4th Floor, Denver CO 80203), or faxed (303.866.5038) within ten (10) calendar days from your receipt of notice or acknowledgment of the department’s action.

For more information about the appeals process, the official appeal form, and how to deliver it to the State Personnel Board; go to spb.colorado.gov; contact the State Personnel Board for assistance at [phone]; or refer to 4 Colorado Code of Regulations (CCR) 801-1, State Personnel Board Rules and Personnel Director's Administrative Procedures, Chapter 8, Resolution of Appeals and Disputes, at spb.colorado.gov under Rules.

The Assessment Process

• All applications received by the closing of this announcement will be reviewed by an HR Specialist against the Minimum Qualifications in this announcement.
• Colorado Revised Statutes require that state employees are hired and promoted based on merit and fitness through a comparative analysis process. Part of, or all of, the comparative analysis for this position will be a structured application review by Subject Matter Experts.
• Resumes, cover letters, and other attachments are not considered as part of initial reviews; therefore, it is important to document in your application your education, experience, minimum qualifications, and preferred qualifications as outlined in the job announcement.
• Please thoroughly answer all supplemental questions (if listed) since question responses may be evaluated for content, writing ability, spelling, grammar, and effective communication.
• This recruitment may involve additional testing and/or exams to arrive at the top group for interviews.

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.

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 our ADAAA Coordinator, at [e-mail]

ADAAA Accommodations

Any person with a disability as defined by the ADA Amendments Act of 2008 (ADAAA) may be provided a reasonable accommodation upon request to enable the person to complete an employment assessment. To request accommodation, please contact our Benefits Specialist at [e-mail] at least five business days before the date that any accommodation will be required to allow us to evaluate your request and prepare for the accommodation. You may be asked to provide additional information, including medical documentation, regarding functional limitations and type of accommodation needed. Please ensure that you have this information available well in advance of the assessment date.

E-Verify

DNR uses e-Verify, an Internet-based system, to confirm the eligibility of all newly hired employees to work in the United States. Learn more about e-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities.

Toll-Free Applicant Support - Technical Help

If you experience technical difficulty with the NEOGOV system (e.g. uploading or attaching documents to your online application) call NEOGOV at 855-524-5627, Mon-Fri between 6 am and 6 pm (Pacific Time). The Human Resources Office will be unable to assist with technical issues.