DNR Executive Director's Office Budget and Policy Analyst IV

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

Benefits offered by this job

Medical and Dental plans

Retirement plans (PERA)

Paid life insurance

Disability coverage

Wellness programs

Flexible work schedule

Remote-work options

Public Service Loan Forgiveness

Job summary

The State of Colorado, Department of Natural Resources, Executive Director's Office, seeks a Finance Manager to lead budget and policy analysis, develop the annual budget, and oversee expenditures to meet objectives within appropriations. This senior role requires guiding divisions and coordinating budget requests with strong communication and analytical skills.

Hybrid work arrangement; home office with occasional in-person meetings at the Denver desk.

Qualifications

• Eight years of budget and policy analysis, development, and implementation, or a combination of related education and experience.
• CPA licensure may substitute for degree and part of the experience.
• Strong communication, collaboration, and process-management abilities are required.

Responsibilities

• Develop the Department's annual budget request and fiscal procedures.
• Direct expenditures to meet management objectives within appropriations.
• Provide conceptual and technical guidance on budget requests to divisions.
• Oversee central operating appropriations and cost allocations across divisions.
• Track stimulus and IIJA funds and ensure compliant reporting.
• Lead special projects and support internal communications and data analysis.

Skills

Budget analysis

Policy analysis

Financial reporting

Communication

Leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree in Finance, Public Administration, or related field

Tools

CORE/PB systems

Job description

This posting is open to residents of the State of Colorado at the time of submitting your application.

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 learn about the work we do and the State’s commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion. 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
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program

Department of Natural Resources, Executive Director's Office

The Executive Director’s Office (EDO) within the Colorado Department of Natural Resources (DNR) exists to manage and supervise the activities of the Divisions within DNR in the development, preservation, and enhancement of Colorado’s natural resources for the benefit and enjoyment of its citizens.

This position provides professional-level budget and policy analysis; develops budget documents and fiscal procedures necessary to implement the Department’s annual budget; directs expenditures to ensure management objectives are met within Long Bill and legislative appropriations.

Legislative Budget Development: This position has a significant leadership role in the development of the Department’s annual legislative budget request, with an emphasis on water-related issue areas and oversight of the Colorado Water Conservation Board and the Division of Water Resources. This includes: Provides conceptual and technical guidance to assigned divisions on the development and submission of potential budget requests; conducts a critical review of proposed items; advises the DNR leadership team on budget initiatives; works with divisions to ensure budgets are detailed and defensible; offers recommendations on prioritization; monitors progress; oversees responses to information requests from the Governor’s Office and others.

Executive Director’s Office Finance Manager: This position serves as the finance manager with oversight of the division’s budgets and related allocations. This involves maintaining budget models, advising leadership on actions, and directing budget processes, including preparation of budget documents for the EDO’s portion of the request.

Oversight of Assigned Central Operating Appropriations: Establishes a department-wide process for strategic development of central appropriations and manages cost allocations across divisions; analyzes policy needs and develops legislative budget requests; represents the department in statewide planning efforts.

Oversight of State/Federal Stimulus and Infrastructure Funds: Oversees the obligation and expenditure of stimulus funds and IIJA funds; provides guidance on tracking and reporting requirements.

Special Projects and Other Duties: Leads special projects and assignments, including representing the Department in statewide groups and supporting internal communications and data analysis.

Experience and Education: Eight years of budget and policy analysis, development, and implementation, or a combination of related education and experience as described; CPA licensure may substitute for degree and part of the experience. Preferred competencies include: sophisticated communication, collaboration, process management, adaptability in a dynamic environment, customer service, critical thinking, and experience with the state budget process and CORE/PB systems.

REQUIRED COMPETENCIES: Attention to Detail; Analytical & Critical Thinking Skills; Compliance; Leadership; Problem Solving; Excellent oral and written communication skills; Experience interpreting and applying the Colorado Fiscal Rules and/or Procurement Code.

The current work arrangement for this position is a Hybrid position with work from a home office and occasional office presence at 1313 Sherman Street, Denver, CO for meetings, trainings, and projects as directed.

APPEAL RIGHTS: It is possible to appeal after notification of elimination from consideration.

The Assessment Process includes review by HR Specialists, merit-based evaluation, and a structured application review by Subject Matter Experts. Resumes and other attachments are not considered in initial reviews; document education, experience, minimum qualifications, and preferred qualifications in the application as outlined in the job announcement. Supplemental questions may be evaluated for content, writing ability, spelling, grammar, and communication.

Salary Information: A salary range is posted for this position; final offers are based on a salary analysis to comply with state Equal Pay for Equal Work Act. Colorado for ALL: The State encourages responses from people of all backgrounds and abilities and is an equal opportunity employer. The Department is committed to inclusion and reasonable accommodations for applicants with disabilities.

ADAAA Accommodations: People with disabilities may request accommodations; contact the ADAAA Coordinator. E-Verify: The Department participates in E-Verify to verify identity and employment eligibility. Toll–Free Applicant Support is available for NEOGOV system assistance.