DOLA Budget & Policy Analyst III

State of Colorado; Denver (CO); Hybrid; USD 80,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical and dental plans

Strong retirement plans (PERA)

Paid holidays and leave

RTD Eco Pass for eligible employees

Flexible work schedule; hybrid options

Training opportunities

Job summary

Colorado Department of Local Affairs (DOLA) seeks a Budget & Policy Analyst III for the Division of Housing. You will perform high‑level fiscal, policy, legislative, and data analysis to support division programs, with autonomy to allocate resources and advise leadership.

You’ll translate complex financial information into actionable guidance, ensuring compliance with fiscal rules and procurement requirements while leading a team of analysts and collaborating across DOH and the division.

Qualifications

• Seven years of experience in budget management, grants mgmt, or government financial analysis.
• CPA license can substitute for degree + two years of experience.
• Applicants must upload unofficial transcripts with application.

Responsibilities

• Lead standardized budget processes and analytical tools.
• Support annual budget submissions (schedules, items, requests).
• Develop standardized budget reports with supervisor and directors.
• Build and maintain complex financial models (loans, programs, vouchers).
• Lead budget development, execution, and monitoring for the division.
• Monitor expenditures and project needs, analyze trends, identify fiscal risks.
• Perform scenario modeling, forecasting, and validation for budgets.
• Design analyses, interpret data, and improve budgeting methods.
• Provide direct support to Budget Manager and division leadership.
• Collaborate with DOH staff to manage budget actions and actions.

Skills

Advanced mathematical knowledge

Strong organizational skills

Multi-tasking

Verbal and written communication

Interpersonal skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree or higher in business/related field

CPA license substitute for degree + 2 years experience

Tools

MS Word

Excel

Job description

Who can Apply

This opportunity is only open to residents of the State of Colorado.

About the Colorado Department of Local Affairs

The Department of Local Affairs (DOLA) serves as the primary interface between the State and local communities. The Department provides financial support to local communities and professional and technical services (including training and technical assistance) to community leaders in the areas of governance, housing, and property tax administration. While all state governments provide such services through various Departmental structures, Colorado’s approach is unique in that these local community services are gathered into one Department of “Local Affairs,” which has a central focus on strengthening Colorado communities and enhancing livability.

Vision

The Department of Local Affairs is responsible for strengthening Colorado's local communities through: accessible, affordable, and secure housing; implementing property tax law; capacity building; strategic training, research, and technical assistance; and funding to localities.

Mission

Our mission is to help strengthen Colorado’s communities.

Why work for the Colorado Department of Local Affairs?

The work we do matters greatly. It matters to us and it matters to the citizens of the great state of Colorado. We love our communities and are passionate about supporting our communities. We value the diversity that Colorado offers. If your goal is to build a career that makes a difference in communities across the State, consider joining the dedicated people of the Department of Local Affairs.

In addition, we offer a great location and great benefits, which include:

• Medical and Dental Plans
• Strong, secure, yet flexible Retirement Plans including PERA Defined Benefit Plan or PERA Defined Contribution Plan plus pre‑tax and ROTH 401K, and 457 plans
• Employee Wellness Programs
• Paid Life Insurance
• 11 paid Holidays per year plus Vacation and Sick Leave
• Short and Long-Term Disability Coverage
• RTD Eco Pass to all eligible State Employees
• Flexible work schedule options and hybrid work options
• Some positions may qualify for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program
• Training opportunities
• Variety of Free discounts on services and products available through the State of Colorado's Work-Life Employment Discount Program

Please see the Benefits Overview video for details on the benefits offered to employees.

The Division of Housing (DOH) partners with local communities to create housing opportunities for Coloradan who face the greatest challenges to accessing affordable, safe and secure homes. Working with the State Housing Board, DOH supports projects ranging from homelessness prevention to homeownership.

The Operations unit within the Colorado Division of Housing (DOH) provides fiscal, contracting, and data and analysis support to the Division to meet the above stated mission of DOH. This position is within the fiscal section which provides the full range of budgeting, reconciliation, and forecasting of division operations. The Division of Housing currently oversees a $1.3 billion program and administrative budgets.

This position serves as a senior‑level Budget and Policy Analyst for the Division of Housing (DOH), providing high‑level fiscal, policy, legislative, and data analysis to support division‑wide programs and services. The position operates with significant autonomy and independent judgment in analyzing complex budgetary and policy issues, developing allocation methodologies, evaluating program performance, interpreting legislative and regulatory changes, and acting as a work leader for Budget Analyst II positions with DOH.

The Budget and Policy Analyst III acts as a trusted advisor to the Budget Manager, Operations Director, and Division leadership, offering actionable recommendations that inform decisions related to resource allocation, program rules, and policy development. This position translates complex financial and policy information into clear, practical guidance to ensure DOH programs operate efficiently, equitably, and in compliance with statutory and fiscal requirements.

Primary duties and responsibilities

• Work leader for the Budget Analyst II positions to help establish standardized work processes and analytical tools and help guide analysts in implementing standardized analytical work processes.
• Supporting the submissions required of the annual budget submission process (ie: schedule 9’s, decision items, supplemental budget requests, fee increase/decrease requests, etc.).
• In coordination with the supervisor, other budget analysts and office directors, develop standardized budget reports.
• Develop and maintain complex financial models which may include loan repayments, program options, and vouchers.
• Leads the development, execution, and ongoing management of the Division’s budget.
• Monitors expenditures, projecting needs, analyzing trends, and identifying fiscal risks.
• Conducts scenario modeling, forecasting, and validation to support accurate and sustainable budgets.
• designs analyses, interprets data, and recommends improvements to budgeting methodologies ensuring compliance with state fiscal rules, procurement requirements, and statutory directives.
• Provides direct support to Budget Manager, Operations Director, Office Directors, and Division Director.
• Partners with DOH Office staff to identify financial issues, manage the office’s budget process and review proposed budget actions.
• Plays a key role in drafting, editing, factchecking, and finalizing budget change requests for review.

Class Code & Classification Description

H8E3XX Budget & Policy Analyst III

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Experience Only:

Seven (7) years experience in one, or a combination, of the following areas:

• budget management in a government or a nonprofit entity that works with any level of government;
• federal, state, or local grant management and/or reporting;
• budget analyst or specialist in government.

Education and Experience:

• A combination of related education in business administration, economics, management, public administration, accounting, contracting, finance, or a closely related field (as determined by the agency) AND experience as described above equal to seven (7) 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. Ensure that the 'Work Experience' section of the application is complete and contains all relevant work experience related to the position that you are applying for. This information will be used to help determine compensation for the position.
• Applicants must upload their unofficial college transcripts that include the student name, college name, courses completed and/or degree with date conferred with this application, in order to receive credit.

Under the Job Application Fairness Act (SB 23-058), applicants may redact information from certifications and transcripts that identify their age, date of birth or dates of attendance from an educational institution.

Required Competencies

• Advanced mathematical knowledge and problem-solving.
• Strong organizational skills.
• Ability to work across teams.
• Strong attention to detail.
• Strong analytical skills.
• Effective problem-solving skills.
• Effective verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to multi‑task, prioritize assignments, and organize work to accommodate shifting deadlines.
• Proficiency in MS Word, Excel.
• Advanced in Excel formulas and tables.
• Strong interpersonal skills.
• Ability to effectively collaborate with internal and external customers.
• Ability to identify and create process improvements.

Preferred Qualifications

• State of Colorado experience working in CORE (Colorado Operations Resource Engine);
• Experience analyzing large datasets;
• Knowledge and experience with State of Colorado budgeting principles and processes;
• Knowledge and experience with electronic accounting databases, including intermediate abilities with MS Excel;
• Experience working with financial applications and linking existing databases and reports to online dashboards;
• Ability to interpret and apply policies, procedures, regulations, and federal laws;

Conditions of Employment

• You MUST be a Colorado resident (at the time of application) to apply for this position.
• Pre‑employment criminal and financial background checks will be conducted as part of the selection process.
• Applicants must be legally eligible to work in the United States to be appointed to this position. DOLA uses e‑Verify, an Internet‑based system, to confirm the eligibility of all newly hired employees to work in the United States. DOLA does not sponsor non‑residents of the United States.
• MUST have a valid, unrestricted Colorado drivers license with a safe driving record. A safe driving record requires the following:

• No convictions within the last seven (7) years for Reckless driving; Vehicular manslaughter; Driving under the influence (DUI); Two (2) or more driving while ability impaired (DWAI) convictions; One (1) conviction related to bodily injury or death to another person as described in C.R.S. 42-4-239. Eluding the police; or Street racing.
• No convictions within the last five (5) years for: Three (3) or more careless driving convictions; or Speeding 20 mph over the speed limit. Two (2) convictions related to distracted driving or use of a mobile electronic device as described in C.R.S. 42-4-239.
• No convictions within the last three (3) years for: Three (3) or more moving violations with a total of more than seven (7) points assessed on the license; or Suspension or revocation of driver license (unless for unpaid child support or other suspension not related to a moving violation).
• No requirement of a breath monitoring device, also known as Interlock, to operate a motor vehicle.

Only complete applications submitted by the closing date for this announcement will be given consideration. Failure to submit properly completed documents by the closing date of this announcement will result in your application being rejected.

Applicants may submit a resume, cover letter/letter of interest detailing how their experience and background address the stated minimum and preferred qualifications/competencies of the job and attach to the online application. Applications left blank or marked “See Resume” will not be accepted. Please address every requirement for the position with your experience in your application.

The application may include the following documents that MUST be uploaded at the time of application:

• A resume (this is not a substitute for the online application demonstrating work history)
• Cover letter / letter of interest
• Transcripts (if using education to meet the minimum qualifications)
• DD214 (member‑4 form) from applicants that may be eligible for veteran’s preference

Comparative Analysis

Current and former employees (transfers, voluntary demotions, and reinstatements) are required to participate in the comparative analysis process through this job posting.

Applications will be reviewed to determine if you meet the Minimum Qualifications (MQs) for the position. Applicants that meet MQ’s will be included in the Comparative Analysis process. Colorado Revised Statutes require that state employees are hired and promoted through a comparative analysis which may include, but is not limited to, a suitability screening, training and experience review, eSkills Assessment, oral assessment, written performance assessment or it may include a review of your application and your responses to any supplemental questions by a Subject Matter Expert (SME) to assess and rank applicants. Be sure your application specifically addresses the requirements as listed in the minimum qualifications. Address your specialized experience, work products, and accomplishments as they relate to the position duties, required competencies and preferred qualifications in order to establish an eligible list for referral to the hiring manager for final consideration.

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.

DOLA is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, our agency will assist individuals who have a disability with any reasonable accommodation requests related to employment, including completing the application process, interviewing, completing any pre‑employment testing, participating in the employee selection process, and/or to perform essential job functions where the requested accommodation does not impose an undue hardship. If you have a disability and require a reasonable accommodation to ensure you have a positive experience applying or interviewing for this position, please direct your inquiries to Melissa Bellew, DOLA ADA Coordinator at [e-mail].

Email Address

All correspondence regarding your status in the selection/ex