DOLA Budget & Policy Analyst III

Pueblo Community College; Denver (CO); On-site; USD 75,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Colorado Department of Local Affairs (DOLA) is seeking a senior Budget and Policy Analyst III within the Division of Housing. The role emphasizes high-level fiscal and policy analysis to support division-wide programs and services.

You will translate complex financial data into actionable guidance and advise leadership on resource allocation and regulatory compliance. The position requires strong collaboration across teams, development of standardized budgeting tools, and leadership of Budget

Qualifications

• Seven years experience in budget management in government or nonprofit entity that works with government
• Federal, state, or local grant management and/or reporting experience
• Budget analyst or specialist experience in government

Responsibilities

• Lead standardized budget processes and analytical tools across the division
• Support annual budget submissions (schedule 9s, decision items, supplements, fee changes)
• Develop standardized budget reports with supervisor and other analysts
• Develop and maintain complex financial models including loan repayments and vouchers
• Lead the development, execution, and ongoing management of the Division’s budget
• Monitor expenditures, forecast needs, analyze trends, and identify fiscal risks
• Design analyses, interpret data, and improve budgeting methodologies for compliance with rules
• Provide direct support to Budget Manager, Operations Director, and Division leadership
• Collaborate with DOH staff to manage budget process and review proposed actions
• Draft, edit, and fact-check budget change requests

Skills

Advanced mathematical knowledge

Problem-solving

Organizational skills

Team collaboration

Attention to detail

Analytical skills

Verbal and written communication

Multi-tasking / prioritization

MS Word

Excel (advanced formulas)

Interpersonal skills

Process improvement

Education

Bachelor-level education in business, economics, management, public administration, accounting, contracting, finance, or related field

CPA licensure substituted for degree and two years of experience

Tools

MS Word

MS 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

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.

The primary duties and responsibilities of this position include, but are not limited to:

• 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, fact‑checking, and finalizing budget change requests for review.

Class Code & Classification Description

H8E3XX Budget & Policy Analyst III

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Experience Only:

• Seven (7) yearsexperience 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