Budget and Policy Analyst IV.

About the Unit

The Division of Economic and Workforce Support (DEWS) is responsible for ongoing implementation of an array of Adult Financial Assistance Programs (Old Age Pension, State Burial Assistance, Aid to the Needy Disabled, Aid to the Blind, (AND/AB) Supplemental Security Income, and Colorado Supplement), the Colorado Works Program, Employment and Workforce Development Services and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Employment and Training (SNAP E&T). Adult Financial Assistance Programs provide a safety net for elderly and disabled indigent adults. Colorado’s Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) Program is known as Colorado Works and is designed to assist participants to terminate their dependence on government benefits by promoting job preparation, work and marriage and to develop strategies and policies that focus on ensuring that participants are in work activities as soon as possible. The Colorado Works Program, in its design, also promotes investment in capacity building and prevention work to strengthen families, provides for positive youth development and healthy relationships. The program provides access to and support in a variety of activities, including education, job preparation, vocational training, internships and community service. The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, formerly known as food stamps) provides federal resources to states for the implementation of employment and training programs that help SNAP recipients gain or improve in employment, to reduce dependency on SNAP, known as the SNAP E&T Program. The benefit programs operate in all counties in Colorado and are administered locally by the county departments of human/social services. The SNAP E&T Program operates in forty-five (45) counties. The Division supervises county departments of human/social services in the administration of these programs and is responsible for assuring that all counties are complying with the terms of their county policies and that they are in compliance with all federal and state statutes and regulations. Division staff write policies and rules; train county staff on policies and procedures and effective case management skills; provide technical assistance to counties on systems issues and ongoing implementation; work with the General Assembly on legislative and fiscal initiatives affecting the counties’ operation of the programs; report to federal government on implementation of federal programs; monitor county performance in their implementation of the programs; and allocate federal block grant funds to the counties for their use in implementing the program. The Division is the primary link between the county departments of human/social services and the federal government on issues regarding welfare reform and disabled individuals receiving Social Security Insurance (SSI). The Division also works closely with other Divisions and Offices within the Department, other state agencies, the General Assembly, the Governor’s Office and client advocacy organizations in the implementation of welfare reform.

Description of Job

This position is hybrid, with at least two (2) days required and as determined by business need at the office located at 1575 Sherman St, Denver 80203. The role may involve travel within the state for meetings and community engagement activities.

What You Will Be Doing

This position represents the Division as the staff authority and definitive expert for the fiscal and policy administration of TANF, Adult Financial, and DEWS programs. The role develops, enhances, and implements advanced fiscal models and guidelines to manage multi-million-dollar program budgets. As a strategic partner to senior leadership, the position analyzes complex state and federal legislative changes, formulates advanced budget requests, and provides authoritative guidance to county executives and partner agencies. The position mitigates financial risks, negotiates solutions for competing fiscal interests, and directs the Division’s fiscal policy response to external stakeholders.

Primary Job Duties

• Strategic Financial Management & Staff Authority for Division Programs - Act as the definitive staff authority for Colorado Works/TANF, Employment First, and Adult Financial Programs' fiscal operations. Develop, enhance, and implement division-wide methodologies and processes for analyzing spending patterns, forecasting caseload trends, and establishing fiscal priorities. Direct the formulation of fiscal reporting strategies and deliverables due to the Office of State Planning and Budgeting (OSPB), the Joint Budget Committee (JBC), and the Works Allocation Committee. Lead inter-departmental consultations (with CDLE, DOLA, DOR, HCPF, CDEC and counties) to resolve complex, unprecedented fiscal policy conflicts. Provide executive-level guidance to the CFO and Division Directors regarding mid-year and year-end Maintenance of Effort (MOE) strategy and adjustments. Regularly update internal trackers and manuals, including documenting processes and decisions made. Other budget process tasks as assigned.
• Legislative Strategy and Policy Development - Represent the Division as the primary legislative and policy fiscal expert, researching best practices and defining strategic options for rule changes to senior leadership. Synthesize complex quantitative and qualitative data to direct policy formulation and draft critical fiscal notes and fiscal impact statements for proposed legislation. Provide policy recommendations to the Senior Policy Advisor and Division Director regarding the operational and fiscal impact of sweeping state and federal legislative overhauls. Respons