The Colorado House Majority is seeking an analytical thinker with a commitment to progressive values to join our team as a Budget Policy Analyst. We’re looking for a policy professional with legislative experience primarily related to budget and fiscal matters who can advise and support the execution of the House Democrats’ legislative agenda. This position serves the Speaker of the House and Majority Leader, the House Democratic members of the Joint Budget Committee, the House Democratic caucus, and reports directly to the Chief of Staff and Policy Director.

 

This is a dynamic and exciting position at the center of the action in the Capitol, interacting with legislators, leadership, and budget experts. During the legislative session from January to May, the Budget Policy Analyst is responsible for staffing the Joint Budget Committee (JBC) and the House Appropriations Committee, communicating JBC actions with the House Democratic caucus and acting as a resource for individual members on the fiscal impacts of various bills. During the legislative interim from June to December, the Budget Policy Analyst has a broader portfolio, including staffing legislative interim committees, working one-on-one with legislators to develop bill concepts, and conducting in-depth policy research and analysis on a wide range of topics.

 

This is a unique opportunity for an individual who wants to have an impact on the most pressing issues facing Coloradans today, and who thrives in a fast-paced, team-oriented environment.

 

About the House Democratic Caucus and Staff:

The 46-member House Democratic caucus is the largest and most diverse caucus in state history, with members bringing a wide range of backgrounds and experiences from all over our state. Serving in our body is Colorado’s first Muslim legislator, first transgender legislator, first Black lesbian legislator, first legislator to serve in a wheelchair, and first African immigrant legislator. Our members are teachers, emergency responders, veterinarians, business owners, farmers and ranchers, engineers, lawyers, activists, and more.

 

In the five years since Democrats took control of the state legislature, we’ve passed transformative, impactful legislation like full-day kindergarten, a guaranteed health care plan for consumers that is saving Coloradans money on health insurance premiums, a long-awaited transportation funding package, a national model for law enforcement accountability, a landmark climate bill establishing greenhouse gas reduction goals, a lifesaving red flag law to prevent gun violence, a bill to codify the right to an abortion in state law, and much more.

 

We take the work seriously, but not ourselves, so if you enjoy creating your own emojis, sharing your baking and foodie adventures, and discussing the big, existential challenges of the world with passionate, dedicated public servants, then we’re the team for you!

 

Responsibilities:

• Staff the Joint Budget Committee (JBC) and the House Appropriations Committee, acting as a resource for the members of each committee;

• Develop accurate tracking and reporting documents, briefs and other deliverables to inform the House Democratic caucus, Leadership and staff of the work of the JBC and the Appropriations Committee;

• Serve as a resource for House Democratic caucus members, helping members navigate the budget and appropriations processes, and troubleshoot funding questions for legislative priorities;

• Rapidly analyze dense budget briefings, research budgetary issues, and develop an intimate knowledge of state fiscal policies and funding structures;

• Assist in the development and facilitation of the House Appropriations process, including serving as a liaison between House Leadership, JBC Staff, Senate Budget Staff, the House Democratic caucus and staff leadership;

• Build and maintain strong relationships with caucus members, nonpartisan staff and stakeholders, facilitating difficult conversations at times;

• Contribute to collaborative team projects, including communication materials; and

• Enjoy an expanded portfolio of policy work during the legislative interim, including staffing legislative interim committees, working one-on-one with legislators to develop concepts for legislation, and conducting in-depth policy research and analysis on a wide range of topics.

 

What We’re Looking For:

• Ability to distill complex policy concepts, decision items, and long committee hearings into concise and digestible summaries, quickly and accurately;

• Highly organized with keen attention to detail to ensure accurate communication with legislative leadership, staff, members of the JBC and the House Democratic caucus;

• Motivated self-starter who can “manage up” effectively, anticipate needs and challenges, identify opportunities, and organize others into action to keep projects moving forward and drive them towards resolution, producing high-quality results;

• Ability to effectively and independently manage projects with many moving parts and short deadlines;

• Political acumen, solid judgment, honesty, and a strong sense of discretion;

• Good relationship builder and excellent communicator, both in writing and speaking; and

• An interest and passion for fiscal policy!

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An ideal candidate will have:

• Prior experience in a state legislature;

• One or more years in a position focused on tracking, analyzing, managing, or otherwise working directly with large budgets and fiscal policies;

• Comfort working with Google Suite (docs, sheets, slides, forms) and Slack;

• Comfort working with large spreadsheets, databases and numbers generally; and

• Prior experience working with Colorado’s budget process and state government funding structures, including a solid understanding of and familiarity with Colorado’s unique fiscal structures and challenges, i.e. TABOR, Gallagher, Amendment 23, etc.

 

Compensation:

Salary will be between $69,000 and $74,000 annually, depending on qualifications and experience. We provide a competitive benefits package, including health and dental insurance covered mostly by the employer, life insurance covered by the employer, your choice of a Defined Benefit or Defined Contribution PERA retirement plan, 10 paid sick days and 12 paid vacation days per year (not including state and federal holidays), 8 weeks of paid family medical leave after the first year, a generous flex schedule during the legislative interim, an RTD ecopass and a free parking space.

 

How to Apply:

To apply for this position, send a resume and a cover letter explaining why you are a good candidate for the job to COHouseDemocrats@gmail.com. Please put “Budget Policy Analyst” in the subject line of your email. The application deadline is Monday, September 25th by 5 pm MT, but applications will be considered on a rolling basis, so please submit promptly.

 

Colorado House Majority Office is an equal opportunity employer that does not discriminate against any applicant for employment on the basis of race, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, national origin, age, or disability. We are committed to maintaining a diverse and inclusive organization and strongly encourage candidates with diverse backgrounds and identities to apply.