Department Information

The Joint Budget Committee (JBC) Staff is a nonpartisan legislative agency that helps the JBC and legislature form the state budget by providing objective research, analysis, and recommendations. The JBC is made up of six elected members of the state legislature who are tasked with developing the annual state budget. The JBC Staff reviews the management, operations, and fiscal needs of state agencies to develop recommendations for the JBC.

Description of Job

The Legislative Budget and Policy Analyst position offers a unique and rewarding opportunity to contribute to public policy. Primary responsibilities include:

evaluating budget requests submitted by state agencies
identifying and researching fiscal and policy issues impacting expenditures
writing reports summarizing the analysis and recommendations for state agency funding
presenting these findings to legislators in public settings

Analysts are responsible for drafting the annual budget bill for introduction to the state legislature following the JBC's budget decisions. Analysts engage with state agencies, legislators, stakeholders, and the public throughout this process. In addition to the budget process, the role encompasses a variety of responsibilities, including analyzing the fiscal implications of legislation, collaborating with attorneys to draft budget-related bills, preparing amendments for bills requiring state funding, conducting research for legislators, staffing the Appropriations Committees, and developing annual office publications.

The position demands the ability to work with substantial amounts of quantitative and qualitative data while producing documents under tight deadlines. Candidates must be able to ask the right questions and formulate nonpartisan recommendations through objective analysis.

Each analysts' recommendations are independent, which is both highly rewarding and challenging. People who excel in the role are self-starters who are able to manage ambiguity and imperfect information. This is an oversight position that requires challenging departments, stakeholders, and the status quo and tactfully handling associated conflicts.

This is a full-time and year-round position, but the workload is highly seasonal. Workload can be intense from the Governor's budget request on November 1 through the end of the legislative session in May, often requiring evening and weekend work to meet deadlines. The position entails primarily in-office availability during this time to coordinate essential tasks and build trust with legislators, colleagues, and stakeholders. Work schedules are more flexible from May through October, allowing for the utilization of accrued compensatory time and vacation.

Minimum Qualifications, Substitutions, Conditions of Employment & Appeal Rights

Analysts must be able to work with people with diverse experiences, interests, and knowledge levels. The office values candidates from a variety of backgrounds.

Skills:

Quantitative and policy analysis skills
Written and verbal communication to clearly and concisely convey complex information
Ability to work independently, prioritize tasks, adapt to changing circumstances, and meet deadlines

Minimum qualifications:

Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university.
Five years of work experience demonstrating the skills listed above. Graduate coursework may substitute for up to two of the five years of work experience.
Experience with spreadsheets and ability to learn other quantitative analysis technology.

Preferred qualities:

Data visualization experience and familiarity with program evaluation is desirable.

Supplemental Information

How to Apply:

In order to be considered for the position, e-mail a one-page cover letter and resume to the following address:

Craig Harper, Staff Director (he/him)

olwr@coleg.gov

Joint Budget Committee

200 E 14th Ave, 3rd Floor

Denver, CO 80203

In addition to attaching the requested documents, please answer the following questions in the email:

This position entails primarily in-office attendance at 200 E 14^th Ave. Denver, CO 80203. Are you able to meet this requirement?
This position requires some night and weekend availability from approximately November to May. June through October offer a more flexible schedule. Are you able to meet this schedule?
The position starts at $71,544, with the opportunity to progress over time based on performance. Extremely highly qualified candidates may receive offers up to $76,544. Are you willing to accept an offer within the posted salary range?

For more information about our office and the Analyst role, please see our website: http://leg.colorado.gov/agencies/joint-budget-committee. No telephone calls please.

Hiring Process:

Priority consideration will be given to applicants who apply before June 18, 2025. This position will remain open until filled.

Selected candidates will be contacted for:

a 30-minute virtual interview and 30-minute written evaluation
an in-person 1-hour panel interview and 90-minute evaluation of policy and quantitative analysis skills
an in-person interview with the director

Salary:

Annual salary of $71,544, with the opportunity to progress over time based on performance. Extremely highly qualified candidates may receive offers up to $76,544. While JBC staff are exempt from the state classified personnel system, salary ranges are comparable to similar positions within the classified system. The office includes a total of 18 analyst positions with salary ranges comparable to “Budget Analyst II” (this position) up to a “Budget and Policy Analyst V”. JBC staff are offered the same health, disability, and retirement benefits that are available to classified state employees, and they earn 15 days of annual leave and 10 days of sick leave in their first year.