Summary
Description
Department: The Office of Federal Funds and Strategic Initiatives
The Governor’s Office of Federal Funds and Strategic Initiatives (OFFSI) works to maximize federal funding opportunities, effectively implement federal and stimulus funding, and execute strategic initiatives that build from cross-agency lessons from a coordinated response. The Office specifically works on the $8.7B in American Rescue Plan Act (“ARPA”) Colorado received and the anticipated $10B from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill (“BIL” or “IIJA”) and the Inflation Reduction Act (“IRA”).
Through a cross-agency team and a network of local grant navigators, the Office operates as a
convener of state agencies, local governments, and other entities to improve the drawdown of
federal funds for Colorado while improving government systems to drive efficiencies and
implement federal funding.
Office of Federal Funds and Strategic Initiatives reflects the diverse work that goes beyond economic recovery including implementing long-term transformative investments of ARPA funds, maximizing IIJA/IRA opportunities to move Colorado forward, cross-agency coordination and engagement to improve systems strained by the pandemic recovery, and strategic work on Governor priorities.
Our focus is on:
- Maximizing competitive federal funding opportunities from the IIJA and IRA
- Ensuring federal and stimulus funding is spent effectively, impactfully and equitably.
- Building upon lessons learned to improve public systems.
FLSA Classification: Exempt
Organizational Relationships: This position reports to the Chief of the Governor’s Office of Federal Funds and Strategic Initiatives with a dotted-line reporting relationship to the Deputy Chief of Staff for Policy and Legislative Affairs and is part of the Governor’s Office and Senior Leadership teams.
Expected Annual Travel: Occasional in and out of state travel
Summary of Functions: The Director of Federal Affairs is a member of Governor Polis' Senior Staff and reports to the Chief of the Governor’s Office of Federal Funds and Strategic Initiatives with a dotted-line reporting relationship to the Deputy Chief of Staff for Policy and Legislative Affairs. The position is responsible for working with the Governor, the state’s federal liaison, and other members of the Governor’s team and agencies to set and achieve federal priorities and support the Governor’s Office of Federal Funds in the implementation of federally-funded programs. The position also works to anticipate and respond to changes in the Federal policy landscape. As appropriate and connected to federal affairs, the position also works with the Deputy Chief of Staff for Policy and Legislative Affairs to develop federal priorities and where necessary, support legislative and policy proposals on behalf of the Governor’s Office and agencies in support the position’s portfolio. The Director of Federal Affairs works closely with the Office’s federal consultants and does not have a federal lobbying role.
This position requires strategic thinking, experience in public policy work, and having familiarity with federal and state agencies and legislative processes. Required for this position is effective communication and a comfort with interacting with a wide range of stakeholders, including elected officials, cabinet members and other leaders.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
- Directly advise the Governor, Lt. Governor, Chief of Staff and senior staff on federal policy matters, including developing policies and responding to changes in the federal landscape.
- Facilitate senior staff level coordination around federal priorities, including legal, operational, and policy-related issues.
- Work in collaboration with members of the Governor's senior staff, agency leadership, and federal consultants to develop and achieve the Governor’s federal priorities.
- Coordinate with Cabinet members and key agency staff on high priority issues and matters that involve multiple agencies and jurisdictions.
- Engage external stakeholders as appropriate to inform and support federal policies.
- Work in collaboration with the Governor’s legislative and policy teams to develop and pass state legislative policies that are pertinent to federal priorities.
- Assist the Governor’s Office of Federal Funds on key federal program implementation issues, including the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and Inflation Reduction Act.
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In partnership with the Governor’s Office of Federal Funds staff, work with agencies to protect existing federal grants, support applications for new grants, and address implementation issues as they may arise.
Skills and Competencies:
- Adept policy analyst and advisor as demonstrated by extensive experience successfully advising elected or appointed officials on complex or difficult policy issues.
- Familiarity with federal and state policy issues, including how to develop and achieve federal priorities and implement federal programs.
- Creative thinker capable of balancing competing demands and managing multiple constituencies.
- Collaborative team partner capable of working across legal, policy, legislative, and operational teams.
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Strong written and oral communication skills with the ability to effectively advocate for solutions.
Minimum Qualifications, Substitutions, Conditions of Employment & Appeal Rights
Education/Experience:
At a minimum, the position requires a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in accounting, business management, economics, finance, planning, emergency management, public administration, liberal arts, political science, or a closely related field.
Please Note: related occupational experience will substitute for the degree requirement on a year-for-year basis; AND
At least 7 years of professional experience working directly with the administration, public policy, monitoring, coordination, performance management, and the general management of Federal funding sources. Experience with policy analysis, grant accounting, governmental auditing and compliance is highly preferred.
Conditions of Employment
Applicants must pass a thorough background check prior to employment and reside in Colorado once employed.
To Apply:
A cover letter and resume must be submitted with the application for consideration. Your cover letter and resume must provide sufficient detail about your background and experience to allow the screening panel to properly assess your experience in the required elements, including your experience and achievements.
Supplemental Information
The State of Colorado/Office of the Governor offers a generous benefits package including:
- Annual leave accrued at 13.33 hours per month (4 weeks a year)
- Sick leave accrued at 6.66 hours a month (10 days a year)
- 12 paid holidays per year
- Medical and dental plans
- State paid life insurance policy of $50,000
- Choice of 2 retirement plans
- 401K and 457 plans
- State paid Short Term Disability coverage
- Additional optional life and disability plans
- Credit Union Membership
- RTD pass
- Training and professional development
To learn more about State of Colorado benefits visit: https://www.colorado.gov/dhr/benefits.
Equity, Diversity and Inclusion
The State of Colorado believes that equity, diversity, and inclusion drive our success, and we encourage candidates from all identities, backgrounds, and abilities to apply. The State of Colorado is an equal opportunity employer committed to building inclusive, innovative work environments with employees who reflect our communities and enthusiastically serve them. Therefore, in all aspects of the employment process, we provide employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, medical condition related to pregnancy, creed, ancestry, national origin, marital status, genetic information, or military status (with preference given to military veterans), or any other protected status in accordance with applicable law.
ADAAA Accommodations
The Office of the Governor 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 reasonable accommodation to ensure you have a positive experience applying or interviewing for this position, please direct your inquiries to our ADAAA Staffing Coordinator (the Director of Human Resources) at gov_hr@state.co.us.
Please submit an online application for this position at https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/colorado. Reach out to the Department Contact to apply using a paper application, including any supplemental questions. Failure to submit a complete and timely application may result in the rejection of your application. Applicants are responsible for ensuring that application materials are received by the appropriate Human Resources office before the closing date and time listed.
