Budget and Policy Analyst Jobs
Budget and policy analyst jobs are open across federal agencies, state and local governments, nonprofits, and think tanks, from entry-level program analyst to senior budget director, with specializations in legislative analysis, fiscal policy, and performance management. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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Department Information
- 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
Description of Job
- 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, factchecking, and finalizing budget change requests for review.
Minimum Qualifications, Substitutions, Conditions of Employment & Appeal Rights
- 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.
- 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.
- 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;
- 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-Verify, an Internet-based system, to confirm the eligibility of all newly hired employees to work in the United States. DOLA does not sponsor non-residents of the United States.
- MUST have a valid, unrestricted Colorado drivers license with a safe driving record. A safe driving record requires the following:
- No convictions within the last seven (7) years for Reckless driving; Vehicular manslaughter; Driving under the influence (DUI); Two (2) or more driving while ability impaired (DWAI) convictions; One (1) conviction related to bodily injury or death to another person as described in C.R.S. 42-4-239. Eluding the police; or Street racing.
- No convictions within the last five (5) years for: Three (3) or more careless driving convictions; or Speeding 20 mph over the speed limit. Two (2) convictions related to distracted driving or use of a mobile electronic device as described in C.R.S. 42-4-239.
- No convictions within the last three (3) years for: Three (3) or more moving violations with a total of more than seven (7) points assessed on the license; or Suspension or revocation of driver license (unless for unpaid child support or other suspension not related to a moving violation).
- No requirement of a breath monitoring device, also known as Interlock, to operate a motor vehicle.
- A resume (this is not a substitute for the online application demonstrating work history)
- Cover letter / letter of interest
- Transcripts (if using education to meet the minimum qualifications)
- DD214 (member-4 form) from applicants that may be eligible for veteran’s preference
Supplemental Information
Budget and Policy Analyst Jobs by Experience Level
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Find JobsBudget and Policy Analyst Job Market
Who's Hiring



What Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in budget and policy analyst jobs.
- Bachelor's degree in public administration, finance, economics, or a closely related field
- Experience building or reviewing budget proposals using spreadsheets or financial management systems
- Proficiency in data analysis tools such as Excel, SQL, or statistical software like R or Stata
- Familiarity with government budget processes, appropriations law, or OMB Circular A-11 guidance
- Strong written communication skills demonstrated through policy memos, reports, or budget justifications
- Knowledge of performance management frameworks such as GPRA or agency-specific strategic planning requirements
Tips for Your Budget and Policy Analyst Job Search
Tailor your resume to budget cycles
Budget and policy analyst roles require demonstrated familiarity with annual appropriations cycles and multi-year forecasting. Highlight specific fiscal years you managed, the size of budgets you analyzed, and any experience with continuing resolutions or mid-year realignments.
Get your policy writing samples ready
Many hiring managers screen for writing ability before the interview. Keep two or three policy memos, budget justifications, or legislative analyses ready to submit. Generic writing samples from unrelated fields rarely satisfy reviewers at policy-focused agencies or think tanks.
Apply early to roles that fit
Migrate Mate lists budget and policy analyst openings from across the United States in one place, so you can find roles that match and apply directly to each listing.
Target postings by appropriations authority
Federal postings often specify whether the role sits under discretionary or mandatory spending programs. Aligning your application to that distinction, and referencing relevant experience with OMB Circular A-11 or GPRA reporting, signals genuine program knowledge to screeners.
Prepare a walk-through of a budget you built
Interviewers for analyst roles almost always ask you to walk through a real budget or policy recommendation you developed. Prepare a two-minute narrative covering the problem, the data sources you used, your methodology, and the decision it informed.
Negotiate using total compensation, not base only
Government and nonprofit budget roles often carry defined benefit pensions, student loan repayment programs, and flexible leave that private-sector offers lack. Build your counteroffer around total compensation so you can make a fair comparison across sectors.
Budget and Policy Analyst Jobs: Frequently Asked Questions
Which companies are hiring the most budget and policy analysts?
SAIC, UC Davis, and Salt Lake County are hiring the most budget and policy analysts right now, with openings concentrated in Colorado, California, and Virginia, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. Federal agencies, state budget offices, and policy-focused nonprofits account for the largest share of active postings.
How many budget and policy analyst jobs are remote?
About 67% of budget and policy analyst openings are fully remote or hybrid as of November 2026, with remote availability concentrated in policy research, legislative analysis, and grant management roles rather than positions requiring direct access to classified financial systems or in-person legislative testimony.
How do you become a budget and policy analyst?
Start with a bachelor's degree in public administration, economics, or finance, then build hands-on experience through internships at a government agency, budget office, or policy organization. Develop proficiency in budget software and data analysis tools, and practice writing policy memos and budget justifications. A master's degree in public policy or public administration strengthens your candidacy for senior roles.
Can you get hired as a budget and policy analyst with little experience?
Entry-level budget and policy analyst roles do exist, particularly at city and county budget offices, federal agencies hiring through pathways programs, and policy nonprofits. Relevant coursework in public finance, a strong writing sample such as a capstone policy memo, and even a single internship in a government or research setting can substitute for full-time experience when you're applying to program analyst or junior analyst postings.
What does the budget and policy analyst interview process look like?
Most employers start with a phone or video screen focused on your analytical background and knowledge of budget processes. A writing or analytical exercise, such as reviewing a draft budget memo or summarizing a policy proposal, is common at the second stage. Final rounds typically include a panel interview with program managers and finance staff, where you'll be asked to walk through a past analysis and demonstrate familiarity with the agency's or organization's mission.
Where can I find and apply to budget and policy analyst jobs?
You can find and apply to budget and policy analyst jobs on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings from across the United States in one place. Find the roles that match your background and apply directly to each listing.
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