This position is in CDOT's Office of Policy and Government Relations (OPGR). This position serves as the official CDOT representative and liaison with local government agencies across the state by providing guidance and interpretation of local ordinances and activities impacting CDOT's programs, policies, and budget. This position represents CDOT on local government policy development and provides strategic analysis/recommendation to the Transportation Commission, Executive Director, and Executive Management Team on local issues.

Typical responsibilities:

Major duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Serve as local government specialist, providing information and advice to the department on local government perspectives and concerns; advise senior management on how to handle controversial issues involving local governments; work proactively with CDOT Regions to identify and resolve issues of local concern;
• Build strong relationships with local government officials and staff to be able to pursue CDOT's objectives;
• Examine the fiscal, economic, and political impacts of policy and procedural changes of CDOT as well as local governments, that may impact the department; communicate analyses back to senior management; respond to inquiries and requests for advice and analysis from the Executive Director, Transportation Director, and Executive Management Team;
• Prepare briefings, presentations, policy briefs, talking points, or other materials;
• Actively participate on Project Leadership Teams and other similar teams for projects and studies on key corridors representing CDOT's objectives and direction; proactively identify key issues and concerns among participating stakeholders and, in consultation with Regional Transportation Directors and other key management staff, develop strategies to resolve issues;
• Respond to CDOT initiated directives by actively providing local stakeholder perspective and assisting the Executive Management Team with policy direction; work in coordination with Executive Management Team and other relevant CDOT offices to develop strategies for external and internal communication of initiatives;
• Speak on behalf of CDOT at external meetings, interacting with local, state, and federal officials, in coordination with the Regional Transportation Directors and the OPGR Director; represent CDOT in appropriate meetings and committees;
• Other job duties as assigned.

Typical qualifications:

Minimum Qualifications, Substitutions, Conditions of Employment & Appeal Rights
This experience must be specifically documented on your application.Additional information submitted after the closing date of this announcement will not be considered in the review of your application.

Graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor's degree in public administration, business administration, political science, finance, economics, or a closely related field of study. A transcript showing degree conferral must be included with your application to verify this requirement.

AND at least two years of full-time professional work experience in: government relations with city, county, regional, state, or federal organizations or agencies or with or on behalf of elected officials; policy development and implementation; or public or private sector management or administration that included budget and policy formulation, execution, and analysis.

Substitution:
Local government, policy development and implementation experience, which provided the same kind, amount, and level of knowledge acquired in the required education, will substitute on a year-for-year basis for the bachelor's degree.

NOTE: A legible copy of your unofficial college transcript(s) or credential evaluation report must be submitted with your application. Transcripts from colleges or universities outside of the United States must be assessed for U.S. equivalency by a NACES educational credential evaluation service. Failure to provide a transcript or credential evaluation report will result in your application being rejected and you will not be able to continue in the selection process for this position.

Stronger candidates will be those that demonstrate depth and breadth of skill and ability, through a combination of professional experience and formal training, to successfully perform the duties and responsibilities of this position.

The Exceptional Applicant will be an experienced budget and policy analyst and will possess the proven ability or accomplishment in the following:

• Demonstrated success with the duties listed in the Description of the Job section;
• Highest work/personal ethics and integrity;
• Extensive experience as a professional government relations/policy analyst for a state, local, or quasi-governmental agency representing an agency/organization on transportation issues in the State of Colorado or experience as a professional lobbyist at the state government level for a state, local government, quasi-governmental organization, or business;
• Knowledge and comprehensive understanding of theories, principles, and best practices of public administration, government relations, and communications;
• Knowledge and understanding of transportation issues effecting local Colorado governments;
• Outstanding leadership and organization skills;
• Polished written and oral communication skills;
• Ability to work under tight deadlines and be adaptable to changing assignments;
• Strong analytic thinking, research, and problem solving skills;
• Strong attention to technical detail;
• Ability to partner with professionals, consultants, stakeholders and staff, with sensitivity to their needs and priorities;
• Ability to negotiate and find mutually acceptable solutions and build consensus;
• Effective interpersonal and relationship building skills;
• Ability to work effectively in independent and team situations;
• Strong time and project management skills, including prioritization and multi-tasking ability;
• Fluency in MicroSoft Office Suite, and the ability to quickly learn other software systems.