Chief Financial Officer
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Chief Financial Officer
Salary
$185,000.00 - $205,000.00 Annually
Location
Denver, CO
Job Type
Full Time
Job Number
FAA02323-03/13/26
Department
Department of Public Health & Environment
Division
Administration Division
Opening Date
03/13/2026
Closing Date
4/13/2026 11:59 PM Mountain
FLSA
Determined by Position
Primary Physical Work Address
4300 Cherry Creek Drive South Denver, CO 80246
FLSA Status
Exempt; position is not eligible for overtime compensation.
Department Contact Information
simmone.porter@state.co.us
Type of Announcement
This announcement is not governed by the selection processes of the classified personnel system. Applications will be considered from residents and non-residents of Colorado.
How To Apply
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.
Description
Benefits
Questions
Department Information
This announcement is not governed by the selection processes of the classified personnel system. Applications will be considered from residents and non-residents of Colorado.
This is a HYBRID position (Please note, this arrangement can be subject to change).
Employment is at-will, with no actual, expressed or implied contract.
The State of Colorado strives to create a Colorado for All by building and maintaining workplaces that value and respect all Coloradans through a commitment to equal opportunity and hiring based on merit and fitness.
The State is resolute in non-discriminatory practices in everything we do, including hiring, employment, and advancement opportunities.
We are committed to increasing the diversity of our staff and providing culturally responsive programs and services. Therefore, we encourage responses from people of diverse backgrounds and abilities.
Do you desire a career that provides you with opportunities to improve the world around you? The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) is seeking diverse individuals from all backgrounds to apply for a career position that makes a direct impact on impr oving the lives of Colorado citizens. Our mission is to advance Colorado's health and protect the places we live, work, learn, and play. Our vision is to create a healthy and sustainable Colorado where current and future generations thrive. If your goal is to build a career that makes a difference, consider joining the dedicated people of the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment. Our tobacco-free campus offers free parking and is conveniently located near RTD bus lines, Glendale City Set, and the Cherry Creek bike path. In addition to a great location and rewarding, meaningful work, we offer:
Employee wellness programs and facilities
Extensive internal professional development opportunities on a wide variety of subjects
Bike to work programs, including access to storage lockers and bike racks
Distinctive career advancement opportunities throughout the State system
Strong, yet flexible retirement benefits (https://dhr.colorado.gov/state-employees/state-of-colorado-employee-benefits) including a choice of the PERA Defined Benefit Plan or the PERA Defined Contribution Plan, plus optional 401K and 457 plans
Medical and dental health plans (https://dhr.colorado.gov/state-employees/state-of-colorado-employee-benefits)
Paid life insurance
Short- and long-term disability coverage
11 paid holidays per year plus generous personal time off
Mentoring program with opportunities for mentors and mentees
Tuition assistance for college level courses including Masters degree programs
Excellent work-life programs, such as flexible schedules, and
A variety of employee resource groups
Some positions may qualify for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program. For more information, go to: https://studentloans.gov/myDirectLoan/pslfFlow.action#!/pslf/launch
Description of Job
About The Work Unit:
This position is located within the Administration Division of the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) and serves as part of the Department's enterprise financial leadership structure. The work unit provides enterprise accounting, budget development and management, fiscal policy oversight, and financial reporting services that support CDPHE's statewide public health and environmental protection mission.
The unit is responsible for delivering the Department's core financial operations, including general ledger accounting, accounts payable and receivable, payroll and timekeeping oversight, cost allocation, grants financial management, and the enforcement of applicable fiscal laws, policies, and standards. These functions ensure accurate financial reporting, strong internal controls, and compliant stewardship of state and federal funds.
The work unit also leads the Department's annual budget development and implementation activities, including coordination with the Governor's Office of State Planning and Budgeting (OSPB), the Legislative Joint Budget Committee (JBC), and Legislative Council. Responsibilities include managing the Department's annual budget request process, overseeing budget execution, supporting fiscal decision-making across divisions, and providing centralized financial services and reporting.
CDPHE is a large and complex state agency with more than 2,000 employees and an annual operating budget exceeding $880 million, supported by more than 300 funding sources, including federal grants, state General Fund appropriations, and fee-based cash funds. The work unit plays a central role in ensuring these resources are managed responsibly, transparently, and in compliance with statutory and regulatory requirements while enabling the Department to deliver critical public health and environmental services statewide.
What You Will Be Doing:
The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) is seeking an experienced Chief Financial Officer (CFO) to provide executive leadership over the department's financial operations and to serve as a trusted fiscal advisor to the Executive Director and Senior Executive Team. The department's $887M budget is a complex funding mix of federal grants, fee-based cash funds, and general fund.
The CFO is responsible for the strategic oversight and integration of departmental financial functions, including budgeting, accounting, financial reporting, grants management, and internal controls. This role ensures sound stewardship of public funds, compliance with state and federal requirements, and the delivery of accurate, timely, and decision-ready financial information to support executive leadership and policy decisions.
As a member of the Senior Executive Team, the CFO plays a central role in shaping the department's fiscal strategy and long-term sustainability. The position oversees the department's annual budget development and execution process on behalf of the Executive Director and represents CDPHE on fiscal matters with the Governor's Office, Office of State Planning and Budgeting, Joint Budget Committee, Office of the State Controller, federal agencies, and auditors.
Key responsibilities include:
Providing enterprise-wide fiscal leadership and financial risk management across all divisions.
Overseeing accounting, budget, payroll, grants compliance, and financial reporting functions.
Leading the department's annual budget request, execution, and legislative support processes.
Ensuring strong internal controls, audit readiness, and compliance with applicable laws and regulations.
Advising executive leadership on fiscal strategy, risk, and long-range planning.
Driving continuous improvement in fiscal processes, systems, and data integrity.
Supervising senior financial managers and building a cohesive, high-performing fiscal organization.
The ideal candidate will bring extensive experience in public-sector financial management, strong executive judgment, and the ability to communicate complex fiscal information clearly to diverse audiences. A commitment to ethical stewardship, collaboration, and continuous improvement is essential.
This position offers the opportunity to contribute to a mission-driven organization whose work protects and improves the health and environment of Coloradans statewide.
Minimum Qualifications, Substitutions, Conditions of Employment & Appeal Rights
Residency Requirement:
This posting is open to current and non-current residents of the State of Colorado at the time of submitting your application. However, if you are selected and accept the position, you will be required to establish residence in the State of Colorado.
An applicant may meet the minimum qualifications for this job in one of two ways: They may qualify through their work experience alone or through a combination of education and work experience.
Minimum Qualifications
A Bachelor's degree in accounting, finance, business administration, public administration, or related field.
Five plus (5) years of progressively responsible experience in executive-level leadership financial management, budgeting, accounting, or fiscal policy within a large and fiscally complex organization.
Preferred Qualifications
Master's degree in accounting, finance, business administration, public administration, public policy or related field.
One or more of the following:
Certified Public Accountant (CPA).
Certified Government Financial Manager (CGFM).
Certified Public Finance Officer (CPFO).
Ten (10) years of progressively responsible experience in financial management, budgeting, accounting, or fiscal policy within a large and complex organization.
Five (5) years of executive-level fiscal leadership, including supervision of professional financial staff and responsibility for enterprise financial operations in state or local government.
Direct responsibility for large-scale public sector budgets (e.g., $500M+), including management of General Fund, cash funds, and federal grant funding streams.
Experience establishing financial policies, internal controls, and audit readiness processes.
Experience providing executive-level financial analysis and strategic fiscal advice to senior leadership.
Experience managing federal grants and compliance with 2 CFR 200 (Uniform Guidance).
Experience managing Single Audit processes and coordinating federal audit responses.
Experience working with legislatures, budget committees, or executive budget offices.
Experience with Colorado statewide fiscal systems (CORE, eProcurement tools, OSA/OSC processes).
Experience implementing enterprise financial systems or financial process modernization initiatives.
Experience managing fiscal operations during emergencies or disaster response, including administration of federally funded response programs (e.g., FEMA, CDC).
** This experience must be substantiated within the Work Experience section of your application.
** "See Resume" will not be accepted. In addition, part-time work will be prorated. A copy of your transcript must be submitted at the time of application (Unofficial transcripts are acceptable).
Conditions of Employment:
Pursuant to CDPHE policy, a background check is required for all positions at CDPHE.
Supplemental Information
A complete application packet must include:
A completed State of Colorado application.
A cover letter explaining your interest in, and qualifications for, the position.
If using education to qualify, a copy of your college/university transcripts. Transcripts must be attached to your colorado.gov/jobs application.
If you are a veteran, a copy of your DD214 attached to your colorado.gov/jobs application.
The Selection Process:
Applicants will be notified at each step in the selection process via email. Emails will come from info@governmentjobs.com.
E-Verify: CDPHE uses e-Verify, an Internet-based system, to confirm the eligibility of all newly hired employees to work in the United States. Learn more aboutE-Verify (http://www.dhs.gov/e-verify) , including your rights and responsibilities.
ADAAA Accommodations:
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.
Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment 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 Coordinator, Daniel Mckenna at daniel.mckenna@state.co.us or call 303-692-6319.
Toll Free Applicant Technical Support: If you experience technical difficulty with the NEOGOV system (e.g. uploading or attaching documents to your online application) call NEOGOV technical support at 855-524-5627 Mon-Fri between 6 am and 6 pm (Pacific Time). Helpful hints: if you are having difficulty uploading or attaching documents to your application first- ensure your documents are PDF or Microsoft Word files, and second, close the document before you attempt to upload (attach) it.
Please note that each agency's contact information is different; therefore, we encourage all applicants to view the full, official job announcement which includes contact information and class title. Select the job you wish to view, then click on the "Print" icon.
01
Are you willing to submit to a pre-employment background check?
Yes
No
02
This position has been designated as hybrid. The Hiring Manager will discuss the expectations and details of the schedule with you during the interview process. A hybrid position can work a portion of the time from home and a portion of the time in the state workplace location. A workspace is provided for the employee when they come into the office, which could include a cubicle, office, or hoteling station. When required to come into the assigned state workplace, the employee is required to bear the expense of commuting. Do you understand this expectation and are you willing to meet this requirement?
Yes
No
03
This posting requires a cover letter at the time of application - have you attached your cover letter? Applications without a cover letter will be considered incomplete and not moved forward in the recruitment process. Cover letters will not be accepted after closing.
Yes
No
04
This announcement is not governed by the selection processes of the classified personnel system. Applications will be considered from residents and non-residents of Colorado. If you are selected for hire, and currently reside outside of Colorado, you are required to relocate to Colorado within 8 weeks of receiving your offer - otherwise your offer will be rescinded. Do you understand and accept these terms?
Yes
No
05
Describe your experience managing or overseeing a complex budgeting process that serves multiple competing interests and how you ensured the process met the needs of executive leadership.
06
Provide an example of how you strengthened financial governance, internal controls, budget management processes, internal reporting, or fiscal policy within an organization.
07
Describe your experience overseeing enterprise financial systems and ensuring financial data integrity and compliance. Include any experience with CORE or comparable statewide accounting systems.
08
Describe a challenging leadership situation related to financial management, fiscal risk, or organizational change. What actions did you take and what was the outcome?
Required Question
Employer
State of Colorado
Address
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Website
https://careers.colorado.gov/
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