Chief Financial Officer

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.

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.

Residency Requirement: 

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.

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, 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.