Salary : $71,544.00 - $114,492.00 Annually Location : Denver, CO Job Type: Full Time Job Number: PAA 00527 08/2025 Department: Department of Natural Resources Division: ExecutiveDirector's Office Opening Date: 08/20/2025 Closing Date: 9/7/2025 11:59 PM Mountain FLSA: Determined by Position Type of Announcement: This position is open only to Colorado state residents. Primary Physical Work Address: 1313 Sherman Street, Suite 718Denver, CO 80203 Hiring Pay Rate: Employees new to State Government will be paid on a bi-weekly basis. FLSA Status: Exempt; position is not eligible for overtime compensation. Department Contact Information: Patrick Warnes
[email protected] How To Apply: Please submit an online application for this position at 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. Department Information This posting is only open to residents of the State of Colorado at the time of submitting your application. Are you interested in investing in a career that makes a difference? Consider joining the dedicated people of the Colorado Department of Natural Resources. It's our mission to manage and conserve Colorado's natural resources for the benefit of people today - and tomorrow. That means we have to balance development with conservation so the state we all love provides similar opportunities for our children and their children. We invite you to explore our website at to find out more about the work we do to manage Colorado's natural resources for today - and tomorrow. 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. In addition to offering rewarding, meaningful work, we offer:
- Medical and Dental plans
- Strong, flexible retirement plans including PERA Defined Benefit Plan or PERA Defined Contribution Plan, plus pre-tax and Roth 401K and 457 plans
- Paid life insurance
- Short- and long-term disability coverage
- Employee Wellness programs
- Flexible Spending Accounts
- Health Savings Accounts
- 11 paid holidays per year plus generous vacation and sick leave
- Flexible work schedule options and remote-work options
- Career advancement opportunities throughout the State system
- Some positions may qualify for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program
The Financial Services Unit (Unit) within the Executive Director's Office (EDO) provides efficient, effective, and transparent financial services and financial policy oversight for the Department of Natural Resources (DNR), including budget, accounting, payroll, and procurement. The Financial Services Unit also has responsibility for internal and external audit functions to provide independent, objective assurance and minimize risk through the examination and analysis of internal controls, policies, and procedures of the Department, its divisions, and its subrecipients and contractors. Description of Job OPEN ONLY TO CURRENT RESIDENTS OF COLORADO This position serves as DNR's subject matter expert on audits and risk assessments. The purpose of this position is to develop and implement a systematic comprehensive internal audit program with responsibility for identifying, assessing, and mitigating risk to the Department and its programs. Specifically, this position is tasked with: leading an internal risk assessment process; developing and maintaining an internal audit plan; conducting audits, risk assessments, and fraud investigations; supporting the implementation of recommendations and resolution of findings; consulting on department administrative policies and procedures; and serving as the main liaison within the Executive Director's Office during external audits conducted by the Office of the State Auditor (OSA) or Federal auditors. Summary of Duties:Develop and implement DNR's Internal Audit Plan: The position serves as the Department's internal auditor in charge of (1) developing and implementing DNR's risk assessment and risk management process to ensure audit work can be aligned with strategic risk; and (2) creating and maintaining the Department's internal audit plan. This includes responsibility for a risk assessment process to identify high value audits and leading risk assessment activities.
- communicating risk assessment evaluations and information about risk prioritization to department leadership; and developing and maintaining an internal audit plan based on the prioritized assessment of risks.
Performing Financial, Performance, and Compliance Audits: The position is responsible for independently performing all duties related to conducting reviews for programs, subrecipients, and other entities. This includes:
- Determining and designing the process to be used for conducting audit work;
- Developing audit scopes and audit objectives to establish appropriate, sufficient, and reasonable audit procedures;
- Conducting and/or overseeing audit fieldwork to examine and conclude upon the sufficiency of audit documentation;
- Drafting audit reports, formal communications, and letters for final approval and clearance;
- Negotiating solutions to bring auditees into compliance with applicable Federal and State laws, rules, regulations, and internal policies and procedures.
Audit Liaison and Management of Audit Recommendations: The position serves as the Department's main audit liaison from the Executive Director's Office during financial, compliance, and performance audits conducted by the Office of the State Auditor (OSA) and Federal auditors. This includes:
- Coordinating with division audit leads on meetings and responses to questions or requests for information;
- Participating in meetings with external auditors, division audit leads, and other program staff;
- Coordinating with DNR and division leadership, the DNR legislative liaison, communications staff, and other affected parties to prepare for testimony at LAC hearings.
Managing Audit Recommendations: This position is responsible for handling internal and external audit findings and associated recommendations, including tracking and reporting on the resolution of outstanding external audit recommendations and determining whether an audit recommendation may be considered implemented and/or the identified risk has been mitigated. Financial and Administrative Policies and Procedures: The position is responsible for assisting in the development or revision of financial and administrative policies and procedures to ensure robust and effective internal controls. This includes conducting research, preparing recommendations for improvements, and monitoring the implementation and effectiveness of any new or revised changes. The position is also responsible for providing training and technical assistance for a variety of stakeholders-e.g. program staff, finance staff, subrecipients, etc.-to ensure clarity on and compliance with Federal and State laws, rules, regulations, and internal policies and procedures. Special Projects and Other Duties: The position may participate in special projects, task groups, and/or work committees, which may require travel. In addition, the position may conduct fraud investigations if assigned to do so by the DNR Executive Director and assist with specialized contract reviews of expenditures. Minimum Qualifications, Substitutions, Conditions of Employment & Appeal Rights OPEN TO STATE OF COLORADO RESIDENTS ONLY Minimum Qualifications:Experience Only: Seven (7) years of relevant experience in an occupation related to the work assigned to this position OR Education and Experience:
- A combination of related education and/or relevant experience in an occupation related to the work assigned equal to seven (7) years
- Current, valid licensure as a CPA from the Colorado Board of Accountancy or current, valid CIA certificate will substitute for five (5) years of the requirement
Please note: The required experience must be substantiated within the work experience section of your application. Your resume will not be reviewed to determine if you meet the minimum qualifications; only the work experience section of your application will be reviewed to determine this. See Resume statements on the application will not be accepted. In addition, part-time work will be prorated. A master's or doctorate degree in a field of study directly related to the assignment will substitute for one year of experience. Current valid licensure as a CPA of the Colorado Board of Accountancy will substitute for the degree requirement and one year of the required experience. If you are using a degree to substitute for the required experience, you may be required to provide copies of your educational transcripts for verification of your qualifications if requested. Preferred Qualifications:
- Current or former State experience relevant to this position.
- Experience assessing risk and conducting financial, performance, and/or compliance audits.
- Ability to interpret financial transactions, procedures, and policies for a large, complex organization.
- Demonstrated analytical, verbal, and written communication skills;
- Experience writing reports, plans and communicating with internal and external customers in a way that conveys information in clear, understandable terms.
- Experience with the State's accounting system, CORE.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Excel.
- Knowledge of formal guidance including but not limited to Generally Accepted Accounting Principles, Auditing Standards, and Government Auditing Standards (GAAP, GAAS, GAGAS); Uniform Grant Guidance (2 CFR 200); and state fiscal, procurement, and contract rules.
The current work arrangement for this position is as follows: (Please note, this arrangement can be subject to change)
- Hybrid schedule - This position will primarily work remotely from a home office. There is an anticipation of attending 6-12 in-person meetings per year and will likely require observing the taking of physical inventory near fiscal year end.
Conditions of Employment:
- Former State employees who were disciplinarily terminated or resigned in lieu of termination must disclose the information on the application and provide an explanation why the prior termination or resignation should not disqualify their application from the current position. (Please Note: Absent extraordinary circumstances, prior disciplinary termination or resignation in lieu of termination will disqualify the applicant from future State employment with DNR).
APPEAL RIGHTS: It is recommended that you contact the Human Resources Specialist listed below to resolve issues related to your possession of minimum qualifications. However, if you receive notice that you have been eliminated from consideration for this position, you may file an appeal with the State Personnel Board or request a review by the State Personnel Director. An appeal or review must be submitted on the official appeal form, signed by you or your representative. This form must be delivered to the State Personnel Board by email, US Mail, faxed or hand delivered within ten (10) calendar days from your receipt of notice or acknowledgement of the department's action. For more information about the appeals process, the official appeal form, and how to deliver it to the State Personnel Board go to or refer to 4 Colorado Code of Regulations (CCR) 801-1, State Personnel Board Rules and Personnel Director's Administrative Procedures, Chapter 8, Resolution of Appeals and Disputes, at under Rules. Supplemental Information The Assessment Process
- All applications received by the closing of this announcement will be reviewed by an HR Specialist against the Minimum Qualifications in this announcement.
- Colorado Revised Statutes require that state employees are hired and promoted based on merit and fitness through a comparative analysis process. Part of, or all of, the comparative analysis for this position will be a structured application review by Subject Matter Experts.
- Resumes, cover letters and other attachments are not considered as part of initial reviews, therefore, it is important to document in your application your education, experience, minimum qualifications, and preferred qualifications as outlined in the job announcement
- Please thoroughly answer all supplemental questions (if listed) since question responses may be evaluated for content, writing ability, spelling, grammar, and effective communication.
- This recruitment may involve additional testing and/or exams to arrive at the top group for interviews.
- This posting could be used to fill other vacancies of the same level and same reporting location.
A salary range is posted for this position and any job offer is based upon a salary analysis to comply with the Colorado Equal Pay for Equal Work Act. The salary analysis considers relevant experience, education, certifications, and state seniority as compared to others doing substantially similar work. While all offers are compliant with the Colorado Equal Pay for Equal Work Act, there is no guarantee an offer will be at the top of the posted range based on the salary analysis. 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. 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. The Department of Natural Resources 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, at
[email protected] 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. ADAAA Accommodations Any person with a disability as defined by the ADA Amendments Act of 2008 (ADAAA) may be provided a reasonable accommodation upon request to enable the person to complete an employment assessment. To request accommodation, please contact our Benefits Specialist at
[email protected] at least five business days before the date that any accommodation will be required to allow us to evaluate your request and prepare for the accommodation. You may be asked to provide additional information, including medical documentation, regarding functional limitations and type of accommodation needed. Please ensure that you have this information available well in advance of the assessment date. E-Verify DNR 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. Toll-Free Applicant Support - Technical Help If you experience technical difficulty with the NEOGOV system (e.g. uploading or attaching documents to your online application) call NEOGOV at 855-###-####, Mon-Fri between 6 am and 6 pm (Pacific Time). The Human Resources Office will be unable to assist with technical issues. The State of Colorado offers permanent employees a variety of benefits including medical, dental, life and disability insurance, as well as a comprehensive leave program. Please click the following link for detailed information: 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 The Colorado Constitution, Article XII, Section 13 requires that APPLICANTS for state classified government jobs be residents of Colorado, unless this requirement is waived by the State Personnel Board. There is no residency waiver for this announcement. Please confirm that you are a current resident of Colorado.
02 Current and former State Personnel System employees who were disciplinarily terminated, resigned in lieu of termination, or who were deemed to have resigned without notice (Board Rule 7-5, Automatic Resignation) must disclose this information on the application.
- I am not a current or former State of Colorado classified employee.
- I am a current or former State of Colorado employee but have NEVER been disciplinarily terminated, resigned in lieu of termination, or deemed to have resigned without notice (Board Rule 7-5, Automatic Resignation).
- I am a current or former State of Colorado employee and have been disciplinarily terminated, resigned in lieu of termination, or deemed to have resigned without notice (Board Rule 7-5, Automatic Resignation). NOTE: Failure to disclose this information and/or falsification of Application materials may result in being removed from consideration for this position.
03 Former State employees who were disciplinarily terminated or resigned in lieu of termination must disclose this information on the application. In the space below, please provide an explanation as to why the prior termination or resignation should NOT disqualify you application from the current position: 04 If you are using education to meet or substitute for qualifications, did you upload a copy of your official or unofficial transcript? (Your transcript is required as verification that you meet the requirements).
- Yes, I have attached my transcripts.
- No, I am not using college course work to meet minimum requirements for this position.
- Not Applicable
05 Did you upload your rsum and cover letter to this on-line application?
06 Part, or all, of the assessment for this position involves a review of the information you submit in your application materials. Please verify that you understand that the failure to include adequate information or attachments to your job application may affect your final score and/or prevent you from competing in any subsequent measures used to arrive at a top group of applicants.
07 If you are a veteran who is eligible for preference points, did you upload/attach your DD-214? Veterans who wish to seek disability preference points based on a service related disability must submit acceptable documentation to support your claim for veterans' preference (exclude specific/private medical information).
08 Please describe your experience with audits of financial transactions, programs, procedures, and policies: 09 Please describe your experience assessing financial and audit risks for a large, complex organization: 10 Please describe your experience communicated with internal and external customers in a way that conveyed information in clear and understandable terms both verbally and in writing: 11 Do you have knowledge of State government accounting; risk assessment, and auditing?
12 If you answered Yes to the previous question, please explain this experience: Required Question
