The Solid Waste Management (SWM) program is looking to fill a Budget and Finance Officer (Budget Analyst 4) (In-Training) position.  This position is located in our Headquarters Office in Lacey, WA. Upon hire, you must live within a commutable distance from the duty station.

The Budget and Finance Officer position serves as a budget expert, coordinating directly with the Solid Waste Management Program’s Budget Manager to support the development and management of the program’s estimated $97 million capital and operating budgets and 141 FTEs.  

In this role, you will perform independent budget research and analysis for the program, serve as the fund manager for seven environmental stewardship accounts, coordinate program budget projects and processes, and support the SWM Budget Manager. This position also serves as a program payable and receivables coordinator and supports the program’s legislative activities.

We are looking for applicants who have strong analytical, problem-solving, customer service, and written and verbal communication skills, the ability to make decisions, are organized and detail-oriented, accountable, and are willing to learn. Experience using Washington State budget and accounting systems and tools is ideal.

Agency Mission: Ecology’s mission is to protect, preserve and enhance Washington’s environment, and promote the wise management of our land, air, and water. The agency’s goals are to prevent pollution clean up pollution and support sustainable communities and natural resources. 

Program Mission: The mission of the Solid Waste Management (SWM) program is to reduce wastes through prevention and reuse, keep toxics out of the environment, and safely manage what remains.

Tele-work options for this position: This position will be eligible for up to an 80% tele-work schedule. Applicants with questions about position location options, tele-work, and flexible or compressed schedules are encouraged to reach out to the contact person listed below in “other information.” Schedules are dependent upon position needs and are subject to change.

Application Timeline: This position will remain open until filled; we will review applications on January 29, 2024. In order to be considered, please submit an application on or before January 28, 2024. If your application isn’t received by this date, it may not be considered. The agency reserves the right to make a hire any time after the initial screening date.

About the Department of Ecology

• A healthy life/work balance by offering flexible schedules and telework options for most positions.
• An Infants at Work Program that is based on the long-term health values of infant-parent bonding and breastfeeding newborns.
• Continuous growth and development opportunities. 
• Opportunities to serve your community and make an impact through meaningful work.

Our commitment to DEIR

Diversity, equity, inclusion, and respect (DEIR) are core values central to Ecology’s work. We strive to be a workplace where we are esteemed for sharing our authentic identities, while advancing our individual professional goals and collaborating to protect, preserve, and enhance the environment for current and future generations.

What is unique about this position?

As the expert-level budget analyst in the SWM Program, you will coordinate with the SWM Budget Manager to assist in managing the program’s budgets. This position performs independent budget analysis for the program, serves as the fund manager for seven environmental stewardship accounts, is the program payable and receivables coordinator, and is the technical expert and program liaison with the Fiscal Office.

This position is a great opportunity to work with a great team in support of the Solid Waste Management Program’s budget to reduce wastes through prevention and reuse; keep toxics out of the environment; and safely manage what remains. Come Join Us! 

• Act and participate as an expert budget analyst in program and agency budget and finance activities.
• Participate in preparing program operating and capital budget proposals.
• Independently complete fund manager responsibilities for program stewardship accounts. 
• Prepare and present complex expenditure forecasts, spending plans, and assists in developing detailed program financial allotments.
• Prepare reports, complete analysis, and brief Program Management Team on financial status and progress in executing program spending plans, and recommends adjustments as necessary.
• Expertly use statewide budget and financial management systems (Salary Projection System, allotment systems, budget reporting systems, Enterprise Reporting, Web Intelligence, etc.) and Microsoft Office products.
• Respond to requests for program-specific information from the Legislature, Governor’s Office, Office of Financial Management, and agency.
• Coordinate the preparation and review of program fiscal notes.
• Serve as the program payable and receivables coordinator (e.g. contracts, interagency-agreements, cost recoveries, etc.) to ensure policies, procedures and best practices are followed. 

Required Qualifications:

• 30 hours worked per week for 20 months: (30/40) x 20 months = 15 months full-time equivalent
• 20 hours worked per week for 12 months: (20/40) x 12 months = 6 months full-time equivalent

The goal class for this position is a Budget Analyst 4. We will consider applicants who meet the requirements for the Budget Analyst 3 and Budget Analyst 4 levels. If the finalist meets the requirements for the Budget Analyst 3 level, they will be hired in at that level and will be placed into a training program to become a Budget Analyst 4 within a specified period of time.

At the Budget Analyst 3 level: Pay Range 54 ($4,723 – $6,349 – monthly) (In-Training) 

Option 1: Eight (8) years of professional experience in budget, finance, accounting, or related field and/or education from an accredited institution in business, finance, public administration, accounting, economics, or related field.
 
Option 2: A Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution in business, finance, public administration, accounting, economics, or related field AND four (4) years of professional experience in budget, finance, accounting, or related field.
 
Option 3: A Master’s degree from an accredited institution in business, finance, public administration, accounting, economics, or related field AND two (2) years of professional experience in budget, finance, accounting, or related field.  

See chart below for a list of ways to qualify for this position at the Budget Analyst 3 level:  

 
 
At the Budget Analyst 4 level: Pay Range 61 ($5,615- $7,552 monthly) Goal Class 

Option 1: Nine (9) years of professional experience in budget, finance, accounting, or related field and/or education from an accredited institution in business, finance, public administration, accounting, economics, or related field. 
 
Option 2: A Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution in business, finance, public administration, accounting, economics, or related field AND five (5) years of professional experience in budget, finance, accounting, or related field. 
 
Option 3: A Master’s degree from an accredited institution in business, finance, public administration, accounting, economics, or related field AND three (3) years of professional experience in budget, finance, accounting, or related field.

See chart below for a list of ways to qualify for this position at the Budget Analyst 4 level:  

Desired Qualifications:

We highly encourage you to apply even if you do not have some (or all) of the desired experience below.
  

• Experience performing duties in a state agency in accounting or budget. 
• Knowledge of and experience working with automated statewide budget/allotment systems, financial reporting systems, and fiscal note system.
• Knowledge of and experience working with fiscal notes.
• Advanced skills in Microsoft Excel.
• Knowledge of or experience working with federal grants.
• Experience with estimating and analyzing revenue collections and trends.
• Knowledge of and experience developing and maintaining a chart of accounts.

Note: Having some (or all) of this desired experience may make your application more competitive in a highly competitive applicant pool.
 

Ecology seeks diverse applicants: We view diversity, equity, inclusion, and respect through a broad lens including race, ethnicity, class, age, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, immigration status, military background, language, education, life experience, physical disability, neurodiversity, and intersectional identities. Qualified candidates from all backgrounds are encouraged to apply.


Need an Accommodation in the application and/or screening process or this job announcement in an alternative format?

• Please call: (360) 407-6186 or email: careers@ecy.wa.gov and we will be happy to assist.
• If you are deaf or hard of hearing you can reach the Washington Relay Service by dialing 7-1-1 or 1-800-833-6388.
• If you need assistance applying for this job, please e-mail careers@ecy.wa.gov. Please do not send an email to this address to follow-up on the status of your application. You can view the latest status of your application on your profile’s main page.
• If you are reading this announcement in print format, please enter the following URL to your search engine to apply: https://ecology.wa.gov/About-us/Get-to-know-us/Jobs-at-Ecology.   

• A cover letter describing why you are interested in this position.
• A resume outlining your experience and education (if applicable) as it relates to the minimum qualifications of this position.
• Three professional references.

• Please be sure to remove private information such as your social security number, date of birth, etc. 
• Do not attach documents that are password-protected, as these documents may not be reviewed and may cause errors within your application when downloaded. 

If you have specific questions about the position, please email My-Hanh Mai at: mmai461@ecy.wa.gov. Please do not contact My-Hanh to inquire about the status of your application. 
 
To request the full position description: email careers@ecy.wa.gov

Why work for Ecology?

As an agency, our mission is to protect, preserve and enhance Washington’s environment for current and future generations. We invest in our employees to create and sustain a working environment that encourages creative leadership, effective resource management, teamwork, professionalism, and accountability.

Joining Ecology means becoming a part of a team committed to protecting and restoring Washington State’s environment. A career in public service allows you to help solve some of the most challenging problems facing our state, while keeping your health and financial security a priority. We combine one of the most competitive benefits packages in the nation with a strong commitment to life/work balance.

To learn more about The Department of Ecology, please visit our website at www.ecology.wa.gov and follow, like or visit us on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram or our blog.

Equal Opportunity Employer: The Washington State Department of Ecology is an equal opportunity employer. We strive to create a working environment that includes and respects cultural, racial, ethnic, sexual orientation and gender identity diversity. Women, racial and ethnic minorities, persons of disability, persons over 40 years of age, veterans, military spouses or people with military status, and people of all sexual orientations and gender identities are encouraged to apply. Persons needing accommodation in the application/testing process or this job announcement in an alternative format may call (360) 407-6186. Applicants who are deaf or hard of hearing may call the Washington Relay Service by dialing 7-1-1 or 1-800-833-6388.