Program Budget Manager

Per Governor Inslee’s Proclamation 21-14.2 (Download PDF reader), Washington State employees must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. As a condition of employment, the successful candidate will be required to provide proof of their COVID-19 vaccination as part of the hiring process, prior to their start date. Requests for medical and religious exemptions will be considered. If you have questions, please contact Careers@ecy.wa.gov with “COVID-19 vaccination” in the subject line.  

Keeping Washington Clean and Evergreen

The Spill Prevention, Preparedness, and Response (SPPR) program within the Department of Ecology is looking to fill a Program Budget Manager (WMS Band 2) position. This position is located in our Headquarters Office in Lacey, WA. 

Are you a creative problem-solver who is good with numbers and details? We are looking for someone who can not only build and manage our budget, but also help ensure that we are deliberate in our decisions about what we fund; our spending should reflect our priorities. 

You will be responsible for managing and reporting on a $39 million operating budget that supports our critical preparedness, prevention, and response work. You will also be a part of the program management team and agency budget team, helping our program navigate challenges by supporting us in understanding our financial choices.

The mission of the Spill Prevention, Preparedness, and Response (SPPR) program is to protect, preserve and restore Washington's environment. Our vision is to create a zero spills world. 

Protecting Washington State's environment for current and future generations is what we do every day at Ecology. We are a culture that is invested in making a difference. Join a team that is highly effective and collaborative, with leadership that embraces the value of people.

Ecology cares deeply about employee wellness; we go beyond traditional benefits, proudly offering:

• 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. 
• A wellness program that offers education, fitness classes, and an agency-wide fondness for outdoor meetings.
• Opportunities to serve your community and make an impact through meaningful work.

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.
 Diversity: We celebrate and appreciate diversity; our unique perspectives and abilities enrich us all and lead to innovative approaches and solutions. Equity: We champion equity, recognizing that each of us need different things to thrive. Inclusion: We intentionally create and hold space so that we all have meaningful opportunities to participate and contribute to Ecology’s work. Respect: We treat each other with respect and dignity, acknowledging the inherent worth of our diverse perspectives and lived experiences, even in times of uncertainty and disagreement. 
We believe that DEIR is both a goal and an action. We are on a journey, honoring our shared humanity and taking steps to demonstrate our commitment to a vision where each of us is heard, seen, and valued. 

During Healthy Washington Roadmap to Recovery, employees are working a combination of in-office and/or telework based on position and business need. Ecology is following current state guidance regarding mask requirements, health screening questions before entry, and social distancing. 
Application Timeline: This position will remain open until filled, with an initial screening date of March 17, 2022. In order to be considered for initial screening, please submit an application on or before March 16, 2022. The agency reserves the right to make an appointment any time after the initial screening date. 

Duties

Why join the team?
 
The mission of the Spill Prevention, Preparedness, and Response (SPPR) program is to protect Washington’s environment, public health, and safety through a comprehensive spill prevention, preparedness and response program. Your role as the Program Budget Manager is crucial in defining, requesting, and managing the financial resources necessary to meet the program’s mission. 

What you will do:

• Develop long range and strategic budget options and financial contingency plans, and identify multiple ways to fund program priorities so that we can continue to do our work towards a zero spill world.
• Manage and monitor program budgets statewide. This includes recommending appropriate funding for staffing, training, travel, and equipment. 
• Serve as the fund manager for the Oil Spill Prevention, Oil Spill Response, and Coastal Protection accounts, as well as the program lead for fiscal notes.
• Support the program’s work in managing revenue sources. One of our key goals is to manage our funding to ensure adequate resources to supply to a response.
• Be proactive and strategic in your thinking. Have the ability to see the bigger picture of events or the cause and effect of things.
• Design strategic budget plans, anticipate and identify financial concerns, seek solutions, develop strategies to minimize budget inefficiencies, make critical independent strategic financial decisions, and make recommendations to the Program Manager.
• Prepare budget, decision packages, and allotment requests and justifications.
• Plan, develop, and maintain budget allocation models and biennial spending plans.
• Analyze statewide historical spending trends and various other data to prepare budgets and to justify funding requests.

As a Key Member of the Spill Prevention, Preparedness, and Response Management Leadership Team:

You will maintain the highest standards of personal, professional, and ethical conduct to support the state's commitment to efficient, effective, and accountable government.
 
This is a highly visible role with other federal and state agencies, legislators, tribes, First Nations, Canadian Federal and Provincial governments, ports, local governments, industry, NGO's, and other interests involved in spill prevention and emergency response to accidents. In this role, you will assist the Program manager in administering prevention and contingency plan approvals, legal enforcement actions, contract encumbrances, interpreting and/or developing broad departmental policies and negotiating interagency agreements affecting departmental resources. 

Qualifications

Required Qualifications:

Experience for both required and desired qualifications can be gained through various combinations of formal professional employment, educational and volunteer experience. See below for how you may qualify.

Seven (7) years of experience and/or education as described below:

Experience: in public sector budget management, fiscal management, accounting or related work, which includes knowledge and proficiency with computers including spreadsheets, database, word-processing and PowerPoint programs.  

The experience above may include some or all of the following:

1. Communicating complex budget or financial issues.
2. Seeking new funding opportunities, understanding risks, and proposing solutions.
3. Ensuring staff and other team members follow budget-related policies and procedures
4. Managing grants or contracts.
5. Developing long range and strategic budget options and financial contingency plans.
6. Designing strategic budget plans, anticipating and identifying financial concerns, seeking solutions, developing strategies to minimize budget inefficiencies, makes critical independent strategic financial decisions, and make recommendations.
7. Preparing budget, decision packages, and allotment requests and justifications.
8. Planning, developing, and maintaining budget allocation models and biennial spending plans.
9. Analyzing statewide historical spending trends and various other data to prepare budgets and to justify funding requests.
10. Leadership and organization skills to train, lead, and coordinate the managers of the program’s multiple business areas.   

Education: in accounting, finance, business, public administration, economics, statistics or a related field. 

 
 All experience and education combinations that meet the requirements for this position:
 

Possible Combinations | College credit hours or degree | Years of required experience

Combination 1 | No college credit hours or degree | 7 years of experience

Combination 2 | 30-59 semester or 45-89 quarter credits. | 6 years of experience

Combination 3 | 60-89 semester or 90-134 quarter credits (AA degree). | 5 years of experience

Combination 4 | 90-119 semester or 135-179 quarter credits. | 4 years of experience

Combination 5 | A Bachelor's Degree or above | 3 years of experience

Special Requirements/Conditions of Employment:

• The position normally works in a relatively sedentary open office environment, working with computers and other office equipment for long periods. However, this position also may require spill response in fieldwork, which could involve several hours of standing, walking, or squatting each day. 

• This position is part of the Spills Program Incident Management Team (IMT) and Crisis Management Team and is required to complete Incident Command System (ICS) training 100, 200, 300, 400, 700, and 800. This training can be obtained after hire.

• Hold and maintain eligibility and certification to permit travel to and from Canada, including passport or Enhanced Driver’s License. 

• Hold and maintain a valid Washington driver’s license and be able to operate a motor vehicle.

Desired Qualifications:

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

• Five years of experience in Washington State Agency budget management.
• Experience using Washington State budget and accounting systems and tools.

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

Supplemental Information

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.   

Application Instructions:

It's in the applicant's best interest to submit all of the documents listed below. Applications without these documents may be declined.

• 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 do NOT include your salary history. Wage/salary depends on qualifications or rules of promotion, if applicable.  
 
For Your Privacy:
When attaching documents to your application (such as Resume, Cover Letter, Transcripts, DD-214, etc.):

• 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. 

Additional Application Instructions for Current Ecology Employees: 
 
Please make sure to answer the agency-wide questions regarding permanent status as a classified employee within the Washington General Service or Washington Management Service. Do not forget to select Department of Ecology as a response to question 2, and type your personnel ID number for question 3. If you are not sure of your status or do not know your personnel ID number, please contact Human Resources.

Application Attestation: 

The act of submitting application materials electronically is considered affirmation that the information is complete and truthful. The state may verify this information and any untruthful or misleading answers are cause for rejection of your application or dismissal if employed. 

Other Information:

If you have specific questions about the position, please email Carlos Clements at: Carlos.Clements@ecy.wa.gov. Please do not contact Carlos 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.

Ecology employees may be eligible for the following:
Medical/Dental/Vision for employee & dependent(s), Public Employees Retirement System (PERS), Vacation, Sick, and other Leave*, 11 Paid Holidays per year*, Public Service Loan Forgiveness, Tuition Waiver,  Long Term Disability & Life Insurance, Deferred Compensation Programs, Dependent Care Assistance Program (DCAP),  Flexible Spending Arrangement (FSA), Employee Assistance Program, Commute Trip Reduction Incentives (Download PDF reader), Combined Fund Drive, SmartHealth *See the Benefits tab in this announcement for more information 

Student debt: how working for Ecology can help
The Department of Ecology is a qualifying employer for the Public Service Forgiveness Program (PSLF). See https://studentaid.ed.gov/sa/repay-loans/forgiveness-cancellation/public-service for more details.

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.

Note: This recruitment may be used to fill other positions of the same job classification across the agency. 

Program Budget Manager (WMS Band 2)