Program Budget Manager (WMS Band 2)

The salary listed above includes the 3% pay increase that goes into effect on July 1, 2024.

Keeping Washington Clean and Evergreen
The Solid Waste Management 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. Upon hire, you must live within a commutable distance from the duty station.
In this position, you will have the opportunity to work in a fast paced, exciting atmosphere doing cutting edge work for issues that really matter, managing a $100 million-dollar, multi-faceted budget. You will work to provide accurate, useful information, analysis and recommendations for sound decision making, maximizing use of resources while staying within budget. You will provide professionally sound guidance, consultation, and advice at an advanced level of expertise for matters that are highly consequential to the agency’s effectiveness and services.

Agency Mission: Ecology's mission is to protect, preserve and enhance the environment for current and future generations.   

Program Mission: The mission of the Solid Waste Management 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 have flexibility of a hybrid schedule, empowering work from home and office, providing less time in traffic and shrinking your carbon footprint. This position will be eligible for up to a 60% 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 June 24, 2024. In order to be considered, please submit an application on or before June 23, 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. 
Please Note:We will review all applications received before the date above. Additional reviews after this date typically only occur if we have a small applicant pool, or if a successful Hire was not made.

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 *Click here for more information 

About the Department of Ecology

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. To learn more, check out our Strategic Plan. 
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. 
• 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.

 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. 

 

Duties

What makes this role unique?

In this role, you will serve as the primary point of contact on all budget and financial matters with the Chief Financial Officer (CFO), Program Manager, and other senior/executive-level management, including Office of Financial Management and Legislative staff, for a program with the third largest operating budget in the agency. You will provide consultative guidance to agency senior and executive management regarding budget-related policies and procedures and consult regularly with management, offering advice which will impact agency practices. You will have direct decision-making authority on budget requests, fiscal notes, budget allotments, expenditure plans, expenditures, and other financial and planning actions, making strategic planning and financial decisions with critical policy impacts by analyzing past trends and making assumptions about future conditions.

What you will do:

• Manage and monitor budgets of approximately $100 million for the Program’s unique activities, functions, and sections statewide; project trends in revenues and expenditures; prepare and recommend budget addition and reduction options and funding strategies for executive management; provide managers with accurate, clear, and consistent financial data; brief and advise Ecology management on budget and fund allocation requests; review section allotment requests and approve, modify or deny allotment requests based on program plans; fiscal, or policy considerations; recommend appropriate funding for staffing, training, travel equipment, materials computing needs, and other expenditures; and accomplish these in support of agency goals.
• Provide reliable and professionally sound guidance, consultation, and advice at an advanced level of expertise in budgeting and for the financial stability of the Solid Waste Management (SWM) Program to sustain effective program operations. 
• Recommend changes to budget and financial policies and provide regular consultation to senior and executive management for advice impacting agency policies and practices. Must exercise an advanced level of expertise in financial management and state budgeting. This expertise is relied on for business decisions impacting the program and the agency. 
• Provide responsible budget management and accurate and timely reporting on budget and performance. Regularly advise the SWM Program Manager, Chief Financial Officer, and other executive managers. Provide critical forecasting of potential issues, analyzing problems, identifying solutions, projecting consequences of actions, and implementing actions to support agency and program goals. 
• Interpret budget policies and procedures for staff and managers; recommend policy and procedure changes; advise executive management and staff, representatives of other agencies, and various committees regarding implementation of legislation, policy, and procedures. 
• Manage the program fiscal note process. Coach/mentor subject matter experts on preparing timely, accurate, credible fiscal notes within a limited turnaround time. 
• Work efficiently and effectively and adapt quickly to a fast-paced environment, changing work responsibilities and deadlines. 

Qualifications

Required Qualifications:
Years of required experience indicated below are full-time equivalent years. Full-time equivalent experience means that any experience where working hours were less than 40 hours per week will be prorated in order to meet the equivalency of full-time. We would calculate this by looking at the total hours worked per week, divide this by 40, and then multiply by the total number of months worked. Examples of the proration calculations are:

• 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

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

A total of 9 years of experience and/or education as described below: 

Experience: Performing senior level financial functions in budget, accounting, or program management field, including Washington state budget concepts and processes, both operating and capital, and legislative processes. With demonstrated experience working with complex budget and grant development and maintenance, as well as statistical analysis and reporting. 

• Must include at least two years of management/leadership experience, to include experience with organizational development and strategic planning to support financial management.

Education: Involving a major study in accounting, finance or a related field.

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

Possible CombinationsCollege credit hours or degree - as listed above.Years of required experience - as listed above.Combination 1No college credit hours or degree9 years of experienceCombination 230-59 semester or 45-89 quarter credits8 years of experienceCombination 360-89 semester or 90-134 quarter credits (AA degree)7 years of experienceCombination 490-119 semester or 135-179 quarter credits6 years of experienceCombination 5 A Bachelor's Degree5 years of experienceCombination 6 A Master's Degree or above3 years of experience
Desired Qualifications:
We highly encourage you to apply even if you do not have some (or all) of the desired experience below.

• Five (5) years’ experience in Washington State Agency budget management.
• Experience using Washington State budget and accounting systems and tools.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills with ability to communicate complex information to diverse audiences including executive management, legislators, staff, and the public.

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 1-800-833-6384.
• 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.

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 Peter Lyon at Peter.Lyon@ecy.wa.gov Please do not contact Peter 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 1-800-833-6384.

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

State of Washington Job Opportunities | Work that Matters (governmentjobs.com)