Office of Chehalis Basin Fiscal Manager (WMS Band 2)

Keeping Washington Clean and Evergreen

The Department of Ecology is hiring a Fiscal Manager (WMS Band 2) within the Office of Chehalis Basin.

Location: 

• Headquarters Office in Lacey, WA.

• Upon hire, you must live within a commutable distance from the duty station.

Schedule: 

• This position is eligible for telework and flexible schedule options.

• You may telework for most of your work schedule, with a minimum of two days per month in the office required for in-person Board meetings and staff meetings.

• Schedules are dependent upon position needs and are subject to change.

Application Timeline: 

• Apply by July 22, 2026

• Applications submitted after the date above may not be reviewed unless additional qualified applicants are needed.

Duties

The Office of Chehalis Basin (OCB) is a uniquely structured program within the Department of Ecology, collaborating with an independent Board to deliver important flood damage reduction and aquatic species restoration projects funded through a $75 million biennial budget. As the OCB Fiscal Manager, you will play a central role in stewarding these investments and supporting work that has meaningful impacts for communities, ecosystems, and long-term resilience in the Chehalis Basin.

In this role, you will be responsible for key oversight of grants and contracts, managing program budgets and supporting a high-performing team of three. You’ll set policy for grant programs, negotiate contract terms, advise program leadership, and translate technical agency budget information into plain language. This position offers the opportunity to work on high-profile issues, collaborate across agencies, and grow your management and fiscal expertise as you contribute to long-term environmental health and community resilience in the Chehalis Basin.

What you will do:

• Set fiscal direction and policy for OCB’s financial assistance programs, overseeing four grant programs totaling approximately $30 million each biennium.
• Manage a biennial budget of approximately $75 million, ensuring Board-approved funding is accurately translated into and out of state budget systems.
• Lead capital budget development and monitoring. 
• Oversee the full lifecycle of grants and contracts. 
• Provide strategic guidance as part of the OCB leadership team, contributing to long-range planning, policy development, and program direction.
• Supervise and mentor a team of three, ensuring accurate and timely delivery of grant, contract, and budget work.
• Serve as a primary fiscal liaison with the Chehalis Basin Board, Ecology’s budget and fiscal offices, and external partners.
• Advise program leadership and the Board on complex financial, policy and budget issues, translating technical budget information into clear, actionable guidance.

Qualifications

For detailed information on how we calculate experience and responses to other frequently asked questions, please visit our Recruitment website.

Required Qualifications:

Seven (7) years of experience and/or education related to the duties of the position, such as public sector budget management, fiscal management, accounting, or related work, which includes the following:

• Leadership & People Management – Demonstrated ability to lead and develop staff to build a productive, engaged, and accountable team that delivers high-quality and timely work.

• Budget Development & Management – Proven ability to develop, monitor, and manage complex budgets and translate technical financial information into plain, understandable language for diverse audiences.

• Grant & Contract Management – Proficient in designing effective grant programs and managing agreements from development through closeout to ensure compliance with requirements and the proper use of funds.

• Collaboration & Relationship Building – Proven ability to build and maintain collaborative working relationships with internal and external partners to support coordinated decision-making, solve problems, achieve shared goals, and resolve issues.

• Strategic Planning – Proven ability to set priorities and plan future activities to ensure resources, budgets, and work efforts are aligned with organizational goals.

• Program Management – Skilled in organizing and managing program activities to ensure work is delivered on schedule, within scope, and meets program objectives.

• Financial Analysis & Reporting – Skilled in reviewing fiscal data and preparing accurate reports to support leadership decisions and program accountability.

• Procurement & Compliance – Knowledge of and ability to apply purchasing and contracting rules to ensure goods and services are obtained lawfully and responsibly.

• Technology Proficiency – Demonstrated proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, including Excel, Word, and PowerPoint to create accurate documents, analyze data, and prepare clear reports and presentations. 

Education involving a major study in accounting, finance, business, public administration, economics, statistics, or closely related field.

Examples of how to qualify:

• 7 years of experience.

• 6 years of experience AND 30-59 semester or 45-89 quarter college credits.

• 5 years of experience AND 60-89 semester or 90-134 quarter college credits (Associate’s degree).

• 4 years of experience AND 90-119 semester or 135-179 quarter college credits.

• 3 years of experience AND a Bachelor’s degree.

• 1 year of experience AND a Master’s degree or higher.

Desired Qualifications:

• Washington State Budget Management – Five or more years of experience performing technical and fiscal budget management within Washington State agencies to support accurate planning, tracking, and reporting.

• Washington State Fiscal Systems & Tools – Demonstrated proficiency with Washington State budgeting, accounting, and contracting systems (such as Fiscal Note Systems, Salary Projection Systems, Enterprise Reporting, cross-agency collaboration tools, and state contracting systems) to ensure accurate fiscal analysis and compliant processes.

• Board & Partner Engagement – Proven ability to work effectively with boards, committees, and diverse groups to support informed decision-making and collaborative program outcomes.

• Knowledge of Floodplain and Aquatic Species Restoration – General understanding of floodplain management and aquatic species restoration to support informed review of project proposals and funding decisions.

If you are excited about this role and meet the required qualifications, we encourage you to apply. Desired qualifications reflect additional knowledge, skills, or experience that are nice to have but not required. Studies have shown that some applicants, especially women and people of color, are less likely to apply unless they meet every listed qualification. At the Department of Ecology, we are dedicated to building a diverse and authentic workplace centered in belonging, and we welcome applicants with varied backgrounds and unique perspectives.

Supplemental Information

Ecology does not use the E-Verify system; therefore, we are not eligible to extend STEM Optional Practical Training (OPT). For more information, please visit www.uscis.gov.

Application Process

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 job seekers from all backgrounds are encouraged to apply.

How to Apply

Click “Apply” at the top of this page. Complete the entire application, including full work history and responses to all supplemental questions, and attach:

• Cover letter, describing your interest in and qualifications for this position 

• Resume

Because we base our selection on the information you provide, it is in your best interest to complete the application thoroughly. A resume will not substitute for the “work experience” section of the application or vice versa. Applications with blank fields or supplemental question responses with comments such as “see resume” may be considered incomplete. 

For detailed application information, please visit our Recruitment website.

Application Attestation: By submitting an application, you are affirming that the information contained in your application and on all attachments is complete and truthful. The state may verify this information, and any false or misleading answers may result in rejection of your application or dismissal if employed.

Need an Accommodation?

If you need reasonable accommodation during the application and/or screening process, including this job announcement in an alternate format:

• Please contact us at 360-407-6186 or careers@ecy.wa.gov 

• If you are deaf or hard of hearing, you may call through the Washington Relay Service by dialing 711 or 1-800-833-6384.

Questions?

• For specific questions about the position location options, schedule, or duties, please contact Nat Kale at Nat.Kale@ecy.wa.gov

• If you need assistance applying for this job, are inquiring about the status of your application, would like to request the full position description, or have any other questions, please contact the Recruitment Team at careers@ecy.wa.gov

About the Office of Chehalis Basin

The Office of Chehalis Basin works hand in hand with the Chehalis Basin Board to implement the Chehalis Basin Strategy – an action plan for reducing flood damages and restoring aquatic species in the lands, rivers, and streams that drain to Grays Harbor.

About the Department of Ecology

As the State of Washington’s environmental protection agency, we are deeply committed to protecting, preserving, and enhancing Washington’s environment for current and future generations. Joining Ecology means becoming part of a team dedicated to protecting and sustaining healthy land, air, water, and climate in harmony with a strong economy. A career in public service at Ecology 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. We invest in our employees to create and sustain a working environment that encourages creative leadership, effective resource management, teamwork, professionalism, and accountability.

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. 

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. 

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 Incentive, Combined Fund Drive, SmartHealth *Click here for more information

To learn more about Ecology, please visit our website, explore Working at Ecology, check out our Strategic Plan, and connect with us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, 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.

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

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