Budget And Finance Officer (Budget Analyst 4) (In-Training)

The Solid Waste Management (SWM) program is looking to fill a Budget and Finance Officer (Budget Analyst 4) (In-Training) position. This position is locatedin 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.

Note: This position offers a career path and on-the-job training. This position allows you to progress through the Budget Analyst field and achieve the goal class of a Budget Analyst 4. Candidates will be considered at the Budget Analyst 3 and the Budget Analyst 4 levels, depending on their qualifications. For salary levels for each, please see the qualifications section.

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.

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.

• 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.

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.

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!

Some of the key work activities at the Budget Analyst 4 level are:

• 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:

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.

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:

Possible Combinations.

College credit hours or degree - as listed above.

Years of professional level experience - as listed above.

Combination 1

No college credit hours or degree

8 years of experience

Combination 2

I have 30-59 semester or 45-89 quarter credits.

7 years of experience

Combination 3

I have 60-89 semester or 90-134 quarter credits (AA degree).

6 years of experience

Combination 4

I have 90-119 semester or 135-179 quarter credits.

5 years of experience

Combination 5

A Bachelor's Degree

4 years of experience

Combination 6

A Master's Degree or higher

2 years of experience

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:

Possible Combinations.

College credit hours or degree - as listed above.

Years of professional level experience - as listed above.

Combination 1

No college credit hours or degree

9 years of experience

Combination 2

I have 30-59 semester or 45-89 quarter credits.

8 years of experience

Combination 3

I have 60-89 semester or 90-134 quarter credits (AA degree).

7 years of experience

Combination 4

I have 90-119 semester or 135-179 quarter credits.

6 years of experience

Combination 5

A Bachelor's Degree

5 years of experience

Combination 6

A Master's Degree or higher

3 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.

• 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 Accommodat...