Contracts, Grants, Loans, and General Accounting Manager (WMS Band 1)

State of Washington•Thurston County – Lacey, WA

3d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Department of Ecology is hiring a Contracts, Grants, Loans, and General Accounting Manager (WMS Band 1) within Financial Services. This role provides senior-level financial analysis, consulting, policy and procedure development, and agency-wide communication and implementation strategies on financial/budget issues having agency-wide impact to ensure financial integrity, stability, and accountability for the agency. The position analyzes new or updated statewide financial systems and policies to determine their impact on Ecology and provides implementation recommendations. It also analyzes agency business and financial practices that impact the financial infrastructure of Ecology, makes recommendations for improvements, and implements final recommendations. This role assists Ecology in providing its customers with the highest level of integrity and confidence in the agency’s financial practices and information. The manager is responsible for the financial administration of Ecology grant, contract, and loan agreements, exercising authority to guide and influence the agency in the compliance and financial monitoring of federal grants, and ensuring grant regulations, rules, and policies are followed. They provide expert-level advice, consultation, and technical support to all agency programs, ensuring compliance with both state and federal requirements for agency contract, grant, and loan agreements. In collaboration with agency budget staff, the manager is responsible for developing the agency chart of accounts to ensure the integrity and transmission of agency financial data are complete and accurate for state and federal compliance and reporting. The position also supervises and directs a team in providing accounting resources for the agency.

Requirements

Eight (8) years of experience and/or education as described below:
Experience: Accounting, auditing, budgeting, including three (3) years of supervising or leading teams.
Demonstrated competence in Advanced Knowledge of State Accounting – Ability to understand and effectively use state accounting systems, laws, policies, and procedures to ensure all financial activities are accurate, compliant, and aligned with state and federal requirements.
Demonstrated competence in Communication and Collaboration – Ability to explain financial information clearly and work effectively with all levels of management and staff to support understanding, informed decision-making, and coordinated action.
Demonstrated competence in Budget System Knowledge – Ability to understand state budget systems and work collaboratively with budget managers and staff to ensure financial information is accurate, consistent, and aligned with budget decisions.
Demonstrated competence in Process Improvement – Ability to analyze existing processes, identify gaps or inefficiencies, and design improved approaches to increase the accuracy, consistency, and effectiveness of financial operations.
Demonstrated competence in Workload and Time Management – Ability to plan, prioritize, and organize work to meet deadlines and manage multiple responsibilities effectively.
Demonstrated competence in Confidentiality – Ability to use sound judgment and maintain confidentiality to support trusted and reliable fiscal operations.
Demonstrated competence in Leadership – Ability to guide, support, and develop staff to build a high performing unit that meets agency financial and compliance obligations.
Education: involving a major study in a financial related field, certification as a Public Accountant, Internal Auditor, Certified Governmental Financial Manager, or Management Accountant, Any degree which includes 18 quarter or 12 semester hours in accounting, auditing, or budgeting.
Examples of how to qualify: 8 years of experience.
7 years of experience AND 30-59 semester or 45-89 quarter college credits.
6 years of experience AND 60-89 semester or 90-134 quarter college credits (Associate’s degree).
5 years of experience AND 90-119 semester or 135-179 quarter college credits.
4 years of experience AND a Bachelor’s degree.
2 years of experience AND a Master’s degree.
1 years of experience AND a Ph.D.
Employee must read, sign, and abide by the Financial Services/Fiscal Office Agreement on Confidential Information (Part A), Internal Control Responsibility (Part B), Safeguarding and Preventing Misuse of Ecology’s Data (Part C).

Nice To Haves

Change Management – Demonstrated ability to guide staff through process changes and system transitions to improve unit performance and maintain operational stability.
Advanced Data Analysis – Demonstrated ability to use analytical techniques and data visualization tools to identify trends, improve reporting accuracy, and support decision-making.
Continuous Improvement Mindset – Demonstrated ability to evaluate existing processes to identify opportunities for streamlining, automation, and elimination of redundant steps.

Responsibilities

Provide senior-level financial analysis, consulting, policy and procedure development, and agency-wide communication and implementation strategies on financial/budget issues.
Analyze new or updated statewide financial systems and policies to determine impact to Ecology and provide implementation recommendations.
Analyze agency business and financial practices that impact the financial infrastructure of Ecology, make recommendations for improvements, and implement final recommendations.
Responsible for the financial administration of Ecology grant, contract, and loan agreements.
Exercise authority to guide and influence the agency in the compliance and financial monitoring of federal grants, and ensure that grant regulations, rules, and policies are followed.
Provide expert-level advice, consultation, and technical support to all agency programs, ensuring compliance with both state and federal requirements for agency contract, grant, and loan agreements.
Responsible for developing the agency chart of accounts to ensure the integrity and transmission of agency financial data are complete and accurate for state and federal compliance and reporting.
Supervise and direct a well-trained, professional team in providing the best accounting resources for the agency.