Office of Chehalis Basin Fiscal Manager (WMS Band 2)

State of Washington•Thurston County – Lacey, WA

13d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Department of Ecology is hiring a Fiscal Manager (WMS Band 2) within the Office of Chehalis Basin. This position is eligible for telework and flexible schedule options, with a minimum of two days per month in the office required. 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.

Requirements

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.
Demonstrated ability to lead and develop staff to build a productive, engaged, and accountable team that delivers high-quality and timely work.
Proven ability to develop, monitor, and manage complex budgets and translate technical financial information into plain, understandable language for diverse audiences.
Proficient in designing effective grant programs and managing agreements from development through closeout to ensure compliance with requirements and the proper use of funds.
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.
Proven ability to set priorities and plan future activities to ensure resources, budgets, and work efforts are aligned with organizational goals.
Skilled in organizing and managing program activities to ensure work is delivered on schedule, within scope, and meets program objectives.
Skilled in reviewing fiscal data and preparing accurate reports to support leadership decisions and program accountability.
Knowledge of and ability to apply purchasing and contracting rules to ensure goods and services are obtained lawfully and responsibly.
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.

Nice To Haves

Five or more years of experience performing technical and fiscal budget management within Washington State agencies to support accurate planning, tracking, and reporting.
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.
Proven ability to work effectively with boards, committees, and diverse groups to support informed decision-making and collaborative program outcomes.
General understanding of floodplain management and aquatic species restoration to support informed review of project proposals and funding decisions.

Responsibilities

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.