Budget Manager: Olympia/Hybrid

Our ideal candidate is a self-starter, with experience in state budgeting and state budget systems, has supervisory skills, strong written and verbal communication skills, experience with fiscal notes and state legislative session, and able to handle complex budgets. 

You will lead a talented team of budget analysts providing leadership, guidance, training, and support to ensure consistent application of budget best practices, application of state and federal laws and rules, and meeting the agency’s customer service standards. You will plan, lead, review and distribute the annual Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) substate allocations of federal pass-through funds to the twelve Local Workforce Development Boards (LWDBs) to administer the WIOA program across the state. Additionally, you will serve as the liaison between the Divisions and the central budget office ensuring a professional and collaborative partnership in providing training and education to customers in support of the Agency. In this role and in coordination with the Revenue Manager and Budget Director, and Assistant Budget Director you are responsible for the planning and coordinating of the overall biennial budget to secure spending authority for all Agency funds – Federal, State, and local. This flexible position works part-time in office and part-time telework with a minimum of two (2) days a week in office.

NOTE: This recruitment will remain open until the position is filled, applicant reviews will be immediate and ongoing. The hiring manager reserves the right to make a hiring decision and close this posting any time beyond the required seven (7) days.

Duties

As a Budget Unit Manager, you will perform independent senior-level budget and analysis for the major programs of the Agency with biennial budgets that total more than $912 million, including more than 50 funding sources. Participating as a member of the budget management team, providing strategic and tactical support for budget planning and monitoring, and support overall budget development and planning by managing the development of assigned divisional budgets, ensuring compliance with federal, state, and local policies and laws, reviewing and approving allotments. You will supervise a team of budget analysts, providing leadership, guidance, training, and support to ensure consistent application of best budget best practices, application of state and federal laws and rules, and meeting the agency’s customer service standards.

More of what you will do: 

• Directly responsible for multiple Divisional biennium budgets of approximately $104 million: planning, development, submittal, monitoring, analysis, forecasting and reporting.
• Responsible to plan, lead, and ensure the work performed by the budget section is timely, accurate, and meets the state budgeting rules, policies and procedures and all federal spending requirements.
• Provide guidance, technical assistance, and makes recommendations to the divisions, fund management team, fiscal management, and program staff for resolution of financial issues and coordinate efforts with division managers to ensure budgets do not exceed spending limits.
• Responsible for managing, overseeing, and analyzing actual agency wide program revenues and expenditures for preparing complex management reports for the Budget Director and the Executive Leadership Team (ELT). In addition, subject matter expert ensuring compliance with state accounting policies, procedures, rules and laws and federal grant rules.
• Conducts various complex financial analyses as requested, including historical analyses, projections, future revenue trend analysis and expenditures.
• Responsible for managing and reviewing all monthly budget status reports, fiscal year end and biennial reports ensuring that expenditures are paid against the correct fund source meeting all federal spending requirements.
• Directly responsible for state and federal audits for areas of program specifics listed above.
• Lead subject matter expert for reviewing and managing specific programs contracts and legislative decision packages ensuring terms and conditions are met. In addition, directly responsible for approved internal decision packages managing the fiscal application of each package.
• Conduct senior-level analysis for budget related issues and requests from the Office of Financial Management, Legislative staff, the US Department of Labor, and the Executive Leadership Team.
• Directly responsible for the detail development of the annual Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) plan and distribution to the twelve local Workforce Development Council.
• Develop clear and effective desk manuals and materials; and develop and deliver training to ensure the consistent application of all federal and state laws and rules, agency policies. Responsible for planning what the budget analysts will be taught and train new budget staff with varying skill sets.
• Work closely with the Chief Financial Officer, Budget Director, and Assistant Budget Director on resolutions of agency-wide financial issues.
• Provide effective leadership for the budget office. Inspires a positive and professional work environment to successfully improve all forms of communication.
• Foster a culture of continuous improvement and respect for people using lean principles, methods, and tools.
• Provide the subject matter expertise when a bill analysis or fiscal note determines impact of federal funding sources to ensure the terms of the federal funds are not impacted or puts the agency out of compliance.
• Provide the highest level of customer service.

Click here to request a detailed description of the position and its duties. 

Qualifications

Required:
A bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, public administration, business administration or closely related field with a minimum of 3 years of budgeting experience and:

• Knowledge of state budgeting process, policies, procedures, and fiscal management principles.
• Ability to research issues, define a problem, develop, and assess alternatives, and make recommendations.
• Ability to translate knowledge of agency’s mission, strategic direction, Governor’s priorities, principles of accountability and measurement, and priorities-based budgeting into day-to-day operational plans.
• Ability to translate budget and performance information into clear, plain English for managers and policy-makers.
• Ability to develop and maintain effective relationships with partners across the agency, with the Office of Financial Management, the legislature, and other parties.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel.
• Skilled in fiscal analysis.

Desired Competencies:

• Analysis and Problem Solving – Demonstrates ability to address problems and recommend solutions by applying critical thinking.
• Technical and Professional Competence – Applies professional and technical knowledge and skills to fulfill job requirements.
• Communication – Demonstrates ability to effectively give and receive information both orally and in writing to diverse audiences.
• Interpersonal Skills – Adapts to and works effectively to give and receive information both orally and in writing to diverse audiences.
• Organizational Relationships – Collaborates with partners and stakeholders to improve agency performance.
• Cultural Competency – Models and facilitates the development and integration of cultural, ethnic, and gender sensitivity and competence.
• Customer Service Orientation – Consistently demonstrates to customers an interest in them and in solving their problems.
• Leadership – coaches, inspires, and motivates team members and others to accomplish agency mission.
• Strategic, Financial, and Project Planning – Aligns activities and resources with the mission and strategy of the organization.
• Consulting Skills – Employs expertise, credibility, and effective partnering to help the Budget and Performance staff identify, evaluate, and resolve complex or sensitive issues or problems.
• Ethics and Integrity – Earns the trust, respect and confidence of co-workers and customers through consistent honesty and forthrightness.
• Facilitation – Coordinates and leads small groups, creating a cooperative and productive environment in which to resolve problems or develop and implements plans.
• Judgment – Displays balanced thinking that combines analysis, wisdom, experience, and perspective.  Produces decisions that withstand “the test of time.”
• Stress Tolerance – Effectively handles highly stressful or adverse situations, making good decisions, working calmly and accurately, prioritizing activities, and helping to calm others.

Additional Requirements of Employment:

• Must be able to pass an Unemployment Insurance (UI) Claim & Benefit Information Review.

Please submit only the required documents as noted below and ensure all Personal Identifying Information (PII) such as Social Security numbers etc. are edited out of your materials for privacy. 

Attach your Cover Letter, Resume and Transcripts with your Online Application through the "Add Attachments" field. 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 attachments" may be considered incomplete.  

Supplemental Information

Our agency's mission and values drive every decision that we make, determine how we interact with others, and are at the core of who we are. We value Access, Love, Belonging, Equity, and Stewardship. We understand that a work environment that respects your work/life balance is key; that's why many of our positions are eligible for flexible work schedules and teleworking opportunities. Through support, value, and trust, our employees are empowered to grow and develop into their best self.
 
Opportunity for All
We strive to create a working environment that includes and respects cultural, ethnic, racial, religious, sexual orientation, and gender identity diversity. Women, racial and ethnic minorities, people with disabilities, people over 40 years of age, people with religious beliefs, veterans or people with military status, and people of all sexual orientations and gender identities are encouraged to apply.
 
The Employment Security Department is an equal opportunity employer/program.  Auxiliary aids and services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities.

If you are a person needing assistance in the application process, if you need this job announcement in an alternate format, or if you have general questions about this opportunity, please contact: Jeanette Nelson or 564-200-2475 the Talent Acquisition Team, or Washington Relay Service 711. If you are having technical difficulties creating, accessing, or completing your application, please contact careershelp@des.wa.gov or (360) 664-1960 or toll free (877) 664-1960, Washington Relay 711.