Budget Manager (WMS Band 1)
The Opportunity:
The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) Budget & Financial Analysis Division is seeking a financial professional with excellent customer service skills, analytical skills, curiosity and motivation to join our Central Budget Office. As one of a team of six agency Budget Managers, this position will work on matters pertaining to the agency's budget, allotments, fiscal analysis of legislation, and policy-oriented budget tasks.
The role of the Central Budget Office in WSDOT Budget and Financial Analysis Division is to provide guidance and technical assistance to the budget programs within WSDOT, in order to facilitate decision-making, accomplish the agency's strategic goals, and meet gubernatorial and legislative requirements. Central Budget is a busy, dynamic office that works closely with program professionals throughout WSDOT, accounting and finance staff, capital project delivery and management staff, and government relations. It also communicates directly with Office of Financial Management and Legislative staff.
Reporting to an Assistant Director of Budget, the Budget Manager will assist with coordinating, building and processing allotments, updating appropriation schedules and salary projections, processing work orders, and other technical tasks. In addition, the position will partner with and provide guidance to a portion of the agency's many budget programs. This could include programs such as rail/freight/ports, public-private partnerships, administrative programs, information technology, or other areas assigned by an Assistant Director of Budget. In this capacity, the position will become a subject matter expert and advise, assist and influence program professionals in various stages of policies and operational activities consistent with the department's strategic plan and legislative direction. The position will also assist team members as needed and directed.
The successful applicant must be able to confidently assist in the Division's core work to act as stewards of the department's financial integrity and credibility and effectively communicate needs with internal and external customers. This requires learning the state's legislative and budget processes. At the same time, it requires someone committed to engaging in the detailed work necessary for essential business processes including allotments and fiscal notes. If you are a financial professional who enjoys budgeting, is a self-motivated learner, and is excited to be part of a team, then we strongly encourage you to apply today!
At WSDOT, we value the importance of creating an environment in which all employees can feel respected, included and empowered to bring unique ideas to the agency. Our diversity and inclusion efforts include embracing different cultures, backgrounds and perspectives while fostering growth and advancement in the workplace. To learn more, please watch the following video: Why WSDOT?
This position will perform the following work:
- Review, analyze and monitor spending plans for programs, including adjusting allotments and detailed plans; assist programs in building allotments and plans as needed.
- Process allotments into the agency's mainframe system and troubleshoot problems.
- Collect and input data for salary projections for agency budgeting and compensation impact models for the Office of Financial Management.
- Evaluate and adjust appropriation schedules.
- Interpret broad state financial laws, rules, policies and practices when reviewing fiscal information to determine if allocated funds have been spent as specified.
- Serve as the agency's central budget office subject-area expert for programs as assigned.
- Implement short and long-term budget strategies, communicate these effectively to programs.
- Provide technical assistance to agency program professionals on developing and implementing the biennial and supplemental budgets, as well as developing and writing fiscal notes, decision packages, and other communications.
- Provide strategic direction or recommendations to the Assistant Director of Budget and other executives on program budget matters.
- Investigate, develop and provide recommendations for responses to inquiries from legislative staff, legislators, executive staff and other entities as they pertain to assigned programs.
- Develop comprehensive, strategic, and detailed budget information in response to inquiries within the framework of department policies, state law, and general budgeting practices.
- Create decision packages, presentations, and other written materials of high quality, that provide context for the agency's strategic direction or budget actions.
In order to be considered, a candidate must possess the following:
- Bachelor's degree or higher in business, economics, finance, public administration, or closely related field.
- At least three (3) years of experience in budget, accounting, or finance in a complex organization.
- At least three (3) years of experience in the development of Excel spreadsheets for use in financial projection and analysis.
- Strong customer service focus in order to understand and assist customers in a professional and courteous manner.
- Excellent interpersonal skills to facilitate effective partnerships and build trust with various offices and stakeholders.
- Strong analytical skills in order to conduct high level accurate analysis of data, budget proposals, and legislation.
- Demonstrated ability to engage and learn subject matter with limited guidance.
In addition to the above requirements, a preferred candidate would also possess the following:
- Experience working specifically in budgeting (vs. accounting), for federal, state, or local government.
- Experience with communicating with staff of the Legislature and the office of Financial Management (OFM) or similar entities in other jurisdictions.
Contact us: For inquiries about this position, please contact Eirik Landes at LandesE@wsdot.wa.gov. Please reference recruitment number 19DOT-WMS-0W214.
WSDOT is an equal opportunity employer. Women, racial and ethnic minorities, persons of disability, persons over 40 years of age, disabled and Vietnam era veterans, and people of all sexual orientations and gender identities are encouraged to apply. Persons with disabilities needing assistance in the application process, or those needing this job announcement in an alternative format may contact the listed recruiter. WSDOT does not use the E-Verify system. For more information, please visit https://www.uscis.gov/.