DSHS BHHA Budget Manager

About the role

Public funding has the greatest impact when every dollar supports the people it was intended to serve. The Department of Social and Health Services' Behavioral Health and Habilitation Administration (BHHA) is seeking a Budget Manager to oversee the financial management of the Office of Forensic Mental Health Services and Trueblood Settlement funding. BHHA provides around-the-clock behavioral health care and treatment services in state-operated facilities across Washington while supporting critical forensic mental health programs. This position will play an important role in ensuring the financial stewardship that allows those services to meet legal obligations and continue serving some of the state's most vulnerable individuals.

This is more than a traditional budgeting role. You'll help ensure spending within the program and settlement funds are tracked, managed properly, and reported accurately. You'll research and organize historical financial information dating back to 2015, maintain accurate budget records going forward, and provide the financial analysis needed to ensure funding is used as intended and in compliance with legislative intent, accounting standards and settlement requirements. Your work directly supports BHHA's commitment to responsible stewardship of public resources and its strategic goal of ensuring timely, person-centered behavioral health services.

You'll likely thrive in this role if you enjoy solving complex financial questions, researching historical information, and bringing structure to large amounts of data. You're proactive, collaborative, and comfortable working with program staff to understand how budgets translate into services. Experience with state or government budgeting is especially valuable, but just as important is the ability to navigate complex financial systems, learn quickly, and build strong working relationships.

Your first 90 days will be about building a strong understanding of the program, its funding structure, and the financial history behind the Trueblood settlement. You'll work closely with program staff and leadership to organize historical budget information, establish reliable tracking processes, and develop a clear understanding of monthly budget monitoring and reporting expectations.

Responsibilities

• Manage and monitor the budget supporting the Office of Forensic Mental Health Services.
• Develop allotments with funding provided by legislature.
• Track monthly expenditures and compare spending against approved allotments.
• Partner with program staff to ensure expenditures align with available funding and settlement requirements.
• Monitor multiple funding sources and help ensure public funds are spent accurately and appropriately.
• Prepare budget analyses and provide financial recommendations to leadership.
• Maintain documentation that supports transparency, accountability, and audit readiness.
• Identify budget risks early and recommend solutions to keep the program financially on track.

Qualifications

Required:

• Bachelor's degree in business administration, finance, economics, health administration, or a related field and five years of professional experience working with a large, complex financial system.
• OR Nine years of professional experience working with a large, complex financial system, including at least four years leading and managing budgets in a financial or accounting environment.

Preferred:

• Experience working within Washington State government or another public-sector organization.
• Experience managing complex budgets with legal, regulatory, or compliance requirements.

How to apply

Submit your resume, cover letter, and three professional references. Questions? Email kris.george@dshs.wa.gov and reference job number 05811.