Program Budget Manager (WMS Band 2)

About the role

The Department of Ecology is hiring a Program Budget Manager (WMS Band 2) within the Solid Waste Management Program, located at the Headquarters Office in Lacey, WA. Upon hire, you must live within a commutable distance from the duty station.

In this role, you will manage a large and complex mix of funds and accounts, each with different legal requirements, spending rules, and financial risks. You will work in an environment where small errors in forecasting or allocation can significantly affect program operations, public services, and the agency’s credibility with policymakers. You will constantly monitor shifting financial conditions, legislative changes, and evolving program priorities, and you are expected to anticipate issues before they become problems. You will also operate under a high level of accountability and visibility, regularly advising senior leaders, developing fiscal impacts for proposed legislation, and representing the program in agencywide budget discussions. This requires balancing competing needs, making informed decisions with limited information, and communicating financial concepts clearly to both financial and non-financial audiences. Tight timelines and complex policy considerations add to the challenge.

You will have the opportunity to directly influence the future of the Solid Waste Management Program by aligning resources with environmental initiatives that benefit communities across the state. The variety of accounts, funding streams, and program activities creates a dynamic and intellectually stimulating workload. Each budget cycle brings new challenges, giving you frequent opportunities to apply strategic thinking and creative problem solving. You will also work at the intersection of finance, policy, and environmental stewardship, collaborating with agency leadership, other state organizations, and legislative staff, and playing a key role in shaping policy by analyzing the financial impacts of proposed laws.

Schedule

This position is eligible for telework and flexible schedule options. A minimum of two days per week is required in the office. Schedules are dependent upon position needs and are subject to change.

Application Timeline

Apply by November 1, 2026. Applications submitted after the date above may not be reviewed unless additional qualified applicants are needed.

Responsibilities

• Manage and monitor program budgets, accounts, revenues, expenditures, and financial trends to ensure financial stability.
• Develop long-range budget strategies, financial forecasts, and contingency plans to support program and agency goals.
• Provide financial guidance, recommendations, and analysis to program leadership, agency executives, and staff.
• Prepare and coordinate budget materials, reports, and information for agency budget processes and legislative requests.
• Review and approve or recommend changes to allotments, spending plans, contracts, grants, and personnel actions.
• Serve as fund manager for multiple program accounts and ensure compliance with requirements governing their use.
• Develop fiscal notes and evaluate the financial impacts of proposed legislation on program operations and funding.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications

• Seven total years of experience and/or education related to the duties of the position.
• Must include three years experience in public sector budget management, fiscal management, accounting, or related work.

Competencies

• Communication – Ability to clearly explain financial information to help others understand issues and make informed decisions.
• Collaboration – Ability to work effectively with staff, leaders, and partners to keep financial activities coordinated and aligned with organizational needs.
• Strategic Financial Planning – Ability to develop long-term financial plans to ensure resources support program and organizational goals.
• Financial Analysis and Decision-Making – Ability to evaluate financial data and make sound decisions to maintain financial stability and guide program actions.
• Policy and Regulatory Application – Ability to understand and apply financial policies, rules, and legislation to ensure consistent and compliant budgeting practices.
• Leadership – Ability to guide and support staff and financial processes to ensure accuracy, efficiency, and strong performance.
• Budget Management – Ability to create, monitor, and adjust budgets to ensure resources are used appropriately and remain aligned with priorities.
• Forecasting and Fiscal Impact Assessment – Ability to project revenues, expenditures, risks, and legislative impacts to support planning and timely organizational decisions.

Education

Education in accounting, finance, business, public administration, economics, statistics, or a 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.

Desired Qualifications

• Five (5) years' experience in Washington State Agency budget management.
• Experience using Washington State budget and accounting systems and tools.
• Supervisory experience.
• Strong oral and written communication skills with ability to communicate complex information to diverse audiences including executive management, legislators, staff, and the public.
• Service focus: Treat fellow employees, clients, and the public as partners and collaborators equally committed to a healthy, prosperous Washington. Build and maintain internal and external satisfaction with services offered. Consistently strive to exceed expectations.
• Adaptability and flexibility: Solve problems, consider different perspectives, and find new, creative ways to accomplish work. Adapt easily to changing needs, conditions, and work responsibilities. In dynamic situations, adapt approaches, goals, and methods to achieve successful solutions and results.
• Accountability: Accept personal responsibility and accountability for the quality and timeliness of work and for meeting workplace expectations. Achieve excellent results with little need for oversight. Link agency mission/vision/values to everyday work.
• Trust and integrity: Remain objective at all times and ensure professional judgment, rather than personal opinion, influences work. Earn trust, respect, and confidence through consistent honesty, forthrightness, and professionalism.
• Relationships: Build and maintain cooperative relationships characterized by a high level of acceptance and cooperation.
• Knowledge and Creativity: Develop and maintain a knowledge base, including a deep understanding of Ecology programs, authorities, and resources, and a creativity that facilitates high-level problem-solving. Demonstrate leadership to achieve consistent outcomes that address a client's needs while achieving the Agency's mission.

Supplemental Information

Ecology does not use the E-Verify system; therefore, we are not eligible to extend STEM Optional Practical Training (OPT). For more information, visit www.uscis.gov.

Commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Respect (DEIR)

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Respect are core values central to Ecology's work. We strive to be a workplace where we are esteemed for sharing our authentic identities, while advancing our individual professional goals and collaborating to protect, preserve, and enhance the environment for current and future generations.

• Diversity: We celebrate and appreciate diversity; our unique perspectives and abilities enrich us all and lead to innovative approaches and solutions.
• Equity: We champion equity, recognizing that each of us need different things to thrive.
• Inclusion: We intentionally create and hold space so that we all have meaningful opportunities to participate and contribute to Ecology’s work.
• Respect: We treat each other with respect and dignity, acknowledging the inherent worth of our diverse perspectives and lived experiences, even in times of uncertainty and disagreement.

We believe that DEIR is both a goal and an action. We are on a journey, honoring our shared humanity and taking steps to demonstrate our commitment to a vision where each of us is heard, seen, and valued.

About the Solid Waste Management Program

The mission of the Solid Waste Management Program is to reduce wastes through prevention and reuse, keep toxics out of the environment, and safely manage what remains.

About the Department of Ecology

As the State of Washington’s environmental protection agency, we are deeply committed to protecting, preserving, and enhancing Washington’s environment for current and future generations.