Regional Financial Services Manager (Environmental Planner 5)
About the role
The Department of Ecology is hiring a Regional Financial Services Manager (Environmental Planner 5) within the Southwest Region Office. This is a project position currently funded through June 30, 2027. Upon hire, you must live within a commutable distance from the duty station.
Schedule
This position is eligible for telework and flexible schedule options. A minimum of three days per week is required in the office (Monday–Wednesday preferred). Schedules are dependent upon position needs and are subject to change.
Duties
The Regional Financial Services Manager is responsible for overseeing comprehensive financial management and grants and contracts services for the regions. In this role, you will:
- Oversee regional budgeting and financial planning, prepare and review budget materials, and advise on policy and legislative impacts
- Develop and administer grants and contracts, manage agreement workflows, tracking, amendments, payments, and closeouts
- Prepare required funding reports, ensure timely invoicing, monitor financial compliance and spending
- Serve as a liaison to support accurate, timely processing of agreements and budget updates
The near-term focus of this position will be supporting the Southwest and Northwest Region Directors on two initiatives, with a long-term goal of providing broader support to all four of Ecology’s regions with similar projects:
- Deschutes Estuary Restoration Project – One of the largest urban estuary restoration projects in the country, covering 260 acres at the mouth of the Deschutes River. Ecology’s Southwest Region leads this multi-benefit project in partnership with the Squaxin Island Tribe, City of Olympia, City of Tumwater, Thurston County, Port of Olympia, LOTT Clean Water Alliance, the Department of Enterprise Services, and Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife. The project is estimated to complete 100% design by June 30, 2027, with construction from 2027–2033.
- Transboundary Flood Initiative (TFI) – Uses a collaborative framework to identify and pursue actions to reduce flood risk and restore habitats. Repeated flooding from the Nooksack River in Whatcom County into the Sumas Prairie in British Columbia is a shared challenge on both sides of the U.S./Canada border. In Washington, this work includes Ecology’s financial support for the Whatcom County-led Floodplain Integrated Planning process.
In addition to being part of the project teams supporting the overall management of the Deschutes Estuary Restoration Project and Transboundary Flood Initiative, this position will have the following responsibilities:
- Coordinate with subject matter experts, Region Directors, and Financial Services to lead budgeting, reporting, long-range planning, and funding strategy development
- Plan, prepare, and review budget materials, and advise on policy and legislative impacts
- Provide recommendations to the agency’s Financial Services Budget Manager on budget actions and develop fiscal impact estimates
- Develop and administer grants and contracts
- Manage agreement workflows, tracking systems, amendments, payments, and closeouts
- Ensure compliance with funding requirements, resolve audit issues, and provide technical support
- Develop required funding reports and coordinate with relevant parties to ensure reports are collaborative, comprehensive, and submitted on time
- Ensure timely reporting, invoicing, and financial updates
- Lead the review and analysis of funding use to ensure compliance with award conditions, accuracy of expenditures, and proper coding aligned with spending plans
- Serve as a liaison to Ecology Financial Services and environmental programs, funding partners, and project managers to support timely agreement processing
- Review grant and contract agreements for consistency
As a project position, this role is currently funded through June 30, 2027, but may be extended based on future project funding and individual performance. Both initiatives are expected to continue beyond the current funding period.
Qualifications
Eleven (11) years of experience and/or education related to the duties of the position, which include the following:
- Financial & Budget Management – Ability to manage budgets and long-term financial plans to keep the agency’s funding accurate, stable, and aligned with priorities
- Communication – Ability to explain complex financial, policy, and agreement-related information in clear, understandable terms to help staff, leadership, and partners make informed decisions
- Regulatory Knowledge – Ability to understand and apply state and federal rules, regulations, and funding requirements to ensure agreements, budgets, and program activities stay compliant
- Computer Proficiency – Ability to create and use spreadsheets, databases, word-processing, as well as develop PowerPoint
- Grant & Contract Development – Ability to develop and administer grants and contracts to ensure clear, compliant, and effective agreements
- Problem Solving – Ability to identify issues, analyze information, and develop practical solutions to keep agreements, budgets, and program activities on track
Education involving a major study in business, financial management, public administration, accounting, environmental studies, natural resource management, or closely related field.
Examples of How to Qualify:
- 11 years of experience
- 10 years of experience AND 30–59 semester or 45–89 quarter college credits
- 9 years of experience AND 60–89 semester or 90–134 quarter college credits (Associate’s degree)
- 8 years of experience AND 90–119 semester or 135–179 quarter college credits
- 7 years of experience AND a Bachelor’s degree
- 5 years of experience AND a Master’s degree
- 4 years of experience AND a Ph.D.
Desired Qualifications:
- Capital budget and project management experience
- Three years of experience in Washington State Agency fiscal management
- Experience using Washington State grant and finance tools and systems
- Experience managing projects with multiple funding sources, as well as receivable and payable contracting