Budget Advisor - Capital Budget

State of Washington; Olympia (WA); On-site; USD 108,000 - 134,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive health insurance

Paid holidays & vacation

Public retirement system

Work-life balance initiatives

Job summary

Office of Financial Management (OFM) in Olympia is seeking a Budget Advisor to shape budgets, analyze agency requests, and present recommendations to the governor and legislature. You will become a subject matter expert in capital budgets, monitor agency performance, and collaborate with legislative and executive partners to support informed budget decisions.

This high-impact role requires complex analysis, collaboration, and the ability to guide resource investments.

Qualifications

• Ability to analyze complex budget, fiscal, and financial information and develop recommendations for executive decision-making.
• Skill in evaluating fiscal impacts, forecasting financial outcomes, and assessing fiscal risks.
• Ability to research, analyze, and evaluate complex policy issues, legislation, and program proposals using qualitative and quantitative information.
• Ability to evaluate policy implications, implementation considerations, risks, and potential outcomes to support informed decision-making.
• Ability to manage multiple complex projects, establish priorities, and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.

Responsibilities

• Act as subject matter expert in capital budget topics, including cost drivers and life cycle cost calculations.
• Prepare detailed fiscal analyses and budget recommendations.
• Analyze legislative bills and budget proposals and communicate impacts to senior staff.
• Develop budget provisos, texts, and backup documentation for governor’s budget proposals.
• Make presentations and respond to inquiries on budget and fiscal matters to legislators and governors’ staff.
• Review and approve capital project predesign reports and capital allotments.

Skills

Budget analysis

Fiscal impact analysis

Policy analysis

Data interpretation

Communication

Project management

Education

Degree in finance/public administration/political science/natural resources

Job description

The starting salary offer will be determined based on the successful candidates’ qualifications within the budgeted salary range of $108,000 - $134,016 annually. However, there is the potential for longevity, growth, and salary progression for the individual once employed.

Why work for OFM

The Office of Financial Management (OFM) serves as the backbone of Washington state government. Our mission is to make our state a better place by connecting people, budgets, policies, data, and systems for state agencies and the Legislature. Our team includes budget advisors, researchers, and other experts, all dedicated public servants working towards an equitable future for every Washingtonian.

If you want to play a key role in enhancing how state government serves its citizens, you’ve found the right place. Join us in making a meaningful difference for every Washingtonian!

The job opportunity

The Office of Financial Management helps shape Washington’s operating, transportation, and capital budgets. Budget Advisors analyze agency requests, develop recommendations for the governor, and help present the governor’s budget to leadership, agencies, and the legislature.

In this role, you will become a subject matter expert in your portfolio in the capital budget, monitor agency performance, and maintain strong relationships to ensure projects are delivered effectively. You will work closely with legislative and executive partners and the governor’s policy team to support informed, strategic budget decisions.

This is a specialized and high-impact role, ideal for candidates who enjoy complex analysis, collaboration, and guiding how state resources are invested.

What you’ll work on

• Act as subject matter expert in natural resources issues included in the capital budget, including recreation and salmon
• Prepare detailed fiscal analyses and budget recommendations
• Perform independent research and analysis of policies and proposals, state and local costs, implementation strategies, and stakeholder positions
• Analyze legislative bills and budget proposals and communicate impacts to senior-level staff
• Develop budget provisos, summary texts, and backup documentation to clearly communicate the intent of the governor’s budget proposal to legislators, legislative staff, and other interested parties
• Make presentations, attend meetings, and respond to inquiries on budget and fiscal matters, including to the governor, senior staff, legislators, and interested parties
• Develop and present recommendations to the executive team and the governor concerning budget-related fiscal and policy proposals
• Review and approve fiscal notes within short timelines during the legislative session
• Prepare analysis and recommend gubernatorial action on enrolled bills
• Work with operating budget advisors, governor policy staff, legal counsel, agencies, legislative counterparts, and interested parties to understand issues related to a portfolio of assigned topics, to include construction cost drivers, project escalation, life cycle cost calculations, etc.
• Evaluate patterns and trends in data, and identify other factors affecting budget drivers
• Monitor and support state agencies in budget development, budget implementation, program performance, and other fiscal matters
• Coordinate and/or assist with the completion of studies
• Represent OFM in internal and external workgroups
• Meet with legislators and other interested parties to provide information about the governor’s proposed budget
• Review and recommend approval of capital project predesign reports
• Review and approve capital allotments
• Evaluate and make recommendations for allocations of emergency repair funding

What you need to bring

• Demonstrated ability to analyze complex budget, fiscal, and financial information and develop recommendations that support executive decision-making.
• Skill in evaluating fiscal impacts, identifying budget drivers, forecasting financial outcomes, and assessing fiscal risks.
• Demonstrated ability to research, analyze, and evaluate complex policy issues, legislation, and program proposals using qualitative and quantitative information.
• Demonstrated ability to evaluate policy implications, implementation considerations, risks, and potential outcomes to support informed decision-making.
• Demonstrated ability to assess complex issues, anticipate emerging challenges, evaluate alternatives, and develop practical, data-informed recommendations.
• Demonstrated ability to balance competing priorities while considering fiscal, operational, and policy impacts.
• Demonstrated ability to interpret complex financial and program data, identify trends, and communicate findings effectively.
• Knowledge of legislative and budget processes and the ability to analyze legislation, fiscal impacts, and policy proposals within established timelines.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate complex fiscal, financial, and policy information clearly and concisely through written memos, presentations, and verbal briefings.
• Demonstrated ability to independently manage multiple complex projects, establish priorities, and meet competing deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Demonstrated ability to exercise sound judgment, maintain confidentiality, and make objective, well-supported recommendations on complex or sensitive issues.

Preferred/Desired education, experience and competencies

• Degree in finance, public administration, political science, natural resources, or similar field
• Experience working on capital budgets or capital programs
• Familiarity with state budgeting practices and procedures

We are committed to finding the candidate whose skills and experience align best with this role. We recognize that strong candidates may come from a variety of professional backgrounds and experiences. If your qualifications align with the role and you excel in collaborative environments, can manage competing priorities, and are committed to equitable and inclusive practices, we encourage you to apply.

What we offer

At OFM, we foster a culture of integrity, innovation, inclusion, and belonging. We value both learned and lived experiences, believing that diversity makes us stronger. To support your health and well‑being, we offer a variety of benefit programs for our employees.

• An environment of diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging
• Medical, Dental, Vision, and Life Insurance
• 12 paid holidays, 14 paid vacation days (minimum), and 12 days of sick leave per year
• State retirement programs

The Office of Financial Management is an equal opportunity employer. We strive to create a working environment that includes and respects cultural, racial, ethnic, sexual orientation, and gender identity diversity. Women, racial and ethnic minorities, persons with disabilities, persons over 40 years of age, and disabled and Vietnam-era veterans are encouraged to apply.

This position is exempt from civil service rules.

For more information, please see WAC 357-19-195.