Budget Analyst (Budget Analyst 4)

State of Washington; Lacey (WA); Hybrid; USD 85,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

State of Washington Department of Ecology is seeking a Budget Analyst (Budget Analyst 4) in the Central Budget Office within the Financial Services Division to manage operating and capital budgets for environmental programs. The role requires expert budget analysis, research, and coordination with program managers, with telework options and at least one day in the office per week.

Applicants should demonstrate strong analytical and communication skills.

Qualifications

• Nine years of experience in budgeting, management or program analysis.
• Demonstrated competence in staff planning, salary projections and vacancy reconciliation.
• Capacity to use statewide budget and financial systems for data entry, analysis and reporting.
• Ability to prepare financial reports and documentation using MS Office and SharePoint.
• Interpret and evaluate budget information to provide accurate analysis and recommendations.
• Prepare clear financial reports to support program and agency decision making.
• Support testing and implementation of new financial processes and systems.
• Adapt to changing systems, priorities, and deadlines to meet agency needs.

Responsibilities

• Staff Planning – project staffing plans, use SPS for salary/benefits estimates, reconcile with vacancy reports and org charts.
• Budget Development – assist in operating and capital budget proposals with analysis.
• Fund and Cash Balance Management – update balance sheets and monthly cash projections.
• Participate in agency budget teams and program teams on budget development and analyses.
• Coordinate fiscal notes across programs; operate OFM fiscal note system and tools.
• Provide technical support for allotments and related processes.
• Prepare budget reports and quarterly reviews; provide monthly FTE and vacancy data.

Skills

Communication

Agency Coordination

Financial Systems

Reporting & Presentations

Budget Analysis

Financial Reporting

System Implementation

Adaptability

Education

Business/PA/Accounting/Econ/Stats

Job description

Keeping Washington Clean and Evergreen

The Department of Ecology is hiring a Budget Analyst (Budget Analyst 4) within the Financial Services (FS) Division.

Location:

• Headquarters Office in Lacey, WA.
• 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 one day per week is required in the office.
• Schedules are dependent upon position needs and are subject to change.

Application Timeline:

• Apply by November 8, 2026
• Applications submitted after the date above may not be reviewed unless additional qualified applicants are needed.

In this role, you will serve as an expert level budget analyst in the Central Budget Office to support budget managers of the agency's environmental programs with financial management of program operating and capital budgets. You will provide budget analysis, research, allotments, expenditure and revenue monitoring, coordination and assistance with payables and receivables, and support in the development of budget proposals and fiscal notes, in support of budget managers and in collaboration with the Central Budget Office and Fiscal Office. You will also provide support to other programs and agencywide budget processes as able.

What you will do:

• Staff Planning - Report, track, and provide projections of program staffing plans. Use the state Salary Projection System (SPS) to estimate salary/benefits and FTE utilization in both operating and capital budgets; run salary/benefit projections; reconcile with vacancy reports, organization charts, and e-Time database; research, analyze and resolve discrepancies.
• Budget Development - Support budget managers in the development of operating and capital budget proposals. Provide research, analysis, and review in support of program budget requests.
• Fund and Cash Balance Management - Coordinate fund balance sheet updates and analysis with budget managers and the Central Budget Office and identify issues and recommendations. Provide and analyze monthly cash balance projection reports for budget managers and identify issues and recommendations.
• Agency and program teams - Participate as a team member on the agency budget team and program teams as assigned concerning budget development, systems, monitoring, and analysis.
• Coordinate the assignment and tracking of fiscal notes across agency programs. Operate the OFM fiscal note system, SharePoint, and Ecology fiscal note tools. Provide technical assistance to program staff on fiscal note systems, procedures and instructions.
• Implement procedures and instructions for preparing allotments and provide technical support to program staff on allotment processes, procedures and systems.
• Prepare budget reports for distribution and presentation to budget managers and management. Produce monthly and quarterly reports for agency revenue and expenditure data. Prepare the agency's quarterly budget review packet and presentation. Provide reports on budget versions from VABS. Provide federal reporting data to the federal budget manager and programs. Provide monthly FTE and vacancy data.

For detailed information on how we calculate experience and responses to other frequently asked questions, please visit our Recruitment website.

Nine (9) Years of experience and/or education related to budgeting, management or program analysis. Experience must include demonstrated competence in the following skill sets:

• Communication- Clearly explain financial information and recommendations to support informed decisions.
• Agency Wide Coordination of Budget Assignments - Organize and review agency-wide budget assignments, including fiscal notes, revenues estimates, and allotment updates.
• Financial Systems Proficiency -Use Statewide budget and financial systems to enter, analyze, and report financial data.
• Reporting and Presentation Tools - Use Microsoft Office and SharePoint to produce clear financial reports and documentation.
• Budget Analysis - Interpret and evaluate budget information to provide accurate analysis and recommendations.
• Financial Reporting - Prepare clear, accurate, and timely financial reports to support program and agency decision making.
• System Implementation Support - Test and support new financial processes and systems to improve agency operation.
• Adaptability - Adjust to changing systems, priorities, and deadlines to meet agency needs.

Education

involving a major study in business, public administration, accounting, economics or statistics.

Examples of how to qualify:

• 9 years of experience.
• 8 years of experience AND 30-59 semester or 45-89 quarter college credits.
• 7 years of experience AND 60-89 semester or 90-134 quarter college credits (Associate’s degree).
• 6 years of experience AND 90-119 semester or 135-179 quarter college credits.
• 5 years of experience AND a Bachelor’s degree.
• 3 years of experience AND a Master’s degree.
• 2 years of experience AND a Ph.D.

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

Application Process

Ecology seeks diverse applicants: We view diversity, equity, inclusion, and respect through a broad lens including race, ethnicity, class, age, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, immigration status, military background, language, education, life experience, physical disability, neurodiversity, and intersectional identities. Qualified job seekers from all backgrounds are encouraged to apply.

Application Attestation

By submitting an application, you are affirming that the information contained in your application and on all attachments is complete and truthful. The state may verify this information, and any false or misleading answers may result in rejection of your application or dismissal if employed.

Need an Accommodation?

• Please contact us at 360-407-6186 and select #2 for Recruitment or email [e-mail]
• If you are deaf or hard of hearing, you may call through the Washington Relay Service by dialing 711 or 1-800-833-6384.

Questions?

• For specific questions about the position location options, schedule, or duties, please contact Aaron Hubler at [e-mail]
• If you need assistance applying for this job, are inquiring about the status of your application, would like to request the full position description, or have any other questions, please contact the Recruitment Team at [e-mail]

About the Financial Services Division

The mission of Financial Services is to manage toward Ecology's long-term financial health in support of Ecology's mission. This position, located in the Central Budget Office within the Financial Services Division, supports this mission by contributing to the sound financial management of the agency and each program.

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. Joining Ecology means becoming part of a team dedicated to protecting and sustaining healthy land, air, water, and climate in harmony with a strong economy. A career in public service at Ecology allows you to help solve some of the most challenging problems facing our state, while keeping your health and financial security a priority. We combine one of the most competitive benefits packages in the nation with a strong commitment to life/work balance. We invest in our employees to create and sustain a working environment that encourages creative leadership, effective resource management, teamwork, professionalism, and accountability.

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Respect (DEIR)

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.

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.

Ecology employees may be eligible for the following Medical/Dental/Vision for employee & dependent(s), Public Employees Retirement System (PERS), Vacation, Sick, and other Leave*, 11 Paid Holidays per year*, Public Service Loan Forgiveness, Tuition Waiver, Long Term Disability & Life Insurance, Deferred Compensation Programs, Dependent Care Assistance Program (DCAP), Flexible Spending Arrangement (FSA), Employee Assistance Program, Commute Trip Reduction Incentive, Combined Fund Drive, SmartHealth *Click here for more information

To learn more about Ecology, please visit our website, explore Working at Ecology, check out the Strategic Plan, and connect with us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, or our blog.

Equal Opportunity Employer

The Washington State Department of Ecology is an equal opportunity employer. We strive to create a working environment that includes and respects cultural, racial, ethnic minorities, persons of disability, persons over 40 years of age, veterans, military spouses or people with military status, and people of all sexual orientations and gender identities are encouraged to apply.

Collective Bargaining

This is a position covered by a bargaining unit for which the Washington Federation of State Employees (WFSE) is the exclusive representative.

Note:

This recruitment may be used to fill other positions of the same job classification across the agency. Once all the position(s) from the recruitment announcement are filled, the recruitment may only be used to fill additional open positions for the next sixty (60) days.

#LI-Hybrid