Budget Manager
State of Washington
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Benefits offered by this job
Job summary
Washington State Department of Transportation seeks a Budget Manager to lead complex budgets, ensure compliance with state laws, and align resources with statewide priorities. You will provide strategic guidance to leadership, OFM, and legislators, and develop fiscal notes and budget documents.
Hybrid remote options are available; this role requires strong analytical skills, collaboration across programs, and a commitment to responsible public resource management in service of Washington
Qualifications
- Experience developing, managing, and monitoring large budgets.
- Ability to apply state budget laws, policies, and procedures.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
- Ability to communicate complex fiscal information clearly.
- Experience in collaborating with leadership and stakeholders.
Responsibilities
- Serve as central Budget Office SME for complex programs.
- Interpret state financial laws and ensure budget compliance.
- Monitor spending, resolve variances, and propose improvements.
- Develop and review fiscal notes, allotments, and reports.
- Provide budget training and mentoring to staff.
Skills
Tools
Job description
Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) is a multimodal agency with a global reputation for excellence. Our dedicated workforce plans, designs, builds, and operates an integrated transportation system that safely and efficiently moves people and goods throughout the state. In addition to maintaining over 20,000 lane miles of state highway and 4,100 bridges, WSDOT leads an award‑winning Active Transportation Plan, manages the world's longest floating bridge, and operates the largest ferry system in the nation!
About WSDOT The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) is a multimodal agency with a global reputation for excellence. Our dedicated workforce plans, designs, builds, and operates an integrated transportation system that safely and efficiently moves people and goods throughout the state. In addition to maintaining over 20,000 lane miles of state highway and 4,100 bridges, WSDOT leads an award‑winning Active Transportation Plan, manages the world's longest floating bridge, and operates the largest ferry system in the nation!
WSDOT, is currently seeking a Budget Manager to support the financial integrity and stewardship of the agency through strategic budgeting and financial management. This position serves as a key resource for complex programs, providing advanced budget expertise that supports informed decision‑making and ensures agency resources align with statewide priorities. Working closely with executive leadership, the Office of Financial Management, legislative staff, and other stakeholders, this role helps strengthen the agency’s financial accountability and credibility. The successful candidate will also promote collaboration and knowledge sharing within the budget office through technical guidance, training, and mentoring. This position plays an important role in ensuring WSDOT can effectively manage public resources and continue delivering safe, reliable transportation services to the communities of Washington.
Among the varied range of responsibilities held within this role, you/the Budget Manager will:
- Serve as the Central Budget Office subject‑matter expert for complex programs and budget issues.
- Interpret and apply state financial laws, policies, and practices to ensure budget compliance.
- Monitor spending, resolve budget variances, and recommend process or policy improvements.
- Develop and review decision packages, fiscal notes, allotments, financial reports, and budget documents.
- Implement budget strategies aligned with agency, OFM, Governor, and legislative priorities.
- Provide strategic budget guidance to leadership, programs, and external stakeholders.
- Provide budget training, mentoring, outreach, and technical assistance.
- Maintain accurate, timely, and audit‑ready financial data and records.
To be considered for this opportunity, the following competencies are required:
- Budget Management and Processes: Demonstrating proficiency in developing, managing, and monitoring large, complex budgets; knowledge of state budget processes to develop, implement, and evaluate financial strategies, efficiencies, and savings that promote responsible resource management and measurable public benefit; ability to promote fiscal accountability and alignment with organizational goals.
- Analytical and Critical Thinking: Ability to apply advanced analytical, statistical, and problem‑solving skills to objectively evaluate information, accurately interpret and apply complex laws and legal principles, rules, policies and procedures, identify issues, communicate contrary points of view and support sound decision‑making to achieve department objectives.
- Professional and Ethical Conduct: Ability to perform duties thoroughly and properly, learn from mistakes, maintain professional relationships, maintain confidentiality when appropriate, and apply ethical application of knowledge, skills, and behavior to perform tasks at a high standard.
- Demonstrates a willingness to take action to meet the needs of others – proven success in fostering and developing constructive and collaborative organizational‑wide relationships, with ability to lead through communication and trust building, seeking and welcoming different perspectives towards shared outcomes.
- Actively demonstrates a commitment to learning and growing – Demonstrated ability to self‑reflect, identify personal and professional strengths and growth areas and adapt to new challenges.
- Work independently with attention to detail – strong sense of meticulousness, demonstrating an ability to work independently, thoroughly review and analyze data, detect errors, and ensure all work is accurate, timely, and error‑free
- Technology Proficiency: Advanced knowledge and proficiency using technology, financial systems, databases, spreadsheets to analyze data, identify trends, develop reports or dashboards, and present fiscal information. Ability to learn new systems, troubleshoot technology issues, and explain system outputs and requirements to others.
- Organizational and Project Management: Skills to effectively organize, prioritize and manage multiple concurrent assignments, balance competing priorities while delivering accurate, quality and timely work in a fast‑paced environment.
- Stakeholder Collaboration and Relationship Management: Advanced skills in building and maintaining trust and constructive working relationships characterized by a high level of acceptance, cooperation, and mutual respect.
- Effective Communication: Advanced skills in effectively communicating complex fiscal information, legal principles and policies to advance our department mission and maintain trust and alignment with the highest levels of state government.
- Schedule flexibility and/or additional hours may be required during peak work periods, such as budget development and allotment preparation and legislative session.
- Experience working specifically in state government budgeting, for example in a central budget office, or similar.
- Demonstrated competence with statewide financial systems, such as the Agency Financial Reporting System (AFRS), Agency Budget System (ABS), Salary Projection System (SPS), and Fiscal Note System (FNS).
- Experience in communicating with staff of the Legislature and Office of Financial Management (OFM) or similar entities in other jurisdictions.
- Achieve excellent results with little need for oversight.
- This position offers flexible/hybrid remote work options.
- In addition to base salary, employees may be entitled to other forms of compensation depending on the type, duties, or location of the position. For union‑represented positions, more information on other forms of compensation can be found in the applicable Collective Bargaining Agreements. Information on other compensation types for non‑represented positions can be found in Chapter 357‑28of the Washington Administrative Code.
- WSDOT 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
- Work‑Life Balance – We are committed to ensure that our staff experience the reward of public service, while also sustaining a routine that suits each individuals’ lifestyle. As such, there are a number of flexible schedule options available, including telework options for eligible positions.
- Paid Leave – In addition to 12 paid holidays, full‑time employees may earn up to 25 paid vacation days per year!
- Tuition Assistance – Permanent employees have several options for assistance with education expenses, including tuition reimbursement programs, government discounts at participating colleges throughout the state, and eligibility for federal student loan forgiveness.
- Plan For Your Future – WSDOT offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes a variety of healthcare options. Employees also have their choice of state retirement programs, and much more. Go to State Benefitsfor more information.
The following information describes typical benefits available for full‑time employees who are expected to work more than six months. Actual benefits may vary by appointment type or be prorated for other than full‑time work (e.g. part‑time); view the job posting for benefits details for job types other than full‑time.
Employees and their families are covered by medical (including vision), dental and basic life insurance. There are multiple medical plans with affordable monthly premiums that offer coverage throughout the state.
Staff are eligible to enroll each year in a medical flexible spending account which enables them to use tax‑deferred dollars toward their health care expenses. Employees are also covered by basic life and long‑term disability insurance, with the option to purchase additional coverage amounts.
To view premium rates, coverage choice in your area and how to enroll, please visit the Public Employees Benefits Board (PEBB) website. The Washington Wellness program from the Health Care Authority works with PEBB to support our workplace wellness programs.
Dependent care assistance allows the employee to save pre‑tax dollars for a child or elder care expenses.
Other insurance coverage for auto, boat, home, and renter insurance is available through payroll deduction.
The Washington State Employee Assistance Program promotes the health and well‑being of employees.
State Employees are members of the Washington Public Employees’ Retirement System (PERS). New employees have the option of two employer contributed retirement programs. For additional information, check out the Department of Retirement Systems’ web site.
Employees also have the ability to participate in the Deferred Compensation Program (DCP). This is a supplemental retirement savings program (similar to an IRA) that allows you control over the amount of pre‑tax salary dollars you defer as well as the flexibility to choose between multiple investment options.
All state employees are covered by the federal Social Security and Medicare systems. The state and the employee pay an equal amount into the system.
If you are employed by a government or not‑for‑profit organization, and meet the qualifying criteria, you may be eligible to receive student loan forgiveness under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.
Full‑time and part‑time employees are entitled to paid holidays and one paid personal holiday per calendar year.
Note: Employees who are members of certain Unions may be entitled to additional personal leave day(s), please refer to position specific Collective Bargaining Agreements for more information.
Full‑time employees who work full monthly schedules qualify for holiday compensation if they are employed before the holiday and are in pay status for at least 80 nonovertime hours during the month of the holiday; or for the entire work shift preceding the holiday.
Part‑time employees who are in pay status during the month of the holiday qualify for the holiday on a pro‑ratio basis. Compensation for holidays (including personal holiday) will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status in the month to that required for full‑time employment, excluding all holiday hours. Pay status includes hours worked and time on paid leave.
Full‑time employees earn eight hours of sick leave per month. Overtime eligible employees who are in pay status for less than 80 hours per month, earn a monthly proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full‑time employment. Overtime exempt employees who are in pay status for less than 80 hours per month do not earn a monthly accrual of sick leave.
Sick leave accruals for part‑time employees will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full‑time employment. Pay status includes hours worked, time on paid leave and paid holiday.
Full‑time employees accrue vacation leave at the rates specified in WAC 357‑31‑165(1) or the applicable collective bargaining agreement (CBA). Full‑time employees who are in pay status for less than 80 nonovertime hours in a month do not earn a monthly accrual of vacation leave.
Part‑time employees accrue vacation leave hours in accordance with WAC 357‑31‑165(1) or the applicable collective bargaining agreement (CBA) on a pro‑ratio basis. Vacation leave accrual will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full‑time employment.
Pay status includes hours worked, time on paid leave and paid holiday.
As provided in WAC 357‑58‑175, an employer may authorize a lump‑sum accrual of vacation leave or accelerate the vacation leave accrual rate to support the recruitment and/or retention of a candidate or employee for a Washington Management Service position. Vacation leave accrual rates may only be accelerated using the rates established WAC 357‑31‑165.
Note: Most agencies follow the civil service rules covering leave and holidays for exempt employees even though there is no requirement for them to do so. However, agencies are required to adhere to the applicable RCWs pertaining holidays and leave.
Washington State supports members of the armed forces with 21 days paid military leave per year.
Most employees whose family member or household member dies, or for loss of pregnancy, are entitled to five (5) days of paid bereavement leave. In addition, the employer may approve other available leave types for the purpose of bereavement leave.
WSDOT is an equal opportunity employer. We value the importance of creating an environment in which all employees can feel respected, included, and empowered to bring unique ideas to the agency. Our diversity and inclusion efforts include embracing different cultures, backgrounds and viewpoints while fostering growth and advancement in the workplace. All persons, regardless of race, ethnicity, age, veteran status, sexual orientation, and/ or gender identity, are encouraged to apply. Persons with disabilities needing assistance in the application process, or those needing this job announcement in an alternative format may contact the listed Recruiter.
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