Fire Cost Analyst, Fiscal Analyst 2 (FA2)

State of Washington; Enumclaw (WA); Hybrid; USD 53,000 - 71,000; Full time

Job summary

Washington State Department of Natural Resources seeks a Fire Cost Analyst to join the South Puget Sound Region Finance team in Enumclaw, WA. The role involves budgeting, cost analysis, and reporting for region suppression expenditures.

You will train and supervise a professional-level Financial Analyst, collaborate with regional and federal partners, and ensure accuracy in cost recovery and documentation under GAAP/SAAM policies.

Qualifications

• Two years of relevant experience in accounting, budgeting, finance, or payroll.
• Excel and PowerPoint proficiency.
• Experience auditing complex financial analyses and forecasts.
• Experience extracting/generating reports from multiple financial reporting systems.

Responsibilities

• Train, develop, and supervise one professional-level Financial Analyst using GAAP and accounting systems to perform professional review and analysis of fiscal data.
• Conduct independent budget & cost analysis of all region suppression expenditures as needed or as requested by management and other agency fiscal staff.
• Create custom reports in multiple agency & statewide accounting databases to analyze, reconcile, and verify suppression expenditures.
• Work closely with the Region Wildland Fire Program to determine cost recovery incidents and verify documentation; process resource documentation for payment, identify and correct errors.
• Provide Fire Finance Training to seasonal and permanent staff, fire service cooperators, and casual hires.
• Collaborate with multiple cooperative partners at the local, state and federal levels to reconcile cost share incidents, process contractor payments, verify expenditures and reimbursements, and resolve challenges using the Master Agreement and NW Compact Agreement and other cooperative agreements.

Skills

Two years experience

Excel

Auditing

Reporting

GAAP knowledge

PowerPoint

Education

Associate degree in accounting

Job description

Fire Cost Analyst, Fiscal Analyst 2 (FA2)

Recruitment #2026-9-7880

Full-time, Permanent, Represented position (WPEA)

Location: South Puget Sound Region- Enumclaw, WA

Partial Telework flexibility may be available and considered

Salary: $4,742.00 - $6,378.00 Monthly

Please note: An additional 5% King County duty station pay has been added to the base salary listed on this announcement.

Review of applications is ongoing. We reserve the right to make a hiring decision or close this recruitment at any time after 9/23/26. It is in your best interest to submit materials as soon as possible.

Want to join something GREAT and make a difference?

The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has an exciting opportunity in our South Puget Sound Region. South Puget Sound Region Finance is looking for a Fire Cost Analyst to join our team. We are a team consisting of five professional‑level Fiscal Analysts who encourage growth, embrace challenges, do things the right way, work hard, and have a lot of fun while doing so.

Our ideal candidate is motivated and eager to learn something new. Someone comfortable not always knowing the answers. You think analyzing data and financial puzzles is fun and are excited when you find the solution. Someone who can adapt to consistent changes such as internal policy & procedures, cooperative agreements, funding sources, legislative requirements, State & Federal rules/laws, and working in a seasonal environment.

This position reports to the Region Finance Manager and is one of five Fiscal Analysts on the team. Work is assigned both in writing and verbally, and depending on the assignment, may be given direction by the Region Manager or Assistant Region Manager of Region Operations. The Fire Cost Analyst works closely with the SPS Wildland Fire Program, Region Management, and Fire Finance staff across the agency. You will represent the region and agency while working with many cooperative partners at the local, state, and federal levels. This position will train, develop, and supervise one professional‑level Financial Analyst. South Puget Sound Region Finance works out of the Region Headquarters located in Enumclaw, WA. Our region spans King, Pierce, Kitsap, Mason, Thurston, and parts of Snohomish, Lewis, and Grays Harbor counties. We support 250 Permanent & Seasonal positions. Region Operations provides IT support, Facilities Services & Maintenance, Fleet, Purchasing, Administration, and Fire Business & Finance.

Responsibilities

• Train, develop, and supervise one professional‑level Financial Analyst using GAAP and accounting systems to perform professional review and analysis of fiscal data.
• Conduct independent budget & cost analysis of all region suppression expenditures as needed or as requested by management and other agency fiscal staff.
• Create custom reports in multiple agency & statewide accounting databases to analyze, reconcile, and verify suppression expenditures.
• Work closely with the Region Wildland Fire Program to determine cost recovery incidents and verify documentation; process resource documentation for payment, identify and correct errors.
• Provide Fire Finance Training to seasonal and permanent staff, fire service cooperators, and casual hires.
• Collaborate with multiple cooperative partners at the local, state and federal levels to reconcile cost share incidents, process contractor payments, verify expenditures and reimbursements, and resolve challenges using the Master Agreement and NW Compact Agreement and other cooperative agreements.

Required Qualifications

• Two (2) years of relevant experience in accounting, budgeting, finance, or payroll; OR a combination of relevant experience and/or education.
• Basic proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, including Excel and PowerPoint.
• Experience with auditing complex financial analyses and forecasts.
• Experience extracting/generating reports from multiple financial reporting systems in multiple formats (Excel, CSV, PDF) and preparing financial reports & statements.

Required Competencies

• Independently process AP, AR, and payroll‑related transactions; ensure compliance with policies and timelines.
• Resolve routine discrepancies (e.g., vendor payment issues, receivable misapplications, payroll adjustments).
• Build standard accounting reports, queries, and templates to support programs.
• Exercise sound judgment in routine accounting decisions, upholding GAAP and SAAM policies.
• Analytical thinking with the ability to identify, clarify, and investigate complex financial data sets.
• Effectively prioritize tasks by importance and urgency to ensure key responsibilities are fulfilled.
• Understand basic accounting procedures like journal entry creation (including preparation of supporting documentation), debits/credits, and review and running basic reports.
• Excellent written and verbal communication abilities.
• Accustomed to making decisions within delegated authority.
• Commitment to fostering and supporting an environment that honors diversity, equity, inclusion, and environmental justice practices.
• Perform assigned duties in a manner consistent with applicable laws, regulations, and public records retention, and ensure requests are followed.
• DNR Core Competencies:
  • Personal Accountability
  • Value Others
  • Compassionate Communication
  • Inspire Others
  • Commitment to Excellence

Special Requirements and Conditions of Employment

• South Puget Sound Region Headquarters in an office setting, often sitting/standing at desk, moving/walking around work centers – both indoors & out. Requires the ability to box and relocate paper records, occasionally going up/down a flight of stairs to the archive room.
• Travel for this position is minimal. Occasional travel for training or meetings outside the region may be needed. Travel may be needed for participation in fire activity outside of the region.

Desired Qualifications

• Associate degree (to include 18 quarter or 12 semester hours of accounting, auditing, or budget management credits).
• Experience using Washington state financial systems such as the Agency Financial Reporting System (AFRS).
• Experience with Workday or similar ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) systems.
• Intermediate proficiency in applications such as Microsoft Teams and Power BI.
• Experience in Incident Command System- any Finance Section Position or INBA (Incident Business Administrator) – trainee or qualified.
• Accustomed to explaining complex information to various agency partners and collaborators. This is to have the ability to explain the agency’s current fire, cost recovery and fiscal policies and procedures.
• Experience sharing information in writing using language that is appropriate to both the complexity of the topic and the knowledge and understanding of the reader.
• Experience prioritizing work with inflexible and conflicting deadlines.
• Experience with retention and organization of records.

At DNR, we value diversity and inclusion and are committed to hiring the best candidate for the job. Don’t let doubts stop you from applying for this position. If you have any questions about the qualifications, please email us at [e-mail].

Questions?

Please contact Jillian Thorsett at [e-mail]/360-353-6736 or email us at [e-mail].

About the Department of Natural Resources

About the Department of Natural Resources (DNR).

Our Vision – Our actions ensure a future where Washington’s lands, waters, and communities thrive.

Our Mission – Manage, sustain, and protect the health and productivity of Washington’s lands and waters to meet the needs of present and future generations.

DNR Core Values

• Safety and Well-Being —Our top priority is the safety of the public and our employees.
• Public Service —We value and respect the public we serve, and we value and respect the people of the Department of Natural Resources who step up to serve.
• Innovation and Creative Problem-Solving — We solve our state’s most pressing challenges through innovative thinking, dedication, and bold and creative vision.
• Leadership and Teamwork —We are committed to building leaders at all levels and building teams for success.

DNR provides excellent benefits, a few of which include:

• Commitment to organizational health and wellness
• Work/life balance
• DNR Employee Resource Groups (Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Council, Women’s Employee Resource Group, Veterans Employee Resource Group, etc.)
• Statewide Employee Business Resource Groups, visit here to learn more
• Leadership that empowers and supports employees
• Professional development opportunities
• Educational and career development aid
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness Eligibility
• Opportunities to participate in wildland fire suppression assignments
• A comprehensive benefits package includes employer contributions toward health insurance, paid holidays, retirement plans, sick leave, and vacation days. Visit http://careers.wa.gov/benefits.html for more information.

Additional Information

This recruitment may be extended and used to fill future similar vacancies for up to sixty (60) days.

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

Veterans wishing to claim Veteran’s preference, please attach a copy of your DD214 (Member 4 long-form copy), NGB 22, or a USDVA signed verification of service letter. Please black out all PII (personally identifiable information) data, such as Social Security numbers. We thank you and are grateful for your service!

Equal Opportunity Employer: The Washington State Department of Natural Resources 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 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.