Fire Cost Analyst, Fiscal Analyst 2 (FA2)
State of Washington
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Job summary
State of Washington, Department of Natural Resources, South Puget Sound Region seeks a Fire Cost Analyst to support budgeting, cost analysis, and reporting for regional fire programs in Enumclaw, WA.
The role involves coordinating with regional management, training a Financial Analyst, and ensuring GAAP-based financial practices across multiple funding sources. Partial telework may be available to complement on-site duties.
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.
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
Education
Tools
Job description
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. 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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
- 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.
- 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 approach our work through the lens of making Washington a better place environmentally and are dedicated to serving Washington’s lands and communities through diversity, equity, and inclusion.
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.
- 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.
- 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.
We understand that your life revolves around more than just your career. Like everyone, your first priority is ensuring that you and your family will maintain health and financial security. That’s why choice is a key component of our benefits package. We have a selection of health and retirement plans, paid leave, staff training and other compensation benefits that you can mix and match to meet your current and future needs.
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‑rata 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‑rata 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.
Leave Sharing
Parental Leave
Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)
Leave Without Pay
Consider visiting the State HR Website for more detailed information regarding benefits.
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.
Please contact Jillian Thorsett at Jillian.thorsett@dnr.wa.gov or (360) 353‑6736 or email us at DNRrecruiting@dnr.wa.gov.
Persons needing accommodation in the application/testing process or this job announcement in an alternative format may call (360) 522‑2500 or email DNRrecruiting@dnr.wa.gov. Applicants who are deaf or hard of hearing may call through the Washington Relay Service by dialing 7‑1‑1 or 1‑800‑833‑6384.
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