WMS Financial Examiner Supervisor

State of Washington; Olympia (WA); On-site; USD 110,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

State of Washington's Department of Financial Institutions seeks a Financial Examiner Supervisor to lead the Consumer Loan Origination and Escrow examination teams, ensuring rigorous supervision, examination quality, and regulatory compliance.

The role involves coordinating with state and federal agencies, guiding staff, and contributing to professional development while reinforcing DFI values and ethics. Telecommuting not expected; travel to sites and meetings is routine.

Qualifications

• Advanced knowledge of consumer lending regulations, mortgage lending and escrow rules.
• Strong understanding of federal and state financial regulations affecting lending institutions.
• Experience coordinating with national regulators and state agencies.

Responsibilities

• Oversee daily operations of the Consumer Loan Origination and Escrow examination teams.
• Plan, lead, and supervise examinations and staff.
• Coordinate joint examinations with other departments and agencies.
• Provide technical assistance through webinars and trainings on compliance.
• Recruit, select, and onboard new financial examiners.
• Mentor staff and address performance issues.
• Support professional development and advancement of examiners.

Skills

Financial exams

Regulatory compliance

Multi-state collaboration

Leadership

Communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree in finance or related field

Accounting/economics coursework

Tools

Regulatory exam software

Job description

Providing Regulatory Oversight for Our State's Financial Service Providers

About Our Agency

The Washington State Department of Financial Institutions' (DFI) mission is to protect consumers and advance the financial health of Washington State by providing fair regulation of financial services and educating consumers to make informed financial decisions. Collectively and independently, the Department's nearly 250 employees within its 5 divisions - Administration, Banks, Consumer Services, Credit Unions, and Securities - work together to create a stronger economic future and secure financial environment for Washington's consumers and businesses alike. DFI is self-supporting, in that none of its operating revenues come from the state's general tax funds. Its operating revenues are paid by the organizations and individuals it regulates. To learn more about the Department of Financial Institutions, please visit our website at www.dfi.wa.gov.

We employ and serve diverse people of all backgrounds including people of color, women, LGBTQ+, people with disabilities, and veterans. This culture of respect promotes a professional and inclusive environment where maximizing potential through opportunity is achievable by everyone.

Benefits of working for DFI include:

• Medical, dental, retirement, and generous paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays.
• Healthy work-life balance.
• Commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion where every person is recognized and valued.
• Telecommuting up to two days per week and flexible work hours.
• Professional development and continuing education opportunities, including DFI’s in-house CLE program and other training that ensures employees are successful.
• You may be eligible for Public Service Loan Forgiveness.

About The Division

In the Division of Consumer Services, consumer protection is at the heart of what we do, whether we are regulating emerging FinTech industries like those dealing in cryptocurrency or more established forms of money transmission, escrow, consumer lending, and loan servicing. We license and conduct examinations of the people and companies in those industries and take action against those who violate the law. We pride ourselves on helping people - by ordering refunds or restitution for consumers, by enhancing the efficiency and effectiveness of state government, and by working to maintain robust, healthy financial industries.

About the Position

This position, under the supervision of the Chief of Lending Examinations, implements the examination functions of the Consumer Loan Origination and Escrow team. It supervises a staff of professional financial examiners in the performance of examinations and analysis of financial institutions. This includes responsibility for consumer lending, mortgage lending and escrow examination programs; supervision of a professional staff; coordination with other federal and state agencies; tracking workloads and resources; and handling special projects.

This position is a key part of the Division’s management structure, and it is the supervisor's responsibility to help establish and reinforce DFI’s values of supporting its employees – DFI’s most important resource. It is the responsibility of this position to empower and to hold examiners accountable for their performance, for the sharing of information and knowledge, and for being a role model for professionalism and integrity within the Division. This position is also instrumental in working with and instructing examiners on all aspects of compliance examinations.

Some of What You Will Do

• You will be responsible for the daily operation of the Consumer Loan Origination and Escrow examination teams, which includes planning, leading, and overseeing the work performed by the team.
• Ensure the effective and efficient use of the unit’s resources.
• Support effective communication throughout the organization. Maintain the highest standards of personal/professional and ethical conduct and support the State’s goals for a diverse workforce.
• Conduct a technical final review of examination reports and other division generated work assignments. Perform a technical review of the work of the division for quality standards, acceptability, accuracy, timeliness, documentation, and legal ramifications.
• Be responsible for planning, scheduling and assigning examinations to subordinate examiners. Coordinate and direct joint examinations/investigations with other department sections and other state or federal agencies.
• Provide technical assistance to regulated industries by conducting webinars and speaking engagements on compliance or program related issues.
• Assist in the recruiting, selection, and the hiring process for new financial examiners.
• Counsel, provide guidance, and correct substandard performance and associated behavior.
• Recommend and oversee the professional development and advancement opportunities for assigned financial examiners.

Required Education, Experience, and Competencies

• Possess advanced knowledge of chapter 31.04 RCW, the Consumer Loan Act and other federal rules and regulations such as the Truth in Lending Act, the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act, the Equal Credit Opportunity Act, the Bank Secrecy Act, and the US Patriot Act.
• Understand rules, court decisions, and regulatory opinions applicable to federal and state financial institutions or financial services companies, specifically as they impact the mortgage and personal lending industries.
• Possess advanced knowledge of examination manuals of instruction for employees of state regulatory agencies supervising financial institutions.
• Hold advanced knowledge of principles of appraising collateral, statistical sampling methods and procedures, economic principles, theoretical principles and practices of auditing and accounting.
• Be strongly familiar with information systems software and hardware, information systems examination techniques and internal controls.
• Know financial organization and practices of financial institutions companies, financial trends analysis, and state personnel management.
• Skilled at working on multi-state working groups that include the American Association of Residential Mortgage Regulators (AARMR), Conference of State Bank Supervisors (CSBS), and National Association of Consumer credit Administrators (NACCA).

Preferred/Desired Education, Experience, and Competencies

• A bachelor’s degree with major study in finance, business administration, economics, accounting, or related field including at least 12 semester or 20 quarter hours of accounting, finance, or economics.
• The WMS Financial Examiner Supervisor should possess strong interpersonal and communication skills to successfully communicate concerns to staff, financial institution management and Division management.
• Have a high degree of judgment, ethics, and critical analysis skills.
• The incumbent should possess strong work ethic, flexibility and the ability to manage multiple assignments.
• As a member of the management team, the incumbent should possess strong leadership skills.

Official Workstation

The Financial Examiner Supervisor’s duty station is their home, but the supervisor is expected to routinely attend meetings at the agency’s office in Tumwater or nearby locations. In addition, the supervisor routinely travels to examination sites, trainings, and conferences. Preference will be given to those who reside in King, Kitsap, Mason, Thurston, Pierce, or Lewis counties.

Background Investigation

Prior to a new hire, a background check including credit history and criminal record history will be conducted. Information from the background check will not necessarily preclude employment but will be considered in determining the applicant's suitability and competence to perform in the position.