DSHS ESA Budget Manager

Title: DSHS ESA Budget Manager

Job Description:

Salary

$107,000.00 - $121,000.00 Annually

Location 

Thurston County – Olympia, WA

Job Type

Full Time - Permanent

Remote Employment

Flexible/Hybrid

Job Number

2026-03607

Department

Dept. of Social and Health Services

Division

ESA

Description

Bring your budget and financial analysis expertise to support financial oversight and decision-making as part of a collaborative team.

As a Budget Manager for the Division of Finance and Financial Resources (DFFR) within the Economic Services Administration (ESA), you'll be an essential part of managing and monitoring ESA’s large and complex budget— at the intersection of data, policy, and people. 
 
The Economic Services Administration connects Washington residents to critical services and supports. The Division of Finance and Financial Resources plays a central role in ensuring those services are funded effectively and compliantly — overseeing division-level administrative budgets, developing cost estimates and projections, working with the division’s accounting section on grants management and federal and statutory reporting, and coordination with professionals across different program areas and the DSHS Central Budget Office. 
 
This position reports to the Budget Administrator and works cross-functionally across ESA leadership and staff to develop and execute ESA’s $3.4 billion biennial budget. 
 
If you're an experienced budget professional who thrives in complex environments, enjoys working at the intersection of finance and policy, and wants your work to have real public impact — we'd like to hear from you.

This is a hybrid/flexible position, with the option to conduct the majority of work remotely.
 
 Apply now.
 
 
Who Should Apply
 You're a fit if you have:

• A bachelor's degree from an accredited university  in accounting, finance, business, public administration, or a closely related field.  
• At least three years of professional experience in budgeting or financial analysis working with a large organization and complex budget processes 
• Expert / advanced excel skills — complex modeling, pivot tables, and nested functions
• Analytical skills for financial research and modeling across multi-system environments
• The ability to translate complex financial data into clear, accessible language for non-financial audiences
• Strong verbal and written communication skills, including presenting to diverse stakeholders
• Comfort working independently and making judgment calls in areas with little precedent

Note: Additional qualifying experience substitutes year-for-year for the education requirement.
 
Some of What You'll Do

• Own assigned budgets end-to-end — requests, allotments, projections, and status reporting
• Develop budget decision packages for potential inclusion in the Governor's budget proposal
• Monitor, analyze, and report on ESA's fiscal status with precision
• Evaluate financial impacts of federal and state laws and rules to inform accurate decision-making
• Provide strategic fiscal guidance to program managers, administrators, and division directors
• Review and analyze legislative proposals for policy and budget impacts
• Build and maintain strong working relationships across multiple partner teams

What We're Looking For
 The right person here isn't just technically strong — they're a confident, collaborative advisor who enjoys bringing clarity to complexity. 
 
 You should be:

• Data-Driven and Analytical — you dig into the numbers and surface the story behind them
• Independently Decisive — you can make sound judgment calls with limited guidance
• A Skilled Communicator — equally effective writing a fiscal note and presenting to an executive
• A Relationship Builder — you'll regularly coordinate with Division Directors and leadership teams across ESA
• Comfortable with Ambiguity — this role requires independent thought in areas that don't always have a clear playbook

 
The Department of Social and Health Services' (DSHS) vision that people find human services to shape their own lives requires that we come together with a sense of belonging, common purpose, shared values, and meaningful work. It is crucial to our agency's vision that you bring a fairness, access, and social justice commitment to your work with DSHS. We strive to support all Washingtonians, including Black, Indigenous, and People of Color, people with physical, behavioral health, and intellectual disabilities, elders, LGBTQIA+ individuals, immigrants and refugees, and families building financial security.
 

Supplemental Information

Prior to a new hire, a background check including criminal record history may 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 job. This announcement may be used to fill multiple vacancies. Employees driving on state business must have a valid driver's license. Employees driving a privately owned vehicle on state business must have liability insurance on the privately owned vehicle.

Washington State Department of Social and Health Services is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate in any area of employment, its programs or services on the basis of age, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity/expression, marital status, race, creed, color, national origin, religion or beliefs, political affiliation, military status, honorably discharged veteran, Vietnam Era, recently separated or other protect­ed veteran status, the presence of any sensory, mental, physical disability or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with a disability, equal pay or genetic information. 

   E-Verify® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security