Water Quality Program Capital Budget Manager

Water Quality Program Capital Budget Manager

Location: Lacey United States

Salary

$96,417.00 - $123,199.00 Annually

Location 

Thurston County – Lacey, WA

Job Type

Full Time - Permanent

Remote Employment

Flexible/Hybrid

Job Number

2026-WQ3905-06169

Department

Dept. of Ecology

Job Description:

The Department of Ecology is hiring a Water Quality Program Capital Budget Manager (WMS2) within the Water Quality Program.

Location:

• Headquarters Office in Lacey, WA.
• Upon hire, you must live within a commutable distance from the duty station.

Schedule:

• This position is eligible for telework and flexible schedule options.
• A minimum of two days per week is required in the office. 
• Schedules are dependent upon position needs and are subject to change.

Duties

The Water Quality Program runs a portfolio of over $1 billion in financing for water quality infrastructure that supports quality habitat, recreation, and a strong economy.  You will play a critical role in obtaining funding and ensuring these programs are sustainable.  You will regularly advise program and agency managers in forecasting potential issues, examining challenges, identifying solutions, projecting consequences of actions, and implementing actions to support agency and program goals. Your skills will directly impact business outcomes for the program and the agency. You will be responsible for ensuring accurate and timely reporting on capital budget activities. 

What you will do:

• Strategic Leadership.  Design a long-range strategic capital budget plan; anticipate and identify financial problems; create solutions; make critical independent, strategic financial decisions; develop financial contingency plans.
• Inform statewide budget processes.  Guide development of program capital budget requests and fiscal notes.  Prepare, coordinate, and provide Water Quality capital budget information, materials and analysis.
• Manage capital budgets for the Water Quality Program's unique activities, functions and sections statewide: project trends in revenues and expenditures; monitor and report out on revenue and expenditures; oversee development of spending plans; recommend appropriate funding for pass-through grants and loans, staffing and other expenditures.
• Advise the Water Quality Program Manager and Chief Financial Officer of the accuracy and appropriateness of capital budget related actions and documents, such as grants, loans, contracts and personnel actions.
• Interpret capital budget policies and procedures for staff and managers; recommend policy and procedure changes; advise executive and program management and staff, representatives of other agencies, and various committees regarding implementation of policies, procedures and legislation.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications:

Seven (7) years of experience and/or education as described below:

• Experience in public sector budget management, fiscal or grant management, accounting, or related work. This may include:

  • Strategic Resource Management – Ability to prioritize and allocate financial resources to ensure alignment with organizational strategic goals.

  • Persuasive Communication – Ability to convey complex financial or operational issues in a clear and compelling way to support understanding and informed decision-making.

  • Funding Analysis and Innovation – Ability to identify and evaluate new funding opportunities to mitigate risks and recommend effective, sustainable solutions.

  • Team Leadership – Ability to lead and develop budget or accounting staff to build a high-performing, collaborative team.

  • Policy and Compliance Oversight – Ability to ensure adherence to budget-related policies and procedures to maintain accuracy, accountability, and compliance.

  • Grant and Contract Management – Ability to manage grants or contracts to ensure compliance with requirements and achieve intended program outcomes.

• Education involving a major study in accounting, finance, economics, statistics, business, public administration, or closely allied field.

Examples of how to qualify:

• 7 years of experience.
• 6 years of experience AND 30-59 semester or 45-89 quarter college credits.
• 5 years of experience AND 60-89 semester or 90-134 quarter college credits (Associate’s degree).
• 4 years of experience AND 90-119 semester or 135-179 quarter college credits.
• 3 years of experience AND a Bachelor’s degree or above.

Desired Qualifications:

• 5 years of experience in Washington State Agency fiscal management.
• Experience using Washington State grant and finance tools and systems.

If you are excited about this role and meet the required qualifications, we encourage you to apply. Desired qualifications reflect additional knowledge, skills, or experience that are nice to have but not required. Studies have shown that some applicants, especially women and people of color, are less likely to apply unless they meet every listed qualification. At the Department of Ecology, we are dedicated to building a diverse and authentic workplace centered in belonging, and we welcome applicants with varied backgrounds and unique perspectives.