Senior Financial Advisor (WMS Band 2)

Keeping Washington Clean and Evergreen

The Department of Ecology is hiring a Senior Financial Advisor (WMS Band 2) within the Financial Services Division.

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 three days per week is required in the office. 
• Schedules are dependent upon position needs and are subject to change.

Application Timeline:

• Apply by March 26, 2026
• This position will remain open until filled. The agency reserves the right to make a hire at any time after application review begins. Applications received after the date above may not be considered.

Duties

As the Senior Financial Advisor, you will provide expert accounting and financial guidance that supports strong decision-making across the agency. You will collaborate closely with the Fiscal Manager and agency financial leaders to ensure accurate, reliable financial information and strong internal controls. Your work will strengthen Ecology’s financial foundation and ensure consistent compliance with state and federal requirements.

In this role, you will work on projects and issues that affect every program at Ecology. You will coordinate statewide audits, guide the development of the Annual Comprehensive Financial Report, and help shape agency-wide financial policies and practices. You will deepen your expertise with complex financial systems, regulations, and statewide processes. If you are looking for meaningful public service and a role with high impact and professional growth, this position offers both.

What you will do:

• Provide senior-level financial and accounting guidance to the Fiscal Manager, CFO, Budget Director, policy managers, and section managers to ensure accurate and credible financial information across statewide systems.

• Manage the agency’s cost allocation processes, fund equity work, and Grants Receivable cycle, including scheduling and ensuring timely and accurate distribution of financial data.

• Oversee the integrity and reconciliation of Ecology’s financial systems with statewide systems, ensuring compatibility, accuracy, and strong internal controls. 

• Coordinate all state, federal, and contracted audits as the agency’s Audit Liaison, respond to auditor requests, develop and monitor Corrective Action Plans, and provide regular updates on progress and risk.

• Lead the planning, coordination, and production of the Annual Comprehensive Financial Report in collaboration with the Fiscal Office and the Office of Financial Management.

• Interpret state and federal financial regulations, develop agency-wide financial policies, participate in statewide financial management discussions, and analyze proposed legislation.

• Implement new statewide financial and administrative processes and deliver training to fiscal, budget, and program staff on systems, reporting tools, and grant and loan administration.

• Manage capital asset accountability as the Agency Inventory Officer, ensuring compliance with asset protection and loss reporting requirements.

Qualifications

For detailed information on how we calculate experience and responses to other frequently asked questions, please visit our Recruitment website.

Required Qualifications:

Nine (9) years of experience and/or education as described below:

• Experience in state accounting. Experience must include three (3) years of supervising or leading fiscal positions.
• Education involving a major study in business, accounting, public administration or a closely related field with a minimum of 30 quarter or 20 semester credit hours in accounting, auditing, or budgeting.

Experience must include demonstrated competence in the following skill sets:

• Advanced knowledge of and ability to effectively use state accounting systems, state laws, policies, and procedures regarding fiscal and administrative issues, and federal laws impacting financial activities.

• Demonstrated knowledge of appropriation, allotment, and budget processes within state government.

• Knowledge of state budget management systems and ability to work collaboratively with agency budget managers and staff.

• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively, work collaboratively with, and present complex financial material to all levels of agency management and staff. 

• Advanced skills and ability to analyze an existing process, identify areas in need of improvement, and develop new steps that will improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the process.

• Ability to use professional, technical, and intuitive judgment to make decisions and exercise extreme confidentiality, discretion, and professional decorum always.

Examples of how to qualify:

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

Special Requirements/Conditions of Employment:

• Must read, sign, and abide by the Financial Services/Fiscal Office Agreement on Confidential Information (Part A), Internal Control Responsibility (Part B), and Safeguarding and Preventing Misuse of Ecology’s Data (Part C).

Desired Qualifications:

• Demonstrated knowledge of federal grant management, cash management, and revenue management.

• Demonstrated knowledge and understanding of federal and state laws and rules regarding compensation and pay.

• Demonstrated knowledge of state and federal contracting and procurement laws, policies, and procedures.

• Experience in designing expenditure and revenue codes and reports that will meet state requirements and the needs of agency management.

• Ability to negotiate with and influence both internal and external customers and entities by utilizing negotiation skills and/or effective oral and written communication skills, while maintaining a recognized level of trust, respect, and confidentiality.

If you are excited about this role but not sure if your experience aligns perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we encourage you to apply. Studies have shown that women and people of color are less likely to apply to jobs unless they meet every single qualification. At the Department of Ecology, we are dedicated to building a diverse and authentic workplace centered in belonging. You may just be the needed candidate for this or other roles.

Supplemental Information

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

Application Process

Ecology seeks diverse applicants: We view diversity, equity, inclusion, and respect through a broad lens including race, ethnicity, class, age, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, immigration status, military background, language, education, life experience, physical disability, neurodiversity, and intersectional identities. Qualified job seekers from all backgrounds are encouraged to apply.

How to Apply

Click “Apply” at the top of this page. Complete the entire application, including full work history and responses to all supplemental questions, and attach:

• Cover letter, describing your interest in and qualifications for this position
• Resume

Because we base our selection on the information you provide, it is in your best interest to complete the application thoroughly. A resume will not substitute for the “work experience” section of the application or vice versa. Applications with blank fields or supplemental question responses with comments such as “see resume” may be considered incomplete.

For detailed application information, please visit our Recruitment website.

Application Attestation: By submitting an application, you are affirming that the information contained in your application and on all attachments is complete and truthful. The state may verify this information, and any false or misleading answers may result in rejection of your application or dismissal if employed.

Need an Accommodation?

If you need reasonable accommodation during the application and/or screening process, including this job announcement in an alternate format:

• Please contact us at 360-407-6186 or careers@ecy.wa.gov
• If you are deaf or hard of hearing, you may call through the Washington Relay Service by dialing 711 or 1-800-833-6384.

Questions?

• For specific questions about the position location options, schedule, or duties, please contact Beth Swanson at Beth.Swanson@ecy.wa.gov 
• If you need assistance applying for this job, are inquiring about the status of your application, would like to request the full position description, or have any other questions, please contact the Recruitment Team at careers@ecy.wa.gov

About the Department of Ecology

As the State of Washington’s environmental protection agency, we are deeply committed to protecting, preserving, and enhancing Washington’s environment for current and future generations. Joining Ecology means becoming part of a team dedicated to protecting and sustaining healthy land, air, water, and climate in harmony with a strong economy. A career in public service at Ecology allows you to help solve some of the most challenging problems facing our state, while keeping your health and financial security a priority. We combine one of the most competitive benefits packages in the nation with a strong commitment to life/work balance. We invest in our employees to create and sustain a working environment that encourages creative leadership, effective resource management, teamwork, professionalism, and accountability.

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Respect (DEIR) are core values central to Ecology's work. We strive to be a workplace where we are esteemed for sharing our authentic identities, while advancing our individual professional goals and collaborating to protect, preserve, and enhance the environment for current and future generations.

We believe that DEIR is both a goal and an action. We are on a journey, honoring our shared humanity and taking steps to demonstrate our commitment to a vision where each of us is heard, seen, and valued.

Ecology employees may be eligible for the following: Medical/Dental/Vision for employee & dependent(s), Public Employees Retirement System (PERS), Vacation, Sick, and other Leave, 11 Paid Holidays per year, Public Service Loan Forgiveness, Tuition Waiver,  Long Term Disability & Life Insurance, Deferred Compensation Programs, Dependent Care Assistance Program (DCAP),  Flexible Spending Arrangement (FSA), Employee Assistance Program, Commute Trip Reduction Incentives, Combined Fund Drive, SmartHealth *Click here for more information

To learn more about Ecology, please visit our website, explore Working at Ecology, check out our Strategic Plan, and connect with us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, or our blog.

Equal Opportunity Employer: The Washington State Department of Ecology 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 of 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.

Note: This recruitment may be used to fill other positions of the same job classification across the agency.

Ecology Job Opportunities | Careers at Ecology