Program Budget Manager; WMS Band 2

The Department of Ecology is hiring a Program Budget Manager (WMS Band
2) within the Solid Waste Management Program.

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

• 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.

• Apply by November 1, 2026
• Applications submitted after the date above may not be reviewed unless additional qualified applicants are needed.

In this role, you will manage a large and complex mix of funds and accounts, each with different legal requirements, spending rules, and financial risks. You will work in an environment where small errors in forecasting or allocation can significantly affect program operations, public services, and the agency’s credibility with policymakers. You will constantly monitor shifting financial conditions, legislative changes, and evolving program priorities, and you are expected to anticipate issues before they become problems.

You will also operate under a high level of accountability and visibility. You will regularly advise senior leaders, develop fiscal impacts for proposed legislation, and represent the program in agency wide budget discussions. This requires you to balance competing needs, make informed decisions with limited information, and communicate financial concepts clearly to both financial and non-financial audiences. Tight timelines and complex policy considerations add to the challenge.

You will have the opportunity to directly influence the future of the Solid Waste Management Program by aligning resources with environmental initiatives that benefit communities across the state. The variety of accounts, funding streams, and program activities creates a dynamic and intellectually stimulating workload. Each budget cycle brings new challenges, giving you frequent opportunities to apply strategic thinking and creative problem solving.

You will also work at the intersection of finance, policy, and environmental stewardship. You will collaborate with agency leadership, other state organizations, and legislative staff, and you play a key role in shaping policy by analyzing the financial impacts of proposed laws. This combination of analytical work, problem solving, and broad public impact makes the position both meaningful and engaging.

• Manage and monitor program budgets, accounts, revenues, expenditures, and financial trends to ensure financial stability.
• Develop long-range budget strategies, financial forecasts, and contingency plans to support program and agency goals.
• Provide financial guidance, recommendations, and analysis to program leadership, agency executives, and staff.
• Prepare and coordinate budget materials, reports, and information for agency budget processes and legislative requests.
• Review and approve or recommend changes to allotments, spending plans, contracts, grants, and personnel actions.
• Serve as fund manager for multiple program accounts and ensure compliance with requirements governing their use.
• Develop fiscal notes and evaluate the financial impacts of proposed legislation on program operations and funding.

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

Seven total years of experience and/or education related to the duties of the position. Must include three years experience in public sector budget management, fiscal management, accounting, or related work.

• Communication – Ability to clearly explain…