Business and Finance Officer III (Payroll and Finance

Business And Finance Officer III

This posting will remain open until filled and may close at any time without prior notice. We encourage interested candidates to apply as soon as possible. Interviews will be conducted on a rolling basis. Applications submitted by 11:59 p.m. on August 10, 2026, will be given priority consideration.

The Department of Public Defense (DPD) is seeking an experienced and highly analytical Business and Finance Officer III (BFO) in the Director's Office. This recruitment will be used to fill a Career Service position and to create an eligibility pool to fill vacancies that may occur within the next six (6) months.

Reporting to the Chief Financial Officer (CFO), the BFO independently provides full-scope payroll and financial data analysis and services to DPD providing authoritative technical and analytical expertise. They manage and supervise relevant operations. This position may supervise, evaluate, and train other accountant staff in assuring payroll related functions are performed accurately, timely and in compliance with collective bargaining agreements, King County Personnel Guidelines, policies and procedures and labor laws.

This position provides financial and program analysis and evaluation; implements policies and procedures related to payroll and position management for budgetary purposes.

In collaboration with the CFO may assist in strategic staffing planning; provides analysis for cost containment, rate and fee structures and cost allocation; assures compliance with contracts, collective bargaining agreements and other regulatory requirements; provides staff training. The BFO may make recommendations for budgets, policy and procedure changes related to payroll and financial analysis functions.

This role operates with a high level of independence and is ideal for you if you thrive in complex and fast-paced environments. You should enjoy partnering with other members of the department and want your work to support equity-centered public service.

The King County Department of Public Defense represents indigent adults and children facing a loss of liberty. Our department is an independent voice that promotes fairness and equity for our clients and advocates for their objectives, interests, and dignity.

DPD provides high-quality legal representation to indigent clients in felonies, misdemeanors, juvenile defense, family defense (dependency cases), involuntary commitment (mental illness), and sex offender commitment proceedings.

DPD advocates to reduce the harm and reach of the criminal and civil legal systems that restrict our clients' liberty, and advances policy reforms to reduce systemic racism. We strive to create a flexible workplace culture that is inclusive, respectful, and supportive, premised on a shared anti-oppression framework.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS AND DUTIES include but are not limited to the following:

• Serve as the key Business and Finance Officer on full scale payroll and financial data analysis operations for 520 plus employees. This includes working closely with DPD Human Resources (DPD HR), department leadership and the County payroll liaison to ensure accurate payroll processing and timekeeping.
• Monitor, review, calculate and run a variety of processes on reported time within People Soft HCM Time and Labor module bi-weekly payroll system to turn reported time into payable time required by payroll operations to generate a paycheck.
• Run queries and other reports to monitor pay outcomes and ensure employees are accurately compensated in compliance with the County personnel guidelines and collective bargaining agreements and other relevant Federal, State, and County laws regarding pay and leaves.
• Research and analyze payroll data, including identifying discrepancies. Prepare and make necessary corrections within established parameters.
• Interpret and apply personnel guidelines, union contract requirements, and relevant Federal, State, and County laws regarding pay and leaves.
• Assign schedules; set up and maintain premium pays and deductions; manage dynamic time and labor groups and load executive leave awards as approved by DPD HR.
• Work closely with DPD HR on protective leave timekeeping and staffing updates to ensure accurate entries and process updates.
• Provide training on self-time entry to staff and approval of time sheets to supervisors; clearly and concisely explain complex pay transactions.
• Perform financial, payroll or other financial/numeric work, requiring the application of GAAP and GASB, accepted bookkeeping or basic accounting methods.
• Research and resolve accounting problems, performing account reconciliations, and preparing accounting entries.
• Organize, oversee, and maintain highly sensitive payroll/human resource communications and documentation.
• Research and summarize specialized and technical Payroll information from varied sources. Select the most appropriate material to use to verify and reconcile data discrepancies between records.
• Supervises…