Budget Manager

Budget Manager

The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) is a multimodal agency with a global reputation for excellence. Our dedicated workforce plans, designs, builds, and operates an integrated transportation system that safely and efficiently moves people and goods throughout the state. In addition to maintaining over 20,000 lane miles of state highway and 4,100 bridges, WSDOT leads an award-winning Active Transportation Plan, manages the world's longest floating bridge, and operates the largest ferry system in the nation!

WSDOT, is currently seeking a Budget Manager to support the financial integrity and stewardship of the agency through strategic budgeting and financial management. This position serves as a key resource for complex programs, providing advanced budget expertise that supports informed decision-making and ensures agency resources align with statewide priorities. Working closely with executive leadership, the Office of Financial Management, legislative staff, and other stakeholders, this role helps strengthen the agency's financial accountability and credibility. The successful candidate will also promote collaboration and knowledge sharing within the budget office through technical guidance, training, and mentoring. This position plays an important role in ensuring WSDOT can effectively manage public resources and continue delivering safe, reliable transportation services to the communities of Washington.

Among the varied range of responsibilities held within this role, you/the Budget Manager will:

• Serve as the Central Budget Office subject-matter expert for complex programs and budget issues.
• Interpret and apply state financial laws, policies, and practices to ensure budget compliance.
• Monitor spending, resolve budget variances, and recommend process or policy improvements.
• Develop and review decision packages, fiscal notes, allotments, financial reports, and budget documents.
• Implement budget strategies aligned with agency, OFM, Governor, and legislative priorities.
• Provide strategic budget guidance to leadership, programs, and external stakeholders.
• Provide budget training, mentoring, outreach, and technical assistance.
• Maintain accurate, timely, and audit-ready financial data and records.

To be considered for this opportunity, the following competencies are required :

• Budget Management and Processes: Demonstrating proficiency in developing, managing, and monitoring large, complex budgets; knowledge of state budget processes to develop, implement, and evaluate financial strategies, efficiencies, and savings that promote responsible resource management and measurable public benefit; ability to promote fiscal accountability and alignment with organizational goals.
• Analytical and Critical Thinking: Ability to apply advanced analytical, statistical, and problem-solving skills to objectively evaluate information, accurately interpret and apply complex laws and legal principles, rules, policies and procedures, identify issues, communicate contrary points of view and support sound decision-making to achieve department objectives.
• Professional and Ethical Conduct: Ability to perform duties thoroughly and properly, learn from mistakes, maintain professional relationships, maintain confidentiality when appropriate, and apply ethical application of knowledge, skills, and behavior to perform tasks at a high standard.
• Demonstrates a willingness to take action to meet the needs of others – proven success in fostering and developing constructive and collaborative organizational-wide relationships, with ability to lead through communication and trust building, seeking and welcoming different perspectives towards shared outcomes.
• Actively demonstrates a commitment to learning and growing – Demonstrated ability to self-reflect, identify personal and professional strengths and growth areas and adapt to new challenges.
• Work independently with attention to detail – strong sense of meticulousness, demonstrating an ability to work independently, thoroughly review and analyze data, detect errors, and ensure all work is accurate, timely, and error-free
• Technology Proficiency: Advanced knowledge and proficiency using technology, financial systems, databases, spreadsheets to analyze data, identify trends, develop reports or dashboards, and present fiscal information. Ability to learn new systems, troubleshoot technology issues, and explain system outputs and requirements to others.
• Organizational and Project Management: Skills to effectively organize, prioritize and manage multiple concurrent assignments, balance competing priorities while delivering accurate, quality and timely work in a fast-paced environment.
• Stakeholder Collaboration and Relationship Management: Advanced skills in building and maintaining trust and constructive working relationships characterized by a high level of acceptance, cooperation, and mutual respect.
• Effective Communication: Advanced skills in effectively communicating complex fiscal information, legal principles and policies to advance our department mission and maintain trust and alignment with the highest levels of state government.

The following qualifications are also required :

• Schedule flexibility and/or additional hours may be required during peak work periods, such as budget development and allotment preparation and legislative session.

It is preferred that qualified candidates also demonstrate:

• Experience working specifically in state government budgeting, for example in a central budget office, or similar.
• Demonstrated competence with statewide financial systems, such as the Agency Financial Reporting System (AFRS), Agency Budget System (ABS), Salary Projection System (SPS), and Fiscal Note System (FNS).
• Experience in communicating with staff of the Legislature and Office of Financial Management (OFM) or similar entities in other jurisdictions.
• Achieve excellent results with little need for oversight.

This position offers flexible/hybrid remote work options.

In addition to base salary, employees may be entitled to other forms of compensation depending on the type, duties, or location of the position. For union-represented positions, more information on other forms of compensation can be found in the applicable Collective Bargaining Agreements. Information on other compensation types for non-represented positions can be found in Chapter 357-28 of the Washington Administrative Code.

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

Work-Life Balance – We are committed to ensure that our staff experience the reward of public service, while also sustaining a routine that suits each individuals' lifestyle. As such, there are a number of flexible schedule options available, including telework options for eligible positions.

Paid Leave – In addition to 12 paid holidays, full-time employees may earn up to 25 paid vacation days per year!

Tuition Assistance – Permanent employees have several options for assistance with education expenses, including tuition reimbursement programs, government discounts at participating colleges throughout the state, and eligibility for federal student loan forgiveness.

Plan For Your Future – WSDOT offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes a variety of healthcare options. Employees also have their choice of state retirement programs, and much more. Go to State Benefits for more information.

Applications for this recruitment will be accepted electronically. Your relevant experience may be evaluated to determine salary. Therefore, it is very important that the "Work Experience" portion of the application be completed in as much detail as possible.

In order to be considered for this opportunity, please include the following with your online application:

• An attached Resume outlining (in reverse chronological order) your experience to date.
• An attached Cover Letter that further explains your qualifications and indicates why you believe you are a viable candidate for this role.
• Contact details for a minimum three (3) individuals who can attest to your work performance, technical skills, and job-related competencies. This information can be entered in the "References" section of the online application; does not require an additional attachment.

WSDOT is an equal opportunity employer. We value the importance of creating an environment in which all employees can feel respected, included, and empowered to bring unique ideas to the agency. Our diversity and inclusion efforts include embracing different cultures, backgrounds and viewpoints while fostering growth and advancement in the workplace. All persons, regardless of race, ethnicity, age, veteran status, sexual orientation, and/ or gender identity, are encouraged to apply. Persons with disabilities needing assistance in the application process, or those needing this job announcement in an alternative format may contact the listed Recruiter.

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

For inquiries about this posting, you may contact the assigned Recruiter at View email address on click.appcast.io . Please be sure to reference 26DOT-HQ-0W091 in the subject line.