Contracts, Grants, Loans, and General Accounting Manager (WMS Band 1)

Contracts, Grants, Loans, and General Accounting Manager

Keeping Washington Clean and Evergreen

The Department of Ecology is hiring a Contracts, Grants, Loans, and General Accounting Manager (WMS Band 1) within Financial Services.

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

Application Timeline:

• Apply by June 9, 2026.
• Applications submitted after the date above may be reviewed only if additional qualified applicants are needed.

Duties

In this role, you will provide senior-level financial analysis, consulting, policy and procedure development, and agency-wide communication and implementation strategies on financial/budget issues having agency-wide impact to ensure financial integrity, stability, and accountability for the agency. You will analyze new or updated statewide financial systems and policies administered by the Office of Financial Management, the Office of the State Treasurer, Federal Agencies, and others to determine the impact to Ecology, and provide implementation recommendations. You will also analyze agency business and financial practices that impact the financial infrastructure of Ecology, make recommendations for improvements, and implement final recommendations. All of which assists Ecology in providing its customers, both internal and external, with the highest level of integrity and confidence in the agency's financial practices and information.

What you will do:

• Responsible for the financial administration of Ecology grant, contract, and loan agreements that protect, preserve, and enhance Washington's environment, and promote the wise management of our air, land, and water for the benefit of current and future generations.
• Exercise authority to guide and influence the agency in the compliance and financial monitoring of federal grants, and ensure that grant regulations, rules, and policies are followed.
• Provide expert-level advice, consultation, and technical support to all agency programs, ensuring compliance with both state and federal requirements for agency contract, grant, and loan agreements.
• In collaboration with agency budget staff, is responsible for developing the agency chart of accounts to ensure the integrity and transmission of agency financial data are complete and accurate for state and federal compliance and reporting.
• Supervise and direct a well-trained, professional team in providing the best accounting resources for the agency.

Qualifications

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

Required Qualifications:

Eight (8) years of experience and/or education as described below:

Experience: Accounting, auditing, budgeting, including three (3) years of supervising or leading teams.

Experience must include demonstrated competence in the following skill sets:

• Advanced Knowledge of State Accounting – Ability to understand and effectively use state accounting systems, laws, policies, and procedures to ensure all financial activities are accurate, compliant, and aligned with state and federal requirements.
• Communication and Collaboration – Ability to explain financial information clearly and work effectively with all levels of management and staff to support understanding, informed decision-making, and coordinated action.
• Budget System Knowledge – Ability to understand state budget systems and work collaboratively with budget managers and staff to ensure financial information is accurate, consistent, and aligned with budget decisions.
• Process Improvement – Ability to analyze existing processes, identify gaps or inefficiencies, and design improved approaches to increase the accuracy, consistency, and effectiveness of financial operations.
• Workload and Time Management – Ability to plan, prioritize, and organize work to meet deadlines and manage multiple responsibilities effectively.
• Confidentiality – Ability to use sound judgment and maintain confidentiality to support trusted and reliable fiscal operations.
• Leadership – Ability to guide, support, and develop staff to build a high performing unit that meets agency financial and compliance obligations.

Education: involving a major study in a financial related field, certification as a Public Accountant, Internal Auditor, Certified Governmental Financial Manager, or Management Accountant, Any degree which includes 18 quarter or 12 semester hours in accounting, auditing, or budgeting.

Examples of how to qualify:

• 8 years of experience.
• 7 years of experience AND 30-59 semester or 45-89 quarter college credits.
• 6 years of experience AND 60-89 semester or 90-134 quarter college credits (Associate's degree).
• 5 years of experience AND 90-119 semester or 135-179 quarter college credits.
• 4 years of experience AND a Bachelor's degree.
• 2 years of experience AND a Master's degree.
• 1 years of experience AND a Ph.D.

Special Requirements/Conditions of Employment: Employee must read, sign, and abide by the Financial Services/Fiscal Office Agreement on Confidential Information (Part A), Internal Control Responsibility (Part B), Safeguarding and Preventing Misuse of Ecology's Data (Part C).

Desired Qualifications:

• Change Management – Demonstrated ability to guide staff through process changes and system transitions to improve unit performance and maintain operational stability.
• Advanced Data Analysis – Demonstrated ability to use analytical techniques and data visualization tools to identify trends, improve reporting accuracy, and support decision-making.
• Continuous Improvement Mindset – Demonstrated ability to evaluate existing processes to identify opportunities for streamlining, automation, and elimination of redundant steps.

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.