Budget Manager

Posting number: 26DOT-HQ-0W091

Department: Dept. of Transportation

Division: Headquarters

Job classification: WMS BAND 2

Posting type: Open & Promotional

Categories: Accounting and Finance, Transportation, Management

Summary

About WSDOT

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!

The Opportunity

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.

What to Expect

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.

Qualifications

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: