Budget Advisor

About the Department

Why work for OFM
The Office of Financial Management (OFM)serves as the backbone of Washington state government. Our mission is to make our state a better place by connecting people, budgets, policies, data, and systems for state agencies and the Legislature. Our team includes budget advisors, researchers, and other experts, all dedicated public servants working towards an equitable future for every Washingtonian.
 
If you want to play a key role in enhancing how state government serves its citizens, you’ve found the right place. Join us in making a meaningful difference for every Washingtonian!

The job opportunity
What you’ll work on:

• Monitor and support agencies in developing and implementing budgets, evaluating program performance, and addressing fiscal issues.
• Provide fiscal analysis and well-supported recommendations to the executive team and the Governor on early learning and workforce support proposals.
• Research and assess policies, projected outcomes, costs, risks, and implementation options.
• Collaborate with analysts, Governor’s staff, legal counsel, agencies, and legislative partners to resolve complex fiscal and policy questions.
• Build and apply fiscal models to estimate impacts and support decision-making.
• Prepare provisos, summaries, communications, and documentation that clearly explain the Governor’s budget proposals.
• Review and evaluate legislative bills, fiscal notes, and enrolled bills, and communicate impacts to leadership.
• Present budget information and respond to inquiries from the Governor, senior staff, legislators, and stakeholders.
• Represent OFM in workgroups focused on early learning and workforce support programs.
• Identify trends and factors that influence budget drivers and program needs.
• Provide informed recommendations on fiscal and policy proposals and participate in committees as needed.

What you need to bring:

• Demonstrated ability to analyze complex budget, fiscal, and financial information and develop recommendations that support executive decision-making. 
• Skill in evaluating fiscal impacts, identifying budget drivers, forecasting financial outcomes, and assessing fiscal risks.
• Demonstrated ability to research, analyze, and evaluate complex policy issues, legislation, and program proposals using qualitative and quantitative information. 
• Ability to evaluate policy implications, implementation considerations, risks, and potential outcomes to support informed decision-making.
• Demonstrated ability to assess complex issues, anticipate emerging challenges, evaluate alternatives, and develop practical, data-informed recommendations. 
• Ability to balance competing priorities while considering fiscal, operational, and policy impacts.
• Ability to interpret complex financial and program data, identify trends, and communicate findings effectively.
• Knowledge of legislative and budget processes and the ability to analyze legislation, fiscal impacts, and policy proposals within established timelines.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate complex fiscal, financial, and policy information clearly and concisely through written reports, presentations, and verbal briefings.

Expected analytical competencies

• Able to research and analyze budgets, models, and legislation
• Understanding of policy and budgetary systematic context
• Understanding of state employee compensation and benefit issues and budgets
• Understands how budget decisions are made—possesses the ability to articulate the assumptions behind decisions and understands the complexities of competing priorities and scarce resources
• Understanding or interest in child care, preschool, other early learning programs, labor issues, unemployment insurance, family leave, and/or other workforce supports 
• Able to monitor evolving issues and fiscal status of agencies and programs
• Understanding of federal funding and laws pertaining to labor and workforce issues

Technical Skills

• Knowledgeable/able to learn data systems, tools, and information available to OFM analysts
• Able to understand, interpret, and use financial information
• Communicate effectively and create materials to support and aid decision-makers
• Expert in Excel and related tools for modeling, analyzing, tracking, and reporting information

Interpersonal and Communication Skills

• Establishes and maintains good working relationships with OFM colleagues, legislative staff, agency staff, agency executives, elected officials, and other external partners
• Possesses sophisticated communication skills:  competency in clear (“plain talk”) writing, public speaking, legislative testimony, working with media, and interacting with the public
• Communicates complex information at an appropriate and accessible level to a range of audiences
• Seeks engagement on complex and difficult issues and is inquisitive
• Logical mindset and seeks clarity and understanding in political environments

Preferred/desired education, experience, and competencies

• Bachelor’s degree in finance, public administration, political science, or similar field, or a master’s degree in finance, public administration, political science, or a similar field
• Three years of experience as a state or local government fiscal or public policy analyst. 
• Experience working on childcare, preschool, early learning, labor, and/or workforce budgets and policy

We are committed to finding the candidate whose skills and experience align best with this role. We recognize that strong candidates may come from a variety of professional backgrounds and experiences. If your qualifications align with the role and you excel in collaborative environments, can manage competing priorities, and are committed to equitable and inclusive practices, we encourage you to apply.

Other Qualifications

What we offer
At OFM, we foster a culture of integrity, innovation, inclusion, and belonging. We value both learned and lived experiences, believing that diversity makes us stronger. To support your health and well-being, we offer a variety of benefit programs for our employees. 

Please visit our Recruitment Page for a full list of benefits available to employees. Here’s a quick glance at some of the unique benefits that OFM offers:

• An environment ofdiversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging
• Medical, Dental, Vision, and Life Insurance
• 12 paid holidays, 14 paid vacation days (minimum), and 12 days of sick leave per year
• State retirement programs 

Application Process:
Once you’ve decided to apply for a state government job, you’ll complete an online application to showcase your qualifications. Keep in mind that once you submit the application, a real person will read it. We do not use AI or any other technology to screen your application and reject it.  Please ensure you provide clear, detailed information about your work history so your qualifications can be accurately assessed. We will contact the top candidates directly to schedule interviews. If you require a reasonable accommodation during the application process, please call 7-1-1 or 1-800-833-6384.
 

When completing your application, please attach all of the following required documents:

• Cover letter: describing your qualifications for this specific position
• Resume: that details your applicable experience and education.
• References: at least three professional references and their current contact information.

Questions:
OFM's Staff ASL interpreter is available to all deaf and hard-of-hearing applicants. For questions about this recruitment or to request a reasonable accommodation in the application or interview process, please email us at[email protected]. 

The Office of Financial Management is an equal opportunity employer. We strive to create a working environment that includes and respects cultural, racial, ethnic, sexual orientation, and gender identity diversity. Women, racial and ethnic minorities, persons with disabilities, persons over 40 years of age, and disabled and Vietnam-era veterans are encouraged to apply.

This position is exempt from civil service rules.

For more information, please seeWAC 357-19-195.

Benefits

More than Just a Paycheck!
Employee benefits are not just about the kind of services you get, they are also about how much you may have to pay out of pocket. Washington State offers one of the most competitive benefits packages in the nation.

We understand that your life revolves around more than just your career. Like everyone, your first priority is ensuring that you and your family will maintain health and financial security. That's why choice is a key component of our benefits package. We have a selection of health and retirement plans, paid leave, staff training and other compensation benefits that you can mix and match to meet your current and future needs.

Read about our benefits:
The following information describes typical benefits available for full-time employees who are expected to work more than six months. Actual benefits may vary by appointment type or be prorated for other than full-time work (e.g. part-time); view the job posting for benefits details for job types other than full-time.

Note:  If the position offers benefits which differ from the following, the job posting should include the specific benefits. 

Insurance Benefits
Employees and their families are covered by medical (including vision), dental and basic life insurance. There are multiple medical plans with affordable monthly premiums that offer coverage throughout the state.

Staff are eligible to enroll each year in a medical flexible spending account which enables them to use tax-deferred dollars toward their health care expenses. Employees are also covered by basic life and long-term disability insurance, with the option to purchase additional coverage amounts.

To view premium rates, coverage choice in your area and how to enroll, please visit the Public Employees Benefits Board (PEBB) website. The Washington Wellness program from the Health Care Authority works with PEBB to support our workplace wellness programs.

Dependent care assistance allows the employee to save pre-tax dollars for a child or elder care expenses.

Other insurance coverage for auto, boat, home, and renter insurance is available through payroll deduction.

The Washington State Employee Assistance Program promotes the health and well-being of employees.

Retirement and Deferred Compensation
State Employees are members of the Washington Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS).  New employees have the option of two employer contributed retirement programs.  For additional information, check out the Department of Retirement Systems' web site.

Employees also have the ability to participate in the Deferred Compensation Program (DCP).  This is a supplemental retirement savings program (similar to an IRA) that allows you control over the amount of pre-tax salary dollars you defer as well as the flexibility to choose between multiple investment options.

Social Security
All state employees are covered by the federal Social Security and Medicare systems. The state and the employee pay an equal amount into the system.

Public Service Loan Forgiveness
If you are employed by a government or not-for-profit organization, and meet the qualifying criteria, you may be eligible to receive student loan forgiveness under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.

Holidays 
Full-time and part-time employees are entitled to paid holidays and one paid personal holiday per calendar year.

Note: Employees who are members of certain Unions may be entitled to additional personal leave day(s), please refer to position specific Collective Bargaining Agreements for more information.

Full-time employees who work full monthly schedules qualify for holiday compensation if they are employed before the holiday and are in pay status for at least 80 nonovertime hours during the month of the holiday; or for the entire work shift preceding the holiday. 

Part-time employees who are in pay status during the month of the holiday qualify for the holiday on a pro-rata basis. Compensation for holidays (including personal holiday) will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status in the month to that required for full-time employment, excluding all holiday hours. Pay status includes hours worked and time on paid leave.

Sick Leave 
Full-time employees earn eight hours of sick leave per month. Overtime eligible employees who are in pay status for less than 80 hours per month, earn a monthly proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment. Overtime exempt employees who are in pay status for less than 80 hours per month do not earn a monthly accrual of sick leave. 

Sick leave accruals for part-time employees will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment. Pay status includes hours worked, time on paid leave and paid holiday.

Vacation (Annual Leave)
Full-time employees accrue vacation leave at the rates specified in WAC 357-31-165(1) or the applicable collective bargaining agreement (CBA). Full-time employees who are in pay status for less than 80 nonovertime hours in a month do not earn a monthly accrual of vacation leave.

Part-time employees accrue vacation leave hours in accordance with WAC 357-31-165(1) or the applicable collective bargaining agreement (CBA) on a pro rata basis. Vacation leave accrual will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment.

Pay status includes hours worked, time on paid leave and paid holiday.

As provided in WAC 357-58-175, an employer may authorize a lump-sum accrual of vacation leave or accelerate the vacation leave accrual rate to support the recruitment and/or retention of a candidate or employee for a Washington Management Service position. Vacation leave accrual rates may only be accelerated using the rates established WAC 357-31-165.  

Note: Most agencies follow the civil service rules covering leave and holidays for exempt employees even though there is no requirement for them to do so. However, agencies are required to adhere to the applicable RCWs pertaining holidays and leave.

Military Leave
Washington State supports members of the armed forces with 21 days paid military leave per year.

Bereavement Leave 
Most employees whose family member or household member dies, or for loss of pregnancy, are entitled to five (5) days of paid bereavement leave. In addition, the employer may approve other available leave types for the purpose of bereavement leave.

Additional Leave
Leave Sharing
Parental Leave
Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)
Leave Without Pay

Please visit the State HR Website for more detailed information regarding benefits.

Updated 01-07-2026

Supplemental Questions

Required Question

Agency Information

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View Job Posting for Location, Washington, 98504 Website http://www.careers.wa.gov