Financial Specialist (Environmental Specialist 4)
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Apply to Financial Specialist (Environmental Specialist 4) at State of WashingtonJob details
- Location
- Lacey or Shoreline or Bellingham or Mount Vernon
- Work type
- Hybrid
- Compensation
- $69,348 - $93,288/yr
- Posted
- today
- Apply on
- governmentjobs.com
About this role
About the Department
Keeping Washington Clean and Evergreen
The Department of Ecology is hiring a Financial Specialist (Environmental Specialist 4) within the Shorelands & Environmental Assistance (SEA) program.
Note: This is a temporary position that will end on June 30, 2027. This position has the potential to be converted to a permanent position depending on funding.
This position can be based at any of the following duty stations:
Headquarters Office in Lacey, WA.
Northwest Region Office in Shoreline, WA.
Bellingham Field Office in Bellingham, WA.
Padilla Bay Office in Mount Vernon, WA.
Upon hire, you must live within a commutable distance from the selected duty station.
Note: If the selected duty station is the Northwest Region Office in Shoreline, the salary will include an additional 5% premium pay due to its location in King County. Salary range: $6068 - $8163 monthly.
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 August 11th, 2026
Position Duties
This Financial Specialist (ES4) position offers a unique opportunity to provide technical, administrative, and financial leadership for federal grants, receivable agreements, and payable contracts across the Padilla Bay and Program Manager sections within Ecology’s Shorelands & Environmental Assistance (SEA) Program. In this role, you will independently manage complex financial processes, ensure compliance with state and federal requirements, and support projects that advance Ecology’s mission and the SEA Program’s statewide environmental priorities. You will serve as a key financial resource to project officers, funding partners, Section staff, and SEA Program financial teams—helping maintain agreement integrity, track budgets, resolve fiscal discrepancies, and develop tools and documentation that strengthen financial management practices across the program.
You will also guide project staff through administrative requirements, coordinate agreement approvals, maintain organized records, and facilitate high-quality reporting and invoicing. This position plays an important role in ensuring federal grants and interagency agreements are implemented effectively from application through project completion, supporting transparent financial processes and consistent delivery of program obligations.
What You Will Do:
• Conduct quality assurance reviews of project scopes, budgets, special conditions, and work plans to ensure fiscal accuracy, eligibility of costs, and consistency across agreements.
• Coordinate agreement approvals, signatures, and record maintenance, including managing agreement libraries and ensuring accurate and accessible documentation.
• Track project budgets, monitor expenditures, evaluate financial data for accuracy, and resolve discrepancies across fiscal systems.
• Prepare and review invoices, progress reports, match documentation, amendments, and deadline tracking to support timely and accurate fiscal reporting.
• Serve as a liaison between contracting agencies, project officers, and the SEA financial management team, gathering information and facilitating communication to support agreement development and administration.
• Negotiate with federal and state funding partners on invoicing schedules, reporting requirements, and contractual conditions during agreement establishment and modification.
• Assist project officers in drafting agreements and required documentation, including contracts, scopes of work, learning plans, and progress narratives.
• Participate in team meetings, contribute to problem-solving discussions, and support consistent financial management practices across the SEA Program.
• Follow records and information management requirements, maintain organized electronic and paper records, and ensure compliance with public records retention policies.
• Perform other duties as assigned that support SEA Program financial operations and project delivery.
Minimum Qualifications
For detailed information on how we calculate experience and responses to other frequently asked questions, please visit our Recruitment website.
Required Qualifications:
Nine (9) years of experience and/or education related to the duties of the position, which includes the following:
- Federal and State Funding Administration: Experience performing tasks that support the preparation, administration, or management of federal grants, interagency agreements, or payable contracts.
- Financial Tracking: Ability to evaluate financial data, review project expenditures, verify fiscal accuracy, and identify inconsistencies across financial systems.
- Budget Monitoring: Skill in maintaining project budgets, updating cost categories, tracking rate changes, monitoring spending patterns, and identifying issues that require correction.
- Regulatory Compliance: Ability to review statutes, rules, policies, procedures, or contract provisions to determine required actions for financial or administrative compliance.
- Information Management: Ability to maintain organized electronic and paper records, ensure accurate version control, track reporting deadlines, and support retrieval of documentation used in financial or contractual processes.
- Independent Work Management: Demonstrated ability to organize workloads, prioritize tasks, meet required deadlines, and work independently while collaborating effectively within a distributed team environment.
Education involving major study in environmental, physical, or one of the natural sciences, environmental planning, finance, accounting, economics, or other allied field
A Bachelor’s degree substitutes for 4 years of experience.
A Master’s degree substitutes for 6 years of experience.
Examples of how to qualify:
9 years of experience.
8 years of experience AND 30-59 semester or 45-89 quarter college credits.
7 years of experience AND 60-89 semester or 90-134 quarter college credits (Associate’s degree).
6 years of experience AND 90-119 semester or 135-179 quarter college credits.
5 years of experience AND a Bachelor’s degree.
3 years of experience AND a Master’s degree.
Desired Qualifications:
- Grant management or similar financial management experience.
Other Qualifications
Ecology does not use the E-Verify system; therefore, we are not eligible to extend STEM Optional Practical Training (OPT). For more information, please visit www.uscis.gov.
Application Process
Ecology seeks diverse applicants: We view diversity, equity, inclusion, and respect through a broad lens including race, ethnicity, class, age, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, immigration status, military background, language, education, life experience, physical disability, neurodiversity, and intersectional identities. Qualified job seekers from all backgrounds are encouraged to apply.
How to Apply
Click “Apply” at the top of this page. Complete the entire application, including full work history and responses to all supplemental questions, and attach:
Cover letter, describing your interest in and qualifications for this position
Resume
Because we base our selection on the information you provide, it is in your best interest to complete the application thoroughly. A resume will not substitute for the “work experience” section of the application or vice versa. Applications with blank fields or supplemental question responses with comments such as “see resume” may be considered incomplete.
For detailed application information, please visit our Recruitment website.
Application Attestation: By submitting an application, you are affirming that the information contained in your application and on all attachments is complete and truthful. The state may verify this information, and any false or misleading answers may result in rejection of your application or dismissal if employed.
Need an Accommodation?
If you need reasonable accommodation during the application and/or screening process, including this job announcement in an alternate format:
Please contact us at 360-407-6186 or [email protected]
If you are deaf or hard of hearing, you may call through the Washington Relay Service by dialing 711 or 1-800-833-6384.
Questions?
For specific questions about the position location options, schedule, or duties, please contact Bridget Talebi at [email protected]
If you need assistance applying for this job, are inquiring about the status of your application, would like to request the full position description, or have any other questions, please contact the Recruitment Team at [email protected]
About the Shorelands and Environmental Assistance (SEA) Program
The mission of the SEA Program is to create community conservation partnerships to protect and restore our shorelands, wetlands, and floodplains.
About the Department of Ecology
As the State of Washington’s environmental protection agency, we are deeply committed to protecting, preserving, and enhancing Washington’s environment for current and future generations. Joining Ecology means becoming part of a team dedicated to protecting and sustaining healthy land, air, water, and climate in harmony with a strong economy. A career in public service at Ecology allows you to help solve some of the most challenging problems facing our state, while keeping your health and financial security a priority. We combine one of the most competitive benefits packages in the nation with a strong commitment to life/work balance. We invest in our employees to create and sustain a working environment that encourages creative leadership, effective resource management, teamwork, professionalism, and accountability.
Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Respect (DEIR) are core values central to Ecology's work. We strive to be a workplace where we are esteemed for sharing our authentic identities, while advancing our individual professional goals and collaborating to protect, preserve, and enhance the environment for current and future generations.
We believe that DEIR is both a goal and an action. We are on a journey, honoring our shared humanity and taking steps to demonstrate our commitment to a vision where each of us is heard, seen, and valued.
Ecology employees may be eligible for the following: Medical/Dental/Vision for employee & dependent(s), Public Employees Retirement System (PERS), Vacation, Sick, and other Leave*, 11 Paid Holidays per year*, Public Service Loan Forgiveness, Tuition Waiver, Long Term Disability & Life Insurance, Deferred Compensation Programs, Dependent Care Assistance Program (DCAP), Flexible Spending Arrangement (FSA), Employee Assistance Program, Commute Trip Reduction Incentive, Combined Fund Drive, SmartHealth *Click here for more information
To learn more about Ecology, please visit our website, explore Working at Ecology, check out our Strategic Plan, and connect with us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, or our blog.
Equal Opportunity Employer: The Washington State Department of Ecology 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 of disability, persons over 40 years of age, veterans, military spouses or people with military status, and people of all sexual orientations and gender identities are encouraged to apply.
Collective Bargaining:This is a position covered by a bargaining unit for which the Washington Federation of State Employees (WFSE) is the exclusive representative.
Note:This recruitment may be used to fill other positions of the same job classification across the agency. Once all the position(s) from the recruitment announcement are filled, the recruitment may only be used to fill additional open positions for the next sixty (60) days.
#LI-Hybrid
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
- Community Based Organization
- Community / Technical College
- Ecology Employee
- Ecology Recruiter
- Ecology Jobs Page
- Job Board
- Job Fair
- Newspaper
- Other State Agency
- Other Website
- Professional Association
- University Job Board
- WorkSource
- Other
- Yes
- No
- Three years
- Four years
- Five years
- Six years
- Seven years
- Eight years
- Nine or more years
- None of the above
- 30-59 semester or 45-89 quarter college credits
- 60-89 semester or 90-134 quarter college credits (AA degree)
- 90-119 semester or 135-179 quarter college credits
- Bachelor's degree
- Master's degree or above
- None of the above
- Yes
- No
- None – I have no experience performing tasks related to federal or state funding administration.
- Foundational – I have basic awareness or limited exposure and can perform introductory funding-related tasks with direction.
- Intermediate – I assist with grant or agreement administration with some guidance and have practical experience through coursework or professional work.
- Advanced – I independently manage core administrative components of grants or agreements and consistently perform funding tasks in a professional setting.
- Expert – I am recognized for in-depth expertise in funding administration, independently managing complex grants or agreements and advising others on best practices.
- None – I have no experience performing financial tracking tasks.
- Foundational – I have basic awareness of financial tracking concepts and can complete simple tasks with direction.
- Intermediate – I review financial data and identify basic discrepancies with some guidance.
- Advanced – I independently evaluate financial data, resolve discrepancies, and ensure fiscal accuracy across multiple systems.
- Expert – I am relied upon as an authority in financial tracking, consistently identifying complex issues and mentoring others on financial accuracy.
- None – I have no experience monitoring project budgets.
- Foundational – I understand basic budget concepts and can perform simple budget updates with guidance.
- Intermediate – I maintain and track budgets with some independence and can identify routine issues.
- Advanced – I independently manage budgets, monitor spending trends, and resolve complex budget issues.
- Expert – I am recognized for expert-level budget oversight, designing monitoring tools and guiding others in resolving advanced fiscal challenges.
- None – I have no experience reviewing regulatory or contractual requirements.
- Foundational – I have basic awareness of compliance concepts and can review simple requirements with guidance.
- Intermediate – I review statutes, policies, or contract terms with some independence and determine routine compliance actions.
- Advanced – I independently interpret complex regulatory requirements and ensure compliance in varied situations.
- Expert – I am recognized as a subject matter authority in regulatory compliance, advising others and resolving advanced compliance issues.
- None – I have no experience with information or records management.
- Foundational – I understand basic recordkeeping practices and can maintain simple files with direction.
- Intermediate – I organize records, track deadlines, and support documentation retrieval with some independence.
- Advanced – I independently manage complex records systems, maintain version control, and ensure timely access to documentation.
- Expert – I am known for exemplary information management practices, designing organizational systems and advising others on maintaining accurate records.
- None – I have no experience independently managing workloads or deadlines.
- Foundational – I can organize simple tasks and meet deadlines with guidance.
- Intermediate – I manage routine workloads independently and collaborate effectively with some direction.
- Advanced – I independently manage complex, high-volume workloads, meet deadlines consistently, and collaborate effectively across teams.
- Expert – I excel at strategic workload management, consistently meeting demands in dynamic environments and mentoring others on independent work strategies.
Required Question
Agency Information
EmployerState of WashingtonAddress View Job Posting for Agency InformationView Job Posting for Location, Washington, 98504 Website http://www.careers.wa.gov