The Washington State Department of Agriculture services the people of Washington by supporting the agricultural community and promoting consumer and environmental protection.


The Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA) has been serving the state’s agriculture community and the public for more than 100 years. Through service, regulation, and advocacy, WSDA supports the viability and vitality of agriculture while protecting consumers, public health and the environment. We employ anywhere from 750-1,200 employees in fields like brand inspection, food safety, international marketing, environmental science, and information technology. While we do have offices statewide, this position is located in Olympia, WA.
 
As the Budget Analyst 3 you will use your independent judgement and familiarity with overall agency operations to accomplish a wide array of activities in the financial services section. This includes assisting in the development and submittal of the agency budget, preparation and monitoring of budget allotments (including end-of-year and fund balance projections), assisting with reimbursement documents for agency grant reporting requirements, and providing support activities for both the accounts receivable and travel sections.
 
We are always searching for the brightest and best to join our team and are committed to fostering employee growth and development. We want to give you the chance to grow at Agriculture! In addition to the amazing career potential, we also offer a generous benefit package which includes 11 paid holidays, sick and vacation leave, retirement and insurance, health, dental, and vision coverage, tuition reimbursement, training classes, and much more.
 
 
Some of what you will be doing:

• Budget preparation and monitoring
  • Enter allotments for the biennial and supplemental budget in to The Allotment System, (TALS)
  • Respond to requests from Office of Financial Management (OFM) and legislative staff.
  • Works with staff to develop narrative and cost estimates for proposed legislation and decision packages.
  • Prepares budget overview documents and conducts briefings with program staff
  • Enters information into the Budget Development System (BDS)
• Grant tracking and compliance monitoring
  • Reviews budget proposals accompanying federal and interagency grants and cooperative agreements.
  • Enters contract information into the Enterprise Contract Management System (ECMS).
  • Provides programs with estimated contract balances each month, resolving discrepancies using information recorded in Enterprise System.
• Accounts receivable support
  • Provide backup to the agency cashier position by receiving, depositing, and accurately recording program revenue in a timely manner.
  • Prepares journal entries to record interagency revenue transactions.
  • Reconciles credit card and ACH transactions.
• Travel reimbursement support
  • Provide backup support to the agency travel reimbursement section
  • Analyses and interprets travel and accounts receivable requirements, policies, rules and regulations adopted by OFM for travel and accounts receivable.
  • Provides exceptional customer service by interpreting requirements and explaining complex information to travelers and supervisors of travelers in the agency.
  • Prepares training information for employees regarding the Travel Expense Management System (TEMS).

 
A demonstrated history of the following skills, abilities, and competencies are required:
Communication effectiveness/teaching & training – ability to convey clear, timely, persuasive messages that positively influence the thoughts and actions of others. Effectively communicate information for the purposes of having others learn, understand, and apply specific principles, techniques or information.
 
Judgement- Display balanced thinking that combines analysis, wisdom, experience and perspective.
 
Written communication- Effectively convey ideas and information in writing using language that is appropriate to both the complexity of the topic and the knowledge and understanding of the audience.
 
Critical thinking- in the absence of clear guidelines or information, use judgement and critical thinking to infer appropriate meaning and form conclusions necessary to resolving the problem or issue.
 
Fiscal accountability- consistently follow applicable fiscal guidelines, regulations, principles and standards. 
 
Consulting – employ expertise, credibility and effective collaboration to help clients identify, evaluate and resolve complex or sensitive issues, problems and service needs.
 
Education/Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in business administration, public administration, accounting, economics, or closely allied field with 18 quarter or 12 semester hours of accounting. Professional experience may substitute for degree requirement (year for year), provided the academic accounting requirements are met.
• Two years of combined experience using the automated statewide financial report system (AFRS), TALS, BDS, TEMS, and/or Enterprise Reporting working with budgets, grants, accounting or travel reimbursements.
• Knowledge of Washington State budgeting and accounting processes.
• Expert level knowledge and skill using Microsoft Excel including formulas and pivot tables.

In addition to the above required knowledge, skills and abilities, the following will make a candidate highly desirable:

• One year of WSDA fiscal experience.
• Understanding of state budget activities with experience submitting written documents required during all phases of the budget process.
• Microsoft Great Plains software experience.
• Experience with ACH and credit card processing transactions.

How do I apply?
 
In addition to completing the online application, applicants must attach the following documents to their profile in order to be considered for this position:

• Letter of interest describing how you meet the specific qualifications for this position;
• Current resume detailing experience and education

The initial screening will be solely based on the contents and completeness of your application and the materials submitted. All information may be verified and documentation may be required, so please be prepared to bring a copy of your transcripts showing how you meet the educational requirement.
 
To take advantage of Veteran’s preference please attach your DD-214, member 4 long form, or your NGB-22.Please black out your social security number prior to attaching.
 
Applications with comments such as “see attachments” or “N/A” in the supplemental question responses will be considered incomplete.
 
General suggestions for creating a good application packet:

• Read the job posting very carefully. Find out as much as you can about the position.
• Make sure you are very diligent in following all the application instructions.  Include all requested documentation.
• Make sure your application and supplemental question responses address how you meet each of the required and desired qualifications.
• Carefully read each of the supplemental questions and respond completely to each one.  Pay careful attention to each component of the question, providing examples, and thoroughly describing when and where you achieved the proficiency level, and detail the types of work you performed, the work products, etc., to demonstrate ‘how’.
• Specifically include all of your work experiences doing the same or similar work, especially if you reference work in these jobs in describing when/where you gained proficiency level skills.
• Make sure your application reflects your best writing.

If you are unable to apply on-line, please contact Lyndsey Beaupre, Recruiter, at (360) 902-2020 or jobs@agr.wa.gov. Please include your last name and the position title in the subject line of your email.
 
Supplemental Information:
Prior to a new hire, a background check including criminal history will be conducted. Information from the background check will not necessarily preclude employment but will be considered in determining the applicant’s suitability and competence to perform in the position.
 
The Human Resource Division may use referrals from this recruitment to help fill future similar vacancies for up to six months.
 
The State of Washington actively supports diversity in the workplace and is an equal opportunity employer. Applicants who need assistance in the application process or who need this announcement in an alternative format may call (360) 902-2020 or the Telecommunications Device for the Deaf at 800-833-6388