Controller - WMS03

State of Washington

Olympia, WA

$120,000–$149,724 Per Year

2 days ago

Job Description

Controller - WMS03

Salary

$120,000.00 - $149,724.00 Annually

Location

Thurston County - Olympia, WA

Job Type

Full Time - Permanent

Remote Employment

Flexible/Hybrid

Job Number

2026-08768

Department

Employment Security Department

Division

Financial Services

Opening Date

10/30/2026

Closing Date

Continuous

Description
Benefits
Questions

Description

This position will be open until filled, however the hiring manager has the right to close the announcement at any time. First review of applications is on 11/17/2026.

The ideal candidate for this position will possess well-developed accounting, analytical, and communication skills, and have experience supervising professional and technical staff within a diverse agency workforce.

The controller is relied upon to work collaboratively with all levels of management and line staff to ensure responsible stewardship of public funds and excellent customer service standards. The Ideal candidate will also be responsible for understanding, interpreting, and communicating numerous state and federal fiscal and accounting policies and practices applicable to all department funding sources and activities.

If you have strong communications and relationship management skills and are excited about leading a team of professional and technical staff in service delivery for Washingtonians - we are looking for you!

The Controller oversees the agencys accounting functions, including federal grant accounting, revenue, payables, expenditures, receivables, and maintaining internal controls. This position will ensure that the agencys fiscal policies are compliant with state and federal laws and regulations.

Duties

Some of the duties:

Responsible and accountable for understanding, interpreting, and communicating numerous state and federal fiscal and accounting policies and practices applicable to all Department funding sources and activities.
Assures appropriate and optimum use of the Financial Office resources and enhances the effectiveness of employees through timely appraisals and professional development opportunities.
Supervises three WMS2 managers with oversight of Specialized Accounting, Grant Accounting, Vendor Pay and Systems and Financial Reporting.
Provides advice and direction on fiscal matters pertaining to the training, consultation, and education of agency staff and the local Workforce Development Councils.
Maintains the highest standards of personal, professional, and ethical conduct and supports the states and agencys goals for a diverse workforce.
Develops and trains managers and frontline supervisors.

Scope of the role:

Operating budget controlled.

The Financial Services annual operating budget under this positions responsibility is approximately $3.3 million.

Other financial influences/impacts.

This position serves on state and agency-wide budget, expenditure review, and cost analysis taskforces and committees formed on an on-going and ad hoc basis. This position serves as a resource on a variety of financial issues and questions that come before the agency. These include providing input and responses to audit reports, working with the WorkSource Standards and Integration Division Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) compliance unit on all audit and fiscal matters pertaining to state and area compliance under the federal act and rules. In addition, this position interprets federal circulars and state travel regulations and other financial policies and rules as they relate to agency fiscal controls and procedures.
This position establishes and maintains an open and active association with other governmental agencies such as Department of Enterprise Services, Office of the Secretary of Treasurer, Office of Financial Management, Department of Social and Health Services, the State Auditor's Office, US Department of Labor and the Workforce Development Councils ensuring ESD is informed and has a cooperative partnership that is responsive to changing environments.

To request a detailed position description, click here.

Qualifications

Required Education, Experience, and Competencies

6 years of professional-level governmental accounting or financial management experience. AND 18 quarter or 12 semester hours in accounting, auditing, or budgeting AND 3 years of experience includes supervising professional fiscal staff or managing a complex financial unit, including supervising lower-level managers or supervisors.
Associate's degree in finance, accounting, business administration, public administration, or a closely related field which includes 18 quarter or 12 semester hours in accounting, auditing, or budgeting AND 4 years of professional-level governmental accounting or financial management experience. AND 2 years of experience includes supervising professional fiscal staff or managing a complex financial unit, including supervising lower-level managers or supervisors.
OR Bachelor's degree in finance, accounting, business administration, public administration, or a closely related field which includes 18 quarter or 12 semester hours in accounting, auditing, or budgeting AND 2 years of professional-level governmental accounting or financial management experience AND One 1 year of experience includes supervising professional fiscal staff or managing a complex financial unit, including supervising lower-level managers or supervisors.

Required equity competencies:

The ability to take action to learn and grow
The ability to take action to meet the needs of others.

Core Competencies:

Unit Operations: Ability to plan, organize, direct, and control the workflows of a multi-functional Accounting Unit (including AP, AR, revenue, expenditures, and federal grants)
Fiscal Closing: Proven capability to manage tight timelines and successfully execute state and federal fiscal year-end closing processes
Policy Interpretation: Advanced ability to analyze, interpret, and apply complex state and federal fiscal laws, rules, and regulations to diverse funding sources
Cost Allocation: Expertise in federal cost principles, cost determination methodologies, indirect cost rates, and the preparation of agency-wide cost plans.
Managerial Supervision: Skilled in directing and mentoring managers across diverse sub-units (Grants, Systems, Vendor Pay, etc.)
Culture & Communication: Ability to maintain transparent, effective communication channels vertically and horizontally across the organization
Integrity & Ethics: Adherence to the highest standards of personal, professional, and ethical conduct; unwavering commitment to the responsible stewardship of public funds
Customer Service: Commitment to driving excellent customer service standards within a financial operations environment

Preferred/Desired Education, Experience, and Competencies:

Certification: Certified Public Accountant (CPA), Certified Government Financial Manager (CGFM), or Certified Public Finance Officer (CPFO).
Agency-Specific Experience: Direct experience developing and submitting annual cost plans to the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL)
State Frameworks: Expert knowledge of the State Administrative and Accounting Manual (SAAM), Revised Code of Washington (RCW), and Office of Financial Management (OFM) policies and regulations.
Federal Frameworks: Comprehensive understanding of Federal OMB Uniform Guidance (2 CFR 200), federal cost principles, and federal grant administration
Accounting Standards: Thorough knowledge of Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB) pronouncements.

Additional Requirement of Employment:

Must be able to pass an Unemployment Insurance (UI) Claim & Benefit Information Review
Must be able to travel as needed

Please submit only the required documents as noted below and ensure all Personal Identifying Information (PII) such as Social Security numbers etc. are edited out of your materials for privacy. Additionally, we ask that you not include photographs or external links within your documents. Any documents uploaded through this platform will be securely transmitted electronically to support application review.

Please submit your Cover Letter, Resume, and Transcript(s) with your Online Application through the "Add Attachments" field. 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 attachments" may be considered incomplete.

Supplemental Information

Our agencys mission and values drive every decision that we make, determine how we interact with others, and are at the core of who we are. We value Access, Love, Belonging, Equity, and Stewardship. We understand that a work environment that respects your work/life balance is key; thats why many of our positions are eligible for flexible work schedules and teleworking opportunities. Through support, value, and trust, our employees are empowered to grow and develop into their best self.

Opportunity for All

We strive to create a working environment that includes and respects cultural, ethnic, racial, religious, sexual orientation, and gender identity diversity. Women, racial and ethnic minorities, people with disabilities, people over 40 years of age, people with religious beliefs, veterans or people with military status, and people of all sexual orientations and gender identities are encouraged to apply.

The Employment Security Department is an equal opportunity employer/program. Auxiliary aids and services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities.

If you are a person needing assistance in the application process, if you need this job announcement in an alternate format, or if you have general questions about this opportunity, please contact Caleb Baldwin or at 253-306-2999 or the Talent Acquisition Team, prior to the position closing. If you are having technical difficulties creating, accessing, or completing your application, please contact careershelp@des.wa.gov or (360) 664-1960 or toll free (877) 664-1960, Washington Relay 711.

This Organization Participates in E-Verify

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. Thats 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

Are you a current or former Washington state employee?

Have you attached your cover letter, resume, and transcript(s) to your application? Please ensure both documents are included as they are crucial for the evaluation process.

Under RCW 73.16.010, certain military spouses are eligible for preference. Do you attest that you meet one of the following eligibility criteria?

You are the spouse of an active-duty service member.
You are the widow or widower of a member of the uniformed services who had a qualifying discharge, as defined in RCW 73.04.005.
You are the spouse of a veteran who has a qualifying discharge, as defined in RCW 73.04.005, and a service-connected permanent and total disability.
None of the above

Describe your experience overseeing governmental accounting or financial management functions. Identify the types of accounting functions, funding sources, and financial reporting responsibilities within your scope of responsibility. Suggested response length: 100 words or fewer.

Describe the scope of your experience supervising or managing accounting or financial professionals, including any responsibility for supervising other managers or supervisors. Identify the types of technical accounting functions you were responsible for directing or overseeing. Suggested response length: 100 words or fewer.

Describe your experience developing, implementing, or maintaining financial internal controls and supporting financial audits. Identify the nature of your responsibilities for audit responses, compliance monitoring, or corrective action activities. Suggested response length: 100 words or fewer.

Describe your experience overseeing financial statement preparation, fiscal close activities, or financial reporting for an organization with multiple programs or funding sources. Identify the types of reports or financial processes for which you were accountable. Suggested response length: 100 words or fewer.

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