Salary : $108,000.00 - $134,016.00 Annually
Location : Thurston County - Olympia, WA
Job Type: Exempt
Job Number:Department: Office of Financial Management
Division: Budget
Opening Date: 07/31/2026
Closing Date: 8/17/2026 11:59 PM Pacific
DescriptionPlease note: The starting salary offer will be determined based on the successful candidates' qualifications within the budgeted salary range of
$108,000 - $134,016 annually. However, there is the potential for longevity, growth, and salary progression for the individual once employed.
The job opportunityOFM plays a pivotal role in shaping Washington's future by planning, analyzing, and executing the state's operating, transportation, and capital budgets. We evaluate agency budget requests, craft smart recommendations for the Governor, and present the Governor's budget proposal to leadership, agencies, stakeholders, and the Legislature.
As a Budget Advisor, you will analyze complex budget requests, develop proposals that advance the Governor's priorities, and collaborate with agencies to ensure programs run efficiently and effectively. You'll work closely with legislative and executive partners, the Governor's policy staff, and other key stakeholders. This highly specialized role offers the chance to influence major decisions and make a meaningful impact across state government.
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.
Supplemental InformationWhat we offerAt 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 Pagefor a full list of benefits available to employees. Here's a quick glance at some of the unique benefits that OFM offers:
- An environment of
- 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
