Performance Principal Auditor (State Principal Auditor)

State of Oregon • $105K — $162K *

Salem, OR 97301Hybrid

Education, Government & Non-Profit

Less than 5 years of experience

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Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

Bachelor's degree or higher in related fields, or Associates degree with additional years of experience
Three years of experience in performance audits, including GAGAS compliance
Strong project management and report writing skills
Ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing
Experience in program evaluation, data analysis, or policy analysis preferred

Responsibilities

Organize and lead performance and compliance audits of state agencies
Gather and assess information from various stakeholders
Determine audit scope and write detailed audit plans
Supervise and guide lower-level audit staff
Provide training and coaching to team members
Analyze quantitative and qualitative data to formulate recommendations
Prepare and present audit reports to stakeholders

Benefits

In-state remote work options with supervisor approval
Professional development opportunities
Supportive team-oriented environment
Diversity in staff and promotion of inclusion
Preferential hiring for eligible veterans and Oregon National Guard servicemembers

Full Job Description

Initial Posting Date:
06/22/2026

Application Deadline:
07/05/2026

Agency:
Secretary of State

Salary Range:
$8,763 - $13,561

Position Type:
Employee

Position Title:
Performance Principal Auditor (State Principal Auditor)

Job Description:

This recruitment may be used to fill future vacancies.

LOCATION: Salem, OR

In-state remote work may be available for this position with supervisor approval. See definition and requirements of remote work for the Oregon Secretary of State's Office:Remote work with the Secretary of State's Office.

SALARY:

$8,763 - $13,561/per month Non-PERS Rate

$9,288 - $14,374/per month PERS Rate

WHAT YOU WILL DO:

The Performance Principal Auditor organizes and leads the execution of performance and compliance audits of various state agencies under the general direction and oversight of an Audit Manager. Specifically, Performance Principal Auditors:

Gather, collect, and assemble information to obtain an understanding of the organization or program under audit.
Identify and interview key agency or program managers and staff, stakeholders, legislative staff, legislators and experts in the field of study.
Determine the scope of audits, identify audit objectives, and write audit plans by identifying procedures to follow to achieve audit objectives.
Give direction on work procedures and review the work of lower-level audit staff members.
Provide on-the-job training and coaching to the staff and provide informal assessment of lower-level staff to the audit manager and elevate performance issues to the audit manager when needed.
Analyze and synthesize a broad array of quantitative and qualitative information on an organization or gram's resources, workload, and results to prepare recommendations on operational, budgetary, organizational, and other administrative matters.
Write and/or oversee writing audit reports and/or management letters and present audit results to auditees and others charged with governance such as audit and legislative committees.

For explicit duties, please request a copy of the position description from

TO QUALIFY:

Studies have shown that women and people of color are less likely to apply for jobs unless they meet every one of the qualifications listed. We are most interested in finding the best candidate for the job, and that candidate may be one who comes from a less traditional background. We would encourage you to apply, even if you don't meet every one of our desired qualifications listed.

Your application must demonstrate education and/or experience in the following:

A Bachelor's degree or higher in Business or Public Administration, Public Policy, Behavioral or Social Sciences, or related field, AND
Three (3) years of experience conducting performance audits. Experience must include conducting performance audits in compliance with Generally Accepted Government Auditing Standards (GAGAS or Yellow book), or IIA's International Standards for the Professional Practice of Internal Audits (Red book), including, project management experience, knowledge and application of professional auditing standards and audit methodologies, report writing, and verbal communication skills. Six (6) months of this requirement may be substituted with professional experience in any of the following areas: program evaluation, data analysis and presentation, policy analysis or operations research.

An Associates degree or higher in Business or Public Administration, Public Policy, Behavioral or Social Sciences, or related field, AND
Five (5) years of professional level governmental audit experience conducting performance audits following Generally Accepted Government Auditing Standards (GAGAS or Yellow book) for performance audits, or IIA's International Standards for the Professional Practice of Internal Audits (Redbook) for another state government comparable to the Oregon Secretary of State's office.

A combination of experience or education equivalent to seven (7) years' experience that typically supports the knowledge and skill requirements listed for the classification, with up to five (5) years credit for professional level governmental audit experience conducting performance audits following Generally Accepted Government Auditing Standards (GAGAS or Yellow book) for performance audits, or IIA's International Standards for the Professional Practice of Internal Audits (Redbook) for another state government comparable to the Oregon Secretary of State's office.

Preference may be given to candidates who have completed college level auditing coursework and/or who have experience* where job duties include work in any of the following areas:

Program evaluation, which includes collecting, analyzing, and using information to answer questions about projects, policies and/or programs, particularly about their effectiveness and efficiency data analysis and presentation, which includes analyzing quantitative and/or qualitative data and presenting it in oral and written formats;
Policy analysis, which includes examining and evaluating available options for implementing the goals of laws, elected officials, organizations or government programs; and/or
Operations research, which includes using advanced techniques, such as optimization, data mining, statistical analysis, and mathematical modeling, to develop solutions that help businesses and organizations operate more efficiently and cost-effectively.

*To receive credit for this experience, a candidate must have worked in a job for which one or more of the above categories comprised at least 50% of all job duties. We will evaluate the non-audit experience to determine what experience meets the qualifications.

As the most competitive candidate, your application will demonstrate the following requested skills and experience:

Demonstrate clear and effective communication, verbally and in writing; attentively listen to others and clearly and accurately express ideas and document audit support.
Use word processing, spreadsheet, database and other audit software.
Apply and adhere to government audit standards. Investigate situations and find facts. Analyze and assess data or information.
Works well as part of a team and independently.
Organize work assignments and manage time efficiently.
Think critically, logically, laterally, and creatively.
Work cooperatively and develop positive relationships with others.
Recognize and respect diversity in people.

If you are unsure whether you meet the qualifications of this position, please feel free to contact us to discuss your application.

HOW TO APPLY:

Click apply
Complete job history and education sections to clearly demonstrate how you meet minimum qualifications for the position
Upload your resume
Submit your finalized application
Complete additional inbox questionnaires on confidentiality and veteran status
Check back periodically for additional actions

Please note: you must attach your resume and complete the job history and education sections of the application. Failure to submit the required materials will remove your application from consideration.

WHAT TO EXPECT NEXT:

This recruitment is scheduled to be open for application between: 6/22/26 - 7/5/26
Manager review of applications: 7/6/26 - 7/16/26
Top scoring candidates will tentatively be invited to an in-person interview between: 8/3/26 - 8/14/26
Tentative start date for the successful candidate: week of 9/14/26

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

Additional applicant screening will depend on the number of qualified applications received. Screening may include skills testing, the results which may be used as part of the applicant evaluation process.
Candidates whose background most closely matches the qualifications and required/requested skills of this position will be invited to an interview.
Successful candidates will require professional reference checks and must pass a criminal history check. Adverse background data may be grounds for immediate disqualification.
Agency does not offer visa sponsorship. Within three days of hire, applicants will be required to complete I-9 documentation and confirm authorization to work in the United States. If your employment authorization and documentation is contingent on sponsorship now or in the future, you will not meet Agency employment eligibility standards.
The State of Oregon does not request or require your age, date of birth, attendance or graduation dates from an educational institution during the application process.
Eligible veterans and Oregon National Guard servicemembers (current and former) who meet the qualifications of the position will be awarded candidate preference. For more information, please visit Veterans Resources. Be sure to submit your documentation prior to the close date of this posting in order to have the preference considered.
The salary listed is the non-PERS qualifying salary range. If the successful candidate is PERS qualifying, the salary range will reflect the additional 6%.

QUESTIONS?

For additional information you may contact us at [email protected].

About State of Oregon

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