Business and Finance Officer III

Applying equity and social justice principles is a daily responsibility and foundational expectation for all King County employees. In this role, you will apply equity and social justice principles that exemplify shared values, behaviors, and practices to all aspects of your work. As a Business and Finance Officer III, you will:

• Lead division-wide financial monitoring and reporting including developing budgets, analyzing budget to actuals, and preparing spending forecasts. 
• Present division financials to division leadership and staff on a regular basis.
• Provide data-driven recommendations on finance and business processes to support decision-making and maintain the financial health of the organization.
• Monitor and manage transaction level financials (accounting entries, personnel coding, etc.).
• Oversee division position management data and work with division staff and Human Resources to manage personnel counts and costs against budget.
• Support Metro’s Central Business & Finance Team with department-wide budget and financial analysis tasks.
• Support continuous improvement efforts for Metro’s operating program budgeting and analysis. This work may include evaluating existing processes, identifying areas for improvement, documenting new processes and procedures, monitoring implementation, and adjusting based on feedback and results.
• Coordinate with financial and non-financial staff to develop zero-based budgets and resource models, including clear, detailed documentation of assumptions, cost drivers, and unit costs.
• Develop, maintain, and improve financial models that are intuitive and easy for others to use.
• Other duties as assigned.

We are looking for candidates who have the following minimum qualifications: 

• Three (3) or more years of increasingly responsible experience in financial analysis, budgeting, or public sector finance OR a combination of education, training, and/or professional experience which provides the equivalent experience and background required to effectively perform the work of this position.
• Expert proficiency developing and applying complex Excel based modeling tools used to support decision-making, including clear, detailed documentation of assumptions, cost drivers, and unit costs.
• Demonstrated experience leading and supporting continuous improvement efforts, including workflow analysis, standardization of processes, and collaboratively working with teams to identify and implement improvements.
• Experience designing intuitive and easy to use financial reporting and models to meet needs of diverse audiences and explain financial concepts to non-financial staff and leaders.
• Skill in creating analyses based on transaction level data or through the application of standard financial and statistical analysis using business intelligence reporting tools.

• Knowledge of accounting concepts such as fund and grant accounting.

• Strong written and verbal communication and relationship-building skills.
• Experience with enterprise finance systems, analytical and reporting tools, such as Oracle EBS, Oracle Business Intelligence, Hyperion/PBCS, and Microsoft Power BI or similar tools.

Highly competitive candidates will have the following desired (but not required) qualifications:

• Knowledge of King County Metro’s operations, mission, and policies.
• Experience working with large public sector agencies or governmental organizations.
• Experience in municipal government or public transit.
• Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, Economics, Public Administration, or a related field.

Who may apply: We are accepting applications from all qualified individuals including current King County employees and the general public.

How To Apply: If you are interested in pursuing this position, please follow the application instructions carefully. If you need this announcement in an alternate language or format, would like to request an accommodation or assistance in the application or assessment process, or if you have questions, please contact: Talent Advisor Sarah Ottele at [email protected].

Required Application Materials:

The following application materials are required: 

1. An online King County application updated with accurate contact information and all relevant work history.
2. Completed supplemental questions. Responses to supplemental questions must be supported and verifiable by information found within your application materials.
3. A cover letter no longer than two (2) pages describing how your background in financial analysis, modeling, or budgeting has prepared you for this position. Include examples of how you have created intuitive financial reports, improved financial processes, or collaborated with diverse teams to support data driven financial decision making.
   

Selection Process: Applications will be screened to determine whether candidates meet the minimum qualifications, as well as for completeness and competitiveness. Applications submitted without the required application materials listed above may be deemed incomplete and be removed from consideration. Additional documents, such as resumes, will not be reviewed if submitted. Please ensure all relevant work experience is included in your King County application. The most competitive applicants may be invited to participate in skill testing, one or more interviews, or other selection process elements. Final offers are contingent on successful completion of reference checks and/or an internal employee record review.

Work Schedule: Employees will work 40 hours per week on a flexible work schedule as approved by their immediate supervisor with typical work hours between 6:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. Schedule assignments are subject to the staffing needs of the department. Some projects may require alternate hours as needed, including occasional evenings and/or weekends.

Work Location: This position follows a hybrid work schedule currently requiring a minimum of two (2) days per week onsite at King Street Center (201 S. Jackson, Seattle, Washington 98104), consistent with King County Metro's hybrid work policy. Onsite work requirements will be increasing to three (3) days in the near future. Remote workdays may be adjusted based on operational or business needs.  

Employees must reside in Washington state and within a reasonable distance to their King County worksite to respond to workplace reporting requirements. Employees will be provided with a County-issued laptop and must maintain a home workspace with an internet connection where they can reliably perform work and remain available and responsive during scheduled work hours.

Classification / Union / Job Code / Grade: Business and Finance Officer III / Non-Represented / 214301 / 62

King County is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Employer: No person is unlawfully excluded from employment opportunities based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex (including gender identity, sexual orientation and pregnancy), age, genetic information, disability, veteran status, or other protected class. Our EEO policy applies to all employment actions, including but not limited to recruitment, hiring, selection for training, promotion, transfer, demotion, layoff, termination, rates of pay or other forms of compensation. 

Guided by our "True North", we are making King County a welcoming community where every person can thrive. We value diversity, inclusion and belonging in our workplace and workforce. To reach this goal we are committed to workforce equity. Equitable recruiting, support, and retention is how we will obtain the highest quality workforce in our region; a workforce that shares and will help advance our guiding principles - we are one team; we solve problems; we focus on the customer; we drive for results; we are racially just; we respect all people; we lead the way; and we are responsible stewards. We encourage people of all backgrounds and identities to apply, including Native Americans, people of color, immigrants, refugees, women, LGBTQ+, people living with disabilities, and veterans.