Budget Administrator

Parks Tacoma is seeking a detail-oriented and strategic Budget Administrator to serve as the District's Budget Officer. Reporting to the Controller, this key role will oversee budget planning, monitoring, and financial analysis to support the District’s mission of enriching the community through parks and recreation. If you have a passion for public service, strong financial expertise, and the ability to drive fiscal responsibility, we invite you to apply and help shape the future of Tacoma’s parks!

Work where you play!
Join our team at Parks Tacoma to put your skills to use serving your community and making Tacoma a vibrant, healthy, and welcoming place to live.
 
Who We Are
Parks Tacoma is a CAPRA-accredited and AZA-accredited, independent park district that leads efforts to build a healthy, sustainable community. Located in Tacoma, Washington, Tacoma Parks’ mission is to create healthy opportunities to play, learn, and grow. The independent park district spans the city providing a wide range of life-enriching destinations and services, including 70 parks, 80 miles of trails, 1,000 acres of urban forest, 66 playgrounds, four community centers, Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium, Northwest Trek Wildlife Park, Point Defiance Park, and much more. Our work is guided by eight core values that are the foundation of our actions and goals: innovation, excellence, equity, inclusiveness, sustainability, accountability, safety, and fun.
 
Why You’ll Love it Here
Come work where you play! You will contribute to the overall vitality and well-being of your community when you work for Parks Tacoma, and you’ll do so as part of a supportive team of committed, passionate, and mission-driven professionals. The people of Parks Tacoma are the key to its success, and you just might be the next great addition to our team. You’ll receive a competitive wage, along with an attractive benefits package, including medical, dental, retirement, vacation, holidays, and much more. On top of that, you’ll wake each day knowing that you’re helping make Tacoma a great place to call home.
   
Position Information 
The Budget Administrator serves as an assigned expert responsible for developing, implementing, and monitoring the district’s biennium operating budget, ensuring alignment with strategic goals and regulatory requirements. The Budget Administrator assists the Controller and the Chief Financial and Administrative Officer in planning, leading and coordinating all budget functions for the district. Additionally, the Budget Administrator acts as the district’s Budget Officer providing high level expertise in fiscal planning, forecasting, and analysis to support informed decision-making by district leadership and collaborating with various departments to facilitate budgetary compliance and efficiency across the organization.

The incumbent works closely and collaboratively with all district staff, divisions and external stakeholders in carrying out the section’s duties. In the performance of their respective tasks and duties all employees are expected to:

• Perform quality work within deadlines with or without direct supervision. 
• Interact professionally with other employees, customers, and suppliers. Work effectively as a team contributor on all assignments.
• Work independently while understanding the necessity for communicating and coordinating work efforts with other employees and organizations.
• Observe applicable safety requirements, use safety equipment provided, implement appropriate safety practices at all times and report immediately any unsafe working conditions or hazards.

• Provide leadership in the development of the district’s biennial budgets, consultation in fiscal and program planning, oversight and analysis of the district’s operating budget, and development of policy decision packages and legislative fiscal impacts. 
• Lead and facilitate the development, compilation, assembly, and distribution of the district’s operating budget and forecast spreadsheets; collaborate with departments to provide effective and efficient process that aligns with department goals and objectives and business needs. Provide leadership and guidance to district staff on performance-based spending plans, revenue projections, and preparation of detailed analytical financial reports timely and accurately. Prepares, reviews, and analyzes the district’s spending plans and work plan initiatives; and provides recommendations and assistance in long-term financial planning, and day-to-day business operations.
• Serves as primary finance and budget support for Business Administration & Planning department during budget development and ongoing monitoring of financial activities. 
• Coordinate with department directors and staff to prepare biennial budget amendments for approval by the Board of Park Commissioners, update budget system to accurately reflect program delivery intent.
• Coordinate with department managers to establish and maintain a District-wide position control database to monitor, review and manage employee FTE usage and new position requests.
• Provide leadership and participate in the planning, development and maintenance of a revenue model for the district. Thoroughly analyze, research and compare actual earnings to projection. Communicate and present actual revenue earnings activities to Executive Cabinet, Managers, and Administrators responsible for revenue generation. Assist CFAO in the quarterly presentation of the financial budget to actual reports.
• Lead and coordinate the project management of budget related systems and improvements, researching relevant data, developing timelines, and monitoring project progress from start to completion.
• Maintains operating budget and fiscal accountability and works with department managers and supervisors to assure budget and fiduciary performance measures; supervises the production of monthly and quarterly budget-to-actual financial reports for external and internal users. 
• Monitors changes in state and federal statutes, regulations and rules impacting accounting standards and practices and financial reporting requirements and implements changes in accounting processes to comply with those changes.
• Identify, flag, and analyze potential financial and budgetary risks.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE:

• A bachelor’s degree in business, Public Administration, Accounting, Economics, Statistics, or related field required. An additional 4 years of related experience can substitute for the degree requirement. 
• Must have an in-depth budget and accounting background with at least 6 years of government budget experience with increasing levels of responsibility.

OTHER REQUIREMENTS:

• Ability to attend occasional evening meetings
• Valid driver's license desired

PLEASE SUBMIT A COVER LETTER AND RESUME WITH APPLICATION PACKAGE

ENVIRONMENT:

• Office environment.
• Constant interruptions due to internal/external customer needs and demands.

 
PHYSICAL ABILITIES:

• Sitting for extended periods of time.
• Reaching overhead and above the shoulders to retrieve and store supplies and documents. Dexterity of hands and fingers to operate a computer keyboard, adding machine and other office equipment.
• Seeing to read and ensure accuracy of statements, reports and journal entries. Hearing and speaking to exchange information in person and on the telephone.

 
HAZARDS:

• Contact with dissatisfied or abusive individuals.

KNOWLEDGE OF:

• Knowledge of management principles, including performance management, sound business practices, including expertise in practical application of budget and fiscal applications, contract interpretation and implementation, and system functions.
• Planning, directing, implementing, monitoring, and evaluating the functional and technical components of budgeting and forecasting.
• Budget preparation, analysis, monitoring and projections including revenue, spending plans and expenditures.
• Project management experience including the ability to engage in strategic thinking and knowledge of creating the building blocks, set priorities, and timelines to achieve the objectives and vision.
• Advising management on data processing systems, policies, programs, and solving problems through creative and innovative leadership.
• Strong customer service skills including the ability to listen effectively to customers’ needs and inquiries in person, on the phone, and in writing, and make appropriate recommendations as a business partner or to resolve problems.
• Washington State Budget, Accounting and Reporting Systems (BARS) manual.
• Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) standards, recommended practices and policies, rules, and regulatory reporting requirements.
• Knowledge of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) and best practices; Budget, Accounting and Reporting Systems (BARS) manual; Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB); Government Finance Administrators Association (GFOA) budget guidance and best practices.
• Development, implementation and analysis of accounting and reporting methods, procedures, and systems.
• Leadership principles and employee engagement activities.
• Applicable laws, codes, regulations, policies, and procedures.
• Principles and practices of public administration, including budgeting, grant accounting, cost accounting, personnel administration, labor law and risk management.
• Demonstrated knowledge of government budget policies, processes and financial systems; Legislative process, bill analysis, budget implementation, may include fiscal note preparation due to proposed legislation; Microsoft Office Suite with a strong emphasis on Excel (expert level); Participation in a performance-management culture.

SKILLS POSSESSED:

• Analytical skills for financial research and modeling in a complex multi-system environment; ability to develop and implement financial models for forecasting and expenditure/revenue analysis.
• Decision making – ability to identify issues, develop analyses of alternative positions and impacts; makes data driven, defensible decision and recommendations; takes calculated risks based on logical rational decision-making processes; makes timely/responsive decisions; assumes responsibility for decisions made; and involves others appropriately in decision making processes.
• Utilize quality improvement tools and processes in accomplishing work activities and in support of the district’s mission, values and goals; this includes seeking opportunities to participate in process improvement activities and seeking out efficiencies in how work is accomplished on an ongoing basis.
• Integrate performance leadership into program activities, provide coaching and mentoring to peers and team-members for improved successes, provide personal recognition and celebrate successes, and display characteristics of positive interpersonal influence as reflected in the Finance Division value statement.
• Cultural, ethnic, and gender sensitivity and competency based on District-wide policy and expectations.

DEMONSTRATE THE ABILITY TO:

• Plan, develop, implement, and improve systems and procedures related to the accounting and reporting of the district’s business activities.
• Plan, organize and administer the financial and business activities of the district including accounting, data processing and investments.
• Assist the CFAO and provide technical expertise regarding technology needs and fiscal activities.
• Prepare comprehensive narrative and statistical reports.
• Direct the maintenance of a variety of reports and files related to personnel, financial accounting and reporting, cash management, budget, and inventory.
• Lead, direct and support the performance of assigned staff.
• Interpret rules and regulations.
• Communicate clearly verbally and in writing.
• Assess and evaluate situations effectively.
• Exert optimal effort in successfully completing tasks.
• Take initiative with minimal supervision.
• Extract and record data and carry out calculations accurately.
• Manage time efficiently and effectively through scheduling and prioritizing.
• Work within and contribute to the effectiveness of a team, respecting individual contributions and differences.
• Communicate – excellent written and verbal communication expertise, preparing, reviewing and summarizing information in a clear and concise manner that meets the needs of diverse audiences.
• Understand Complex Information – ability to understand and synthesize large amounts of budget, accounting and policy information and approach problem solving in a supportive and logical manner.
• Manage Tasks – work effectively in ever-changing, fast paced and sometimes political environment.
• Influence Decisions – ability to work effectively in inter/intra-district relationships, providing information and guidance as appropriate to gain support and facilitate a cooperative decision-making environment.
• Resourcefulness – effectively manage tasks, work efficiently and collaboratively in a team environment, sometimes in high stress situations, in order to achieve district goals.

PARKS TACOMA IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
All qualified persons will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, sexual orientation, political affiliation, disability or any other merit factor. Members of ethnic minorities, women, special disabled veterans, veterans of the Vietnam-era, recently separated veterans, and other protected veterans, persons of disability and/or persons age 40 and over are encouraged to apply.
    
Parks Tacoma employs only U.S. citizens and lawfully authorized non-U.S. citizens. All new employees must show employment eligibility verification as required by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.
    
Parks Tacoma is committed to providing access and reasonable accommodation in its services, programs, activities, education and employment for individuals with disabilities. To request disability accommodation in the application process, contact Human Resources at hr@tacomaparks.com.
    
 Employment is subject to a national background check.
    
 This position is an at-will position with no written or implied contractual agreement.    

Salary : $100,642 - $137,779