Description
This home-based (remote) position is open to Washington residents and those residing on the ID/WA and OR/WA borders. Work may be performed remotely or from our office located in Tumwater, WA based on the employee’s preference.
Make an impact where it matters most
This is a defining financial leadership role for Washington State public health. As Chief Financial Officer, you will shape how a multibillion-dollar portfolio is planned, allocated, and managed across one of the most robust public health systems in the country.
Your work will directly influence how resources flow to programs that protect and improve health outcomes statewide, from emergency preparedness and disease prevention to community-based care and population health initiatives. Partnering closely with the Secretary of Health and executive leadership, you will ensure financial strategy is not just sound, but also fully aligned with the state’s most critical public health priorities.
What You’ll Do
Reporting to the Chief of Staff, you will lead the agency’s financial strategy and operations, ensuring performance, accountability, and responsible stewardship of public resources.
Strategic Financial Leadership
- Advise the Secretary of Health and Chief of Staff on all financial matters including forecasting, funding strategy, and cost analysis.
- Lead development of the agency’s biennial operating and capital budgets.
- Align financial strategies with agency priorities to advance public health outcomes.
- Identify and secure sustainable funding opportunities in partnership with executive leadership.
Agencywide Financial Oversight
- Direct all financial and business operations including budgeting, accounting, grants, payroll, contracts, purchasing, loans, and financial reporting.
- Oversee financial systems and ensure strong internal controls to safeguard assets.
- Lead development of indirect cost proposals and cost allocation models.
- Guide fiscal reporting across all funding sources and programs.
Executive Leadership and Influence
- Serve as the agency’s chief financial spokesperson.
- Lead budget and legislative activities, including fiscal impact analysis and presentations.
- Collaborate with state, federal, and local partners, including legislators and authorizing organizations.
- Represent Washington State in national financial leadership forums.
Organizational Leadership
- Lead and develop a management team responsible for financial and operational functions.
- Oversee 201 FTEs, including direct supervision of 6 leaders.
- Set direction for financial policy, operational practices, and service delivery.
- Establish performance metrics to improve efficiency and customer service.
Policy and Decision-Making
- Develop and implement statewide financial policies impacting major public health programs.
- Make high-impact decisions on funding allocation, financial models, and organizational priorities.
- Evaluate legislative proposals and determine financial implications for the agency.
Scope and impact
- Total Biennial Operating Budget: $2.2 billion
- Capital Budget: $253 million
- Funding Sources: General Fund State, Federal Funds, Local Fees, Dedicated Funds
Why this role
This is more than a finance role. It is a leadership position that directly shapes how public health services are funded, delivered, and sustained across Washington State, from disease prevention and health promotion to emergency response and community-based programs.
You will influence how billions in public resources are invested to support critical services that communities rely on every day, including funding for local health jurisdictions, statewide public health systems, and partnerships across government and community organizations. Operating at the intersection of strategy, policy, and execution, your decisions will help ensure resources reach the right programs at the right time, strengthening the health and wellbeing of people across the state.
Required Qualifications
Experience may have been gained through paid or unpaid activities. Please ensure any relevant experience defined below is outlined in your cover letter, resume, and/or applicant profile.
- Six (6) or more years of experience managing the financial operations of an organization, or major subdivision, including responsibility for large-scale or organization-wide financial functions.
- Three (3) or more years of management/leadership experience including supervising and managing staff, providing direction and coaching in all aspects of the workforce, and performance development.
- Extensive experience with organizational development, strategic planning, and resource management.
- Experience and ability to perform the following:
- Supporting or influencing funding decisions involving external partners, board governance, government entities, or legislative processes.
- Applying Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) in complex financial environments.
- Developing and executing strategic finance approaches that align resources with organizational priorities.
- Making high-impact decisions in complex, politically sensitive, or highly visible environments.
- Leading budget development processes and influencing funding strategies, including identifying and securing sustainable funding sources.
- Navigating and implementing financial policies, systems, and internal controls that ensure accountability and compliance.
Preferred Qualifications
While the experience below isn’t required, having them can help you stand out as a candidate.
- Managing the operations of a state or federal government agency or major subdivision of the agency, including organizational development, strategic planning, and financial management.
- Managing financial analysis, lending, or other major financial portfolios in a complex business environment.
- Leading financial analysis and forecasting work within a team.
- Communicating complex financial information to executives.
- Healthcare finance and/or public health system financing.
- Advising executive leadership on financial strategy and policy decisions.
- Managing complex, multi-source funding environments (state, federal, fee-based).
- Bachelor’s degree or higher in finance, business or public administration, organizational development, or closely allied field.
Employee Benefits
We offer a solid benefits package that supports you and your family’s health, financial security, and work-life balance. You’ll have access to comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage, life and long-term disability insurance, flexible spending and health savings accounts, and retirement plans that help you plan for tomorrow while you’re living today.
Paid holidays, vacation and sick leave help you recharge, and additional programs like dependent care assistance and professional development opportunities add value beyond basic coverage. Join us and enjoy benefits designed to care for you as much as you care about public health. Learn more about DOH benefits and see how we support your life at work and beyond by visiting Work@Health .
About The Washington State Department Of Health
We're nearly 2,000 professionals across Washington working together to protect and improve community health. Guided by our values of Equity, Innovation, and Engagement, we address health disparities, respond to emerging challenges, and strengthen systems that support resilience. At DOH, we help reduce barriers, collaborate with diverse communities, and champion equitable health outcomes. We’re passionate people who are driven to make a difference in public health. Explore more about the Department of Health, our programs, and our impact by visiting our website .
Working Conditions
The following describes the working conditions of this position, with or without reasonable accommodation.
- Work Setting: This position may work from home, a DOH facility, or remotely from an alternate location. The official duty station for this position is home-based. If onsite work is requested by the supervisor, the request will be planned and communicated in advance.
- Schedule: This position has a work schedule of 40 hours per week; however, the incumbent may be expected to work longer hours to complete projects or assignments, meeting business demands and deadlines, or during the annual legislative session. An alternative or flexible work schedule may be considered at the incumbent's request, subject to supervisory approval.
- Travel Requirements: Travel is not required to perform the duties of this position; however infrequent travel may be expected to attend meetings, training, and conferences.
- Tools & Equipment: This position uses standard office furniture and equipment, such as a desk, office chair, cell phone, computer, monitor(s), keyboard, and mouse; and when in the office, the position may also require the use of a printer, phone, fax machine, and/or copy machine.
- Customer Interactions: The position requires engaging with customers in a variety of settings including all levels of agency staff, legislators, Governor's office staff, local health jurisdictions, federal government, State Board of Health, external partners and professional associations.
- Other: The DOH campus is a smoke-free, drug-free, alcohol-free, scent-neutral environment. This position may be required to conduct and/or participate in public health emergency preparedness and response activities.
Application Directions
We’re committed to a fair and equitable hiring process. Only materials submitted through the official application will be considered. Emailed resumes or documents won’t be accepted or shared with the hiring manager.
Click “Apply” to complete your application. Attach your resume, cover letter, and DD-214 (if applicable). List at least three professional references, directly in your Applicant Profile or as a separate attachment, including a supervisor, a peer, and someone you’ve supervised or led (if applicable).
DO NOT INCLUDE private details like your SSN or birth year, personal photos, transcripts, certifications, diplomas, projects, portfolios, or letters of recommendation.
Veterans Preference: Applicants wishing to claim Veterans Preference must attach a copy of their DD-214 (Member 4 copy), NGB 22, or a signed verification of service letter from the United States Department of Veterans Affairs to their application. Please remove or cover any personally identifiable data such as social security numbers and birth year
Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion: We regard diversity as the foundation of our strength, recognizing that differing insights and abilities enable us to reflect the unique needs of the communities we serve.
DOH is an equal-opportunity employer. We prohibit discrimination based on race/ethnicity/color, creed, sex, pregnancy, age, religion, national origin, marital status, the presence or perception of a disability, veteran’s status, military status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender expression, or gender identity.
Questions and Accommodations: If you have questions, need assistance with the application process, require an accommodation, or would like to request this posting in an alternative format, please contact Zach Covington at Zach.Covington@doh.wa.gov .
Technical Support: Reach out to NEOGOV directly at 1-855-524-5627 for technical support and login issues.
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Supplemental Information
Only applicants who follow the directions and complete the Application Process in full will have their responses reviewed for consideration.
