Financial Services Administrator - Seattle - King County

Description

Salary: $133, $168,695.70 Annually
Location : Seattle, WA
Job Type: Civil Service
Job Number: 2026MK26358
Department: KCSO - Sheriff's Office
Opening Date: 02/10/2026
Closing Date: 3/1/2026 11:59 PM Pacific
FLSA: Exempt
Bargaining Unit: Z3 : KC Personnel Guidelines
Full- or Part-Time: Full Time
Hours/Week: 40 hours/week
Summary
WHO MAY APPLY: This position is open to the public.
The King County Sheriff's Office (KCSO) is excited to add a new Financial Services Administrator position that will lead the department's finance, contracting, and grant administration as part of the Policy, Finance, and Government Affairs Team. This position will also supervise three professional staff and work closely with the department's Chief Financial Officer (CFO), who leads and manages the Budget and Accounting Unit. This position is situated within the Policy Section, reporting directly to KCSO's Chief of Staff.
Successful candidates will have demonstrated experience in financial management and strategic planning and are adept at engaging with all levels of the organization and KCSO's business partners. This is an outstanding opportunity to advance in a career as a Financial professional with King County.
The King County Sheriff's Office (KCSO) is the primary law enforcement agency for all unincorporated areas of King County and delivers law enforcement services to the Muckleshoot Tribe, 13 cities, two transit agencies, and the King County International Airport through contracts using contracting rate models. KCSO also provides regional-level support services to other local law enforcement agencies such as air support and search and rescue. The department has over 1,200 full time positions, a biennial budget of nearly $700 million and serves 2.1 million people.
To learn more about us, please visit:
Job Duties
To be considered qualified, applicants must demonstrate a background that provides the knowledge, skills, and ability to:

• Coordinate and administer high-level, complex financial systems, projects, and processes for the Sheriff's Office.
• Supervise a team of three finance professionals; this will include recruitment, hiring, performance evaluation, coaching, and supporting staff on goals and career development.
• Direct all financial modeling and rate models. Develop revenue projections, analyze funding options, and recommend rate adjustments through the cost-allocation process.
• Lead the development, proposal, and management of the Sheriff's Office (approximately) $700 million biennial operating budgets and supplemental budgets.
• Develop complex budget and financial spreadsheets for management information and reporting purposes. Ensure standardization, consistency, and uniformity in the gathering, processing, and reporting of financial information.
• Implement financial policies and standard operating procedures on budgeting, grants, and cost-allocation processes
• Identify and develop new budget options that improve transparency and efficiency. Integrate changes into existing or create new cost-allocation processes through an enterprise-type model or other reorganization.
• Collaborate on matters related to policy and new technologies and their financial impact on the Sheriff's Office.
• Develop annual charges for police contract agencies. Create supporting materials and present costs to contract agencies.
• Serve as the lead for ad-hoc financial projects and participate in the design and implementation of such projects.
• Participate in development of strategic direction for the Sheriff's Office.
• Anticipate and develop alternatives to address changes in the Sheriff's Office financial outlook.
• Provide ongoing training to all levels of staff in the implementation of financial systems and processes.
• Identify and assess projects and systems requirements; provide strategic advice and participate in development of strategic direction for the Sheriff's Office
• Identify and assess policy and procedural issues and make recommendations to management on recommended courses of action.
• Perform other duties within area and scope of responsibilities as assigned

Experience, Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills
Candidates must have aminimum of five (5) years of experience working with budgeting and financial forecasting in a public sector role (with demonstrated evidence of increasing responsibilities over time) OR any equivalent combination of experience and education which provides the applicant with the skills, knowledge and abilities required to perform the work.
Additional required experience includes:
LEADERSHIP EXPERIENCE:
Minimum of three (3) years leading or managing financial staff, which should include responsibility for hiring, onboarding, performance evaluations and feedback, corrective action, and staff development and mentoring.
ADVANCED EXPERIENCE with:

• Strategic financial management, budgeting, accounting, financial analysis, and forecasting.
• Administering existing or developing new rate systems.
• Administering grants within a government or public-sector environment, including compliance, monitoring, and financial reporting.
• Leading, mentoring, and training staff and providing direction and oversight to a work team.
• Analyzing, interpreting, explaining, and applying relevant laws, regulations, ordinances, budget, and other policies and procedures to a wide variety of audiences.
• Incorporating transparency and equity into budget processes to support fair and intentional distribution of resources.

ADVANCED KNOWLEDGE of:

• Fiscal forecasting principles and practices.
• Knowledge of and experience applying Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) within a government or public-sector financial environment.
• Cost allocation principles, including the allocation of shared costs across programs, funds, or departments.
• Financial internal controls, implementing criteria, and performing audits to assess risk and ensure financial integrity compliance with financial governance.

DEMONSTRATED SKILLS:

• Demonstrated ability in presenting complex analytical and audit results and budget presentations, using spreadsheets or other quantitative presentations to a wide variety of audiences.
• Clearly and effectively communicate in writing and verbally.
• Ability to prepare written and verbal communication without relying on AI tools.

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Experience in managing and developing large operating and capital budgets for a public organization.
• Experience in administering or developing new cost allocation models.
• Skilled in navigating complex, political environments.
• Advanced knowledge of MS Office programs and visual management tools, for example: Power BI or Oracle Smart View.

TO APPLY:
Applications submitted without the following required application materials will be deemed incomplete and be removed from consideration:
1. King County application
2. Completed supplemental questions
3. Cover letters and/or resumes are encouraged but not required
SELECTION PROCESS: Application materials will be screened for writing accuracy, clarity, completeness, and responsiveness to the list of qualifications, skills, and abilities. Answers to supplemental questions will assist in determining your qualifications for further consideration. The use of AI for any part of this application process is strictly prohibited. The most competitive candidates will be invited to move forward in the hiring process.
TIMELINE:
• March 2026: Competitive candidates will be invited to submit written response to an essay prompt.

• April 2026: Oral Board Exam (scored interview), in-person, either in Seattle or Renton.
Candidates who pass the Oral Board Exam will be placed on the Civil Service Eligibility List in rank order of the total score. A final interview for the top ranked candidates may be scheduled by the King County Sheriff's Office.
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION:
UNION MEMBERSHIP: This position is not represented by a union.
WORK SCHEDULE:This team currently works in a hybrid model that includes three to four days in the office with remaining work remotely. The ratio of remote to onsite work will be dependent on business needs and is subject to change.
Typical schedule for this position is Monday through Friday, 8:00 am to 5:00 pm with some evening, night, and weekend work as necessary. This position is exempt from the provisions of the FLSA and is not overtime eligible.
The position's primary work location will be at the King County Courthouse, rd Ave. Seattle. County employees must reside in Washington and within a reasonable distance to their King County worksite to respond to workplace reporting requirements.
CONTACT INFORMATION: If you have questions regarding this recruitment please contact:
Michelle Kobuki, Human Resource Analyst, Civil Service

This is a civil service position. You can access information regarding the Civil Service at
King County offers a highly-competitive compensation and benefits package designed to meet the diverse needs of our employees and support our employees' health and well-being. Eligible positions receive the following benefits and have access to the following programs:

• Excellent medical, dental, and vision coverage options: King County provides eligible employees with options, so they can decide what's best for themselves and their eligible dependents
• Life and disability insurance: employees are provided basic coverage and given the opportunity to purchase additional insurance for both the employee and eligible dependents
• Retirement: eligible King County employees may participate in a pension plan through the Washington State Department of Retirement Systems and a 457(b) deferred-compensation plan
• Transportation program and ORCA transit pass
• 12 paid holidays each year plus two personal holidays
• Generous vacation and paid sick leave
• Paid parental, family and medical, and volunteer leaves
• Flexible Spending Account
• Wellness programs
• Onsite activity centers
• Employee Giving Program
• Employee assistance programs
• Flexible schedules and telecommuting options, depending on position
• Training and career development programs

For additional information about employee benefits, visit our
This is a general description of the benefits offered to eligible King County employees, and every effort has been made to ensure its accuracy. If any information on this document conflicts with the provisions of a collective bargaining agreement (CBA), the CBA prevails.
NOTE: Benefits for Term Limited Temporary (TLT) or Short Term Temporary (STT) positions, including leave eligibility and/or participation in the pension plan through the Washington State Department of Retirement Systems, will vary based upon the terms and details of the position. Short Term Temporary positions are not eligible for an ORCA transit pass.
For inquiries about the specifics of this position, please contact the recruiter identified on this job posting.
01
You must be a current US Citizen, Legal Permanent Resident or DACA recipient to qualify for civil service positions with the King County Sheriff's Office. Are you now a United States citizen, Legal Permanent Resident or DACA recipient?

• Yes
• No

02
The King County Sheriff's Office maintains a list of automatic disqualifiers for employment. This list can be accessed by clicking on this link Automatic Disqualifiers. Please review the disqualifiers and respond to the following question before proceeding. Do you certify that based on your review of the automatic disqualifiers that you are qualified for employment with the King County Sheriff's Office? Note - This information will be verified prior to scheduling an oral board interview.

• Yes
• No

03
The background of all King County Sheriff's Office employees and applicants are thoroughly checked.The required background investigation will review and evaluate driving records, criminal records, criminal behavior, employment histories, military records, personal and employment references, and related information. Candidates who pass the initial background investigation will be required to complete a polygraph.Are you willing to undergo a background investigation and polygraph examination as part of the employment process?

• Yes
• No

04
How many years of experience do you have developing transparent budgeting and accounting processes.

• 1-3 years
• 3-5 years
• 5-7 years
• 7+ years

05
How many years of financial forecasting and budget development do you have?

• 1-3 years
• 3-5 years
• 5-7 years
• 7+ years

06
How many years of experience developing and administering rate models?

• 1-3 years
• 3-5 years
• 5-7 years
• 7+ years