Benefits Analyst jobs in Olympia, WA

The Financial Services Division within the Department of Ecology is looking to fill a Payroll, Benefits, and Tax Lead (Fiscal Analyst 4) position. This position is located in our Headquarters Office in Lacey, WA. Upon hire, you must live within a commutable distance from the duty station.

As the Fiscal Analyst 4 Payroll, Benefits, and Tax Lead at Ecology, you will take on a pivotal role to ensure accurate and timely payroll and benefits processing for Ecology employees. You will lead a team of four skilled accounting professionals who perform daily payroll and benefits processing activities, and you will assist the Payroll Manager to complete reconciliations and file agency taxes. You will gain experience in processing out-of-state taxes, retirement reconciliation, benefits processing, and gain leadership skills.

About the Department of Ecology

• A healthy life/work balance by offering flexible schedules and telework options for most positions.
• An Infants at Work Program that is based on the long-term health values of infant-parent bonding and breastfeeding newborns.
• Continuous growth and development opportunities. 
• Opportunities to serve your community and make an impact through meaningful work.

Our commitment to DEIR
Diversity, equity, inclusion, and respect (DEIR) are core values central to Ecology’s work. We strive to be a workplace where we are esteemed for sharing our authentic identities, while advancing our individual professional goals and collaborating to protect, preserve, and enhance the environment for current and future generations.

What makes this role unique? 

In this role, you will research out-of-state taxes and payroll implications for out-of-state teleworkers. You will coordinate with Human Resources to set up the necessary accounts and ensure compliance with out-of-state wage and hour laws. You will assist the Payroll Manager to collect and report taxes to the other states.

What you will do:  

• Payroll processing lead
• Research out-of-state taxes
• Retirement Reconciliation
• Fund 035 Reconciliation
• Benefits processing
• Audit payroll entries

Required Qualifications:

• 30 hours worked per week for 20 months: (30/40) x 20 months = 15 months full-time equivalent
• 20 hours worked per week for 12 months: (20/40) x 12 months = 6 months full-time equivalent

A total of Eight (8) years of experience and/or education as described below: 

Professional level Experience: in state accounting and must have intermediate proficiency using Microsoft Office products including Word, Excel and Outlook; Must be able to create, edit, modify, save, and delete documents and spreadsheets; This includes locating and accurately modifying existing files and templates for reuse.

Education: from an accredited college or university in business, accounting, public administration, or closely related discipline, with a minimum of 18 quarter or 12 semester hours in accounting, auditing.
   

Experience and education combinations that meet the requirements for this position: 

Desired Qualifications:

We highly encourage you to apply even if you do not have some (or all) of the desired experience below. 

• A Master’s degree in a financial-related field, certification as a Public Accountant, Internal Auditor, Certified Governmental Financial Manager or Management Accountant can be substituted for professional experience.
• 30 quarter or 20 semester hours of college-level accounting.
• Two (2) years of experience as a lead worker or supervisor.
• Advanced proficiency with agency standard software applications and systems.
• Understanding of and experience using Lean or other continuous improvement methodologies to achieve efficiencies and respond to customer needs.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively, work collaboratively with, and present complex financial material to all levels of management and staff.

Note: Having some (or all) of this desired experience may make your application more competitive in a highly competitive applicant pool.

• Please call: (360) 407-6186 or email: careers@ecy.wa.gov and we will be happy to assist.
• If you are deaf or hard of hearing you can reach the Washington Relay Service by dialing 7-1-1 or 1-800-833-6388.
• If you need assistance applying for this job, please e-mail careers@ecy.wa.gov. Please do not send an email to this address to follow-up on the status of your application. You can view the latest status of your application on your profile's main page.
• If you are reading this announcement in print format, please enter the following URL to your search engine to apply: https://ecology.wa.gov/About-us/Get-to-know-us/Jobs-at-Ecology.   

• A cover letter describing why you are interested in this position.
• College transcript showing the college-level accounting courses.
• A resume outlining your experience and education (if applicable) as it relates to the minimum qualifications of this position.
• A list of three professional references.

• Please be sure to remove private information such as your social security number, date of birth, etc. 
• Do not attach documents that are password-protected, as these documents may not be reviewed and may cause errors within your application when downloaded. 

Additional Application Instructions for Current Ecology Employees:

Why work for Ecology?

As an agency, our mission is to protect, preserve and enhance Washington's environment for current and future generations. We invest in our employees to create and sustain a working environment that encourages creative leadership, effective resource management, teamwork, professionalism, and accountability.

Joining Ecology means becoming a part of a team committed to protecting and restoring Washington State's environment. A career in public service allows you to help solve some of the most challenging problems facing our state, while keeping your health and financial security a priority. We combine one of the most competitive benefits packages in the nation with a strong commitment to life/work balance.

To learn more about The Department of Ecology, please visit our website at www.ecology.wa.gov and follow, like or visit us on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram or our blog.

Equal Opportunity Employer: The Washington State Department of Ecology is an equal opportunity employer. We strive to create a working environment that includes and respects cultural, racial, ethnic, sexual orientation and gender identity diversity. Women, racial and ethnic minorities, persons of disability, persons over 40 years of age, veterans, military spouses or people with military status, and people of all sexual orientations and gender identities are encouraged to apply. Persons needing accommodation in the application/testing process or this job announcement in an alternative format may call (360) 407-6186. Applicants who are deaf or hard of hearing may call the Washington Relay Service by dialing 7-1-1 or 1-800-833-6388.