Chief Financial Officer

Job Description:

Chief Financial Officer

Description

Summary

This recruitment will stay open until the position is filled. Applications submitted by 11:59 p.m. on January 6, 2026, will be provided priority consideration.

About the Role:
The Wastewater Treatment Division, one of the largest public clean water utilities in the Pacific Northwest, is recruiting for a high-performing Chief Financial Officer who can build and enhance our financial capacity, capabilities and performance. This position will lead a talented, knowledgeable and experienced team and serve as key decision-maker, voice of the utility strategic advisor to senior leadership during a period of continued growth, change and scrutiny, since costs and rates are increasing.
In this role you will manage the development, implementation and monitoring of rates, budgets, debt issuances; oversight of operating and capital fund management; short and long-term financial policy analysis and management of revenue and accounts receivables, grants and low-interest loans, internal and external audits, accounting, payroll, technology, vehicle fleet, and small and attractive asset functions. You will be a participating member of the division’s leadership team, setting vision, goals, and strategies for the division.

You will lead the way through active engagement with staff to foster an anti-racist, pro-equity workplace where everyone can thrive, and work with division leadership to ensure services are equitably provide to the residents of King County. You will foster relationships, collaboration, and teamwork across the division, so the division functions as “One King County.” As a voting member of the division’s capital project oversight board, you will advocate for operations projects to ensure we are doing the right projects at the right time, for the right reasons to meet our level of service targets. As a key leader in the organization, you will be responsible for managing and communicating down to staff, across division leadership, and upward to department and Executive leadership.
Specific responsibilities include managing the staff who produce the annual sewer rate, capacity charge and septage fee proposals, overseeing units responsible for the operating and capital fund budgets, financial monitoring processes, short and long-term debt management strategies; revenue and collections functions including the Capacity Charge program; annual audited financial statements, audit programs and addressing all emerging issues in WTD which have short and/or long-term financial impacts.

This is a fast-paced position with tight deadlines and requires quick turn-arounds on products requested by the Division Director, Department leadership, Executive’s office and King County Council members. The Chief Financial Officer plays a key role in addressing financial policies and strategies and issues facing the Division and will communicate financial information to a variety of audiences. This position has five direct reports and will lead approximately 35 professional staff in the Division's Finance & Administration Section and will work collaboratively with all levels of WTD. We are looking for an empathetic people leader to manage, motivate and develop staff, a self-starter with strong financial management skills, a keen attention to detail and the ability to work in a fast-paced political environment.

This position follows a hybrid work model, blending remote and in-person work.
About the Team:
Our mission is to protect public health and enhance the environment by collecting and treating wastewater while recycling valuable resources for the Puget Sound region. The Wastewater Treatment Division employs about 1000 people who plan, design, build, and operate treatment facilities. Our employees also enforce regulations to reduce harmful waste discharged to the system, and we educate the public and businesses on ways to protect water quality. To our agency, success means clean water. It means honoring our legacy while keeping a promise to future generations that our beautiful environment will be there for them to enjoy. We are committed to the principles of equity and social justice. We value diverse perspectives and life experiences in our workforce and are committed to building a culturally diverse and inclusive environment. WTD strives to provide equitable services to residents and businesses across King County.

We partner with regulatory agencies to reduce harmful waste discharge and actively educate the public and businesses on water quality protection. We prioritize accountability to our ratepayers and operate a well-managed agency that services over 2 million King County residents. Our regional wastewater treatment system not only sustains a healthy environment but also fuels economic development, fostering prosperity in our region. If you're passionate about making a difference and thrive in a collaborative environment, join us in our mission to safeguard our precious water resources.

Commitment to Equity, Racial and Social Justice:
King County, named after Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., is a diverse and vibrant community that represents cultures from around the world. Our True North is to create a welcoming community where everyone can thrive. We prioritize equity, racial and social justice, making it a foundational and daily expectation for all employees. As a Chief Finance Officer , you will actively apply these principles in all aspects of your work. Learn more about our commitment at http://www.kingcounty.gov/equity .

Apply now for a rewarding career at the Wastewater Treatment Division of King County Department of Natural Resources & Parks (DNRP). Join our talented workforce in protecting and restoring the natural environment and promoting more resilient, sustainable, and equitable communities. Enjoy training, comprehensive benefits , and growth opportunities.

Job Duties

What You Will Be Doing :

• Manage WTD's annual sewer rate and capacity charge processes. This includes determining short and long-term operating, capital and debt requirements, identifying financial policy issues and incorporating them into a long-range financial forecast which provides rate options.
• Direct the annual development of operating and capital budgets for WTD through finance support staff; provide budget development guidance to WTD based on resource requirements, cash flows, and financial constraints, establish budget preparation processes and procedures for WTD; justify and explain rate process and budget requests with internal and external customers (Metropolitan Water Pollution Abatement Advisory Committee, Office of Performance, Strategy and Budget, King County Executive, King County Regional Water Quality Committee and King County Council); testify at rate and budget hearings and other public forums, as needed.
• Assess need for and appropriateness of issuing or refinancing bonds to finance WTD's Capital Improvement Program; provide all required financial information and documentation, and work with Financial & Business Operations Division, King County's financial advisor, and bond underwriters in the issuance of general obligation or revenue bonds; meet with bond rating agencies to provide financial statements and key financial performance date and accompanying explanations to assure the highest possible bond rating.
• Analyze and interpret policies, legislation and King County Code to ensure WTD's strategic and business plans, financial statements, and related financial reports are in compliance with changing requirements; collaborate with the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office on complex policy issues relating to the capacity charge and other financial policy issues; analyze legislative initiatives to assess impact on WTD's resource availability, funding sources and rate and budget authorizations.
• Review WTD's expenditures to assure compliance with strategic business objectives and budgets; review and approve high-level extraordinary expenditures; provide ongoing reports to WTD's Leadership Team on cash flows, budget variances and current and forecasted financial condition.

Experience, Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills

Qualifications You Bring:

• Bachelor's Degree in Finance, Accounting, Business, Business Administration, Public Administration, or related degree; OR an equivalent combination of education and experience which provide the necessary knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the duties described in this job announcement.
• Five or more years of increasingly progressive budget and financial management experience, including the development/oversight of rates and budgets and financial plans.
• Working knowledge of rate setting, budgeting, auditing, accounting, internal control principles and techniques, and of reporting systems.
• Experience identifying, developing, tracking and reporting key financial metrics and performance indicators to senior leadership.

Competencies You Bring :

• Manages Complexity - Making sense of complex, high quantity, and sometimes contradictory information to effectively solve problems.
• Plans and Aligns - Planning and prioritizing work to meet commitments aligned with organizational goals.
• Collaborates - Building partnerships and working collaboratively with others to meet shared objectives.
• Communicates Effectively - Developing and delivering multi-mode communications that convey a clear understanding of the unique needs of different audiences.
• Instills Trust - Gaining the confidence and trust of others through honesty, integrity, and authenticity.

It Would Be Great if You Also Bring:

• Master's degree in public or business administration or related field.
• Working in a political environment and effectively managing diverse opinions and viewpoints.

Supplemental Information

Work Condition:

• Work Details: The Finance team works in a hybrid model, with days in the office as well as telecommuting.The ratio of remote to onsite work will be dependent on the business needs and is subject to change.The primary onsite location is the collaboration space at King Street Center - 201 S. Jackson St, Seattle, WA 98104, additional onsite locations may include: West Point Treatment Plant, 1400 Discovery Park Blvd. Seattle, South Treatment Plant 1200 Monster Road S.W., Renton, Brightwater Treatment Plant 22505 State Route 9 S.E., Woodinville.
  
• Requirement: Employees must reside in Washington State and be within a reasonable distance to King County worksites to meet onsite reporting requirements. King County has a robust collection of tools and resources to support working remotely. The individual selected for this opportunity will join an innovative and progressive team that is redefining how we work as we transition to the department's hybrid environment. 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.
  
• Work Schedule: This position is exempt from the overtime provision of the Fair Labor Standard Act (FLSA) and is not overtime eligible.
  
• Union Representation: This position is not represented by a Union
  

Application and Selection Process:
We welcome applications from all qualified candidates. We value diversity, diverse perspectives and life experience and encourage people of all backgrounds to apply. Application materials will be screened for clarity, completeness and alignment with the experience, qualifications, knowledge, and skills essential for this role to determine which candidates may be invited to participate in one or more panel interviews.

Anticipated Timeline for this recruitment : (subject to change )

• P anel interview: Virtual interviews will be held the week of end of January 2026
  
• In person interviews will be held in February 2026
  

To apply, submit a:

• Complete Application
• Resume
• Cover Letter
• Responses to the supplemental questions

Note: Additional documents won't be considered during minimum qualification screening.

W ho to Contact: For more information regarding this recruitment, please contact Diana Eberly at diana.eberly@kingcounty.gov

Discover More About the Wastewater Treatment Division: Visit our website and check us out at Facebook , X (formerly Twitter) , Instagram , YouTube , and the WTD Blog .

Discover More About DNRP: Visit our DNRP website , explore an interactive map of our recent accomplishments and check us out at Facebook , X (formerly Twitter) , LinkedIn , TikTok , Instagram , YouTube and Keeping King County Green News .

Sign up for Job Alerts to be notified of additional career opportunities with King County. Select the Natural Resources category for DNRP opportunities and explore other categories of interest.

Forbes named King County as one of Washington State's best employers.
Together, with leadership and our employees, we're changing the way government delivers service and winning national recognition as a model of excellence. Are you ready to make a difference? Come join the team dedicated to serving one of the nation's best places to live, work and play.

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 American and people of color, immigrants, refugees, women, LGBTQ+, people living with disabilities, and veterans.

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.

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 accommodation or assistance in the application or assessment process or if you have questions, please contact the recruiter listed on this job announcement.

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
• 12paid holidays each year plus twopersonal 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 Benefits, Payroll, and Retirement Page .

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.

Closing Date/Time: Continuous

Salary:

$194,507.46 - $246,549.47 Annually