Chief Financial Officer

Chief Financial Officer

Salary

$129,060.00 - $149,724.00 Annually

Location

Thurston County - Olympia, WA

Job Type

Full Time - Permanent

Remote Employment

Flexible/Hybrid

Job Number

2026-CFO

Department

Board of Industrial Insurance Appeals

Division

Administrative Services

Opening Date

08/18/2026

Closing Date

8/31/2026 11:59 PM Pacific

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

Description

The Board of Industrial Insurance Appeals (BIIA) is offering a challenging and rewarding opportunity for the right individual to make a difference through serving the state of Washington. Our employees are our most valuable resource: diverse, energetic, innovative thinkers who care equally about producing quality work and serving the public. We are committed to preserving our culture of diversity and inclusion and to providing a work environment that includes and respects cultural, racial, ethnic, sexual orientation, and gender identity diversity. You can read the BIIAs Pro-Equity Anti-Racism statement here.

About the Agency

The BIIAs mission is to serve the public by resolving appeals in a consistent, impartial, timely, and efficient manner. The BIIA rules on approximately 14,000 annual appeals related to orders, decisions, and awards of the Department of Labor and Industries. The BIIA plays a significant role in the states multi-billion dollar industrial insurance economic sector. Key stakeholders include the Office of the Attorney General, the Department of Labor and Industries, and business and labor groups representing over 179,000 employers and over 3,000,000 workers. The agencys jurisdiction includes disputes involving workers compensation, premium assessment, industrial safety and health, and crime victims compensation, among others. The agency is also the final authority on all proposed structured settlements.

The Board is a full-time, quasi-judicial, three-member board appointed by the Governor and confirmed by the Senate. The agency has approximately 140 employees and a biennial budget of approximately $55 million. Headquartered in Olympia, the BIIA also has staffed offices in Lakewood, Richland, Seattle, Spokane, Vancouver, and Yakima.

The BIIA is a great place to work! We offer flexibility and mobility in the workplace to enhance work/life balance, to improve wellness, and to support a productive work environment, increased job satisfaction and engagement. You can read employee testimonials on our website at http://www.biia.wa.gov/Jobs.html.

Great Benefits! This position includes medical, dental, life insurance, long-term disability, retirement, deferred compensation, flexible spending account, dependent care assistance, paid time off (sick leave, vacation leave, personal holiday, personal leave day), 11 paid holidays, and an Employee Assistance Program. Tuition Reimbursement is available for eligible employees subject to guidelines and funding. You can find more information about benefits at Benefits - careers.wa.gov.

Duties

About the Position

Reporting to the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO), the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) is the highest-level financial position in the agency. The position develops strategic initiatives and ensures the agencys financial viability and integrity in support of the BIIAs mission. The CFO develops, interprets, implements, administers, and controls financial policies and procedures that support the agencys goals and strategic plan, ensures compliance with state and federal laws and regulations, and ensures control over agency assets and expenditures.

The position is responsible for the following:

• Leadership/Management - Serves as a member of the agencys Extended Management Team and the Administrative Services Management team. Manages a team of eight with direct supervision of five employees.
• Budget - Develops the agencys biennial and supplemental budgets and allotments ($56 million per biennium). Make decisions and recommendations to the CAO on budget proposals that allow the agency to carry out mission-critical operations, including supporting the agencys strategic plan activities. In collaboration with the CAO, develops, reviews, and submits biennial and supplemental budget requests to ensure the agency has the resources necessary to achieve desired outcomes.
• Accounting - Manages all agency financial operations, including financial reporting, accounting, payables, payroll, purchasing, and contracting. Delegated authority to approve all agency expenditures.
• Public Records - Oversees the program and supervises the agencys Public Records Officer.
• Risk Management - Serves as agency Risk Manager and primary liaison with the Department of Enterprise Services (DES) and the Office of Financial Management (OFM) regarding agency risk management activities.
• Performance Management - Manages and administers the agencys performance management functions related to the Governors Results Washington.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications

• A bachelors degree in public administration, business, accounting, or a related field (relevant experience may be substituted, year for year, for education).
• Substantial experience in Washington State developing and managing budgets.
• A minimum of four (4) years of experience applying and providing general accounting or financial management services.
• Substantial experience applying principles of management, strategic planning, and project management.

Job-Specific Competencies

• Strong customer service commitment and philosophy,
• Ability to effectively communicate with a multitude of professional and managerial levels, including state agencies and private organizations.
• Strong analytical, problem solving, decision making, and consultative skills.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Ability to manage competing priorities.
• Ability to effectively communicate both orally and in writing.

Desired Competencies

• Ability to interpret correctly and apply Office of Financial Management (OFM) guidelines relating to financial management, purchasing, and accounting.
• Ability to interpret correctly and apply various Department of Enterprise Services (DES) policies and guidelines as they relate to purchasing and contracting.
• Ability to understand public records retention guidelines and public records management best practices.

BIIA Core Competencies

• Accountability: Takes responsibility for own actions and can be relied upon to achieve excellent results with little oversight.
• Adaptability to Changing Needs/Flexibility: Embraces changing business needs and adapts approach, goals, and methods to achieve success.
• Customer Focus: Builds and maintains internal and external customer satisfaction with the services offered by the organization.
• Diversity and Inclusion: Recognizes the value of cultural, ethnic, gender and other individual differences. Understands differences in and responds appropriately to others.
• Effective Respectful Communications: In a respectful manner, conveys clear messages that are effective in communicating information and ideas with others.
• Ethics and Integrity: Earns trust, respect, and confidence of coworkers and customers through honesty, candor, and professionalism in all interactions.
• Relationship Building: Builds constructive working relationships characterized by a high level of teamwork, cooperation and mutual regard.
• Safety Focus: Adheres to all workplace safety laws, regulations, standards and practices.

Leadership Competencies

• Leadership, Performance and Accountability: Serves as an effective leader consistent with the agencys mission and values.
• People Management: Effectively manages human resources in a consistent and equitable manner.
• Decision Making: Uses knowledge and understanding of the organization to make sound and logical decisions and takes actions that contribute effectively to organizational goals.
• Knowledge and Learning: Develops and maintains a knowledge base, including a deep understanding of agency programs, authorities and resources and a commitment to learning.
• Strategic Thinking: Develops innovative ideas that provide solutions to all types of workplace challenges.
• Conflict Management: Effectively works with others to understand interests and actively strive to achieve agreements or resolve differences in a timely manner.

Statewide Equity Competencies

• The ability to take action to learn and grow: Takes responsibility for knowing their own strengths and weaknesses and uses their learning to make government programs and processes more efficient and effective to serve all in Washington.
• The ability to take action to meet the needs of others: Flexible, adaptable, customer-service focused, and willing and able to empathetically respond to the unique needs of the people they work with and serve.

Supplemental Information

Notes:

• This position is in Washington Management Service (WMS) Band 3.
• This is a hybrid position. In-person work in the Olympia Office is required 1-2 days per week. The successful candidate must reside in Washington state upon hire.
• Minimal travel is required to attend in-person meetings and training within Washington State.

Application Process:

Interested candidates must apply on-line and attach the following:

• A cover letter specifying how you meet the qualifications listed above (no more than two pages).
• A current resume.
• A list of at least three professional references.

Please attach the required documents in the "provide attachment" section of the online application. Only applicants who meet the required qualifications and submit all of the required documents by the closing date will be considered.

Questions? If you have any questions about the position or application process, please contact Christy Sterling, Human Resources Manager, at (360) 753-6823, ext. 1123 or christy.sterling@biia.wa.gov.

The Washington State Board of Industrial Insurance Appeals is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of age, sex, gender identity/expression, marital status, sexual orientation, race, creed, color, national origin, honorably discharged veteran or military status, or the presence of any sensory, mental or physical disability or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with a disability. Persons requiring reasonable accommodation in the application process or requiring this announcement in an alternative format may contact the Human Resources Office at HROffice@biia.wa.gov or call 360-753-9639.

More than Just a Paycheck!

Employee benefits are not just about the kind of services you get, they are also about how much you may have to pay out of pocket. Washington State offers one of the most competitive benefits packages in the nation.

We understand that your life revolves around more than just your career. Like everyone, your first priority is ensuring that you and your family will maintain health and financial security. Thats why choice is a key component of our benefits package. We have a selection of health and retirement plans, paid leave, staff training and other compensation benefits that you can mix and match to meet your current and future needs.

Read about our benefits:

The following information describes typical benefits available for full-time employees who are expected to work more than six months. Actual benefits may vary by appointment type or be prorated for other than full-time work (e.g. part-time); view the job posting for benefits details for job types other than full-time.

Note: If the position offers benefits which differ from the following, the job posting should include the specific benefits.

Insurance Benefits

Employees and their families are covered by medical (including vision), dental and basic life insurance. There are multiple medical plans with affordable monthly premiums that offer coverage throughout the state.

Staff are eligible to enroll each year in a medical flexible spending account which enables them to use tax-deferred dollars toward their health care expenses. Employees are also covered by basic life and long-term disability insurance, with the option to purchase additional coverage amounts.

To view premium rates, coverage choice in your area and how to enroll, please visit the Public Employees Benefits Board (PEBB) website. The Washington Wellness program from the Health Care Authority works with PEBB to support our workplace wellness programs.

Dependent care assistance allows the employee to save pre-tax dollars for a child or elder care expenses.

Other insurance coverage for auto, boat, home, and renter insurance is available through payroll deduction.

The Washington State Employee Assistance Program promotes the health and well-being of employees.

Retirement and Deferred Compensation

State Employees are members of the Washington Public Employees Retirement System (PERS). New employees have the option of two employer contributed retirement programs. For additional information, check out the Department of Retirement Systems web site.

Employees also have the ability to participate in the Deferred Compensation Program (DCP). This is a supplemental retirement savings program (similar to an IRA) that allows you control over the amount of pre-tax salary dollars you defer as well as the flexibility to choose between multiple investment options.

Social Security

All state employees are covered by the federal Social Security and Medicare systems. The state and the employee pay an equal amount into the system.

Public Service Loan Forgiveness

If you are employed by a government or not-for-profit organization, and meet the qualifying criteria, you may be eligible to receive student loan forgiveness under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.

Holidays

Full-time and part-time employees are entitled to paid holidays and one paid personal holiday per calendar year.

Note: Employees who are members of certain Unions may be entitled to additional personal leave day(s), please refer to position specific Collective Bargaining Agreements for more information.

Full-time employees who work full monthly schedules qualify for holiday compensation if they are employed before the holiday and are in pay status for at least 80 nonovertime hours during the month of the holiday; or for the entire work shift preceding the holiday.

Part-time employees who are in pay status during the month of the holiday qualify for the holiday on a pro-rata basis. Compensation for holidays (including personal holiday) will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status in the month to that required for full-time employment, excluding all holiday hours. Pay status includes hours worked and time on paid leave.

Sick Leave

Full-time employees earn eight hours of sick leave per month. Overtime eligible employees who are in pay status for less than 80 hours per month, earn a monthly proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment. Overtime exempt employees who are in pay status for less than 80 hours per month do not earn a monthly accrual of sick leave.

Sick leave accruals for part-time employees will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment. Pay status includes hours worked, time on paid leave and paid holiday.

Vacation (Annual Leave)

Full-time employees accrue vacation leave at the rates specified in WAC 357-31-165(1) or the applicable collective bargaining agreement (CBA). Full-time employees who are in pay status for less than 80 nonovertime hours in a month do not earn a monthly accrual of vacation leave.

Part-time employees accrue vacation leave hours in accordance with WAC 357-31-165(1) or the applicable collective bargaining agreement (CBA) on a pro rata basis. Vacation leave accrual will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment.

Pay status includes hours worked, time on paid leave and paid holiday.

As provided in WAC 357-58-175, an employer may authorize a lump-sum accrual of vacation leave or accelerate the vacation leave accrual rate to support the recruitment and/or retention of a candidate or employee for a Washington Management Service position. Vacation leave accrual rates may only be accelerated using the rates established WAC 357-31-165.

Note: Most agencies follow the civil service rules covering leave and holidays for exempt employees even though there is no requirement for them to do so. However, agencies are required to adhere to the applicable RCWs pertaining holidays and leave.

Military Leave

Washington State supports members of the armed forces with 21 days paid military leave per year.

Bereavement Leave

Most employees whose family member or household member dies, or for loss of pregnancy, are entitled to five (5) days of paid bereavement leave. In addition, the employer may approve other available leave types for the purpose of bereavement leave.

Additional Leave

Leave Sharing

Parental Leave

Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)

Leave Without Pay

Please visit the State HR Website for more detailed information regarding benefits.

Updated 01-07-2026

01

How many years of budget experience do you have in a Washington State agency?

• Less than 3 years
• 3-5 years
• 6 or more years

02

In your own words, explain your understanding and involvement with public records in Washington State.

03

I understand I must be a Washington State resident upon hire.

• Yes
• No

04

Were you referred by a current or former BIIA employee? If yes, please list the name of the person who referred you.

05

Have you attached a cover letter, resume, and list of at least three professional references?

• Yes
• No

Required Question

Employer State of Washington

Address View Job Posting for Agency Information

View Job Posting for Location, Washington, 98504

Website http://www.careers.wa.gov