Chief Financial Officer presso King County, WA

About the Department

Interviews will be conducted on a rolling basis, and the recruitment will stay open until the position is filled. However, applications submitted by 11:59 p.m. on November 10, 2025, will be given priority consideration.

This recruitment will be used to fill a Career Service position and to create an eligibility pool to fill vacancies that may occur within the next six (6) months.

The King County Department of Public Defense (DPD) is seeking a talented and collaborative leader to serve as its Chief Financial Officer (CFO). This key role demands an experienced financial professional and dedicated public servant committed to advancing a client-centered approach and supporting DPD as a national leader in Public Defense. The department oversees a biennial budget exceeding $229 million and manages multiple innovative initiatives that position it at the forefront of public defense.

As CFO, you will work closely with department leadership to develop and implement the department’s budget, financial policies, strategic long-term financial plans, and a comprehensive system for monitoring, analyzing, and managing departmental expenditures. Your expertise will help identify opportunities for funded initiatives, cost savings and fiscal efficiency, ensuring the department's financial sustainability. You will also oversee contracts, fiscal management, payroll, asset management, and all financial and accounting functions, aligning operations with King County’s enterprise-wide financial policies and procedures.

The CFO will lead and supervise a small, high-performing team, fostering a culture of financial literacy and professional growth across the department. The ideal candidate will possess deep expertise in public sector budget development and finance, technical proficiency with diverse financial data systems, and a proven ability to mentor and develop teams. A strong commitment to equity, racial and social justice, and a mindset of continuous improvement and innovation are essential to support DPD’s evolving financial needs.

Reporting directly to the Department Director, the CFO serves as the chief advisor on all fiscal and compliance matters, providing strategic insights and analysis to support the department’s mission and programs. This is an exciting opportunity to impact public defense at a critical and influential level.

The Department’s Mission Statement 
The King County Department of Public Defense represents indigent adults and children facing a loss of liberty. Our department is an independent voice that promotes justice and equity for our clients and advocates for their objectives, interests, and dignity.
 
DPD provides high quality legal representation to indigent clients in felonies, misdemeanors, juvenile defense, family defense (dependency cases), involuntary commitment (mental illness), and sex offender commitment proceedings.
 
DPD advocates to reduce the harm and reach of the criminal and civil legal systems that restrict our clients’ liberty, and advances policy reforms to reduce systemic racism. We strive to create a flexible workplace culture that is inclusive, respectful, and supportive, premised on a shared anti-oppression framework. To learn more about DPD, visit our website.

Position Duties

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS AND DUTIES include but are not limited to the following:

Fiscal and Compliance Management

• Oversee and manage DPD’s overall financial sustainability and resources to accomplish its mission.    Approve all department expenses.
• Manage, supervise and approve the departmental payroll processes for highly unionized staff, assuring compliance with multiple collective bargaining agreements
• Direct, review, and ensure accuracy and integrity in DPD’s fiscal and compliance analyses and reporting.  Ensure department’s financial structure meets all reporting requirements.
• Lead the development, proposal, and review of DPD’s biennial budget and supplemental budget appropriations.
• Ensure development, maintenance, and implementation of strategic long-range financial plans
• Monitor and analyze Department performance against budget, identifying risks and opportunities regarding revenue, expenditures and other financial issues and prepare management briefs as needed.
• Make and recommend operational direction in both the short- and long-term best interest for the department. 
• Collaborate with DPD’s HR manager to ensure consistent, accurate, and timely position management data to create and maintain up-to-date budget forecasting.
• Oversee a proactive compliance process that ensures proper use of public funds, meets regulatory compliance with all funding agencies, and provides support, as needed

Leadership and Strategic Planning 

• Develop operational strategies to address emerging financial pressures on the Department and foster a culture of continuous improvement and risk awareness. 
• Formulate, implement, and oversee department-specific improvements to financial operations with highly visible community implications, including, but not limited to, management of department investigatory and compliance actions.
• Participate as a member of the department’s leadership team to exercise department-wide financial oversight on matters including, but not limited to, staffing, strategic direction setting, and decision making.
• Directly advise the Director’s Office on financial decisions. 
• Collaborate with other department leadership in planning, coordinating, and implementing overall financial departmental strategies, goals, and objectives. 
• Serve as DPD’s primary representative to King County’s Office of Performance, Strategy and Budget (PSB) on all budget, finance, and compliance matters.
• Serve as DPD’s primary representative to King County’s Finance and Business Operations Division assuring compliance with all accounting policies and procedures.  
• Serve as the primary contact and liaison for the department with the State Auditor’s office and King County Council Auditors and other auditing entities.
• Oversee and prepare DPD responses to King County Council questions that arise during budget submission and approval processes and other financial operational submissions to the Council.
• On behalf of DPD, present strategic fiscal and compliance updates and analyses to a wide range of audiences that may include DPD leadership and staff, advisory boards, community groups, and other key interested parties. 

Lead, Coach, and Supervise a High-Performing Team

• Supervise and mentor finance and payroll staff, including, but not limited to, directing work, monitoring quality and quantity of work, providing candid, and constructive feedback that promotes employee professional development and learning, ensure a feedback loop, training of staff, and performance management. 
• Be a champion for equity and cultivate a culture that allows all members of the team and other DPD staff to contribute and thrive.
• Inspire and exemplify the Department’s Mission and King County’s True North Values.

Minimum Qualifications

• Master's degree in business, public administration, or accounting AND five (5) years of progressively responsible experience serving as a leader in public sector accounting, financial management, and/or budgeting, OR any equivalent combination of education/experience that provides the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to perform the job.
• The ability to travel throughout King County in a timely manner.
• Comprehensive understanding of GAAS, GAAP and GFOA best practices; experience in public sector budgeting and governmental fund accounting and reporting. 
• Experience with internal controls, risk management, and procurement.
• Experience in directing and reviewing financial/policy impact analysis of proposed legislation, service contracts, grants, and changes in policies and procedures.
• A strong understanding of, and commitment to, Equity, Racial and Social Justice (ERSJ) principles, with demonstrated skill in working effectively with diverse individuals and populations.
• Strong management and supervisory experience, including hiring, staff development, performance management, delegation and oversight to ensure timely and high-quality performance by staff.
• Knowledge and recent experience with federal and/or state grants, restricted local funds, pass-through funding, and audit requirements at the federal, state and local levels.
• Advanced ability to prepare and summarize financial analyses and deliver clear, evidence-based recommendations for informed decision making.
• Demonstrated skill in effectively presenting and communicating complex financial and performance information to a wide range of audiences, including non-technical audiences.
• Strong organizational skills and ability to prioritize workloads, manage tight timelines and adapt to changing priorities and deadlines
• Ability to work collaboratively with other divisions and departments to secure integrated work products.

Preferred Experience, Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills:

• Knowledge of Oracle/EBS and Oracle budgeting and reporting systems.
• Familiarity with the justice system and alternatives to detention.
• Certified Public Accountant certification.
• Experience with public sector payroll and related legal requirements.
• Knowledge and experience with LEAN or other process improvement practices.

Other Qualifications

At King County, our work is guided by our True North and values. Our True North is what we aspire to: Making King County a welcoming community where every person can thrive.

King County offers great benefits, to include a pension plan, holidays, transit pass, plus training and education opportunities to promote growth and development. Our focus is to provide our employees with work life balance.

ARE YOU READY TO APPLY?
This opportunity to join DPD is open to all applicants. Please apply at www.kingcounty.gov/careers.

To be considered for this role, submit the following documents:

• Completed King County application.
• A current/chronological resume.
• Cover letter detailing your background and what you can bring to the Department of Public Defense.

The selection process may include evaluation of application materials and supplemental questions, interviewing, references, a personnel file review going back the last three (3) years, and if applicable a background check. You must completely fill out the application with your relevant education and work experience and attach the required documents to your application.

If you have questions, please contact our Talent Advisors, at [email protected].

Work Schedule and Location
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 business needs and is subject to change. The primary onsite location for this position is the Dexter Horton Building, 710 Second Avenue, Seattle.

Employees must reside in Washington state and within a reasonable distance to their King County worksite to respond to workplace 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.

DPD maintains physical offices in the following locations:

• Dexter Horton Building, 710 Second Avenue, Seattle
• Jefferson Street Building, 1401 East Jefferson, Seattle 
• Meeker Street Building, 420 West Harrison Street, Kent

This position is exempt from the overtime provisions of the federal Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). As an exempt employee, you are expected to work the hours necessary to satisfactorily perform your job and will not be eligible for overtime pay or compensatory time.

Rotations of work location and practice area and/or workflow are an essential function and can occur based on business need. You may be required to report any of our Seattle and/or Kent locations.

DPD Policies
DPD Ethical Walls Policies and Procedures will apply to employees, such that if you work or have worked for one of DPD's divisions, you may be ineligible to work in another division.
 
Outside Work Policy for Administrative Staff will apply to employees, such that you must receive approval from your supervisor and Managing Attorney before being permitted to engage in outside employment for compensation or volunteer.
 
Union Membership
This position is not represented by a union.

Forbes recently 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.
 
SALARY AND BENEFITS:
In accordance with RCW 49.58.110, this salary reflects the full salary range for this position. Individual placement within the range is based on the candidate's current experience, education, skills, and abilities related to the position. King County offers a comprehensive benefits package which includes paid sick and vacation leave; paid holidays; medical, dental, vision, flexible spending accounts, life and disability insurance for employees and dependents; retirement and deferred compensation. For additional information, please review the detailed summary of benefits offered by King County.

Candidarsi ora