Financial Analyst
About the Washington State Transportation Commission
The Washington State Transportation Commission (WSTC) provides an open public forum for transportation policy development. It reviews and assesses how the entire transportation system works across the state, advises the Legislature and the Governor, and issues the state's 20-year Transportation Plan. As the State Tolling Authority, the WSTC sets tolls for state highways and bridges and fares for Washington State Ferries.
The Opportunity
The Washington State Transportation Commission (WSTC) is currently seeking a dedicated and motivated professional who is educated and experienced in the area of accounting, finance, or economics to take on the crucial role of Financial Analyst. This position, which is located in Olympia, WA, has substantial responsibility and authority for guiding and providing expert level guidance, consultation and advisement related to the agency-critical function of formulating, developing and advancing transportation funding. Among other related tasks, the successful candidate is tasked with leading how the Commission assesses, analyzes, and sets ferry fares and policies, and in assisting with the process and analysis related to setting toll rates and policies for all of the state's tolled roads and bridges. This position also leads the operation and management of the WSTC's Ferry Rider Opinion Group (FROG) online survey panel program made up of over 20,000 ferry riders, who are surveyed multiple times per year with the assistance of a private vendor.
What to Expect
This position serves in an agency-critical lead role as a financial analyst for the WSTC, developing and advancing critical work related to the Commission's statewide funding and finance responsibilities of setting ferry fares and fare policy, and of setting toll rates and toll policies.
Among the varied range of responsibilities held within this role, the Financial Analyst will:
- Lead the Commission's identification of ferry fare and fare policy priorities and work with Washington State Ferries (WSF) in integrating those priorities into ferry fare modeling work.
- Work closely with WSF in reviewing and analyzing ferry fare financial performance, as well as developing fare setting options and scenarios for the Commission's consideration.
- Identify and assess potential ferry operational strategies and their impacts to costs, ferry fare revenues, ferry capacity, and operations.
- Attend and participate in the Ferry Advisory Committee on Tariffs, which is a citizen body that advises the Commission on ferry fare setting.
- Direct the Commission's Ferry Riders Opinion Group (FROG) Survey Panel Program, which actively surveys over 20,000 ferry riders each year to gather rider input and ferry usage data.
- Research and analyze a variety of financial and traffic data for each tolled highway/bridge, conduct extensive modeling of rate scenarios and policies, and determine estimated impacts to revenues and costs in support of toll rate and toll policy setting.
- Work closely with WSDOT's Tolling Division and budget and finance offices as well as the Office of the State Treasurer (OST), to inform financial analysis for the WSTC's use in setting toll rates and policies.
- Conduct detailed financial analysis and assist in developing toll rate scenarios and policies, assessing and negotiating financing requirements, and managing state and local partner agency engagement to inform WSTC rate setting.
- Attend the State Transportation Revenue Forecast Council meetings and contribute to the shaping of the forecast.
- Assist with guiding the WSTC in determining its financial guidance submitted to the Legislature and Governor.
- Respond to tolling, ferry fare, and funding inquiries from the general public, partner agency staff, legislative staff, reporters, and others.
Qualifications
To be considered for this opportunity, the following are required:
- BA or BS degree in finance, accounting, economics or closely related field.
- A minimum of five (5) years of experience in the field of economics, finance, or related areas.
- Strong and proven financial and data analysis skills.
- Experience in policy analysis and development.
- Strong communication skills and experience in giving presentations before a variety of audiences.
- Excellent interpersonal skills and experience working and collaborating with a variety of stakeholders and organizations.
It is preferred that qualified candidates also have:
- Graduate degree in related field. (Relevant Graduate degree would substitute for the BA or BS requirement above.)
- Experience conducting elasticity analysis and price structuring.
- Experience in public opinion surveying, market research, and data analysis.
- Knowledge and experience in project management.
- Knowledge and experience with the legislative process.
- Experience in accounting and finance, particularly with the Washington State transportation budget, accounting and/or financial planning.
- Experience in analyzing large, complex data sets.
Important Notes
Occasional work on weekends and/or holidays may be required to complete the duties of this position. Also, occasional in-state travel will be necessary as well.
How to Apply
Applications for this recruitment will be accepted electronically. Your relevant experience may be evaluated to determine salary. Therefore, it is very important that the "Work Experience" portion of the application be completed in as much detail as possible.
Please click the "APPLY" button to proceed. Note that you will be prompted to either sign in, or create an account. This step is required in order to submit an application to this opportunity.
WSTC is an equal opportunity employer. We value the importance of creating an environment in which all employees can feel respected, included and empowered to bring unique ideas to the agency. Our diversity and inclusion efforts include embracing different cultures, backgrounds and viewpoints while fostering growth and advancement in the workplace. Women, racial and ethnic minorities, persons of disability, persons over 40 years of age, disabled and Vietnam era veterans, as well as people of all sexual orientations and gender identities are encouraged to apply. Persons with disabilities needing assistance in the application process, or those needing this job announcement in an alternative format may contact the listed Recruiter.
WSTC does not use the E-Verify system. For more information, please visit www.uscis.gov
Contact us
For inquiries about this posting, you may contact the assigned Recruiter, Eirik Landes at landese@wsdot.wa.gov. Please be sure to reference 20WSTC-001 in the subject line.