Financial Services Analyst - Contracts & Purchasing

About the Washington State Office of Public Defense (OPD)

We are an independent judicial branch agency mandated to implement the constitutional and statutory guarantees of counsel and to ensure the effective and efficient delivery of indigent defense services funded by the state.

Mission: Upholding the rights of all people who are facing the loss of liberty or family by providing statewide leadership, administration, and support to the multidisciplinary public defense profession.

Vision: Public defense clients, everywhere in the state, receive truly equitable and client-centered representation from fully supported professionals.

Values: Justice * Service * Equity * Excellence

We administer a variety of programs, including systemic improvement programs and programs providing direct representation. To learn about OPD’s programs click here. We are dedicated to excellence in public law and indigent defense, and we seek talented candidates who share this commitment to client-centered service. We value employees who bring diverse backgrounds in education, employment, public policy, community activities, and life experiences to enhance our office.

The Position

The Washington State Office of Public Defense (OPD) is seeking a Financial Services Analyst with contracting and purchasing expertise to join our team. In this role, you will primarily work with Parents Representation Program staff to review contract requests; draft contracts, amendments, renewals, and related documents; and enter and maintain accurate contract-related data in OPD’s contract system, physical filing systems, and the state accounting system. The position also serves as the agency purchasing coordinator responsible for researching vendors and suppliers; making purchases; maintaining records; resolving issues; ensuring compliance with policies and procedures; and reconciling and preparing purchase card statements for payment. Our team is small. You should come prepared to work independently, be innovative and cross-train in other contracting, accounting or financial management tasks when needed.

Periodic travel may be required in Washington State, including occasional overnight travel. Out-of-state travel occurs infrequently.

Duties

• Support Parents Representation Program Contracting: Review contract requests for compliance and completeness within OPD policies. Advise managers and supervisors on program specific contract policy and process, coordinate reviews by the Contract Manager as needed. Prepare and process contracts, amendments, renewals and related documents. Enter and maintain accurate contract data in electronic and physical filing systems. Track contract milestones, expirations, and renewal dates; notify supervisors and managers as needed. Communicate with contractors as needed. Encumber contracts for executed agreements. Obtain all required approvals and signatures for agreements. Assist in the development and improvement of contract templates and workflows.

• Agency Purchasing Coordinator: Identify, evaluate, and select suppliers and vendors based on quality, cost, and delivery criteria. Prepare and issue purchase orders, as necessary, and ensure accuracy of order details. Negotiate pricing, terms, and delivery schedules with suppliers.Monitor inventory levels and coordinate with departments to forecast purchasing needs. Maintain purchasing records, supplier databases, and product specifications.Resolve issues related to shipments, billing discrepancies, or defective materials.Track key performance metrics such as supplier performance and cost savings.Ensure compliance with company procurement policies and procedures.

• Accounts Payable: Reconcile monthly purchase card statements, collect receipts, verify accurate coding, and batch the transactions for accounts payable to process. Process correction journal entries into the state accounting system (AFRS).

• Customer Service: Demonstrate accountability and commitment to customer service; ensure work meets or exceeds expectations through responsibility, quality, and timeliness. Conduct all activities with the highest degree of professionalism in furtherance of OPD’s Mission, Vision and Values. Diligently follow state employee ethics requirements.

• Organization & Time Management: Practice strong organizational and prioritization abilities; consistently meet deadlines and manage multiple projects while maintaining accuracy and attention to detail.

Salary

• $60,132 - $80,820/year

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications

Professional experience may substitute for the required education but not for the accounting credit hours.

• Bachelor's degree in accounting, public administration, business administration, business law, commerce, economics, mathematics or related field, which includes 10 semester or 15 quarter hours in accounting, auditing, budgeting, and finance with 2 to 4 years of progressively increasing responsibilities working in an accounting field; OR

• One (1) year of experience in fiscal bookkeeping or fiscal recordkeeping; AND Ten (10) semester or 15 quarter hours of college level accounting.

Desired Qualifications

• Washington state government financial services experience, including:
  1. Accounting experience in accounts receivable, accounts payable, or payroll.
  2. Contracting and procurement.
• Two (2) years of experience with Washington state accounting systems including AFRS, Enterprise Reporting, Webi, Toolbox, and OneWA/Workday exposure.
• Proficient in Microsoft 365 (Teams, Outlook, Word, Excel, SharePoint, OneNote, PowerPoint, etc.). Skilled in using office technology and business applications to support workflow efficiency
• Familiarity with Washington state administrative and accounting requirements.
• Professional level knowledge of Washington state contracting and purchasing laws, rules, best practices and technologies.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Flexible worker willing to cross-train and back-up team members. Proven interpersonal skills with the ability to establish and maintain professional working relationships with colleagues, management, and clients.

Other Information

Compensation

$60,132 to $80,820 annually. Compensation depending on qualifications. Washington State employees are offered a comprehensive benefit package that includes: paid holidays, vacation and sick leave, retirement and health, dental and life insurance coverage for self and family. There are also options for deferred compensation and pre-tax flexible spending accounts.

Application Process

To be considered, interested candidates must apply online at www.careers.wa.gov (Click on the APPLY button above.) You must complete the entire online application. In addition to the online application:

• Letter of interest.
• Current résumé
• At least three professional references.

This recruitment is open until filled. First review of applications will be December 1, 2025, please submit an application on or before November 30, 2025 to be included in the first review. The hiring authority reserves the right and may exercise the option to make a hiring decision at any time. We encourage all to apply as early as possible.

If you have problems navigating the online application process or uploading the required documents, email tracy.sims@opd.wa.gov for assistance.

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

We vigorously pursue diversity in the work force and are an equal opportunity employer. OPD does not discriminate on the basis of age, sex (including gender identity), marital status, sexual orientation, race, religion, creed, color, national origin, honorably discharged veteran or military status, those who are formerly incarcerated or have prior child welfare involvement, 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.

Pursuing diversity, equity and inclusion means that as an agency, and as individuals, we are committed to ensuring that all employees enjoy a respectful, safe, and supportive working environment.

Teleworking

Our offices are in Olympia, Washington. This is not a telework position. Candidates must be able and willing to work in the office and commute here.

Benefits

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. That's 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 07-21-2025