Business and Finance Officer III (Payroll and Finance)

 This posting will remain open until filled and may close at any time without prior notice. We encourage interested candidates to apply as soon as possible. Interviews will be conducted on a rolling basis. Applications submitted by 11:59 p.m. on August 10, 2026, will be given priority consideration.

The Department of Public Defense (DPD) is seeking an experienced and highly analytical Business and Finance Officer III (BFO) in the Director’s Office. 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.

Reporting to the Chief Financial Officer (CFO), the BFO independently provides full-scope payroll and financial data analysis and services to DPD providing authoritative technical and analytical expertise. They manage and supervise relevant operations. This position may supervise, evaluate, and train other accountant staff in assuring payroll related functions are performed accurately, timely and in compliance with collective bargaining agreements, King County Personnel Guidelines, policies and procedures and labor laws. This position provides financial and program analysis and evaluation; implements policies and procedures related to payroll and position management for budgetary purposes.

In collaboration with the CFO may assist in strategic staffing planning; provides analysis for cost containment, rate and fee structures and cost allocation; assures compliance with contracts, collective bargaining agreements and other regulatory requirements; provides staff training. The BFO may make recommendations for budgets, policy and procedure changes related to payroll and financial analysis functions.

This role operates with a high level of independence and is ideal for you if you thrive in complex and fast-paced environments. You should enjoy partnering with other members of the department and want your work to support equity-centered public service.

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 fairness 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.

• Serve as the key Business and Finance Officer on full scale payroll and financial data analysis operations for 520 plus employees. This includes working closely with DPD Human Resources (DPD HR), department leadership and the County payroll liaison to ensure accurate payroll processing and timekeeping. 
• Monitor, review, calculate and run a variety of processes on reported time within PeopleSoft HCM Time and Labor module bi-weekly payroll system to turn reported time into payable time required by payroll operations to generate a paycheck.
• Run queries and other reports to monitor pay outcomes and ensure employees are accurately compensated in compliance with the County personnel guidelines and collective bargaining agreements and other relevant Federal, State, and County laws regarding pay and leaves.
• Research and analyze payroll data, including identifying discrepancies. Prepare and make necessary corrections within established parameters.
• Interpret and apply personnel guidelines, union contract requirements, and relevant Federal, State, and County laws regarding pay and leaves.
• Assign schedules; set up and maintain premium pays and deductions; manage dynamic time and labor groups and load executive leave awards as approved by DPD HR.
• Work closely with DPD HR on protective leave timekeeping and staffing updates to ensure accurate entries and process updates.
• Provide training on self-time entry to staff and approval of time sheets to supervisors; clearly and concisely explain complex pay transactions.
• Perform financial, payroll or other financial/numeric work, requiring the application of GAAP and GASB, accepted bookkeeping or basic accounting methods. 
• Research and resolve accounting problems, performing account reconciliations, and preparing accounting entries.
• Organize, oversee, and maintain highly sensitive payroll/human resource communications and documentation.
• Research and summarize specialized and technical Payroll information from varied sources. Select the most appropriate material to use to verify and reconcile data discrepancies between records.
• Supervises accountants and other departmental staff in the performance of payroll functions. Oversees and monitors the work, evaluates performance, sets work priorities and trains accountants and other department staff in timekeeping, filling out timesheets correctly and running payroll functions in PeopleSoft assuring correct payroll. 
• Supports accounts payable functions, processes iExpense payable requests and staff reimbursements following proper accounting procedures. Reviews requests and supervisory approvals, for compliance with King County and departmental policies and procedures; processes payments, assures correct account coding, provides analysis and makes recommendations for cost containment.
• Support accounts receivable by performing payment deposits, filing, and maintaining records and occasionally assisting with intergovernmental billings.

• Bachelor's degree in finance, business, accounting, or related field and at least four (4) years of progressive experience in payroll and accounts payable, accounting, finance, and use of enterprise-wide financial applications, OR an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Proficiency using typical Microsoft Office products, (Outlook, SharePoint, Teams, and Excel [intermediate to expert level required])
• The ability to travel throughout King County in a timely manner. 
• Demonstrated experience in managing and providing payroll and accounts payable services for a large organization.

• Experience managing digital and physical payroll records consistent with retention schedules.
• Demonstrated experience in HRIS/Payroll management systems, tracking and reporting systems.
• Ability to work well within a team, communicate challenges, identify opportunities, and to collaborate with other payroll and finance team members.
• Ability to synthesize complex payroll and accounting issues in simpler terms for a non-payroll/accounting audience.
• Ability to identify opportunities for process efficiencies.
• Ability to plan, prioritize, and meet deadlines.
• Skilled in conflict resolution and ability to act in a tactful and diplomatic manner, especially with employees, department leadership, and other key interested parties.
• Demonstrated commitment to equity and social justice principles in payroll, fiscal and operational practices.
• Demonstrated ability to manage time and adapt to changing priorities; work on multiple priorities and projects simultaneously, meet quick deadlines, and produce timely and quality work products.
• Demonstrated ability to learn quickly when facing new situations: open to change; thrive in an environment of shifting assignments and unfamiliar tasks.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently with minimal supervision.

Desired Qualifications

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 is open to all qualified applicants. Please apply at www.kingcounty.gov/careers.

This recruitment will be used to establish an eligibility pool to fill vacancies that may occur over the next 6 months. This recruitment will be used to fill a current Career Service vacancy.

To be considered for this role submit the following documents:

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 Payroll and Finance Team works in a hybrid model, with an onsite minimum of three (3) days per week. During the probationary period, employees are required to work onsite four (4) days per week. The ratio of telecommuting 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 Ave, 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:

This position is exempt from the provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act and not overtime eligible. This position is expected to work the hours necessary to satisfactorily perform the job, and some night and weekend work is required.

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 to 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 represented by SEIU 925.

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.