Compensation Policy & Planning Analyst

Full Job Description

Note: These positions are time-limited, expected to conclude on April 1, 2027. Don't wait, applications are reviewed daily! We reserve the right to close this job posting at any time once a sufficient number of qualified candidates are identified, so we encourage you to apply early.

Hybrid: Our physical office is in Olympia, WA. We offer flexible work schedules and locations. This is a hybrid position where most of the work allows teleworking. However, you must reside in the state of Washington and travel to in-person activities, meetings, and events as needed for business purposes.

Why work for OFM
The Office of Financial Management OFM) serves as the backbone of Washington state government. Our mission is to make our state a better place by connecting people, budgets, policies, data, and systems for state agencies and the Legislature. Our team includes budget advisors, researchers, and other experts, all dedicated public servants working towards an equitable future for every Washingtonian. If you want to play a key role in enhancing how state government serves its citizens, you’ve found the right place. Join us in making a meaningful difference for every Washingtonian!

The job opportunity
We are seeking a Compensation Policy and Planning Analyst to support the development and implementation of statewide compensation, benefits, and labor relations strategies aligned with organizational priorities. In this role, you will apply knowledge of agency functions and budget considerations across program areas while partnering with internal stakeholders to conduct compensation surveys and inform policy decisions.

You will be responsible for developing and administering compensation, benefits, and HR policies for represented and non-represented employees, including performing complex financial modeling, analyzing data, and researching best practices to support equitable outcomes. You will also collaborate with cross-agency partners to address complex compensation issues and provide expert insight into policy development and analytical models.


What you’ll work on

• Prepare comprehensive fiscal analyses on complex and varied compensation issues and present expert recommendations on policy and budget implications for an assigned portfolio.
• Complete critical, time-sensitive projects, generate reports/documents, perform validation of compensation or benefits models, and track and report related compensation policy work.
• Develop plans to administer and participate in the administration of state compensation, benefits, and labor relations policies and strategies that promote or ensure consistency and uniformity statewide.
• Advise and consult with agency leadership, managers, human resources, labor relations, and budget staff on consistent and equitable interpretation and application of compensation and benefit components of labor agreements.
• Provide expert witness testimony on financial analyses and classification impacts in interest arbitration proceedings, as required by the portfolio.
• Provide consultation and expertise to State HR in the design and implementation of the State of Washington’s compensation structures.
• Participate in advancing new strategic initiatives or offering alternative strategies and recommendations.
• Analyze proposed legislation, leads/completes fiscal note analysis; provides compensation expertise and information to the Governor’s Office and legislative staff upon request.
• Expand knowledge of state classification and compensation tools, resources, and best practices by consulting and collaborating with stakeholders.

Partner with the lead salary survey Compensation Policy and Planning Analyst to track and monitor all ad hoc and planned surveys responded to by State HR.

Recommends participation in surveys based on the value of the data to the organization. Collaborate with coworkers on responses to ad hoc survey requests.


What we need you to bring
Required Qualifications:
• Demonstrated understanding of government organization, administrative procedures, governmental functions, departmental policies, collective bargaining agreement provisions, and the general principles of labor relations.
• Skill in conducting financial modeling, compensation, and benefit practices and strategies.
• Familiarity with principles and practices of effective human resources management and WA state budget processes and organization.
• Ability to use human resource applications, and ability to articulate business needs between colleagues and with technical staff in order to implement or update system functionality to aid in financial analysis, as well as implement policy outcomes.
• Prior knowledge of compensation and benefit survey methodologies and best practices.
• Working experience with creating and presenting accurate, complex financial information, analysis, and research to technical and non-technical audiences.
• Experience analyzing and absorbing compensation, benefit, and labor relations issues and data todeterminestatewide impact.
• Familiarity with building cooperation of other agencies and labor organizations, establishing effective working relationships, and working cooperatively, collaboratively, and productively when meeting with others.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including preparing reports, technical analyses, presentations, and policy guidance for executive and professional audiences.
• Ability to work independently and make independent judgments regarding work processes and methods.
• Advanced skill level in utilizing MS Office products, especially Excel, PowerPoint, and Word.
• Demonstrated knowledge of developing and working with large, complex data sets.
• The ability to learn and grow.
• The ability to meet the needs of others.

Desired Qualifications:
• Bachelor’s degree in public or business administration, economics, political science, or a closely related field, and three years of experience providing complex financial, human resources/labor/compensation analysis or support.
• Experience in mastering subjects where little documentation exists, and you are the sole individual assigned.
• Knowledge of principles and practices of effective human resources management and WA state budget processes and organization.
• Familiar with State HR payroll systems and state budgeting systems: SAP, SPS, CIM, CIMAI, Fiscal Notes, Workday.
• Ability to influence and communicate effectively when recommending and implementing statewide compensation or benefit policies.
• Skilled with relational databases for statistical use, such as R, SQL, and SAS.

We are most interested in finding the best candidate for the job, and that candidate may be one from a less traditional background. Don’t let doubts stop you from applying for this position. If you have transferable experience, please share it with us or contact us with questions about the required qualifications and how your experience aligns with them.

Additional Information

What we offer
At OFM, we foster a culture of integrity, innovation, inclusion, and belonging. We value both learned and lived experiences, believing that diversity makes us stronger. To support your health and well-being, we offer a variety of benefit programs for our employees.

Please visit our Recruitment for a full list of benefits available to employees. Here’s a quick glance at some of the unique benefits that OFM offers:

• A culture that values and strives to advance diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging
• Medical, Dental, Vision, and Life Insurance
• 12 paid holidays, 14 paid vacation days (minimum), and 12 days of sick leave per year
• State retirement programs

Application Process: Once you’ve decided to apply for a state government job, you’ll complete an online application to showcase your qualifications.

Keep in mind that once you submit the application, a real person will read it. We do not use AI or other technology to screen your application.

Please ensure you provide clear, detailed information about your work history so your qualifications can be accurately assessed. We will contact the top candidates directly to schedule interviews.

If you require a reasonable accommodation during the application process, please call 7-1-1 or 1-800-833-6384. When completing your application, we encourage you to attach all of the following:

• Cover letter: describing your qualifications for this specific position
• Resume: that details your applicable experience and education.
• References: at least three professional references and their current contact information.

Questions: OFM's Staff ASL interpreter is available to all deaf and hard-of-hearing applicants.

For questions about this recruitment or to request a reasonable accommodation in the application or interview process, please email us at TalentAcquisition@ofm.wa.gov.

The Office of Financial Management is an equal opportunity employer.

We strive to create a working environment that includes and respects cultural, racial, ethnic, sexual orientation, and gender identity diversity.

Women, racial and ethnic minorities, persons with disabilities, persons over 40 years of age, and disabled and Vietnam-era veterans are encouraged to apply.







This position is exempt from civil service rules.
For more information, please see WAC 357-19-195.