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Bureau of Finance Director

State of Wisconsin
Madison, WI Full Time
POSTED ON 4/25/2026
AVAILABLE BEFORE 5/24/2026
Introduction

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is hiring a Bureau of Finance Director in the Division of Internal Services to manage all fiscal operations of the Department of Natural Resources.

If you want the opportunity to impact the quality of life for all Wisconsinites through protection of the air, water, and natural resources of the state, working at the DNR might be for you.

This position is headquartered in the DNR’s central offices in Madison, WI.

Remote work may be available for a portion of the work week, after the initial onboarding period.

This recruitment may also be used to fill future similar positions.

Find a meaningful and rewarding career with the DNR! The DNR excels at protecting and managing natural resources while supporting the economy and the well-being of our residents. We strive to hire, develop, and retain a talented workforce representative of the people of Wisconsin we serve. We offer training and career growth opportunities, a comprehensive benefits package, and are searching for people with diverse backgrounds to join our dynamic and team-oriented environment.

Position Summary

This position is responsible for supervising, managing, and supporting section chiefs and the internal auditor in their responsibilities in the day-to-day administration of the department’s financial, auditing, accounting, grant, procurement, and fleet activities. This position is responsible for ensuring department, statewide, and federal policies, procedures, and laws are adhered to.

For more information, please see the Bureau of Finance Director Position Description.

Salary Information

Starting pay for this position is between $53.00 to $59.88 per hour (or $110,240 to $124,550.40 annually), in addition to excellent benefits. This position is included in the classification Finance Manager within Pay Schedule/Range 81-01.

In addition, there is $1.00 per hour (or $2,080 annually) added to your base salary for holding a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) license, whether it is held presently or acquired in the future. A CPA is not a requirement for this position.

The State of Wisconsin offers an exemplary benefits package with:

  • Generous paid time off, including at least 3 1/2 weeks of vacation/personal time, nine paid holidays, and ample sick time that rolls over each year with no cap.
  • Excellent and affordable health insurance options (starting at $34/month for single and $83/month for family coverage).
  • Other great insurance options (dental, vision, life, and more).
  • A top-notch retirement program and optional tax advantaged 457 retirement savings plan.
  • A Well Wisconsin program, offering wellness tools and rewards to employees and spouses.
  • A free and confidential employee assistance program that offers employees and their household members tools, resources, and professional consultation services.
  • For more info, see our Total Rewards Calculator.

This position is not represented by a collective bargaining unit. Pay on appointment will follow the provisions of the State of Wisconsin Compensation Plan.

Job Details

Background Checks: The Department of Natural Resources conducts criminal background checks on final applicants prior to job offer. Please note that a criminal charge or conviction on your record will not necessarily disqualify you from state employment. In compliance with the Wisconsin Fair Employment Act, the DNR does not discriminate on the basis of arrest or conviction record.

Eligibility to work in United States: The Department of Natural Resources does not sponsor work visas at the time of hire or anytime during employment. All persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and complete the required Employment Eligibility Form I-9 upon hire.

Probation: A two-year Career Executive trial period may be required.

Reference Check: References are not required at the time of application but will be required upon successful completion of the interview process.

Remote Work: Based on an assessment of the goals and work activities, this position may be eligible for remote work. Remote work approval is based on individual circumstances and is subject to supervisor approval and DNR remote work policies. Approval is subject to change without notice based on business needs. Employees with approved remote work arrangements are generally expected to work within the state of Wisconsin.

Travel: This position may require periodic travel throughout the state with occasional overnight stays outside of Madison. Minimal out-of-state travel is expected.

Qualifications

Your letter of qualifications and resume are very important parts of your application and are used during our evaluation process to determine your qualifications as they relate to the job. For instructions on developing your resume and letter of qualifications and what should be included in these materials, click here. Please describe the below qualifications in your resume and letter of qualifications to be considered for this position:

Required Qualifications Include ALL Of The Following Criteria

  • Bachelor’s degree or equivalent professional experience in Business or Economics
  • Experience managing and/or supervising a team (e.g., assigning and evaluating work, long-term goal planning, coaching/mentoring, hiring, performance evaluations, discipline, etc.)
  • Project management experience (e.g., organizing, planning, establishing priorities, etc.)
  • Accounting and/or auditing experience such as accounts payable/receivable, financial reporting, collections, etc.

In addition, preferred qualifications include any of the following criteria:

  • Bachelor’s degree in Finance or Accounting
  • Experience supervising first-line supervisors and/or financial professionals
  • Experience overseeing and optimizing financial operations within large, complex organizations including responsibility for budgeting, forecasting, financial reporting, and/or regulatory compliance
  • Experience interpreting state or federal financial requirements (policies, administrative code, statutes) including ensuring compliance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP)

How To Apply

If viewing this posting on an external site (such as indeed.com, etc.), please visit Wisc.Jobs and search for this Job ID: 20723 to complete your application for this posting. Current state employees, including those with Career Executive status, must apply through STAR ESS. Former permanent classified state employees must apply through Wisc.Jobs.

The steps to apply online are quick and easy! Your resume and letter of qualifications are used during our evaluation process to determine your eligibility for further consideration. Submitted materials will be evaluated by a panel of job experts and the most qualified applicants will be invited to participate in the next step of the selection process. It is critically important that your application materials clearly describe your experience related to the stated job qualifications. Please review our helpful tips for developing your resume and letter of qualifications and what should be included. References are not required at the time of application but will be required upon successful completion of the interview process. Once you submit your application, you will not be able to make any updates to the application or any materials submitted.

For technical troubleshooting related to the Wisc.Jobs site, please view the Frequently Asked Questions. For questions regarding the application process, please contact Patricia Buchholz in Human Resources at patricia.buchholz@wisconsin.gov or (608) 266-2133.

The State of Wisconsin is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace and is an affirmative action employer. We are committed to providing equal employment opportunities to applicants of any race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender identity or Veteran status. We also consider qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, consistent with legal requirements.

Deadline to Apply

All applications must be received by 11:59 pm central on Monday, May 4th, 2026.

Salary : $110,240 - $124,550

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