Commerce Specialist 3

Commerce Specialist 3

At the Department of Commerce we strive to be creative, collaborative, and trusted. We identify opportunities to deliver critical funding and services to strengthen communities and aim to promote equity in all aspects of our work. We believe that a diverse and inclusive workforce is essential to our success, and we work to foster an environment where all individuals are valued and respected. We cultivate an environment in which we continuously learn, and we own our work.

We invite all candidates to join us in our mission to create a diverse and equitable workplace that reflects the richness of the communities we serve. Together, we can build a brighter and more inclusive future.

The Energy Division catalyzes the transition to a clean, just, and resilient energy future.

This position works within the Energy Programs in Communities (EPIC) Unit of the Energy Division. We are hiring for three Program Managers to develop solicitations and manage renewable energy contracts in our solar energy and clean grid teams. These positions are specialists responsible for providing professional-level program management and contract administration expertise in renewable energy and other related state energy initiatives. If you have experience in and an affinity for either renewable energy and/or program management and contract administration, these positions may be a good fit for you!• Plans, develops, and tracks program goals and objectives, seeking input from internal and

external subject matter experts and stakeholders as needed.

• Conducts competitive grant application and procurement process which includes solicitation of applications, convening subject matter experts and key stakeholders to assist with application review, reading, and evaluating and scoring applications, organizing and

conducting review meetings, and making recommendations to management for application

awards.

• Conducts complex program implementation, evaluation, and oversight of processes and

policies, ensuring compliance with relevant state and federal laws and regulations.

• Develops and administers request for proposals and procurement processes.

• Conducts complex program implementation, evaluation, and oversight of processes and

policies, ensuring compliance with relevant state and federal regulations.

• Utilizes spreadsheets, databases, and information systems to conduct program evaluation

and reporting.

• Ensures program data is current and accessible to facilitate inquiries and reporting of key

metrics.

• Organizes, leads, and solicits input from program advisory groups, technical experts, and

external stakeholders to advance program goals.

• Strengthens relationships with clients, stakeholders, and co-workers.

• Identifies and solves problems with effective solutions. Identifies information needed to clarify a situation and seeks information from appropriate sources. Takes the initiative to seek input from peers and Supervisor to help with problem solving.

• Monitors grantee expenditures, compliance with deliverables, and reporting to ensure

projects are implemented on time and within budget.

• Conducts outreach and prepares communications to generate interest in grant programs.

• Represents the agency at professional meetings and conferences.

• Coordinates with others to streamline processes, develop best practices, and implement

program delivery improvements.

• Develops, updates, maintains, reviews, and analyzes spreadsheets, databases, and

information systems to conduct program evaluation and reporting.

• Ensures program data is current and accessible to facilitate inquires and reporting of key

metrics.

• Organizes, leads, and solicits input from program advisory groups, technical experts, and

external stakeholders to advance program goals.

• Develop and monitor systems to process incentive applications for Energy efficiency

programs.

• Interprets and applies federal and state laws and regulations.

• Develops and maintains technical expertise of Commerce program requirements related to contract management, budgeting, invoicing, and compliance.

• Negotiates, drafts, and executes grants and contracts and subsequent amendments to

scopes of work and special terms and conditions.

• Works with Commerce's Assistant Attorney General (AAG) and the Commerce Chief

Contracting Officer (CCO) on contract language and grantee negotiations to limit agency

liability.

• Lead evaluation committee scoring.

• Evaluate applications, convene and facilitate application review teams and make funding

recommendations.

• Demonstrates comprehensive knowledge of state and federal requirements for administering grant and loan programs.

• Oversees and monitors contract management and compliance activities.

• Develops, updates, and maintains grant-specific contracts, scopes of work, and budget

documents.

• Works closely with program support staff to track, route, and keep grantee records current.

• Partner with support staff to develop and maintain reporting templates based on the funding and program requirements.

• Serves as a technical specialist for assigned grant programs.

• Provides technical support to grantees. Identifies and resolves programmatic, scope of work, or funding condition conflicts.

• Engages with supervisor to assist with resolving and negotiating complex issues.

• Provides technical assistance to public policy makers, staff, and service providers.

• Provides technical assistance to contracts as fiscal discrepancies and/or issues arise or as

requested by contractors.

• Monitors grantee expenditures, compliance with deliverables, and reporting to ensure

projects are implemented on time and within budget.

• Prepares written reports, testimony, and policy recommendations.

• Participate in unit, division and agency-wide project workgroup opportunities including outcome measures, contracting risk workgroup, strategic breakthrough initiatives and other opportunities that align with the duties of this position.

• Provide regular updates to division staff and management on work of these initiatives.Required Qualifications:

Any combination of the professional level experience in community, trade, and/or economic development AND college-level coursework in education in business or public administration or related field totaling seven (7) years.

OR

Seven (7) years of experience in community, trade, and/or economic development.

OR

Associate's degree in business or public administration or related field and five (5) years of professional level experience in community, trade, or economic development.

OR

Bachelor's degree in business administration, public administration, or related field and three (3) years of professional level experience in community, trade or economic development.

Competencies:

• Strong communication skills, demonstrating an ability to clearly convey information and ideas to individuals and groups through a variety of communications modes, including formal presentations and informal discussions.

• Practices attentive and active listening.

• Develops challenging but achievable goals, has excellent follow-through, approaches challenging tasks and obstacles with a "can-do" attitude. Works with honesty and integrity, keeps commitments, takes ownership of work and one's own actions, and seeks opportunities for improvement

• Stays focused under pressure, performs duties with minimal supervision, uses time efficiently and effectively to accomplish priorities. Motivates and encourages project team members to persevere through change and adversity, skillfully negotiates competing needs and priorities, and facilitates consensus-based decision-making when appropriate.

• Operates within the organization's formal and informal structures, builds allies and relationships across the division and agency, seeks to understand others' roles and perspectives, and navigates organizational structure with diplomacy and goodwill.

• Demonstrates a commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion. Collaborates with and involves others with divergent viewpoints, as well as diverse people and groups, contributing to developing an environment that is equitable, inclusive, respectful and cooperative.

• Effectively adjusts to changes in work processes and environment and alters behavior to align with evolving situations. Openly receives new ideas and accepts other perspectives.

• Skilled in the use of computers and database applications. Learns new technology quickly, keeps abreast of changes, use computers to improve productivity.

Desired Qualifications:

• Three years' experience managing energy projects or working in the energy sector. Solid knowledge of renewable energy and energy efficiency technologies.

• Two years' experience navigating and complying with federal and state procurement, contracting, and budgeting policies and practices.

• Experience collaborating with marginalized communities, tribal communities and vulnerable populations

 • Advanced-level proficiency in project management software, MS Office Suite, contract management databases, cloud-based productivity tools

To be considered for this position the following are needed:

• A complete and detailed online application.

• A cover letter (enter online).

• At least three professional references (enter online).

For questions about this recruitment, please contact our recruitment team via email: comrecruitment@commerce.wa.gov  - please reference the job number in your message

Work from Anywhere in Washington State

This position may be located anywhere within Washington State though occasional travel to a Commerce office building or in-state travel to attend events or meetings may be required. If selected, you will need to travel to pick up equipment and receive instruction. Many Commerce employees work remote or have a hybrid schedule.

This recruitment may be used to fill future vacancies over the next 60 days.

This position is covered by a collective bargaining agreement.

Technical support is provided by NEOGOV, 855-524-5627 (can't log in, password or email issues, error messages). DES job seeker support may answer general questions regarding the recruiting system at careershelp@des.wa.gov.

Our Commitment to Equal Opportunity

The Washington State Department of Commerce 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 of disability, persons over 40 years of age, veterans or people with military status, and people of all sexual orientations and gender identities are encouraged to apply. Persons needing accommodation in the application, testing, or interview process or this job announcement in an alternative format may email Human Resources at Human.Resources@commerce.wa.gov.  Applicants who are deaf or hard of hearing may call through the Washington Relay Service by dialing 7-1-1 or 1-800-833-6388.

Department of Commerce also offers a competitive benefits package including: medical and dental insurance benefits, retirement and deferred compensation plans, 11 paid holidays each year, 14-25 vacation days per year (depending on length of employment), 8 hours of sick leave per month (if full time employed), bereavement leave, an employee assistance program, as well as other benefits. Please see the Benefits Tab for more details.