Commerce Specialist 5

Commerce Specialist 5

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 Community Services Division (CSD) partners with local governments, Tribes, community based organizations, and nonprofits to provide community assistance, promote individual and family self-sufficiency, address the causes and effects of crime and violence, and reduce poverty.

Within the Community Economic Opportunities (CEO) Unit in CSD, this position is responsible for specific tasks within the Community Support Programs (CSP), and has direct oversite of the Lead-Based Paint Program, Disabilities Workgroup, Ombuds Programs, and State Provisos. This position has frequent interactions with a wide variety of staff to include Commerce, contractors, stakeholders, and multiple other state agencies.

This position leads and directs a team managing the portfolio of state funding and may assume federal grant oversight awarded to CSP, overseeing the overall workload needs of the team and assigning incoming tasks, contracts and program planning to designated staff.Program and Policy Enhancement of Community Support Programs

Tasks include:

• Responsible for administrative structure, procedures, practices, and execution for allocating funds through a Request for Proposal/Qualifications process per state and agency requirements.

• Uses technical expertise to review professional journals, research, practice standards and

other appropriate resources. Develop papers, briefs, or other means of relaying information

that informs service providers and policy makers regarding best standards.

• Engages and provides consultative input in national, state, and local workgroups,

associations, and advisory councils.

• Develops and manages program tools for routine tasks, tracking, and reporting. Manages

reconciliation of assigned projects and program budgets on a monthly basis.

• Leads and coordinates opportunities for stakeholder and partner input, feedback,

workgroups, and advisory councils in regards to program development, modifications, and

improvements.

• Represents program participant and contractor interests in discussions, public awareness

efforts, media events, public meetings or other venues, as appropriate, to improve services

for program participants.

• Researches, designs, and implements program enhancements, improvements, and pilot

opportunities as needed and promotes best practices.

• Manages agency requested legislation and appropriation decision packages. Prepares and provides testimony at legislative hearings. Prepares program-related fiscal notes.

• Responds to legislative requests. Manages agency rule making process.

• Represents Commerce at professional, local, state, regional, or national meetings. Serves

in collaborative efforts on department and inter-agency teams.

• Demonstrates using diversity, equity, inclusion and respect (DEIR) principles in their work.

• Develops and implements program strategic plans. Develops and implements program

policies and procedures. Anticipates and communicates possible implementation challenges. Recommends solutions to implementation challenges.

• Reviews state legislation impacting programs managed and recommend agency position on legislation. Coordinates rule making process for programs managed.

• Evaluates program effectiveness and performance, and directs continuous improvement

functions. Assesses program performance and identifies areas of need and/or

improvement.

• Informs recommendations on legislative policy to CEO Managing Director.

Program and Budget Management

Tasks include:

• Develops work plans, including staffing or other resource needs and deploy staff to

accomplish the tasks required.

• Develops and implements systems to measure the achievement and effectiveness of

program goals and projects.

• Oversees and directs all aspects of the program budgetary and fiscal responsibilities,

including, but not limited to program budgets, expenditures, and balances. Ensures the

reconciliations of expenditures and all financial requirements/spending limits are adhered to.  Communicates regularly with assigned budget and fiscal staff.

• Directs the development and implementation of tracking systems for administrative budget

expenditures, development of funding formulas and allocations, and grant spending

documentation.

• Manage program budget reporting to comply with state requirements.

• Acts as the recognized subject matter expert. Represents and speaks on behalf of the

agency in regard to program area(s). Provides consultative and program assistance to other

recognized experts and agency executive management and presents advanced technical

program information to other agenices, governments, or private entities.

• Oversees and manages all aspects of contracts, grants, and/or IAGs related to funds

received for program purposes. Ensures that all related contractual, statutory, regulatory,

and program policy requirements are fullfilled through implementing program monitoring,

technical assistance, and contractor training

• Develops executive reports and summaries for management, legislation, and government

officials. Analyzes and presents performance data.

• Develops inter-agency agreements, memo of understandings, contracts, and amendments

for execution.

• Develops and manages outreach, marketing and social media content to support growth of the programs. Presents and communicates information to various program stakeholders.

Drafts communications and disseminates approved messages to stakeholders. Designs

and delivers presentations on behalf of the Community Programs. Builds connections and

opportunities with organizations, families, financial partners, etc. through social media,

email, speaking and tabling events.

• Drafts legislation and/or provides expert testimoney at legislative hearings and/or task force meetings. Develops executive reports and summaries for executive management, and

legislative government officials.  Collects applicable data to meet all program reporting requirements.

• Manages all aspects of contracts, grants, and/or IAGs awarded by Commerce to

organizations performing work or providing services under the program(s).

• Provides consultation and oversight in the development, implementation, and monitoring of grantee corrective action plans

• Performs work related to contractor/grantee applications, workplans, RFP's, RFA's, etc.

associated with the program.

• Negotiates contract terms and conditions, and scope of work.

• Develops and implements program policies, procedures, guidelines, program measures,

and outcomtes.

• Establishes monitoring procedures, tools, and schedules to ensure contract/program

compliance.

• Develops and maintains relationships with contractors/grantees, partners, and stakeholders.

• Creates, manages, coordinates and provides opportunities for stakeholder and partner input and feedback in regards to program development, modifications, and improvements.

• Resolves program complaints and conflicts that arise with contractors/grantees,

stakeholders, partners, and/or the public.

• Instructs staff and develops mechanisms to monitor contractor fiscal activity.

Staff Management

Tasks include:

• Acts as the primary manager and provides consultation to program staff on actions,

techniques, and/or approaches to assist grantees needing technical assistance.

• Delegates workload responsibilities and assignments to staff.

• Evaluates staff performance and addresses performance concerns as necessary.

• Recommends corrective and/or disciplinary actions to the Managing Director.

• Encourages and supports staff professional development goals and opportunities.

• Identifies, develops and recommends team training needs.

• Ensures that all agency hiring procedures are followed and requirements are fulfilled in

coordination with Human Resources.

• Manages staffs' mandatory training requirements ensuring timely completion.

• Monitors and ensures all mandatory and position specific training is completed prior to due date.

• Performs all aspects of the hiring process.

• Develops and provides training for new staff.

• Supervises agency personnel and provides regular feedback, coaching, and guidance to

staff.Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor's Degree AND five years of professional experience in community, trade or economic development with a focus in program enhancement. If the applicant does not have a Bachelor's Degree, nine years of professional experience, or nine years total of a combination of higher education and professional experience as described.

• A graduate or advanced degree may substitute for one year of the required professional experience.

• One year of experience supervising one or more employees including hiring staff, training and development, assigning work, evaluating performance, and taking corrective action.

• Understanding and commitment to anti-racism, equity, diversity, and inclusion, including an ability to apply an equity lens to facilitate a respectful and inclusive work environment and bring a commitment to providing and supporting services and processes that reinforce this environment.

• Able to learn and understand the language and concepts of our Commerce equity & belonging culture and commit to being a part of creating and maintaining a diverse, equitable, respectful and inclusive workplace.

• Demonstrate a commitment to growth, learning and self-awareness when provided training and opportunities to participate in improving our work environment.

• Participate and behave in a manner that creates trust and builds working relationships, promoting teamwork and collaboration in the work environment.

• Demonstrate the understanding that all people are valued; contribute to an equitable, inclusive and respectful environment when working with members of the group, team, organization or community.

• Commit to being an active participant in continually evaluating and improving strategies that promote equity and inclusion in our organization through

• DEI knowledge,

• Self-Awareness & Commitment to Growth,

• Cultivating Mutually Beneficial & Trusting Strategic Relationships,

• Inclusive Excellence & Allyship Improvement ,

• Measuring for Success and Improvement.

Preferred/Desired Qualifications, Knowledge and Skills:

• Experience in contracting public funds to community agencies

• Experience working for or in partnership with, non-profits, state entities, Tribal governments, or social services organizations

• Experience in administering/contracting public funds to community agencies.

• Demonstrated high-level interpersonal communication skills including an ability to collaborate and build partnerships, develop and lead work teams, and work effectively with authorizing and external environment.

• Demonstrated ability to pay attention to detail and oversee a complex suite of responsibilities.

• Experience collaborating with stakeholders for program and policy development and applying policies and procedures

• Experience using word-processing software, building and editing spreadsheets in Microsoft Excel, and use of Internet for research

• Skilled at creating presentation materials, and conducting workshops, presentations, and trainings

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.