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 Energy Division collaborates with diverse energy stakeholders to create a clean, affordable, and equitable energy future.

This position works within the Weatherization Unit of the Energy Division. This position is responsible for managing and advancing low-income energy and home rehabilitation programs through policy development and contract management, and implementing the DOE State Energy and other federally-funded energy programs. This position is focused on

establishing partnerships, leading and managing program contracts, collecting and evaluating performance data, and communicating program impact. As a manager of staff, this position carries out work in all of the supporting processes by ensuring their workforce is supported, efficiently managing the finances of assigned programs, communicating effectively to staff, proactively managing any risk that could affect their employees, and optimizing overall agency performance through the support of their staff.

Program development and implementation

Tasks include:

• Organize, lead, and solicit input from program advisory groups, technical experts, and external stakeholders to advance program goals.

• Cultivate cooperative relationships and communication with internal staff, external stakeholders, and other partners.

• Provide complex technical assistance on program start-up and contracts to nonprofits and local governments.

• Oversee technical assistance and outreach efforts to support potential applicants.

• Advocate on behalf of all Commerce programs and identify other funding opportunities available to applicants through other Commerce programs.

• Approve final program design changes.

• Develop, promote, and maintain strong and strategic partnerships with non-profit organizations,

private associations, federal funding agencies, other state agencies, consumer advocates, and local governments.

• Develop and oversee administrative procedures and staff resources.

• Determine and assess project opportunities, programs, and organizational goals and adjust resource levels associated with mandatory requirements.

• Oversee and approve the on-going development and implementation of program rules, guidance policies and Wx policy manual.

• Design, manage, and facilitiate the application review and rating processes.

• Make final funding recommendations to Commerce management for all assigned programs.

• Oversee the development of program contract templates and resources.

• Ensure contracts are aligned with all statutes, program rules, the agency's performance

expectations, and the appropriate authorizing authority.

• Review and approve all contracts prior to circulation to the Section Supervisor, Managing

Director, Assistant Director and grantees for signatures.

• Determine and assess project opportunities, programs, and production goals and adjust resource levels associated with mandatory requirements.

• Design, manage, and facilitiate the annual funding application review and rating processes.

Policy alignment and stakeholder engagement

Tasks include:

• Act as a recognized low and moderate-income weatherization subject matter expert, with a focus on federally funded programs.

• Represent the Weatherization Unit, Energy Division and the agency at local, state, regional and national meetings as the federal grants subject matter expert

• Provide guidance and consultation to staff, other agency programs, executive management, and external stakeholders and partners on the needs of low and moderate-income communities for housing preservation and improvements.

• Present technical program information internally, to other agencies, governments, private

entities, and the legislature to inform others of the impact of the Weatherization Program

successes and lessons learned.

• Collaborate across the Wx Unit as well as within the Energy Division Policy Team to ensure that energy policy objectives align with the needs of Weatherization in low- and moderate-income communities.

Staff Management and Supervision

Tasks include:

• Supervise a team of professional staff.

• Oversee all work performed for the federal weatherization programs and other assigned

programs.

• Delegate workload responsibilities, priorities, and assignments to staff.

• Provide regular feedback, coaching, and guidance to staff.

• Evaluate staff performance and address concerns as necessary.

• Address and resolve conflicts between staff as they occur.

• Recommend corrective or disciplinary action to Supervisor and Managing Director.

• Encourage and support staff professional development goals and provide growth opportunities.

• Work with staff to determine training needs.

Cross Agency collaboration and workgroup participation

Tasks include:

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

• Provide regular updates to unit staff and management on work of these cross-agency initiatives.

Program impact evaluation and communication

Tasks include:

• Collect and report program performance data

• Participate in section, division, and/or divisional quarterly target reviews and ensure any

associated data for the unit is reported accurately and timely.

• Develop executive reports and summaries for executive management as requested.

• Develop key performance metrics for programs and management systems to connect with

tracking of these metrics.

• Support data processing and quality assurance staff members to ensure that they have the information, tools, skills and resources to be successful.

• Compile summary reports of evaluation data to communicate program impacts to participants, funders, legislators, stakeholders and the general public.

• Use evaluation findings to put forward policy recommendations and alignment opportunities for the Energy Division policy group and Commerce.

Budget and Fiscal Management

Tasks include:

• Manage the budgets for federal Weatherization Program funds and for other assigned programs, track spending, and regularly monitor project fund balances.

• Assist the Senior Evaluation & Program Supervisor, Managing Director and Budget Manager in the development of biennial budgets and allotments, and assist in the re-appropriation process.

• Develop systems for contractor authority, invoicing, reasonableness, approval, and processing.  Establish fiscal processes and resources for staff in accordance with agency and state policies, rules, and regulations.

• Provide fiscal information and assistance for unit, division, and agency budget and financial meetings.

• Respond to fiscal information requests from the Governor's Office, the Legislature, OFM, and Executive Management.Required Education:

• A Bachelor's degree in business, public administration, accounting, or related field (professional level experience in governmental contracting, program/project management, or accounting may substitute year for year for the degree)

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

Required Experience:

• Four years of professional level experience in community, trade, or economic development with any combination ofvthe following:

o Federal and state grant and loan administration

o Program management and evaluation

o Procurement and contracting

• One or more years' experience supervising or managing professional staff including hiring staff, training and development, assigning work, evaluating performance, and taking corrective action.

Required Competencies:

• Develops and maintains technical expertise of Commerce program requirements related to contract management, budgeting, invoicing, and compliance. Demonstrates comprehensive knowledge of multiple state and federal requirements for administering grant and loan programs.

• Clearly conveys information and ideas to individuals and groups through a variety of communications modes, including formal presentations and informal discussions. Interprets complex information, communicates facts orally and in writing using language the audience will best understand. Practices attentive and active listening.

• Strengthens relationships with clients, stakeholders, and co-workers. Handles service problems politely and efficiently and follows established procedures to solve customer problems.

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

• 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.

• Leads through change and adversity, makes the tough call when needed, builds consensus when appropriate, motivates and encourages others. Able to collaborate and build partnerships, develop work teams, and work effectively with authorizing and external environment. Assess risk and facilitates problem solving. Interprets complex and technical information and communicates verbally and in writing in a simple and easy to understand manner to diverse audiences

Preferred/Desired Qualifications:

• Three years' experience managing energy projects or working in the energy sector and/or housing programs, including demonstrated contracting, program management, and technical assistance.

• 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.