Federal Programs Manager (Wms 2)

Federal Programs Manager (WMS 2)

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 Housing Division (HD) partners with local governments, Tribes, housing authorities, nonprofits and other organizations to develop and preserve affordable housing, promote individual and family self-sufficiency, and reduce adult and youth homelessness.

This position reports to the Homelessness Assistance Unit (HAU) Managing Director within the Housing Division and serves as a member of the Unit's management team.

The position is titled Federal Programs Manager and oversees HAU's formula-based awards and Continuum of Care programs from the Dept. of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Community Planning and Development (CPD) Office. This position has expert understanding of the policies governing the awards and expert knowledge of national objectives.

If you care about addressing homelessness and if you are a subject matter expert on the Emergency Solutions Grant, Continuum of Care Program, HOME America Rescue Plan and HOME Tenant Based Rental Assistance and want to lead a team of excellent staff - this is your dream job and we look forward to receiving your application!

• Oversee the administration, management, compliance and overall success of federal awards and programs in HAU. This position also serves as the subject matter expert for associated CPD federal reporting and overseeing budgeting and accounting in the Integrated Disbursement and Information System.

• Direct responses to audit findings and corrective actions from HUD, the Office of Inspector General and State Auditor's Office and ensures both 1) program compliance and 2) revised or updated policies and procedures are followed.

• Provide leadership in strategic planning, leading and maintaining partnerships with other federal programs and agencies and identifying new and expanded funding opportunities that will help position Commerce as a strong competitor.

• Make policy positions and strategize to optimize the administration of awards and program operation. This includes ensuring risk assessments and monitoring meet federally required standards and are implemented on time and with accuracy. Approves corrective actions as a result of program lack of compliance.

• Oversee high quality submission of the annual collaborative application for the Balance of State Continuum of Care Notice of Funding Opportunity including reviewing the project ranking methodology, reviewing CoC policies and procedures, CoC Annual Report and associated CoC responsibilities.

• Oversee and approve timely and high quality submission of the HAU's contributions to the Consolidated Plan, Citizen Participation Plan, Annual Action Plan, Consolidated Annual Performance and Evaluation Report and other required plans and reports.

• Serve as state Emergency Solutions Grant, Continuum of Care Program, HOME America Rescue Plan and HOME Tenant Based Rental Assistance representative to HUD. Establish and maintain high lever professional relationships with HUD regional and national staff (including attending regional and national meetings and trainings) and represent Commerce at the United States Interagency Council on Homelessness (USICH) meetings.

• Lead partnerships with the HAU state team, HD Units and with other Commerce federal program or point of contact staff to align where possible. Lead relationships with internal and external program and project partners, state and federal organizations, local governments.

• Provide leadership, direction and supervision to staff and oversee work, evaluate performance and encourage and support staff professional development goals and opportunities.

Required Education, Experience, and Competencies.

• Bachelor's Degree (or up to four years of higher education) in social work, public administration or related field

• A Master's Degree in social work, public administration or related field may substitute for two years of the professional experience.

• AND at least five years of high level experience managing in combination of the following:

• Dept. of Housing and Urban Development Community Planning and Development Programs at a federal, state or local level including Emergency Solutions Grant, HOME Tenant Based Rental Assistance funds, Continuum of Care Program and associated responsibilities;

• Consolidated Plan and Annual Action plan development and reporting;

• Experience using Integrated Disbursement and Information System;

• Experience responding to federal program monitoring and audits.

• Budget and management of complex projects.

• Two years of experience supervising one or more employees including hiring staff, training and development, assigning work, evaluating performance, and taking corrective action. Supervisory experience may have been gained concurrently.

Must also have:

• Experience supporting development of Plans and professional level report writing.

• Excellent public speaking, verbal and written communication skills.

• Experience in analyzing processes and policy and procedure development and implementation.

Desired experience:

• Experience developing and maintaining relationships with diverse communities such as Native American and Indigenous people and tribal governments, Black and African communities, and communities that have been harmed by institutional and structural racism.

• Knowledge gained from lived experience being assisted by a homeless housing or other social service program.

Required Competencies

• Commitment to Inclusion & Belonging and Anti-racist principles --Understands and demonstrates the language and concepts of a diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) and anti-racism in all aspects of work and commits to continual personal growth and learning, and creating and maintain an anti-racist work environment.

• Leadership--Leads through change and adversity, makes the tough call when needed, builds consensus when appropriate, motivates and encourages others.

• Integrity--Deals with others in a straightforward and honest manner, is accountable for actions, maintains confidentiality, supports company values, and conveys good news and bad.

• Collaboration--Helps team and stakeholders meet goals and responsibilities, listen to others and values opinions, promote a collaborative environment, and are a trusted partner who communicates openly and honestly.

• Teamwork--Meets all team deadlines and responsibilities, listens to others and values opinions, helps team leader to meet goals, welcomes newcomers and promotes a team atmosphere.

• Accountability--Meets commitments, works independently, accepts accountability, handles change, sets personal standards, stays focused under pressure, and meets attendance/punctuality requirements

• Interpersonal Skills--Has good listening skills, builds strong relationships, is flexible/open-minded, negotiates effectively, solicits performance feedback and handles constructive criticism.

• People Development--Provides feedback and coaching, rewards hard work and risk taking, takes mentoring role, challenges and develops employees, accepts mistakes, provides visibility/opportunity.

• People Management--Defines roles and responsibilities, motivates and challenges employees, delegates effectively, rewards contributions, manages collaboratively.

• Communication--Communicates well both verbally and in writing, creates accurate and punctual reports, delivers presentations, shares information and ideas with others, has good listening skills.

• Results Focus--Targets and achieves results, sets challenging goals, prioritizes tasks, overcomes obstacles, accepts accountability, sets team standards and responsibilities, provides leadership/motivation.

• Budgets/Cost Control--Plans for and uses resources efficiently, always looks for ways to reduce costs, creates accurate and realistic budgets, tracks and adjusts budgets, contributes to budget planning.

• Organizational Savvy--Operates within the organization's formal and informal structures, builds allies and relationships across departments, uses allies to build consensus and create results, is appropriately diplomatic, understands others' roles and perspectives, can sell projects and ideas across the organization.

• Computer Skills--Skilled in the use of computers, adapts to new technology, keeps abreast of changes, learns new programs quickly, and uses computers to improve productivity.

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.