JAG Program Manager (Com 3)

JAG Program Manager (COM 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 Community Services Division (CSD) partners with local governments and nonprofits to develop and preserve affordable housing, promote individual and family self-sufficiency, reduce homelessness, address the causes and effects of crime and violence, and invest in community facilities.

The Office of Firearm Safety and Violence Prevention, and Community Safety Unit (OFSVP-CSU) partners with federal, state and local criminal justice and public health agencies, community organizations and leaders, and individual community members to reduce and address the impact of crime and violence, facilitating the availability of opportunities and resources in communities statewide.

Under the Federal Grants Portfolio Manager's supervision and in coordination with the other members of the OFSVP-CSU team, the JAG Program Manager serves as the lead for the federal Department of Justice programs assigned to OFSVP-CSU, including the Byrne-Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) program. The JAG program is the leading source of federal justice funding to state and local jurisdictions. The Department of Commerce (Commerce) is the State Administering Agency for Washington's allocation of the funds. The JAG program provides funding to support a range of program areas including: law enforcement, prosecution, indigent defense, courts, crime prevention and education, corrections and community corrections, drug treatment and enforcement, planning, evaluation, technology improvement, and crime victim and witness initiatives and mental health programs and related law enforcement and corrections programs, including behavioral programs and crisis intervention teams.

Within the OFSVP-CSU team, the JAG Program Manager functions as a specialist in Department of Justice grant administration and the JAG program in particular, working with little or no technical oversight. The incumbent deals with complex and conflicting issues and/or portfolio management and provides specialized expertise in areas such as contract negotiation and/or execution, and establishing policies, procedures, guidelines, technical assistance, and monitoring compliance for timely and compliant application for and disbursal of federal funds. The position takes the lead on convening JAG Advisory Committee meetings, ensuring engaged, current membership for the Advisory Committee, and in strategic planning for the JAG program. This includes working with statewide stakeholders and representing the unit at the state level. This is a policy area that requires a high level of political and emotional sensitivity, dealing with issues, stakeholders and communities that are involved in the law enforcement and criminal justice systems. This position supports Commerce's mission of strengthening communities.Program Administration

Tasks include:

• Engage in deliberate program design and implementation in compliance with federal and state requirements, and with an intent to reach and serve organizations and residents in historically marginalized communities, low income populations and/or Tribes.

• Incorporate principles of cultural competency into grant and program development work such as ensuring grant requirements are culturally appropriate and meaningfully address services in marginalized communities.

• Prepare written reports, analyses, resources, and publications as required by state and federal rules, law and policies.

• Develop policies and procedures, contract and legal document templates, work methods, and information systems, to ensure procedural, programmatic and legal standards, including federal requirements, are met and the state's interests will be protected in the administration of the JAG program and other federal programs assigned to OFSVP-PSU.

• Communicate and coordinate with the Federal Grants Portfolio Manager, the Assistant Managing Director, and the Executive Director in program planning, budget development, and development and implementation of the JAG program and other federal programs assigned to OFSVP-PSU.

• Convene and coordinate JAG Advisory Committee meetings, create meeting content, and maintain membership rosters.

• Communicate and coordinate with JAG Advisory Committee members, federal program administrators, community partners and other external stakeholders, on matters related to program planning and development, contract development and administration and fiscal accountability.

• Provide technical assistance and training to grantees and community partners, monitoring compliance and accuracy of data, as well as management and oversight of the full program.

• Develop applications to the federal government and/or request for proposals.

• Evaluate applications, convene and facilitate application review teams as needed, and makes funding recommendations to the Federal Grants Portfolio Manager, the Assistant Managing Director, and the Executive Director. .

• Develop grant statements of work or work plans. Prepare and review final contract documents.

• Monitor grants to ensure achievement of program goals and objectives. Provides complex technical assistance to grantees regarding compliance, service performance, and risk assessment. Prepare site visit and desk monitoring reports and documentation of technical assistance provided. Keep Federal Grants Portfolio Manager apprised of compliance issues. Develop and implement training and/or technical assistance plans.

Budget Management

Tasks include:

• Manage the negotiations, development and monitoring of accreditation and project budgets in coordination with department budget and accounting staff and the Federal Grants Portfolio Manager, the Assistant Managing Director, and the Executive Director.

• Maintain financial documentation and tracking systems.

• Review and approve vouchers for payment.

• Implement established systems of documentation of expenditures. Reconcile assigned grant budgets on a monthly basis.

• Use established systems to track administrative budget expenditures, develop of funding formulas and allocations, and grant track grant spending documentation.

• Use established administrative structures, procedures, and practices to track expenditures by grantee, funding source, and service activity, as appropriate.

Staff Management

Tasks include:

• Supervise and lead the work performed by assigned staff, delegating workload responsibilities and assignments.

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

• Evaluate staff performance and timely address performance concerns as necessary.

• Encourage and support staff professional development goals and opportunities. Work with staff to identify training and professional development needs.

• Recommend and implement corrective and/or disciplinary actions in coordination with the Federal Grants Portfolio Manager and the Human Resources team

• Perform all aspects of the hiring process. Ensure that all agency hiring procedures are followed and requirements are fulfilled in coordination with the Human Resources team.

• Monitor and ensure all mandatory and position specific training is completed prior to due date

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree AND three years of professional experience in community, trade or economic development, with a focus in community advocacy, stakeholder engagement, project management, and/or support of community or public safety programs, or in a related field; OR if the applicant does not have a Bachelor's degree, seven years total of a combination of higher education and professional experience as described.

• One year of experience supervising one or more employees. Supervisory experience includes the following responsibilities with respect to employee(s) supervised: hiring staff, training and development, assigning work, evaluating performance, and taking corrective action. 

• A graduate or advanced degree may substitute for one year of the required professional experience. High-level interpersonal communication skills, attention to detail, and clear oral and written communication ability.

Required Competencies:

• 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:

• 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:

• Experience with grant or contract writing or management.

• High-level interpersonal communication skills, clear oral and written communication ability, able to work effectively with co-workers and stakeholders, and attention to detail.

• Lived or professional experience within the law enforcement or criminal justice system.

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.