Program Specialist 5

Program 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 objective for this position is to represent Commerce as the agency's community liaison for the South Central Region (Adams, Benton, Columbia, Franklin, Klickitat, Yakima and Walla Walla counties) of the state.

Key to the success of the position is proactively establishing and maintaining positive ongoing relationships with key community leaders and organizations across the region, in an effort to advance Commerce's mission of strengthening communities. The position proactively engages, conducts outreach to and collaborates with communities of all types throughout the region to support the goal of strong, sustainable, equitable and vibrant communities. This position also serves as a navigator, assisting community leaders and groups in understanding and accessing Commerce resources and funding, as well as other sources of funding and support. Responsible for engaging and assisting agency staff as needed, including serving in a facilitative role. The position also reflects community needs to the agency and advises on development of agency programs and offerings that respond to local needs, including emphasizing equitable access and investment of funding. This position also helps strengthen and maintain local community capacity and prioritizes service to small, rural and historically disadvantaged communities.

The position works collaboratively within the Community Engagement and Outreach Team, which includes Community Engagement Specialists that serve other regions of the state. Many projects are conducted together as a team, including developing approaches, processes, communications, tools, tracking and metrics, and managing special projects.  This position reports to the Community Engagement Managing Director.

This is a remote position - but the Program Specialist 5 must reside in one of the listed counties in Southcentral Washington: (Adams, Benton, Columbia, Franklin, Klickitat, Yakima and Walla Walla counties)

This position requires the ability to read, write, speak, and comprehend fluently in both Spanish and English. Community Engagement

Tasks include:

• Serve as an agency coordinator and liaison to communities in the South Central Region, and provide connections to agency programs and staff.

• Establish and maintain relationships with community leaders, stakeholders, Commerce

partners, customers, and stakeholders, including but not limited to local governments, tribes, community-based organizations, nonprofits, advocacy groups, other funders, and

businesses.

• Serve as a navigator to help communities identify how Commerce, state government, and

others can help advance their community needs, respond to opportunities and address

emergencies.

• Proactively work to understand the unique needs of local areas, populations, communities

and tribes, and provide support to local staff and leadership in accessing resources and

programs that are relevant to their needs and interests.

• Assess organizational capacity organizations and entities and determine opportunities to

assist with capacity development and readiness to successfully compete for funding.

• Independently determine the level of involvement with stakeholders and other staff including higher-level management within and/or across organizations and appropriately navigate highly political situations.

• Help key leaders identify, prioritize, and plan for meeting community needs. Conduct and

facilitate engagement efforts as needed.

• Assist communities during and after disasters and emergency events by visiting the

impacted area, serving as the point of contact with local leadership, coordinating with state

leadership and resources, and assisting as necessary.

• Provide professional staffing support to the Commerce Director at events and meeting with

communities within the region. Make recommendations for stakeholder engagements and assist with logistics and preparation.

• Maintain collaborative partnership with Governor's Office Regional Outreach colleagues.

• Manage multiple priorities and effectively manage time to ensure ability to meet

commitments.

Communications and Outreach

Tasks include:

• Conduct outreach to community leaders and other partners to collaborate on specific

projects and strategic opportunities and plans.

• Participate in relevant community meetings, conferences and other events to educate

stakeholders about Commerce partnership opportunities and to offer technical support.

• Proactively engage with diverse and historically marginalized and underserved

communities and organizations to increase awareness of opportunities and resources

and equitable access.

• Develop and distribute communications and outreach materials, including summary

information; online content; presentations; reports; graphic representations of data; and

other materials for executive management, elected officials and staff, partners, community leaders and other stakeholders.

• Maintain a list of contacts in the region and regularly communicate with them,

especially to emphasize Commerce program and resource opportunities, as well as

other opportunities that might fit their needs.

Support Special Projects and Priorities

Tasks include:

• Identify and pursue funding opportunities that could support enhancing community

capacity.

• Conduct outreach to convene and facilitate community leaders and other partners to

collaborate on specific projects and strategic opportunities and plans.

• Contribute to and occasionally lead efforts and projects that support agency priorities

of strengthening communities, and of equitably supporting and investing in Washington's communities through implementation of the Capital Funding Equity Review recommendations and strategic plan.

• Report daily client contact information in data collection system.

• Assess effectiveness of community engagement and equity efforts and projects, and develop plans and recommendations for improving them.

• Support priority agency and divisional efforts, as needed.Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor's Degree, preferably in community or economic development, public administration, communications or a related field; 4 years professional experience in community or economic development, preferably involving local government, state government, non-profit sector, for-profit sector, and community based organizations, including intercultural work and engagement with diverse multicultural communities and organizations.

OR

• An Associate's degree, preferably in community or economic development, public administration, communications or related field and 6 years of professional experience in community or economic development, preferably involving local government, state government, non-profit sector, for-profit sector, and community based organizations, including intercultural work and engagement with diverse multicultural communities and organizations.

AND

• Fluent English speaker, reader and writer.

• Fluent Spanish speaker, reader and writer

• Working knowledge of community engagement principles and practices.

• Exceptional interpersonal skills with demonstrated ability to conduct outreach and invite engagement, initiate and maintain positive and effective relationships, and work collaboratively and effectively with a broad spectrum of individuals and groups internally and outside the agency.

• Ability to communicate persuasively at all levels of the agency and externally.

• Understanding of local, state level government, and tribal governments, organizations, and communities.

• Experience working with non-profit sector; business sector; philanthropy; community-based organizations including inter-cultural organizations; and legislative processes, including successful experience navigating in a political environment.

• Effective listening, verbal, written and digital communication skills that are appropriate for a variety of audiences.

• Experience successfully using a variety of media channels, including developing outreach materials, external communication pieces such as short and long reports, proposals, summaries, project plans, newsletters, and social media.

• Highly developed anticipatory and creative thinking and problem solving abilities, including ability to exercise sound judgment and discernment.

• Ability to plan and coordinate successful completion of complex projects.

• Experience working on issues related to equity, environmental and/or racial justice, including supporting integration into organizational practices and policies.

• Ability to work independently and also as part of a team to develop and achieve agency goals.

Preferred/Desired Qualifications:

• Working knowledge of southcentral Washington, including the economy, communities, demographics, and culture.

• Knowledge of state, federal, local and other funding programs and mechanisms that can help meet community needs.

• Knowledge of grant, loan and assistance programs managed by the Department of Commerce.

• Advanced facilitative skills, including planning, convening and facilitating meetings and events to successful outcomes.

• Spanish language certification

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

This position may be located anywhere within the counties assigned to this southcentral Washington regional position though occasional travel outside of the region 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.