Commerce Specialist 4

State of Washington•Multiple Locations Statewide, WA

5d•Remote

About The Position

At the Department of Commerce, we’re reimagining what’s possible in government. We’re builders, thinkers, and change-makers, working at the intersection of innovation, community, and impact. From unlocking critical funding to fueling inclusive economic growth, we’re turning big ideas into real-world solutions that uplift people and places. Our agency’s strength lies in the diversity of our workforce and the breadth of the lived experiences and perspectives employees bring to the work. We believe equity is not just a value but a practice, which is reflected in how we design programs, engage communities, and deliver outcomes. We foster a workplace culture where curiosity is encouraged, bold thinking is welcomed, and collaboration drives our impact. Let’s build what’s next, together. The Local Government Division (LGD) partners with local governments, nonprofits, and others to strengthen the ability of all forms of local governments and community-based organizations to fund and develop critical services to their citizens. The division provides leadership in local government finance and statewide infrastructure initiatives that help create and retain jobs. The Division also provides grants, loans, planning and technical assistance to local governments for community development needs, infrastructure improvements, and economic development opportunities. This position is located in the Municipal Finance Programs Section of the Research and Development Services Unit within the Local Government Division (LGD). This position provides advanced professional level program administration, technical assistance and contract management activities for the statewide Bond Users Clearinghouse Program, managing the state of Washington’s monitoring of municipal debt and bond issuances. The Program Manager is recognized as the state’s expert on the state’s bond and debt tracking databases and regularly provides consultative assistance to agency management, government officials, and external stakeholders. This position serves as back-up manager for the Bond Cap Allocation Program. This position additionally serves as senior editor for the Local Government Fiscal Note Program in policy areas of taxes, government operations, transportation and economic development. This position serves as the back-up manager of the state’s appropriation and contract with the Municipal Research and Services Center (MRSC); and serves as the state’s alternate liaison with MRSC. Lastly, this position may lead or assist with the unit’s contracted research projects, which cover a variety of topics, from affordable housing to tax policy, among many others.

Requirements

Eight years total of a combination of formal education, beyond high school equivalence (to include relevant college-level coursework, technical and/or vocational education, and/or certification programs) and professional experience as described, which could include but is not limited to:
Four (4) years of formal education in political science, business, public administration, urban planning, or related field AND four (4) years of professional experience in community, trade, or economic development that consists of direct experience working with consulting firms, nonprofit organizations, local governmental entities, federal agencies or state-level programs engaged in housing, land use, environmental, transportation, or related issues.
Two (2) years of formal education in political science, business, public administration, urban planning, or related field AND six (6) years of professional experience in community, trade, or economic development that consists of direct experience working with consulting firms, nonprofit organizations, local governmental entities, federal agencies or state-level programs engaged in housing, land use, environmental, transportation, or related issues.
Eight (8) years of professional experience in community, trade, or economic development that consists of direct experience working with consulting firms, nonprofit organizations, local governmental entities, federal agencies or state-level programs engaged in housing, land use, environmental, transportation, or related issues.
Ability to interact effectively with a diversity of section staff, clients, stakeholders, and governmental officials
Function effectively in a consulting shop environment dominated by tight, competing, and often fluid deadlines.
Knowledge of English grammar, punctuation, and vocabulary.
Advanced skills in the use of Microsoft Office programs (Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint).
Skilled in the use of computers, adapts to new technology, keeps abreast of changes, learns new programs quickly, use computers to improve productivity.

Nice To Haves

Proficiency with functional skills in Excel such as Pivot Tables.
Demonstrated writing proficiency
Data visualization experience (such as ArcGIS, Tableau, PolicyMap, or other similar applications)

Responsibilities

Serve as the state’s technical expert on the Bond Users Clearinghouse, including state and national objectives, eligible activities and funding categories, and requirements governing the program.
Establish statewide policies for oversight and management of Washington State’s Bond Users Clearinghouse Program, and statewide policies, procedures and documents to implement the required tracking of municipal debt and bond issuances.
Provide the highest level of consultative assistance and technical information to the agency, division and external program partners including state and federal resource providers and technical experts, nonprofit and state/federal association organizations, local governments, legal counsel, and the Office of the Attorney General.
Provide expert advice and recommendations on policy and other key issues on the municipal debt and economic development to the Municipal Finance Program Manager, the Research and Development Services Unit Managing Director, and the Assistant Director of LGD, other agency Assistant Directors, Policy leads, and the Director of Commerce.
Research and produce the statewide annual Public Debt report and General Obligation report summarizing state, city, county, and special district bond issuances.
Respond to requests for information on the statewide Bond Users Clearinghouse Program from local governments, stakeholders, state and federal legislators, public associations, and private citizens.
Work with agency-wide and intra-agency coordinating groups and initiatives on cross federal and state agency collaboration and funding of locally identified community needs.
Serve as back-up manager for the Bond Cap Allocation Program which manages over $1 billion in private activity bond cap authority.
Lead and independently review and edit local government fiscal note analysis for the statewide Local Government Fiscal Note Program in the policy areas of taxes, government operations, transportation, and economic development.
Approve statewide local government fiscal notes, particularly in the policy areas of land-use planning, natural resources, housing policy, energy, taxes, and environmental protection, within guidelines established by Office of Financial Management, the Legislature, the Research Services section; and the statewide Local Government Fiscal Note Program.
Serve as Research Services lead for contracted agency programmatic work as assigned.
Lead designated areas of work in support of Commerce programs through the development, preparation, and monitoring of assigned program proposals, grants and budgets.
Lead Research Services procurement processes, develop documents such as Requests for Proposals (RFPs), and ensure procurement processes are consistent with departmental policies, procedures and programs.
Initiate, develop and maintain cooperative relationships with other state agencies, units of local government, community organizations and government officials.
Lead service delivery teams for contracted work.
Develop, negotiate, and manage contracts of varying complexity with local governments, community organizations, nonprofits, and businesses.
Review, authorize, and process contract reimbursements by ensuring expenditures are within the appropriated authority and are submitted for allowable expenses.
Maintains accurate data in CMS system to include scanning and submitting electronic documents.