Commerce Specialist 5

State of Washington•Multiple Locations Statewide, WA

3d•Remote

About The Position

At the Department of Commerce, we are reimagining what’s possible in government. We are builders, thinkers, and change-makers, working at the intersection of innovation, community, and impact. From unlocking critical funding to fueling inclusive economic growth, we are 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 government 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. We also provide grants, loans, and planning and technical assistance to local governments for community development needs, infrastructure improvements, and economic development opportunities. The Public Works Board (PWB) assists local governments in meeting their critical infrastructure needs by providing technical assistance, training, and funding for basic public works infrastructure including water, wastewater, stormwater, roads/streets, bridges, solid waste/recycling/organics and broadband systems. As a manager of staff, this position oversees the work performed by project and program managers by establishing annual workplans that aim to achieve the Board’s strategic goals and expectations. This position ensures staff are supported and have the guidance needed to perform their roles. This position oversees cultural review and underwriting reliabilities, financing program development and implementation, including developing criteria for selection of projects, and distribution of funds within the programs administered by the Board. This position supports positive stakeholder collaboration and communication for the Board and the PWB programs. This position applies expertise in program areas, contracting, and advanced professional level policy, financial and technical assistance, as well as maintain high customer service standards. This position develops, negotiates and monitors technical aspects of the PWB infrastructure programs as utilized by eligible applicants.

Requirements

Nine (9) years of combined experience and/or education as described below:
Federal/state infrastructure financing and grant and loan administration.
Two (2) or more years’ experience administering federal programs.
Demonstrated technical/legal knowledge and aptitude of multiple state and federal requirements in infrastructure contracting and financing.
One (1) of the nine years must include the following: Supervising/leading one or more employees including hiring staff, training and development, assigning work, evaluating performance, and taking corrective action.
Education involves business, public administration/policy, urban planning, environmental services, contract or project management or related field.
Qualifying education post High School or equivalent may be substituted year for year for experience.
Intermediate skill level in the Microsoft Office suite products including OneDrive, Teams, SharePoint, Excel, Word, and Outlook.
Excellent interpersonal skills and the demonstrated ability to build trusting relationships and loyal partnerships with customers, employees, and executive management.
Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously, under pressure and to participate multi-stakeholder processes.
Accountability--Meets commitments, works independently, accepts accountability, handles change, sets personal standards, stays focused under pressure, and meets attendance/punctuality requirements.
Integrity — demonstrates a sense of responsibility and commitment to the public trust through statements and actions. Honors commitments and promises.
Leadership--Leads through change and adversity, makes the tough call when needed, builds consensus when appropriate, motivates and encourages others.
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.
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

Nice To Haves

Experience using state agency/government accounting and finance database systems, such as the Commerce Contract Management System (CMS) and the Agency Financial Reporting System (AFRS).
Experience and reading and analyzing financial data and reports from AFRS.

Responsibilities

Develop work methods and administrative procedures to implement the Board Programs, determine/assess program and organizational goals/timelines, and project/adjust resource assignment levels associated with business need and requirements.
Manage the loan portfolio of the PWB for adherence to state and federal regulations.
Develop, implement and maintain systems for contractor authority, invoicing, reasonableness, approval and processing.
Plan, monitor, oversee, and adjust budget elements necessary to implement the PWB contracts and the technical assistance and educational programs.
Participate for awareness in divisional quarterly Financial Status Review processes and direct adjustments in spending patterns to program and project managers.
Ensure program compliance with applicable agency policies, procedures and contract requirements by reviewing and approving all PWB contract templates prior to circulating them to the Executive Director and Assistant Attorney General (AAG) for approval and approving all final contracts prior to client signature.
Oversee the PWB Assistance Loan and Grant Programs project selection processes, which include developing and implementing application processes, guidelines and scoring criteria, consulting with legal counsel and outside stakeholders and regulatory agencies as needed, overseeing scoring and selection processes, and making recommendations to the Board.
Develop program contract terms, policies and procedures; ensuring that policies and procedures are effectively aligned with statutes and rules, the PWB and agency’s strategic plan and performance expectations.
Designate and monitor PWB programs metrics and performance measures to ensure program implementation aligns with strategic objectives.
Summarize program information and provide recommendations to leadership.
Works in collaboration with the Executive Director of the PWB in developing and implementing Board policies and programs by providing essential policy and technical leadership, serving as the conduit between PWB program managers and the Unit and Board leadership, including facilitating opportunities for Board input related to policy and legal strategy.
Oversee, guide and coach project and program managers on the technical assistance and outreach being provided to applicants.
On a case-by-case basis, directly provide complex technical assistance to prospective applicants.
Guide the programs team through the development and implementation of new policies and amendments.
Oversee the implementation of Board handbook and desk manuals, ensuring the desk manual for program and project procedures reflect current practice.
Provide reports and brief PWB Board members and leadership regarding the status of PWB program implementation.
Coordinate with the Washington State Broadband Office (WSBO) Director on national and statewide initiatives and strategies.
On a case-by-case basis for complex contracts, perform all aspects of the contracting process such as drafting scopes of work, finalizing contracts and contract monitoring etc.
Act on behalf of the Executive Director for the Boards at local government, state agency and Commerce meetings as assigned.
Supervise a team of professional employees.
Oversee the work performed by project and program managers and set workplans that aim to achieve the Board’s strategic goals and expectations.
Lead the hiring processes for direct reports.
Identify and support training and mentoring needs and opportunities.
Delegate workload responsibilities, priorities, and assignments to staff.
Provide regular feedback, coaching, and guidance.
Encourage and support staff professional development goals and provide growth opportunities.
Correct performance challenges and address and resolve conflicts between employees.
Research, develop, and make recommendations to the Board on matters dealing with policy, maximizing the resources available, program administration and management, and project selections.
Works in collaboration with PWB Executive Director and Unit Management Analyst for agency and governor request legislation related to public infrastructure investments; shepherd through the legislative process in coordination with agency legislative director/Budget.
Develop and maintain the Washington Administrative Codes that promulgate RCW 43.155.
Direct work in partnership with the Program Managers and the Unit Management Analyst to draft and update administrative rules (WACs) that reflect modern infrastructure needs while providing the subject matter expertise required to navigate the political and legal landscape.
Participate in the development and implementation of the strategic plans of the Board and the division; develop the plan to accomplish specific actions during any given biennium.
Oversee Government-to-Government formal consultation for PWB with the 29 Federally Recognized Indian Tribes in the state.
Oversee Tribal Liaison functions to ensure the highest-level of consultative assistance including PWB’s Cultural and Historical review processes is provided to all 29 Federally Recognized Indian Tribes in the state.
Oversee the continual update and maintenance of the desk manual on tribal liaison role and ensure cross-training of program staff to provide continuous service to the 29 federally recognized Indian Tribes in the state, as needed.
Collaborate with Office of Tribal Relations (OTR) and PWB Tribal Liaison to advise PWB on key Tribal issues.