Community Infrastructure Data Specialist (MA5)

State of Washington•Multiple Locations Statewide, WA

8d•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. This job is a commitment to reshape systems so they work better for everyone. If you’re ready to challenge the status quo and build meaningful connections, we want to meet you. 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. We also provide grants, loans, and planning and technical assistance to local governments for community development needs, infrastructure improvements, and economic development opportunities. This position works within the Community Infrastructure Assistance (CIA) Unit and is responsible for data stewardship and inter-agency policy coordination in support of Washington State’s infrastructure investment programs assigned to the unit inclusive of the Public Works Board, Community Economic Revitalization Board, Community Development Block Grants, Emergency Rapid Response, Small Communities Initiative and infrastructure related direct appropriations. This position provides expert consultation to the unit leadership on legislative and interagency relations, develops and implements fiscal accountability systems, leads data integration and process improvement initiatives and is responsible for coordinating Sync, an interagency, multi-jurisdictional systems improvement team. This position requires a combination of technical expertise, creativity, collaboration, self-motivation, and an interest in using data to understand and address community infrastructure needs, as well as the ability to gather, manipulate, and draw insights from a wide range of datasets and formats.

Requirements

Bachelor’s Degree AND five years of professional experience in community, trade or economic development with a focus on data management, data analysis, data visualization or a related field.
If the applicant/incumbent does not have a Bachelor’s Degree, nine years of professional experience, or nine years total of a combination of higher education and professional experience as described.
A graduate or advanced degree may substitute for one year of the required professional experience.
Collaborative team member that values diversity and can work effectively and positively with individuals of diverse cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds with an understanding of power, privilege and inequity.
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, meets attendance/punctuality requirements
Customer Service--Handles customer questions and complaints, communicates with customers, handles service problems politely and efficiently, always available for customers, follows procedure to solve customer problems, understands company products and services, maintains pleasant and professional image
Integrity--Deals with others in a straightforward and honest manner, is accountable for actions, maintains confidentiality, supports company values, conveys good news and bad
Leadership--Leads through change and adversity, makes the tough call when needed, builds consensus when appropriate, motivates and encourages others.
Able to collaborate and build partnerships, develop work teams, and work effectively with authorizing and external environment.
Assess risk and facilitates problem solving.
Interprets complex and technical information and communicates verbally and in writing in a simple and easy to understand manner to diverse audiences
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
Results Focus--Targets and achieves results, sets challenging goals, prioritizes tasks, overcomes obstacles, accepts accountability, sets team standards and responsibilities, provides leadership/motivation.
Effectively communicates, independently analyzes, and weighs the risks versus benefits in decisions and recommendation related to program compliance and administration
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.
Ability to apply negotiation and conflict resolution skills
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, use computers to improve productivity

Nice To Haves

Intermediate to advanced level experience in aggregating data from multiple sources in order to publish complex reports and visualizations.
Includes using computer applications including databases, web applications and data visualization tools, geospatial data, and web-mapping platforms and web-based data visualization tools (e.g. Power BI, ESRI ArcGIS software, ArcGIS Online, etc.)
Understanding and commitment to anti-racism, equity, diversity, and inclusion.
Ability to apply an equity lens to evaluation and planning efforts.
Great communication, presentation and public speaking skills.
Recognized skill negotiating and leading system change efforts.
Demonstrated proficiency in translating technical requirements to a non-technical audience.
Strong understanding of statistics, output, and outcome measurement.

Responsibilities

Develop tools and methods for data management and organization to build dashboards and data visualizations in partnership with Commerce IT Data Manager in the Innovation and Technology Division (ITD).
Provide technical assistance, training and tools to unit staff and external stakeholders on how to improve data quality and organization for use efficient use of data in dashboards and visualizations.
Work in consultation with Sync partners, Community Infrastructure and Assistance unit programs and leadership to analyze datasets, develop complex reports and data visualizations that represent Washington state infrastructure investments and future infrastructure needs that support public health and safety, resilience and economic development and growth priorities.
Lead and facilitate the continued update of the Sync data dashboard in consultation with the Department of Commerce Information Services GIS lead and ensure alignment with WaTech data management policies and practice.
Build partnership relationships with program staff, budget analyst and the ITD to build working knowledge of program data needs and align program data practices with ITD data management expectations.
Collect and report program performance data for Results Commerce, Results Washington, One Washington and any Board-directed performance tracking initiatives.
Oversee quarterly updates and communication of financial predictive models to Board, Office of Financial Management and capital budget staff in coordination with the Managing Director, Executive Director, and budget staff.
Develops cost estimates and forecasts of programs.
Participate in quarterly unit and program financial status reviews and assist in tracking spending and allotment plans.
Conduct research and analysis that assist budget staff and other team members in addressing and forecasting long and short-term financial issues and trends.
Staff lead to the Public Works Board Finance and Data Committee and any other relevant board committees or workgroups.
Identify data reporting needs, run reports and solicit input and policy direction related to financial stewardship, data analytics, financial predictability, dashboards, strategic financing solutions and legislative finance strategy.
Provide expert consultation to the Managing Director, Executive Director and Boards on legislative matters.
Ensure that all relevant bills that impact Boards or partner associations are reviewed, analyzed and if necessary, prepare fiscal notes and bill analysis for approval by the Managing Director, Executive Directors and Local Government Division Policy and Communications Manager.
Under the direction of the Managing Director and Executive Directors, support implementation of Board’s legislative agendas in collaboration with and Commerce Government Relations infrastructure specialist.
As directed, interact with other agencies or stakeholders to coordinate Board legislative affairs.
Support the coordination of legislative activities and analyze impacts of proposed changes to existing law by working with relevant staff to achieve objectives.
Provide input on Board testimony for legislative hearings and provide Executive Directors with analysis and recommendations related to legislation.
Engage with Board committees as needed as they consider and develop legislative priorities.
Report on legislative activities and matters to Board committees.
Draft legislation and budget requests for the Community Infrastructure Assistance unit for Board consideration and approval.
Analyze historical data to fulfill requests for information and materials from legislators and legislative staff, and from members of the Board.
Serve as a lead facilitator for the Sync (interagency, multi-jurisdictional system improvement) team, consisting of state agencies and stakeholder associations.
Serve as staff lead for Sync activities as assigned by the team.
Identify, implement, and report on system improvements that achieve the designated outcomes as identified in RCW 43.155.150 and lead the development of legislative reporting requirements.
Produce periodic and final legislative report on Sync, including collection of data to demonstrate improvements identified by Sync, and other financing options for local government infrastructure for the Board and the Legislature.