Federal Contracts LIHEAP/BPA Program Manager (COM 3)

State of Washington•Multiple Locations Statewide, WA

About The Position

The Washington State Department of Commerce is hiring a Federal Contracts LIHEAP/BPA Program Manager for the Weatherization Unit within its Energy Division. The Energy Division leads the state’s transition to a clean, affordable, and equitable energy future through policy leadership, investment guidance, and initiatives serving communities. This position provides advanced technical expertise and program administration for low-income weatherization assistance programs, supporting healthy, safe, and affordable housing for low-income families. It ensures federal weatherization programs are designed and delivered effectively and efficiently, strengthens internal operations, and builds relationships with funders, service providers, and other stakeholders. The position secures and administers weatherization funding, including developing grant applications, state plans, budgets, contracts, policies, and performance expectations for 24 local weatherization providers and two Native American tribes. It monitors expenditures, deliverables, compliance, reporting, program data, and performance; develops and maintains information systems; and applies federal and state requirements to program operations. The role evaluates and improves program implementation, develops work plans and performance measures, plans federal monitoring visits, and provides technical assistance and training to local agencies. The Program Manager collaborates with federal and state agencies, grantees, advocacy organizations, tribal communities, technical experts, and internal staff. Responsibilities include negotiating and drafting grants and contracts, coordinating with legal and contracting officials, representing the program to public and governmental stakeholders, and supervising contract administration support staff. The position also contributes to cross-division and agency projects and strategic planning. The position may be located anywhere within Washington State. Occasional travel to a Commerce office or in-state events and meetings may be required, including travel to pick up equipment and receive instruction if selected. Commerce employees may work remotely or on a hybrid schedule.

Requirements

Seven years of combined experience and/or education. Qualifying education after high school or equivalent may substitute year for year for experience.
Qualifying education is in business administration, public administration, or a related field.
Strong communication skills, including the ability to convey information clearly to individuals and groups through formal presentations and informal discussions.
Attentive and active listening skills.
Ability to develop challenging but achievable goals, follow through, approach obstacles constructively, act with honesty and integrity, keep commitments, take ownership, and seek improvement.
Ability to remain focused under pressure, work with minimal supervision, and use time effectively to accomplish priorities.
Ability to motivate project team members, negotiate competing needs and priorities, and facilitate consensus-based decision-making when appropriate.
Ability to build relationships across an organization, understand others’ roles and perspectives, and navigate organizational structures with diplomacy.
Commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion, and ability to collaborate respectfully with people and groups with diverse perspectives.
Ability to adjust to changing work processes and environments, receive new ideas, and consider other perspectives.
Computer and database application skills, ability to learn new technology quickly, and ability to use computers to improve productivity.
A complete and detailed online application, a cover letter entered online, and at least three professional references entered online.

Nice To Haves

Three years of experience managing projects or working in the energy sector.
Experience working with weatherization and/or energy assistance programs.
Two years of experience navigating and complying with federal and state procurement, contracting, and budgeting policies and practices.
Experience collaborating with marginalized communities, tribal communities, and vulnerable populations.
Advanced-level proficiency in project management software, Microsoft Office Suite, contract management databases, and cloud-based productivity tools.

Responsibilities

Create grant applications and state plans, weatherization plans, narratives, and budgets for 24 local weatherization providers and two Native American tribes.
Maintain expertise in relevant federal and state statutes, rules, policies, standards, methods, protocols, guidance, and program notices.
Monitor grantee expenditures, deliverables, compliance, and reporting to ensure projects are completed on time and within budget.
Maintain accessible and current program data and develop, update, and analyze spreadsheets, databases, and information systems for evaluation and reporting.
Incorporate federal policies and LIHEAP/HHS Program Notices into weatherization operations, policies, and procedures.
Develop and manage program and personal service contracts, including performance expectations and equitable funding allocations.
Conduct complex program implementation, evaluation, and oversight to ensure compliance with applicable laws and regulations.
Coordinate process improvements, best practices, and program delivery improvements.
Research best practices, analyze performance data, and develop and implement work plans to improve program quality and monitor performance.
Develop and maintain program policies and technical approaches for cost-effective energy conservation, health, and safety.
Plan and coordinate logistics for federal monitoring visits and collaborate with field monitors and section staff.
Provide advanced technical assistance and training to local agencies regarding compliance and improvement opportunities.
Develop performance measures and expectations for weatherization grants in alignment with agency goals.
Recommend policy and program changes based on data and evidence.
Organize and lead advisory groups and engage technical experts and external stakeholders to advance program goals.
Negotiate, draft, and execute grants and contracts, including amendments to scopes of work and special terms and conditions.
Work with the Assistant Attorney General and Chief Contracting Officer on contract language and grantee negotiations to limit agency liability.
Coordinate with program support staff to track, route, and maintain grantee records.
Collaborate with federal agencies, peers, advocates, grantees, subgrantees, and partner organizations to improve Washington’s weatherization program.
Contribute to unit and division strategic planning and provide timely, accurate information to grantees and advisory groups.
Represent the program to federal and state authorities, the public, and interested parties, and participate in regional and national advisory and advocacy organizations.
Provide technical support to grantees and resolve programmatic, scope-of-work, or funding-condition conflicts.
Supervise contract administration support staff, delegate assignments, provide coaching and feedback, and evaluate performance.
Recommend corrective or disciplinary action, support staff professional development, identify training needs, and develop and provide training for new staff.
Perform hiring activities and ensure agency hiring procedures are followed in coordination with Human Resources.
Participate in division and agency workgroups and provide updates to division staff and management on cross-agency initiatives.