Program Performance and Contracts Manager (COM3)

State of Washington•Multiple Locations Statewide, WA

12h•Remote

About The Position

The Department of Commerce is the one agency in state government that touches every aspect of community and economic development: planning, infrastructure, energy, public facilities, housing, public safety and crime victims, international trade, business services and more. We work with local governments, tribes, businesses and civic leaders throughout the state to strengthen communities so all residents may thrive and prosper. The Community Services Division (CSD) partners with local governments, Tribes, community-based organizations, and nonprofits to provide community assistance, promote individual and family self-sufficiency, address the causes and effects of crime and violence, and reduce poverty. Within the Community Economic Opportunities (CEO) Unit of CSD, this position performs professional, journey-level program work for the Commerce WorkFirst Programs. These programs provide transitional employment and work training to low-income families in partnership with DSHS, other state agencies, and community-based organizations. The goal of this program is to improve the economic stability and mobility of vulnerable families through employment. This position is part of the Commerce WorkFirst contracts management team, and key skills include collaboration, curiosity, candor, synthesizing information, inventiveness, and efficiency. Primary responsibilities include managing complex and competing issues; coordinating program operations; conducting policy research and data analysis; facilitating contract improvements through gap analysis and collaborative work; and working closely with other staff, contractors, and key partners to connect ideas and support program performance.

Requirements

Seven (7) total years of professional-level experience or education in project management, policy development, compliance monitoring, technical assistance, performance management, human services, or related which includes: Three (3) or more years of the following: Policy analysis, project management, data management and/or reporting, and/or improving operational systems.
Reviewing, interpreting and implementing state and federal requirements
Facilitating, coaching, and relationship-building skills across diverse partners
Demonstrated commitment to growth Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Anti-Racism competencies, including: able to learn and understand the language and concepts of DEI; commitment to growth, learning and self-awareness related to DEI; demonstrated the understanding that all people are valued by contributing to an equitable, inclusive and respectful environment when working with members of the team, agency, and community; and commitment to being an active participant in continually evaluating and improving strategies that promote equity, belonging, and antiracism in our organization.

Nice To Haves

Lived experience with TANF, SNAP, or other publicly funded programs may substitute for two years of professional experience.
Working knowledge of workforce development, case management, and social services practices
Ability to produce high-quality work in an efficient manner while managing multiple projects
Ability to use software and cloudware programs to create complex documents and tools
Demonstrated high-level interpersonal communication skills: two-way communication, strong writing skills, information sharing, leveraging customer feedback, and creating and facilitating presentations
Ability to develop and maintain meaningful relationships with community partners and stakeholders
Experience with data analysis, and/or policy research.
Experience working for, or in partnership with, WorkFirst or employment and training programs
Experience working in the Department of Social and Health Services’ Electronic Jobs Automated System (eJAS) or a similar case management database systems
Experience in contracting public funds to community agencies

Responsibilities

Provides formal and informal monitoring and risk assessment protocols to contractors regarding program delivery and services to ensure compliance with contract requirements and relevant policies.
Develops language for contract and policy documents.
Drafts contract amendments throughout the contract year as necessary.
Conducts contracting activities such as reviewing and executing contracts and amendments per policies and procedures.
Tracks and collaborates on program and contract challenges, gaps, and opportunities.
Suggests, collaborates on, and tracks changes to program policies, procedures, and services.
Resolves complex policy issues with contracted service providers, Commerce fiscal staff, or other community partners.
Monitors progress on program and policy enhancements and collaboration on adjustments as needed.
Maintains key program resources, and supports such as program promotional materials, technical assistance, monitoring, procedure manuals, and guidance documents, etc.
Resolves complex technical assistance matters with contracted service providers, Commerce staff, and other community partners.
Designs, coordinates and implements pilot programming.
Develops, designs, coordinates, and conducts contractor training sessions and training curriculum with internal and external stakeholders to develop an understanding of current or changing policy and system enhancements, which includes the Electronic Jobs Automated System (eJAS).
Acts as the lead organizer for the Commerce WorkFirst technical assistance conference.
Acts as project manager for competitive procurement processes by planning, organizing, and executing the process in all stages.
Acts as the program lead for data collection and visualization efforts. Analyzes program data needs and represents the program’s business needs in creating, revising, and enhancing data processes.
Creates and maintains internal process and procedures manual(s).
Maintains highly collaborative relationships across the team to support the annual team calendar and workflow.
Prepares and presents an annual program decision summary.
Collaborate with other staff, including other CS3s to maintain operations.
Produces quarterly contractor network newsletter and other communications.
Tracks ideas, questions, and topics across the program, creates monthly and quarterly meeting agendas, and schedules meetings with key partners.
Coordinates monthly with the Department of Program Integrity (DPI).
Creates and maintains program promotional materials.
Synthesizes information across the program and between staff members and key partners.
Does federal and state policy research to support team projects and priorities.
Assists the Program Commerce Specialist 5 to conduct Commerce WorkFirst program and policy enhancements.
Develops, implements, and maintains program data collection and quality standards.
Performs quantitative or qualitative data collection, reporting, and analysis.
Monitors and reports on technical information.
Performs process improvement exercises to facilitate the collection and analysis of information.
Works with internal and external partners on data collection, analysis, and visualization.
Interprets data and funding-tracking reports and reporting systems for funding.
Provides data and research support during the legislative session.
Analyzes technical assistance, monitoring, billing, and other program data to identify trends, questions, and opportunities, conducts policy research, synthesizes and reports on the information, through collaboration with CS5 and other staff.
Analyzes eJAS, eMAPs, TANF WorkFirst Forecast, DSHS WorkFirst performance data, and other partner program data to identify trends, questions, and opportunities, conducts policy research, synthesizes and reports on the information, through collaboration with CS5 and other staff.
Investigates gaps, issues, and challenges, conducts policy research, and collaborates with the team in an iterative process for improvement.
Performs monthly DPI data analysis and works with the Contractor network for performance improvement.