Commerce Specialist 3 – Special Initiatives & Policy Unit (07993) Full Time

At the Department of Commerce, we are creative, collaborative, and trusted. We identify opportunities to deliver critical funding and services to strengthen communities, we cultivate an environment in which we continuously learn, and we own our work.

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.

CSD expects that all employees demonstrate a commitment to growth in understanding of the value of diversity, equity, inclusion, and anti-racism. This position will be expected to identify and implement actions that promote equity.

This Commerce Specialist 3 position works within the Special Initiatives and Policy Unit. This individual will develop and manage solicitations, contracts, and stakeholder relationships for multiple state-funded programs and up to twelve (12) direct appropriations. Programs this position will manage or support includes Outreach for Marginalized Communities, Legal Aid for Indigent Immigrants, and the New Americans Program. Work includes contract management, program development, and development and monitoring of program goals. Independently acts as the lead for immigration-related legal aid many other immigrant-related contracts at Commerce. This position will also coordinate implementation of other new legislative investments in historically marginalized and other vulnerable communities through future contracts.

This posting may be used to fill other vacant positions within 60 days once position is filled.

Grant Management and Program Development

• Program management of immigration and other statewide and directly appropriated programs within the Special Initiatives and Policy Unit.
• Provide technical assistance and training to small nonprofit or other by-and-for contractors to ensure contracting requirements and state accounting and other requirements are met and that contractors are developing skills and institutional knowledge to build their organization’s capacity. 
• Incorporate agency and state equity goals with stakeholders and in program development.
• Demonstrate a commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and anti-racism (DEI) competencies including: ability to learn and understand language and concepts of DEI, commitment to growth, learning and self-awareness related to DEI, understanding that all people are valued by contributing to an equitable, inclusive and respectful environment when working with members the team, agency, and community; be an active participant in evaluating and implementing changes that promote equity, belonging, and antiracism in these programs and at Commerce. 
• Responsible for developing applications and requests for proposals. Evaluates applications, convenes and facilitates application review teams as needed, and makes funding recommendations to the Unit Manager. 
• Independently provides oversight and training to lower level staff in the unit. 
• Develops grant statements of work. Prepares and reviews final contract documents.
• Monitor grants to ensure achievement of program goals and objectives. Provide technical assistance to grantees regarding compliance, service performance, and risk assessment. 
• Inform management of concerns related to grant or contract compliance and other concerns. 
• Implements emergent and special initiatives driven by state or federal legislative mandates or gubernatorial directives.
• Conduct fiscal reviews on assigned grantees as appropriate. Make recommendations for corrections or improvements.
• Reconcile assigned grant/contract budgets on a monthly basis. Coordinate with fiscal staff – especially on concerns. 
• Draft bill analysis and fiscal notes on time. 

Data Coordination

• Coordinate complex program data collection. Monitors submission by grantees of required data and checks for timeliness, completeness, and accuracy. 
• Contacts grantees to investigate when data is inaccurate or incomplete and provide technical assistance to resolve those inaccuracies.  
• Manage the maintenance and development of data collection systems that meet program requirements and needs. Prepares data reports and distributes, based on their purpose. 
• Ensure client data privacy is protected in accordance with Commerce policy and law. 

Technical Assistance and Consultation to Grantees

• Develop, analyze, and assess technical assistance plans using professional experience and knowledge, journal articles, research, and best practice standards as needed. 
• Conduct outreach to tribes, tribal organizations, and organizations working in marginalized or underserved communities.
• Incorporate principles of equity and cultural competency into technical assistance and consultation work.
• Coordinate training and provide technical assistance to service providers, based on best practice analysis, literature search, and field experience. 
• Prepare written reports, analyses, resources, and publications as required.

Required Qualifications: 

• Bachelor’s degree AND two years of professional experience in administering immigration, workforce or community service programs. 
• Additional professional level experience as described above may substitute, year for year, for education.
• Experience contracting public funds to community agencies.
• A graduate or advanced degree may substitute for one year of the experience requirement.
• Two years experience working for or in partnership with organizations based in marginalized communities or Native American tribes.
• Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and anti-racism.

 Preferred/Desired Qualifications:

• Two or more years of professional experience in with community advocacy, stakeholder engagement, project management, and/or support of community service programs.
• Experience working in or with non-profit organizations or social services agencies, or in partnership with organizations based in marginalized communities and/or Native American tribes.
• Experience with contracts and financial management of grants.
• Interpersonal communication skills, clear oral and written communication ability, able to work effectively with co-workers and stakeholders.

To be considered for this position the following are needed in your application:
  

• A complete and detailed online application;
• A Cover letter (enter online);
• At least three (3) professional references (enter online).

This position is covered by a collective bargaining agreement 

The initial screening will be solely based on the contents and completeness of your application. All information may be verified and documentation may be required. For questions about this recruitment, please contact Suzanne Falconer at 360-725-3122 or [email protected].
 
Work From Anywhere In Washington State
This position may be located anywhere within Washington state though occasional travel to a Commerce office building or in-state travel to attend events or meetings may be required. If selected, you will need to travel to pick up equipment and receive instruction. Many Commerce employees work remote or have a hybrid schedule. However, it is anticipated that interviews for this position will be held using virtual videoconferencing. You will work with your supervisor to identify an appropriate work schedule and balance, including telework and reporting to a duty station for work activities, if needed.  
 
Our Commitment to Equal Opportunity:
The Washington State Department of Commerce is an equal opportunity employer. We strive to create a working environment that includes and respects cultural, racial, ethnic, sexual orientation and gender identity diversity. Women, racial and ethnic minorities, persons of disability, persons over 40 years of age, veterans or people with military status, and people of all sexual orientations and gender identities are encouraged to apply. Persons needing accommodation in the application, testing, or interview process or this job announcement in an alternative format may call Human Resources at (360) 725-2650.