Program Lead

JOB Commerce Specialist 4At The Department of Commerce we strive to be creative, collaborative, and trusted.
We identify opportunities to deliver critical funding and services to strengthen communities and aim to promote equity in all aspects of our work.
We believe that a diverse and inclusive workforce is essential to our success, and we work to foster an environment where all individuals are valued and respected.
We cultivate an environment in which we continuously learn, and we own our work.
We invite all candidates to join us in our mission to create a diverse and equitable workplace that reflects the richness of the communities we serve.
Together, we can build a brighter and more inclusive future.
This position functions as the highest agency technical specialist for drinking water and wastewater project development in rural communities that have little or no managerial or financial capacity to undertake complex drinking water or wastewater related improvement projects.
This position regularly provides expert level consultative assistance to local government officials and staff involved in water and wastewater projects, and facilitates information sharing to consultants, rate payers, funders, regulators, and others involved in project development and implementation for the life of a project.
This expert level technical assistance directly results in sustainable drinking water and wastewater systems in the rural areas of the state where viable infrastructure is necessary to grow local economies, provide housing and protect public health and the environment.
This position also develops and recommends policy to local governments to aid in capacity development, makes policy recommendations to Department of Health and Department of Ecology as regulators for water and wastewater, and facilitates state level interagency coordination in support of rural water and wastewater infrastructure.
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 provides grants, loans, and planning and technical assistance to local governments for community development needs, infrastructure improvements, and economic development opportunities.
Duties• Makes policy recommendations or works directly with elected officials to develop and implement policy that builds capacity of elected officials and staff to run viable and sustainable water and wastewater systems, and effectively manage consultants and projects.
• Provides high level consultative assistance to drinking water and wastewater regulators and funders through contributions to quarterly and annual reports, verbal reports at quarterly meetings, and participation in service delivery team discussions.
• Presents advanced level technical information to other agencies, private entities, and local governments, with a focus on small, rural, low-capacity communities.
• Convenes and facilitates meetings of local committees/teams responsible for the implementation of infrastructure projects, often including regulators and funders, in order to build relationships between local government and state or federal agencies• Coordinates and resolves conflicting priorities among local leaders, staff, regulators, and/or funders to meet compliance goals and deadlines.
• Represents the agency in intergovernmental and interagency meetings (local, county, state, federal)• Develops, monitors, and evaluates program performance measures including setting priorities, objectives, and work schedules.
• Presents and interprets advanced technical information to local officials and staff, as well as other governmental agencies or private entities involved in projects through agenda setting, facilitation and documentation of official meetings, coordinating follow up and maintaining communication with officials involved.
• Organizes, advises, and leads multi-agency service delivery teams on infrastructure projects designed to address public health and environmental compliance issues and increase local economic development capacity.
• Assists local governments with developing and negotiating complex contracts with private consultants and funders.
• Consults on strategies and solutions with program, division, and agency staff, and others within state and federal government that provide services to small communities in need of infrastructure project-related assistance.
• Assesses local technical, managerial, and financial capacity and provides, or arranges for, training to increase local capacity.
• Provides highest level technical assistance to communities accessing infrastructure stimulus funding through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, as directed by drinking water and wastewater regulators, Departments of Health and Ecology.
• Helps communities access funding available to address emerging contaminants like PFAS/PFOA, identify and replace lead service lines, and meet other regulatory requirements while once in a lifetime funding is available.
• Convenes and facilitates intra- and inter-agency workgroups that are addressing strategic infrastructure-related policy issues.
• Researches, develops, and recommends strategic infrastructure assistance and financing policy options.
• Provides sound leadership and awareness when advising Commerce and other state agency funding partners on matters related to community and economic development need, conditions, and project specific problems, solutions and opportunities.
• Leads, advises, and mentors lower level staff as they learn to plan and manage agency response to high priority local projects.
• Advises the Infrastructure Assistance Coordinating Council (IACC) in discussions regarding agency coordination and allocation of financial and technical resources.
• Participates on the IACC Conference planning team, which is attended by staff and elected officials from local government and associations, regulatory agency staff, state and federal funding programs staff, non-profit technical assistance providers, and consulting engineers.
• Provides advance experience and expertise to assist the unit and division in program development, grant/loan review and selection, and program evaluation by representing the issues and priorities of small communities.
• Provides guidance and leadership to unit and division in helping small communities access and sustainably manage funds made available through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law which has made significant stimulus funds available for infrastructure improvements while acknowledging and addressing environmental justice and equity issues in the State.
Required Qualifications: A Bachelor’s Degree in relevant field (professional level experience working with elected officials and staff in small communities and with state and federal government funding programs may substitute, year for year, for education) ANDFour years of professional experience in community, trade, and economic in any combination of the following: Working with elected officials and staff in small communities State and federal government funding programs used in Washington State for drinking water and wastewater system upgrade projects Small community drinking water and wastewater systems and associated regulations A graduate or advanced degree in a relevant field may substitute for one year of required experience.
Desired Qualifications: Experience with small city, special purpose district, and non-profit association financial systems and governance documents Ability to understand highly technical information and explain such information to non-experts Ability to produce high-quality work in an efficient manner while managing multiple projects Ability to develop and maintain meaningful relationships with community partners Demonstrated high-level interpersonal communication skills: two-way communication, strong writing skills, and information sharing To be considered for this position the following are needed: A complete and detailed online applicationA Cover letter (enter online)At least three (3) professional references (enter online).
For questions about this recruitment, please contact Elly Price at Elly.
Price@Commerce.
gov.
wa.
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION This position is covered by a collective bargaining agreement Work From Anywhere In Washington StateThis 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 instructions.
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.
Applicants who are deaf or hard of hearing may call through the Washington Relay Service by dialing 7-1-1 or 1-800-833-6388.