Commerce Specialist 3 - Public Works Board (05479)

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 Local Government Division (LGD) partners with local governments, nonprofits, and others to strengthen the ability of all forms of local government 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.
 
The Public Works Board (PWB) assists local governments in meeting their critical infrastructure needs by providing funding, technical assistance, and training for seven types of public infrastructure. This Commerce Specialist 3 is responsible for providing advanced professional level financial and technical assistance to Washington's communities and implements the Public Works Board’s (PWB) annual workplan. This position develops, negotiates, and monitors the technical aspects of PWB’s broadband programs utilized by local governments, elected officials, private entities, citizenry, technical experts, federal and state governmental program staff, as well as tribal nations.Provides advanced professional level contract management activities

• Ensures the application of federal/state laws, regulations, and board directives.
• Monitors contractor compliance with technical aspects of complex contracts, and able to communicate these requirements to borrowers and borrowers’ contractors as necessary.
• Identifies and resolves programmatic, scope of work, or funding condition conflicts, and facilitates/negotiates resolution within state and federal regulations.
• Ensures implementation of all contractor deliverables are obtained and state and federal requirements are met in a timely manner.
• Notifies supervisor of discrepancies or issues during contract period.
• Develops, negotiates, and monitors the technical aspects of complex contracts between PWB and local governments: to include negotiating resolutions to discrepancies or issues arising during the contract performance period.
• Monitors project and contracts as well as enforcing timelines for construction, repair, and restoration of facilities by alerting clients to key project milestones and guiding them through the time extension, project closure, and contract close out processes.
• Maintains accurate data in CMS system to include scanning and submitting electronic documents.
• Develops and maintains cooperative relationships with government, business, industry, community organizations and government officials.

Technical assistance and partnerships

• Develops broadband industry knowledge and awareness to provide advanced level technical assistance to eligible broadband applicants to help them maintain, develop, rehabilitate, construct, etc. infrastructure in support of the state broadband action plan, and other state priorities, including PWB policies and statutory requirements.
• Provides outreach and technical assistance to potential clients, stakeholders, and other interested persons on accessing programs administered by the Public Works Board, the Department of Commerce, and other state agencies in support of the state broadband action plan, and other state priorities.
• Researches programmatic requirements to create and conduct Public Works Board broadband program training, seminar and conference presentations. 
• Develops and maintains relationships with existing and potential applicants, associations, collaborates with organizations (both state and federal), and other stakeholder organizations.
• Organizes and leads technical assistance.

Public Works Board Assistance

• Provides staff assistance to the Public Works Board to include, but is not limited to:
  • Staffing Board committees or work groups 
  • Lead Ad Hoc Committees, as needed
  • Workplan and program development and implementation
  • Project and program management
  • Workload status reports
  • Research and data synthesis as needed / assigned
  • Other duties as needs dictate
• Coordinates with the Public Works Board Executive Director, Program Director and Broadband Program Manager to provide PWB technical assistance initiatives with the State Broadband Office.

Assists with the contract activities of other programs within the Boards Unit

• Cross trains with unit staff on selected contract requirements
• Consults with program manager and other unit staff to resolve contracting questions and issues.
• Provides contract management back up for other section and unit programs, as needed.

Required Qualifications: 

• A Bachelor’s degree in business, public administration, accounting or related field (professional level experience in the above or program/project management may substitute year for year for the degree). AND
• Three years of professional level experience in community, trade, or economic development with one or more of the following:
  • Federal/state infrastructure financing
  • Grant and loan administration
  • Research and analysis

• Intermediate skill level for MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, databases.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and the demonstrated ability to build trusting relationships and loyal partnerships with customers, employees, and executive management.
• Technical knowledge of Commerce Infrastructure program requirements related to financing, contract management, and compliance.
• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously and to participate in multi-stakeholder processes.
• Accountability--Meets commitments, works independently, accepts accountability, handles change, sets personal standards, stays focused under pressure, and meets attendance/punctuality requirements.
• Integrity — demonstrates a sense of responsibility and commitment to the public trust through statements and actions. Honors commitments and promises.
• Leadership--Leads through change and adversity, makes the tough call when needed, builds consensus when appropriate, motivates and encourages others.
• 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.
• 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.

Preferred/Desired Qualifications:

• Experience working with state, federal or local policy boards.
• Experience collaborating, working with, and providing technical assistance to stakeholders including local, state, federal, and tribal partners.
• Proficient in the use of state agency accounting and finance database system.

To be considered for this position the following are needed:
  

• A complete and detailed online application
• A letter of interest (enter online);
• At least three 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 Jose Dominguez at 360-810-0182 or jose.dominguez@commerce.wa.gov.
 
Work From Anywhere
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.   

Important Notice
Per Governor Inslee’s Proclamation 21-14 , state employees must be fully vaccinated prior to your first day of employment.  Your vaccine status will be verified prior to an offer of employment.  Please reach out to Human Resources Specialist Jimmie Wimberly at jimmie.wimberly@commerce.wa.gov if you need information on medical or religious accommodation. 

Additional Information:
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.

Salary : $58,260 - $76,416