Commerce Specialist 4

Commerce Specialist 4 At the Department of Commerce , we’re reimagining what’s possible in government. We’re builders, thinkers, and change-makers, working at the intersection of innovation, community, and impact. From unlocking critical funding to fueling inclusive economic growth, we’re turning big ideas into real-world solutions that uplift people and places. Our agency’s strength lies in the diversity of our workforce and the breadth of the lived experiences and perspectives employees bring to the work. We believe equity is not just a value but a practice, which is reflected in how we design programs, engage communities, and deliver outcomes. We foster a workplace culture where curiosity is encouraged, bold thinking is welcomed, and collaboration drives our impact. Let’s build what’s next, together. 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. The Division also provides grants, loans, planning and technical assistance to local governments for community development needs, infrastructure improvements, and economic development opportunities. Position Objective: This position is located in the Municipal Finance Programs Section of the Research and Development Services Unit within the Local Government Division (LGD). This position provides advanced professional level program administration, technical assistance and contract management activities for the statewide Bond Users Clearinghouse Program, managing the state of Washington’s monitoring of municipal debt and bond issuances. The Program Manager is recognized as the state’s expert on the state’s bond and debt tracking databases and regularly provides consultative assistance to agency management, government officials, and external stakeholders. This position serves as back-up manager for the Bond Cap Allocation Program. This position additionally serves as senior editor for the Local Government Fiscal Note Program in policy areas of taxes, government operations, transportation and economic development. This position serves as the back-up manager of the state’s appropriation and contract with the Municipal Research and Services Center (MRSC); and serves as the state’s alternate liaison with MRSC. Lastly, this position may lead or assist with the unit’s contracted research projects, which cover a variety of topics, from affordable housing to tax policy, among many others. Major Duty: Bond User’s Clearinghouse State Expert Tasks include: • Serve as the state’s technical expert on the Bond Users Clearinghouse, including state and national objectives, eligible activities and funding categories, and requirements governing the program. • Establish statewide policies for oversight and management of Washington State’s Bond Users Clearinghouse Program, and statewide policies, procedures and documents to implement the required tracking of municipal debt and bond issuances. • Provide the highest level of consultative assistance and technical information to the agency, division and external program partners including state and federal resource providers and technical experts, nonprofit and state/federal association organizations, local governments, legal counsel, and the Office of the Attorney General. • Provide expert advice and recommendations on policy and other key issues on the municipal debt and economic development to the Municipal Finance Program Manager, the Research and Development Services Unit Managing Director, and the Assistant Director of LGD, other agency Assistant Directors, Policy leads, and the Director of Commerce. • Research and produce the statewide annual Public Debt report and General Obligation report summarizing state, city, county, and special district bond issuances. • Respond to requests for information on the statewide Bond Users Clearinghouse Program from local governments, stakeholders, state and federal legislators, public associations, and private citizens. • Work with agency-wide and intra-agency coordinating groups and initiatives on cross federal and state agency collaboration and funding of locally identified community needs. • Serve as back-up manager for the Bond Cap Allocation Program which manages over $1 billion in private activity bond cap authority. Senior Editor for the statewide Local Government Fiscal Note Program Tasks include: • Lead and independently review and edit local government fiscal note analysis for the statewide Local Government Fiscal Note Program in the policy areas of taxes, government operations, transportation, and economic development. • Approve statewide local government fiscal notes, particularly in the policy areas of land-use planning, natural resources, housing policy, energy, taxes, and environmental protection, within guidelines established by Office of Financial Management, the Legislature, the Research Services section; and the statewide Local Government Fiscal Note Program. Manage Contracted Programmatic Work Tasks include: • Serve as Research Services lead for contracted agency programmatic work as assigned. • Lead designated areas of work in support of Commerce programs through the development, preparation, and monitoring of assigned program proposals, grants and budgets. • Lead Research Services procurement processes, develop documents such as Requests for Proposals (RFPs), and ensure procurement processes are consistent with departmental policies, procedures and programs. • Initiate, develop and maintain cooperative relationships with other state agencies, units of local government, community organizations and government officials. • Lead service delivery teams for contracted work. • Develop, negotiate, and manage contracts of varying complexity with local governments, community organizations, nonprofits, and businesses. • Review, authorize, and process contract reimbursements by ensuring expenditures are within the appropriated authority and are submitted for allowable expenses. • Maintains accurate data in CMS system to include scanning and submitting electronic documents. Required Position Qualifications: Eight years total of a combination of formal education, beyond high school equivalence (to include relevant college-level coursework, technical and/or vocational education, and/or certification programs) and professional experience as described, which could include but is not limited to: • Four (4) years of formal education in political science, business, public administration, urban planning, or related field AND four (4) years of professional experience in community, trade, or economic development that consists of direct experience working with consulting firms, nonprofit organizations, local governmental entities, federal agencies or state-level programs engaged in housing, land use, environmental, transportation, or related issues. OR • Two (2) years of formal education in political science, business, public administration, urban planning, or related field AND six (6) years of professional experience in community, trade, or economic development that consists of direct experience working with consulting firms, nonprofit organizations, local governmental entities, federal agencies or state-level programs engaged in housing, land use, environmental, transportation, or related issues. OR • Eight (8) years of professional experience in community, trade, or economic development that consists of direct experience working with consulting firms, nonprofit organizations, local governmental entities, federal agencies or state-level programs engaged in housing, land use, environmental, transportation, or related issues. Preferred/Desired Qualifications: • Proficiency with functional skills in Excel such as Pivot Tables. • Demonstrated writing proficiency • Data visualization experience (such as ArcGIS, Tableau, PolicyMap, or other similar applications) Required Position Competencies: • Ability to interact effectively with a diversity of section staff, clients, stakeholders, and governmental officials • Function effectively in a consulting shop environment dominated by tight, competing, and often fluid deadlines. • Knowledge of English grammar, punctuation, and vocabulary. • Advanced skills in the use of Microsoft Office programs (Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint). • Skilled in the use of computers, adapts to new technology, keeps abreast of changes, learns new programs quickly, use computers to improve productivity. To be considered for this position, the following are needed: A complete and detailed online application. A cover letter (enter online). At least three professional references (enter online). For questions about this recruitment, please contact our recruitment team via email: comrecruitment@commerce.wa.gov - please reference the job number in your message. 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 remotely or have a hybrid schedule. This recruitment may be used to fill future vacancies over the next 60 days. Technical support is provided by NEOGOV, 855-524-5627 (can't log in, password or email issues, error messages). DES job seeker support may answer general questions regarding the recruiting system at careershelp@des.wa.gov . 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 email Human Resources at Human.Resources@commerce.wa.gov. 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. Department of Commerce also offers a competitive benefits package including: medical and dental insurance benefits, retirement and deferred compensation plans, 11 paid holidays each year, 14-25 vacation days per year (depending on length of employment), 8 hours of sick leave per month (if full time employed), bereavement leave, an employee assistance program, as well as other benefits. Please see the Benefits Tab for more details.