Program Manager (COM 3)

Description

Project Manager (COM 3)
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 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 technical assistance, training, and low interest loans and grants for public infrastructure including water, sewer, solid waste, stormwater, roads/streets/sidewalks/bridges and broadband.
This position is responsible for providing 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 programs utilized by local governments, elected officials, private entities, citizenry, technical experts, federal and state governmental program staff, as well as tribal nations.

Duties

Provides advanced professional level contract management activities, from inception to closeout:
•Applies federal/state laws, regulations, and board directives as appropriate.
•Develops, negotiates, and monitors the technical aspects of complex contracts between PWB and recipients of funding.
•Monitors contractor compliance with technical aspects of complex contracts and communicates these requirements to contractors and subcontractors 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 and Public Works Board requirements are met in a timely manner.
• Resolves discrepancies or issues during contract period at the lowest possible level and escalates as appropriate.
• Monitors project milestones to ensure successful completion of construction, repair, and restoration of facilities in accordance with the contract requirements.
• Guides contractors through Public Works Board processes, including required or requested forms, contracting and amendments, project completion, and loan repayments.
• Maintains accurate data in the Department of Commerce’s Contracts Management System (CMS) and any other systems used by the Public Works Board.
• Develops and maintains cooperative relationships with government, business, industry, and community organizations and their officials.
Technical assistance and partnerships:
• Provides technical assistance to local governments to help them maintain, develop, rehabilitate, construct, etc. infrastructure in support of public health and safety, economic development, and other state priorities.
• 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 public health, safety, economic development and other state priorities.
• Researches programmatic requirements to create and conduct Public Works Board 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.
• Coordinates technical assistance to include, as necessary, representatives from the primary providers of infrastructure assistance to local governments (e.g. departments of Health and Ecology, USDA-RD, RCAC, ERWOW, State Broadband Office, etc.).
Public Works Board assistance:
• Provides staff assistance to the Public Works Board to include, but is not limited to:
o Staffing Board committees or work groups;
o Lead Ad Hoc Committees, as needed;
o Work plan development and implementation;
o Special projects as assigned;
o Research and data synthesis as assigned.

Qualifications

Required Position Qualifications:
Five (5) years of combined experience and/or education as described below:
• Education involves natural resources, business, public administration, urban or regional planning, accounting or related field. Qualifying education post High School or equivalent may be substituted year for year for experience.
• Experience in one or more of the following:
o Federal or state infrastructure financing
o Grant or loan administration
o Contract management
o Project management
o Public works
o Communication
Examples of how to qualify:
• Five years of experience
• Four years of experience and one year of education
• Three years of experience and two years of education
• Two years of experience and three years of education
• One year of experience and four years of education
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 databases, contract management systems and Microsoft Office applications.
Required Position Competencies:
• 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 project management, financing, contract management, and/or 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.
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: [email protected] - please reference the job number in your message.

Supplemental Information

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 [email protected]
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 [email protected]. 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.