Description
At 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.
The Energy Division catalyzes the transition to a clean, just, and resilient energy future. This position works within the Energy Programs in Communities (EPIC) Unit of the Energy Division.
This position is responsible for providing advanced professional-level program development, administration, and contract management activities for Washington’s EPA Solar for All federal grant and related state funded programs advancing solar and energy storage technologies.
Washington’s Solar for All program will create new opportunities for low income and disadvantaged communities to benefit from affordable solar energy. This is a unique opportunity to shape the statewide rollout of this groundbreaking program. We are actively seeking individuals who are passionate about increasing access to solar energy.
This position manages reporting and compliance with federal and state regulations for Solar for All and other programs. This work includes developing policies and procedures, working with contracted program administrators to collect data and monitor compliance, analyzing data and evaluating results, and fulfilling federal and state reporting requirements. This position works closely with internal and external stakeholders including federal and state agencies, local government, and tribal communities, in addition to federal and state program and policy partners.
Duties
- Plans, develops, and tracks Solar for All program goals and objectives, seeking input from internal and external subject matter experts and stakeholders as needed.
- Develops and administers request for proposals and procurement processes.
- Conducts complex program implementation, evaluation, and oversight of processes and policies.
- Ensures compliance with relevant federal funding, reporting, and legal requirements (e.g. Build America Buy America Act, Inflation Reduction Act, Davis-Bacon and Related Acts).
- Develops policies and procedures related to data collection, reporting, and compliance with federal and state requirements.
- Develops, updates, maintains, reviews, and analyzes spreadsheets, databases, and information systems to conduct program evaluation and reporting.
- Conducts data analysis, evaluates results, and completes federal reporting.
- Strengthens relationships with clients, stakeholders, and co-workers.
- Identifies and solves problems with effective solutions. Identifies information needed to clarify a situation and seeks information from appropriate sources. Takes the initiative to seek input from peers and supervisor to help with problem solving.
- Develop federal and state financial, internal control, and fraud/waste/abuse policies and procedures.
- Ensures program data is current and accessible to facilitate inquires and reporting of key metrics.
- Represents the agency at professional meetings and conferences.
- Coordinates with others to streamline processes, develop best practices, and implement program delivery improvements.
- Organizes, leads, and solicits input from program advisory groups, technical experts, and external stakeholders to advance program goals.
- Interprets and applies federal and state laws and regulations.
- Research programmatic requirements and applicable federal laws, regulations, requirements, and state directives to manage programs.
- Develops and maintains technical expertise of Solar for All and Commerce program requirements related to contract management, budgeting, invoicing, and compliance.
- Develops and maintains reporting templates based on Solar for All funding and program requirements.
- Oversees and monitors contract management and compliance activities.
- Provides technical assistance to contracted Solar for All program administrators and grant recipients to facilitate accurate reporting and compliance with federal and state regulations.
- Serves as a solar energy technical specialist for Solar for All and other assigned grant programs.
- Negotiates, drafts, and executes grants and contracts and subsequent amendments to scopes of work and special terms and conditions.
- Monitors contract and grant expenditures, compliance with deliverables, and reporting to ensure projects are implemented on time and within budget.
- Monitors complex contracts and grant agreements to ensure compliance with state and federal regulations and U.S. EPA reporting requirements.
- Authorize resolution of findings and contract closeout.
- Works with Commerce’s Assistant Attorney General (AAG) and the Commerce Chief Contracting Officer (CCO) on contract language and grantee negotiations to limit agency liability.
- Demonstrates comprehensive knowledge of state and federal requirements for administering grant and loan programs.
- Provides subject matter expertise on state and federal reporting and compliance requirements for program administration activities, such as selecting program administrators and negotiating contracts.
- Develops, updates, and maintains contracts, scopes of work, and budget documents.
- Works closely with program support staff to track, route, and keep grantee records current.
- Develops reference materials and handbooks.
- Engages with supervisor to assist with resolving and negotiating complex issues.
- Provides technical assistance to public policy makers, staff, and service providers.
- Prepares written reports, testimony, and policy recommendations.
- Participates in unit, division and agency-wide project workgroup opportunities including outcome measures, contracting risk workgroup, strategic breakthrough initiatives and other opportunities that align with the duties of this position.
- Provides regular updates to division staff and management on work of these initiatives.
Qualifications
Any combination of the professional level experience in community, trade, and/or economic development AND college level coursework in education in business or public administration or related field totaling seven (7) years.
OR
Seven (7) years of experience in community, trade, and/or economic development.
OR
Associate’s degree in business or public administration or related field AND five (5) years of professional level experience in community, trade, or economic development.
OR
Bachelor’s degree in business administration, public administration, or related field AND three (3) years of professional level experience in community, trade or economic development.
Competencies:
- Strong communication skills, demonstrating an ability to clearly convey information and ideas to individuals and groups through a variety of communications modes, including formal presentations and informal discussions.
- Practices attentive and active listening.
- Develops challenging but achievable goals, has excellent follow-through, approaches challenging tasks and obstacles with a “can-do” attitude. Works with honesty and integrity, keeps commitments, takes ownership of work and one’s own actions, and seeks opportunities for improvement
- Stays focused under pressure, performs duties with minimal supervision, uses time efficiently and effectively to accomplish priorities. Motivates and encourages project team members to persevere through change and adversity, skillfully negotiates competing needs and priorities, and facilitates consensus-based decision-making when appropriate.
- Operates within the organization's formal and informal structures, builds allies and relationships across the division and agency, seeks to understand others' roles and perspectives, and navigates organizational structure with diplomacy and goodwill.
- Demonstrates a commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion. Collaborates with and involves others with divergent viewpoints, as well as diverse people and groups, contributing to developing an environment that is equitable, inclusive, respectful and cooperative.
- Effectively adjusts to changes in work processes and environment and alters behavior to align with evolving situations. Openly receives new ideas and accepts other perspectives.
- Skilled in the use of computers and database applications. Learns new technology quickly, keeps abreast of changes, use computers to improve productivity.
Desired Qualifications:
- Three years’ experience managing energy projects or working in the energy sector. Solid knowledge of solar energy technologies.
- Two years’ experience navigating and complying with federal and state procurement, contracting, budgeting, and reporting policies and practices.
- Experience collaborating with marginalized communities, tribal communities and vulnerable populations
- Advanced-level proficiency in use of state and federal agency grant management and database systems, contract management databases, project management software, cloud-based productivity tools and Microsoft applications.
Supplemental Information
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 remote or have a hybrid schedule.
This recruitment may be used to fill future vacancies over the next 60 days.
This position is covered by a collective bargaining agreement.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.
