Direct connection to the communities Commerce invests in allows for this position to be located anywhere in the state. We support a healthy work/life balance by offering flexible/alternative work schedules, and mobile and teleworking options.
We’re looking for a new Program Manager to be part of the growing Energy Division.
As a Program Manager in the Energy Programs in Communities Unit, you’ll perform advanced level program and contract management for clean energy programs such as Washington’s Low-Income Home Rehabilitation Revolving Loan Program and the Clean Energy Fund’s Grants to Non-profit Lenders, as well as have your touch on the many different programs we administer throughout the state.
Strong candidates will have experience in administering loan and grant programs, managing complex programs contracting, data analysis and program evaluation. We are looking for someone with strong financial skills, is a quick learner, and has excellent communication skills and an upbeat attitude. A background in energy is a plus!
This position offers endless learning opportunities and exposure to energy policy, energy conservation, state funding administration and much more. If you want to help shape Washington’s clean energy future, keep reading to see if this job is for you.
The Energy Division is working to reduce our state’s carbon footprint and encourage cleaner, more efficient energy systems. We aim to cultivate an environment in which we are continuously learning and take pride in our work. We enjoy the variety of our tasks and projects and look for opportunities to improve our work as well as pitch in and help others across the division.
At the Department of Commerce (Commerce), we are creative, collaborative, and trusted. We identify opportunities to deliver critical funding and services to strengthen communities across Washington.
Duties
- Program management of assigned energy grant programs including planning and development of program goals and objectives.
- Develop applications, request for proposals, and/or annual workplans
- Review and update program design elements and changes with stakeholders.
- Maintain a fair and equitable funding allocation system, influenced by accomplishment of performance measures by grantees.
- Develop and negotiate scopes of work, statements of work, and/or work plans that define clear performance expectations and emphasize quality services and efficiencies.
- Develop performance expectations in alignment with agency goals: contribute to efficient and accurate grants and performance management systems.
- Monitor contractor compliance with programmatic/technical aspects of monitoring.
- Ensure implementation of all contractor deliverables are obtained and state & federal requirements are met in a timely manner.
- Communicate energy grant program compliance conditions such as: contract documentation requirements; insurance requirements; funding offsets; funding conditions required by environmental, historic, and archaeological regulations; and related state/federal law and programmatic policy.
- Establish close relationships with grantees/clients and stakeholders ensuring timely project formulation, project review, and funds processing which is appropriately tracked and documented to ensure contract compliance.
- Monitor submission of required data and expenditures, verifying timeliness, completeness, and accuracy by grantees/clients.
- Coordinate program advisory groups, workgroups, and stakeholder meetings.
- Consult in the development of committee work plans, meeting planning, and follow-up.
- Develop, promote, and maintain strong and strategic partnerships with non-profit organizations, private associations, federal funding agencies, other state agencies, consumer advocates, and local governments.
- Serve as a technical expert for the assigned, including researching best practices, collecting and analyzing performance data, and creating and implementing work plans to improve program quality and monitoring program performance.
- Participate in 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.
Qualifications
Required Education:
A Bachelor’s degree in business, public administration, accounting, energy, or related field (professional level experience in governmental contracting, banking, program/project management, or accounting may substitute year for year for the degree)
Required Experience:
Three years of professional level experience in community, trade, or economic development with any combination of the following:
-
- Program/project management
- Grant or loan program administration and/or
- Data analysis and program evaluation
Required Competencies:
- Demonstrated technical/legal knowledge and aptitude of multiple state and federal requirements in energy contracting and financing.
- Thorough knowledge of grant and loan administration and accounting.
- Technical knowledge of Commerce program requirements related to financing, contract management, and compliance.
- Accountability–Meets commitments, works independently, accepts accountability, handles change, sets personal standards, stays focused under pressure, meets attendance/punctuality requirements.
- Customer Service–Handles customer questions and complaints, communicates with customers, handles service problems politely and efficiently, always available for customers, follows procedure to solve customer problems, understands company products and services, maintains pleasant and professional image.
- Integrity–Deals with others in a straightforward and honest manner, is accountable for actions, maintains confidentiality, supports company values, conveys good news and bad.
- 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.
- Results Focus–Targets and achieves results, sets challenging goals, prioritizes tasks, overcomes obstacles, accepts accountability, sets team standards and responsibilities, provides leadership/motivation.
- 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.
- Organizational Savvy–Operates within the organization’s formal and informal structures, builds allies and relationships across departments, uses allies to build consensus and create results, is appropriately diplomatic, understands others’ roles and perspectives, can sell projects and ideas across the organization.
- Computer Skills–Skilled in the use of computers, adapts to new technology, keeps abreast of changes, learns new programs quickly, use computers to improve productivity.
Preferred/Desired Qualifications:
- Experience managing loan programs, including demonstrated contracting, program management, and technical assistance.
- Experience working with clean energy programs.
- Experience and/or demonstrated desire for incorporating diversity, equity, and inclusion principles into energy programs and grant development.
Supplemental Information
At Commerce, we’re a little different. But for you, it might just be the perfect fit. We’re a state agency but operate like a business with the understanding we need to know our customer’s needs to fulfill them. Our Olympia offices are open Monday through Friday (flexible schedules are available).
Washington State offers commuting programs, including free, subsidized and reduced public transportation incentives. There are approximately 370 employees in our agency. We are committed to our work and value balance in our personal lives. We hire people for a position and encourage them to train for growth opportunities.
If this sounds like a good fit for you and you meet the qualifications, we encourage you to apply today!
This position is covered by a collective bargaining agreement.
What we do:
We are the lead state agency charged with strengthening communities. We administer a diverse portfolio of programs and services, and we support several state boards and commissions.
Our key customers include businesses, local governments and community-based organizations. We also play the crucial role of convening numerous local, state, regional and federal partners and stakeholders, public and private. Together we work to support the Governor’s priorities and achieve shared goals and objectives for the citizens of Washington.
Where we work:
Commerce’s main office is located in Olympia; however we also have locations in downtown Seattle and Spokane.
Olympia
As the state’s capitol, Olympia is located off Interstate 5 at the south end of the Puget Sound roughly half-way between Seattle and Portland, and less than a two hour drive to the coast, temperate rainforest, mountains, urban city, or farmlands. With year-round art festivals, parades, theater shows, concerts, and community events, Olympia and its surrounding cities have something for everyone. For parents, it boasts some of the best schools in the nation and the renowned HandsOn Children’s Museum. Home to two universities (The Evergreen State College and Saint Martin’s University), Olympia residents also have the opportunity to pursue a degree while working!
Spokane
Spokane is located in the heart of the Inland Northwest and is the second most populous city in Washington. The Spokane River runs through the city and beautiful Riverfront Park in downtown Spokane. An array of enjoyable outdoor activities are right out our back door; including ski resorts, white-water rafting, camping areas, hiking trails, lakes, and the Centennial trail. Amazed by the arts? Show some love to your artistic side with a trip to the Spokane Region. Broadway performances, intriguing art galleries, world-class museums and powerful stage performances are waiting to be discovered.
Seattle
Being surrounded by greenery year round has earned the Seattle the nickname of the Emerald City. Seattle is an exciting urban city surrounded by unmatched natural beauty with a wide variety of outdoor attractions within the city such as Discovery Park and Olympic Sculpture Park. Feel like getting away from the city? Seattle is centrally located surrounded by the Puget Sound and miles of hiking trails within driving distance. Seattle is home to a variety of attractions to include the Seattle Art Museum, Pike Place Market, and historic Pioneer Square. Art and Culture more your style? Seattle is home to more than 100 theater companies, the Seattle Symphony, as well as museums and galleries. Sports enthusiast? Seattle is home to professional football, soccer and baseball teams as well as a variety of collegiate sports to choose from.
Additional Information:
The Washington State Department of Commerce complies with the employment eligibility verification requirements of the federal Form I-9. The selected candidate must be able to provide proof of identity and eligibility to work in the United States consistent with the requirements of that form on the first day of employment.
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) 725-2652. 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.