Solar Grants Program Coordinator

Solar Grants Program Coordinator (COM 2)
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 Unit (EPIC) of the Energy Division and supports the administration of clean energy grant programs. This position provides professional-level program coordination and contract management for state and federal funded clean energy programs. This position supports and works closely with internal program managers, Energy Division staff, agency departments, external stakeholders and clients. If you have experience in and an affinity for either renewable energy and/or program management and contract administration, this position may be a good fit for you

Contract Management and Technical Support
- Provides direct customer service for energy grant programs, including troubleshooting and training for individual grantees.
- Provides technical assistance to Program Managers and clients on federal policies such as: National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), Davis-Bacon Act, Section 106 (National Historic Preservation Act), Build America Buy America, Federal Funding Accountability and
Transparency Act (FFATA).
- Becomes familiar with and provides assistance to program managers and grantees/clients
regarding state policies such as: Washington State prevailing wage, Executive Order 21-02
(Archaeological and Cultural Resources), Department of Archeology and Historic Preservation.
- Maintains collaborative relationships with grantee organizations. Identifies needs, provides
information, or directs customers to resources. Refers customers to Program Manager or other specialists for answers to unique or complex questions about grant programs.
- Supports stakeholder communications and meetings by conducting planning activities, agenda building, notetaking, and client outreach.
- Maintains knowledge of grant terms and conditions, program regulations, and policies and
procedures.
- Performs independent research, evaluates and draws conclusions from data, interprets rules, laws, policies and procedures, and makes recommendations.
- Maintains and updates contract documents, process budget revisions, grant amendments, de-obligations and re-obligations.
- Maintain highly organized grant files using CMS, including certificates of insurance, grant
documents, monitoring documents.
- Coordinates contract document flow and signatures with grant managers, division management, and grantees.
- Maintains proficiency and knowledge of contract management system (CMS). Participates in CMS workgroups, Smartsheet workgroups, and others to resolve complex issues.
- Utilizes strong understanding of system structure, division business processes and best
practices to provide technical assistance to workgroup staff and management.

Program Coordination
- Coordinates grant funding solicitation processes, including drafting and posting RFP's,
monitoring and responding to inquiries, coordinating application review and scoring processes, and obligation of grant awards.
- Provides ongoing technical support to Program Managers and assists with program evaluation and the development, tracking/monitoring, and close-out of program grants and funding.
- Revises templates, program policies, and desk manuals on a regular basis to ensure continuity and best practices are followed.
- Collaborates with others across EPIC to align best practices.
- Identifies information needed to clarify a situation and seek information from appropriate
sources.
- Takes the initiative to seek input from peers and supervisor to help with problem solving.

Monitoring, Verification, and Reporting
- Monitors contract timelines, data collection, and grantee reporting requirements.
- Tracks program metrics. Generates reports, develops and maintains dashboards. Maintains proficiency with Smartsheet and other software/databases as needed.
- Collects, compiles, files, and classifies data; checks for completeness, reasonableness,
accuracy and comparability with other data.
- Monitors grantee invoice projections and provides information to assigned Program Managers and Budget team.
- Fulfill federal and state reporting requirements on a quarterly and annual basis and as
requested by managers and/or the legislature while guided by the Program Manager(s).
- Works as part of a team to analyze outcomes and strategies and develop recommendations to improve monitoring of grantees.

Cross-division collaboration and agency workgroup participation
- Participates in agency-wide project workgroup opportunities including outcome measures,
contracting risk, equity, 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 cross-agency
workgroups.Required Qualifications:
Education and Experience:
- Bachelor's degree (Additional professional level work experience in community, trade, or economic development may be substituted year-or-year for Bachelor's degree).
AND
- Two years of professional level experience in community, trade or economic development with a focus in grant and contract administration.

Competencies:
- Highly organized and detail-oriented, with a demonstrated ability to track budgets, grant information, and reporting deadlines with a high degree of accuracy
- 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.
- 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.

Preferred/Desired Qualifications:
- One year of experience working in the energy sector with a basic knowledge of renewable energy and energy efficiency technologies.
- One year of experience navigating and complying with federal and state procurement, contracting, and budgeting policies and practices.
- Experience collaborating with marginalized communities, tribal communities, and vulnerable populations.
- Mid-level proficiency in project management software, MS Office Suite, contract management databases, cloud-based productivity tools.

To be considered for this position the following are needed:

• A complete and detailed online application.
• A cover letter (enter online).
• At least three (3) professional references (enter online)

For questions about this recruitment, please contact our recruitment team via email: - please reference the job number in your messageWork 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, can't log in, password or email issues, error messages). DES job seeker support may answer general questions regarding the recruiting system at

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 Applicants who are deaf or hard of hearing may call through the Washington Relay Service by dialing 7-1-1 or

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.
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