Program Manager

We are hiring for two Special Initiatives Program Managers

Program Manager
We hope to hire two program managers within the Special Initiatives Unit at Commerce. These positions are responsible for establishing and managing multiple new and ongoing programs that support immigrants and asylum seekers; programs for historically underserved communities including Black, Indigenous, and other People of Color; youth and young adults; and organizations and people targeted for violence or hate crimes. This position will be part of a team managing Legislative priorities in Commerce's budget like Legal Aid for Low-Income Immigrants, Nonprofit Security Grants, and Outreach to Enroll Marginalized Communities.

The program managers will manage grants through contracts with nonprofits, faith-based organizations, and by-and-for organizations providing services in their communities across the State of Washington.
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 Special Initiatives Unit is part of the Community Services Division (CSD), which partners with local governments, Tribes, community-based organizations, and nonprofits to provide community assistance, promote individual and family self-sufficiency, address the causes and effects of crime and violence, and reduce poverty.

Duties

• Performs contract administration duties, including preparation and execution of contractor applications, contracts, and amendments. Establishes and develops language for contract and policy documents.

• Provides formal and informal monitoring and risk assessment protocols to contractors regarding program delivery and services to ensure compliance with contract requirements and relevant policies.

• Provides opportunities for stakeholders and partner input and feedback in regard to program development, grant modifications, and improvements.

• Resolves program complaints and conflicts that arise with contractors, stakeholders, partners, and/or the public.

• Conducts contracting activities such as creating, reviewing, and executing contracts and amendments per policies and procedures.

• Provides customer services and program technical assistance to contractors.

• Ensures contractor compliance with program requirements.

• Reviews and approves contractor invoices and payment vouchers.

• Assists in reconciliations of grant expenditures and ensures all financial requirements/spending limits are met.

• Maintains contact with grant recipients to determine ongoing funding needs and challenges. Determines funding increases or decreases within budgets.

• Interprets data and funding-tracking reports and reporting system for funding.

• Develops and facilitates stakeholder network meetings.

• Resolves complex policy issues with contracted service providers, Commerce fiscal staff, or other community partners/stakeholders.

• Develops competitive solicitations.

• Responsible for coordination and changes to grant scopes of work, procedures, and services.

• Manages and conducts contractor training sessions to develop staff understanding of current or changing policy and system enhancements. Presents and communicates information to various program stakeholders.

• Evaluates program activities and monitor grant compliance by reviewing program fiscal and service delivery to ensure compliance, effectiveness, and local coordination of services.

• Participates in state workgroups. Communicates program information and changes to stakeholders and partners as necessary.

• Performs data collection, reporting, analysis, quantitative or qualitative data collection, monitoring, and reporting technical information.

• Provides technical assistance and expertise to contractors to build relationships and ensure good stewardship of public funds related to this program.

• Identifies and analyzes problems to bring forth recommendations and consultation on immediate and future needs.

• Develops and co-facilitates or attends and supports stakeholder network meetings.

• Develops, designs, coordinates, and conducts contractor training sessions with internal and external stakeholders to develop an understanding of current or changing policy and system enhancements.

• Coordinates program data collection. Monitors submission by grantees of required data and checks for timeliness, completeness, and accuracy.

• Contacts grantees to provide technical assistance or seek clarification for those whose data is inaccurate or incomplete.

• Assists with the development of data collections systems that meet individual program requirements and needs.

• Responses to individual inquiries from grantees, staff, public, media, and others who are requesting data.

• Assists in developing, implementing, and maintaining program data collection and quality standards.

• Performs data collection, reporting, analysis, quantitative or qualitative data collection, monitoring, and reporting technical information.

• Conducts process improvement exercises to facilitate the collection and analysis of information.

• Runs data reports and shares data with Commerce and external stakeholders.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree AND three years of professional experience in community, trade or economic development. If the applicant does not have a Bachelor's Degree, seven years of professional experience, or seven years total of a combination of higher education and professional experience as described.

• A graduate or advanced degree may substitute for one year of the required professional experience. Lived experience navigating and receiving services from public systems like foster care, the criminal legal system, immigration, or behavioral health system will substitute for two years of professional experience.

• Professional experience as a community-driven, collaborative team member who values diversity and can work effectively with individuals of diverse cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds.

• Demonstrated commitment to growth in Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Anti-Racism competencies, including: able to learn and understand the language and concepts of DEI; commitment to growth, learning and self-awareness related to DEI; demonstrated the understanding that all people are valued by contributing to an equitable, inclusive and respectful environment when working with members of the team, agency, and community; and commitment to being an active participant in continually evaluating and improving strategies that promote equity, belonging, and antiracism in our organization.

• Commit to being an active participant in continually evaluating and improving strategies that promote equity and inclusion in our organization.

• DEI knowledge
• Self-Awareness & Commitment to Growth
• Cultivating Mutually Beneficial & Trusting Strategic Relationships
• Inclusive Excellence & Allyship Improvement
• Measuring for Success and Improvement

Desired Qualifications:

• Experience with grant or contract writing or contract management.

• Ability to apply an equity lens to grant processes, evaluation and planning efforts.

• Demonstrated computer experience with Outlook, Teams, Word, Excel, Zoom, and PowerPoint.

• High personal motivation, self-management, and detail-orientation.

• Able to work in high volume work environment, managing multiple tasks and priorities.

• Ability to work diplomatically, professionally, and in a non-partisan manner.

• Direct personal or professional experience in social services, immigration, violence prevention or crime victim services, or providing technical assistance to community organizations.

• Experience working with non-profit organizations or social service agencies for or in partnership with organizations based in marginalized communities including immigrant communities, low income communities, or Tribes.

• Experience serving people who have been accused of serious crimes and people impacted by poverty or mass incarceration or related lived experience.

Supplemental Information
To be considered for this position the following are needed:

• A complete and detailed online application
• A summary of your relevant work experience (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 message.Supplemental Information
This recruitment may be used to fill future vacancies over the next 60 days.

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

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.
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