Description

At the Department of Commerce (Commerce), we are creative, collaborative, and trusted. We identify opportunities to deliver critical funding and services to strengthen communities, we cultivate an environment in which we continuously learn, and we own our work.

The Energy Division (Energy) catalyzes the transition to a clean, resilient, and just energy future.

The Commerce Specialist 3 works within the Clean Transportation Unit of the Energy Division. This position advances the agency’s priority to strengthen communities by providing advanced professional level program management and contract administration in implementing grant and incentive programs supporting transportation electrification, as well as related Interagency Electric Vehicle Coordinating Council efforts. In addition, this position provides advanced-level technical assistance for these program areas.

This posting may be used to fill other vacant positions within 60 days once position is filled.

Duties

This Commerce Specialist 3 position ensures the transportation electrification programs are designed and deployed effectively and efficiently, optimizing internal operations and leveraging external relationships with funders, service providers and other stakeholders in order to achieve the goals of the 2021 State Energy Strategy and state EV mandates. Here are some of the duties performed in this role.

Program Planning, Management, and Evaluation

• Plans and monitors progress towards program goals and objectives, seeking input from internal and external subject matter experts and stakeholders as needed.
• Develops implementation plan guidance and templates in accordance with the requirements of the 2021 State Energy Strategy, the Interagency EV Council (IEVCC), and state transportation emissions reduction goals.
• Aligns program development and planning activities with State Zero Emission Vehicle goals and implementation strategy.
• Ensures that agency implementation plans for transportation electrification programs are aligned with key state requirements and support achieving state electrification goals and targets.
• Organizes state agency and other partners to support progress towards transportation electrification goals and collaborates with assigned working groups
• Leads the Commerce transportation electrification program development and implementation to enable collaborative program development, program planning, and implementation
• Develops and maintains relationships with electrification stakeholders, agency transportation electrification leads, transportation policy staff and other state agency staff working to implement transportation electrification programs.
• Conducts complex program implementation, evaluation, and oversight of processes and policies, ensuring compliance with relevant state and federal regulations.
• Works to build strong collaborative relationships that will support the work of the Clean Transportation Unit, SEEP and the State Energy Office, both internally to Commerce and externally with stakeholders.

Program Guidance and Technical Assistance

• Provides direct consultation, technical assistance and guidance to transportation electrification stakeholders. Activities may include:
  • Helps agencies and others identify opportunities to make rapid progress towards transportation electrification targets
  • Supports stakeholders in overcoming barriers to electrification
  • Identifies ways to prioritize Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment (EVSE) deployment in vulnerable and overburdened communities
• Uses data on electrification progress and feedback from stakeholders to target and develop technical assistance, guidance, tools, and resources
• Develops and promotes programs, guidance, tools, and resources to promote transportation electrification
• Develops, coordinates, and conducts workshops, training opportunities, and stakeholder outreach
• Matches partners and projects with available funding opportunities that align with the state’s transportation electrification and clean energy goals and mandates.
• Ensures application of executive orders, federal/state laws and regulations.

Budget Development and Contract Management

• Collaborate with state agencies to support budget development activities and funding requests
• Develop budget proposals for Clean Transportation programs, ensuring alignment with state GHG emissions mandates, the 2021 State Energy Strategy, Move Ahead Washington goals, EO 21-04 and State Fleets Zero Emission Vehicle implementation strategy
• Tracks and reports on investment in EVSE and ZEVs and works to align expenditures with statewide ZEV and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reduction goals.
• Provides available ZEV expenditure data to the Energy Division leadership
• Aggregates reporting of activities for federal and state funded grants and contracts.
• Tracks budgets and expenditures to ensure timely invoicing to funders.
• Develops and administers request for proposals and procurement processes.
• Convenes and facilitates application review and makes funding recommendations to management.
• Support the development of grants and contracts and subsequent amendments to scopes of work and special terms and conditions.
• Under the direction of the Clean Transportation Managing Director, work with Commerce’s Assistant Attorney General (AAG) and the Commerce Chief Contracting Officer (CCO) on contract language and grantee negotiations as needed to limit agency liability.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in business, public administration, or related field. Professional level work experience may substitute for education.

AND

• Three years of professional level experience in community, trade or economic development with one or more of the following:
  • Program management experience
  • Procurement
  • Grant making processes

Preferred/Desired Qualifications:

• Three years’ experience managing energy projects or working in the energy sector. Solid knowledge of electric vehicle and charging technologies.
• Two years’ 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 and/or experience centering equity in program design and implementation.
• Advanced level proficiency in project management software, MS Office Suite, contract management databases, cloud-based productivity tools

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 (3) professional references (enter online).

This position is covered by a collective bargaining agreement

The initial screening will be solely based on the contents and completeness of your application. All information may be verified and documentation may be required. For questions about this recruitment, please contact Jose Dominguez at 360-810-0182 or jose.dominguez@commerce.wa.gov.

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. However, it is anticipated that interviews for this position will be held using virtual videoconferencing. You will work with your supervisor to identify an appropriate work schedule and balance, including telework and reporting to a duty station for work activities, if needed.

Important Notice
Per Governor Inslee’s Directive #22-13.1, state employees must be fully vaccinated prior to your first day of employment. Your vaccine status will be verified prior to an offer of employment. Please reach out to Human Resources Specialist Jimmie Wimberly at jimmie.wimberly@commerce.wa.gov if you need information on medical or religious accommodation.

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 (360) 725-2650. 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.