Capacity Building Program Lead (COM 4)

Capacity Building Program Lead (COM 4)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 Housing Division (HD) partners with local governments, Tribes, housing authorities and nonprofits to develop and preserve affordable housing, promote individual and family self-sufficiency, and reduce adult and youth homelessness.This position works within the Multifamily Housing Unit (MHU) of the HD providing senior level professional analysis to address challenges faced by communities striving to develop affordable housing. This position provides technical advice and consulting to a variety of diverse organizations seeking to build capacity and compete for capital funding. The Capacity Building, Outreach and Support initiative is an equity-driven response that works with third-party technical consultants, internal experts, and will include direct grants with community-based organizations.The position serves as the highest technical specialist regarding complex affordable housing programs and policies and overall real estate development processes. This position will lead consultative services and training processes for eligible organizations. This position will serve as a consultant to clients, rural communities and other marginalized organizations and provide technical expertise and guidance. This position will train members of the unit and division on a variety of complex development issues affecting the successful implementation of MHU programs and policies.The Program Lead will manage a program intended to conduct at least 20 training workshops, build 80+ new relationships and deliver deep technical assistance to at least 32 grantees in its first phase. They will also manage technical assistance delivery through staff and/or contractors or consultants; supporting data collection, analysis and sharing – through staff and/or contractors or consultants to support transparency and accountability, effectivepolicymaking and program management; and developing communication materials (including maintaining a webpage and presenting outcomes and recommendations for policymakers, community partners, agency leadership and others.This position will be instrumental in advising the Housing Investment Manager on project planning for the unit and leading team members in establishing the Capacity Building Outreach and Support Program and other program development, as required by legislative proviso or otherwise. The position will foster collaboration in the investment team, specifically, to continuously improve fund distribution methods that advance equity.Preconstruction Technical Assistant Program ManagerTasks include:• Establish work plans and schedules to ensure the delivery of technical assistance and training and monitor progress in achieving stated goals.• Supervise the solicitation of private or nonprofit technical consultants to provide third-partyconsultation to eligible applicants directly.• Develop, provide, and monitor legislatively mandated technical assistance addressing a variety of key community and multifamily housing issues.• Conduct technical literature reviews, interview subject matter experts, collect and utilize avariety of data to perform analysis, evaluate options, and produce reports and other research products.• Provide and/or coordinate housing and organizational development related technical assistance, training, and information to nonprofit organizations, government entities, local communities and others to enhance their capacity to respond to their housing needs.• Develop, or cause to be developed, training and resource materials on a variety of housingdevelopment and relevant organizational development topics.• Conduct and oversee workshops and seminars, and provide technical consultation and training to clients and others.• Coordinate and make technical recommendations and presentations on projects, programs,policies, and plans to federal, state, public and private clients.• Lead and develop scope, methodology, benchmarks, milestones and timetable to ensureprogram goals are completed on time.• Participate with executive management staff in developing strategies to implement programming that reaches and supports housing development efforts controlled by and for marginalized communities.• Direct and produce legislative reports on time to meet statutory and proviso requirements.Capacity Building and Outreach – Direct Grant-MakingTasks include:• Supervise funding solicitations for nonprofits and eligible applicants for direct grant assistance for the Preconstruction Technical Assistance program.• Conduct application reviews and make funding recommendations to the Housing Investment Manager• Assist the agency with the implementation of similar capacity building programs, such as the agency’s Planning & Predesign Capital Equity Program (PPCEP).• Manage the contracting process with the organizations, assist with troubleshooting and oversee the contract draw and close-out process• Track and report on the program delivery status.• Convene regular gatherings or communications with the recipients of the funding to gain direct insights into their respective challenges and opportunities.Training CoordinatorTasks Include:• Overseeing the solicitation of third-party technical training providers to make training available to Commerce staff and/or public stakeholders (depending on funding availability).• Assisting supervisors with enrolling team members into training and/or scheduling unit wide trainings, as defined by the Assistant Managing Director.• Maintain a calendar of unit trainings and conferences.Data management, analysis, and verificationTasks Include:• Develop systems to coordinate and accurately report MHU progress to grant and loan agencies.• Communicate strategic priorities to affected agencies and consult with staff planners oncommunications to local governments around MHU progress requirements.• Use data to help evaluate success, identify opportunities, inform decision-making, anddemonstrate results.Staff SupervisionTasks Include:• Supervise, lead, and provide technical assistance to staff/team.• Oversee the work performed by the team. Delegate workload responsibilities and assignments to staff while providing regular feedback, coaching, and guidance.• Monitor workload to ensure timelines are met, tasks are distributed equitably, and procedures are followed consistently.• Evaluate staff performance and address performance concerns as necessary. Recommendcorrective and/or disciplinary actions to the Managing Director.• Encourage and support staff professional development goals and opportunities. Work with staff to identify training needs. Manage staff’s mandatory training requirements, ensuring timely completion.• Perform all aspects of the hiring process. Ensure that all division and agency hiring procedures are followed and requirements are fulfilled in coordination with Human Resources.• Monitor and ensure all mandatory and position specific training is completed prior to due date.Required Qualifications:• Eight years professional-level experience in community, trade, or economic development. Four of the eight years must include experience in housing development, management or public finance of affordable housing.OR• Eight years total combination of professional-level experience and post-high school equivalent formal education (including college level coursework, technical and/or vocational education and/or certification programs) with a focus in community, trade or economic development. Four of the eight years must include experience in housing development, management or public finance of affordable housing. Combinations could include but not are not limited to:o Two years of formal education AND six years of professional-level experienceORo Four years of formal education AND four years of professional-level experience,• A graduate or advanced degree may substitute for one year of the required professional-level experience.• Direct experience working for consulting firms, nonprofit organizations, local governmental entities, federal agencies or state-level programs engaged in economic development, environmental planning, infrastructure development, or a related field.• Ability to 1) Oversee complex multi-stakeholder processes, 2) Develop, implement, and monitor projects or portions of projects; 2) Write concisely, clearly, accurately, objectively and with appropriate analytical rigor about policy issues that may be technically complex and politically controversial; and 3) Interact effectively with a diversity of unit staff,clients, stakeholders, legislators and legislative staff, and other governmental officials.Required Competencies:• Integrity--Deals with others in a straightforward and honest manner, is accountable for actions, maintains confidentiality, supports company values, and conveys good news and bad.• 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.• 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.• Computer Skills--Advanced skills in the use of Microsoft Office programs (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, and Access). Skilled in the use of computers, adapts to new technology, keeps abreast of changes, learns new programs quickly, use computers to improve productivity.• 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.• Results Focus--Targets and achieves results, sets challenging goals, prioritizes tasks, overcomes obstacles,accepts accountability, sets team standards and responsibilities, provides leadership/motivation.Preferred/Desired Qualifications:• Lived experience of homelessness or lived homeless system involvement.• Two (2) or more years of professional experience in public policy/administration, legislative policy development and/or planning.• Two (2) or more years of experience in providing technical assistance and consultation on monitoring and managing contracts.• Two (2) or more years of experience and expertise in providing presentations and facilitation of large groups.• Two (2) or more years of experience with application and review of cost allocation plans and federally negotiated indirect rates.• Project management experience, to include the ability to establish priorities, work out timelines, identify potential problems and resolutions, and keep projects on schedule, within budget and in line with program goals. Detail oriented when developing processes, guidance, implementation plans, etc.• Experience using the Bill Analysis Tracking System (BATS), LobbyGov and/or similar platforms.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 messageWork from Anywhere in Washington StateThis 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 OpportunityThe 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.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.