Commerce Specialist 1

Commerce Specialist 1
At the Department of Commerce, we’re reimagining what’s possible in government. We’re builders, thinkers, and change-makers, working at the intersection of innovation, community, and impact. From unlocking critical funding to fueling inclusive economic growth, we’re turning big ideas into real-world solutions that uplift people and places.

Our agency’s strength lies in the diversity of our workforce and the breadth of the lived experiences and perspectives employees bring to the work. We believe equity is not just a value but a practice, which is reflected in how we design programs, engage communities, and deliver outcomes. We foster a workplace culture where curiosity is encouraged, bold thinking is welcomed, and collaboration drives our impact.

Let’s build what’s next, together.

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 reports to the HOU Assistant Managing Director (AMD).

This position provides professional level programmatic assistance and administrative support to the Homeownership Unit (HOU), including the Managing Director (MD), Assistant Managing Director (AMD), program managers and unit staff. 

This position is a member of the Lead Support Team and assists with the development and recommendation of division policies and best practices, with a substantial focus on development and implementation of the HOU admin procedures to ensure quality, streamlining, and cohesiveness that meet the needs of our internal and external customers. 

This position relies on knowledge of state government and administrative policies and procedures, office methods, research methods and data collection to support day-to-day functions and the smooth operation of the HOU.

This position may also provide support for special projects as assigned by the Managing Director, HOU’s Management Team, or the division Deputy Assistant Director or Assistant Director.

This position requires being in the Olympia office at least two times a week.

Homeownership programs development, maintenance, and implementation

Tasks include: 

• Develops, drafts, and reviews program guidelines for provisos and other special projects closely associated with legislative initiatives and intent.
• Provides advice and recommendations to internal and external stakeholders including but not limited to Assistant Directors, Managing Directors, and the Government Affairs & Policy Director or designee on the progress of program development which may include recommendations, considerations, and observations.
• Facilitates program peer-to-peer sessions and stakeholder comment periods, Participants may include grantees, local governments, advocacy groups, and external legislative representatives.

• Develops, updates, and monitors contracts, RFP development, and evaluation of reports for review by higher level program employees.
• Assist unit in data input, updates, and compilation in CMS, HMCS, and other systems. 
• Participates in funding round application review process to select funding recipients as a member of the review team.
• Manage sending and receiving HOU mail, scanning and forwarding it to the appropriate staff.
• Manage and maintain electronic and hard copy filing systems for Foreclosure Fairness, Manufactured Housing, and Capital Program files, and ensure program compliance with state and federal recordkeeping requirements.
• Coordinate responses to public records requests.  
• Assist unit management team with writing, updating, and improving processes, procedures, and desk manuals.
• Prepare program reports to the legislature, management, and/or external stakeholders.

Administrative support 

 Tasks include: 

• Act as liaison/coordinator with all agency offices, including but not limited to, the offices of Information Services, Human Resources, and Office Services and between the MD, AMD, and other staff members.
• Keep the MD and AMD aware of internal and external deadlines and maintains prioritization of work activities.
• Attend advisory meetings as assigned and conduct meeting scheduling, logistics, agendas, and note-taking for unit meetings and meetings with homeownership stakeholder groups and other advisory or stakeholder groups
• Update office policy and procedure manuals.
• Establish and ensure adherence to administrative protocols. Responsible for developing new office protocols and strategies or modifying existing ones. 
• Prepare responses to Governor’s Office referrals, correspondence, and phone calls for individuals asking for help finding or keeping housing.
• Track all unit documents routed for signatures.
• Track expenditures for assigned councils or workgroups.
• Manage the MD’s and AMD’s schedules, including regular meetings with staff and external clients.

• Coordinate training and conferences for all unit staff.
• Assist hiring managers with scheduling interviews and routing required documents to candidates and panelists.
• Assist unit supervisors with acquiring equipment and supplies and getting items to staff. 

• Participate in the Division Lead Support team and perform additional duties associated with division-wide support such as helping with division meetings and working collaboratively to develop division procedures.

Required Position Qualifications: 

Five (5) years of combined experience and/or education as described below:

Experience in affordable housing, housing finance, real estate, homeless housing, victim services, human service organizations with a focus in two or more of the following areas:

• Administrative/clerical experience supporting a team
• Preparing written communications for various audiences 
• Interpreting and developing policies and procedures 
• Data entry and management
• Providing process development support to a team including but not limited to building auditing, records management, retention procedures, and creating process documents

Lived experience with housing instability and/or experience navigating and receiving services from public systems such as homeless and housing services systems, foster care, the criminal legal system, or behavioral health system may substitute for two years of professional experience.

• What is lived experience? Lived experiences is relevant expertise derived from the accumulated personal life and professional experiences of an individual. Experience can be gained through life events, volunteer role/capacity, any experience gained outside of professional paid and unpaid experience, academic or a combination of experiences. The above-listed experience will demonstrate that a candidate possesses the necessary knowledge, skills, abilities, and competencies to successfully qualify for and perform the duties of the position.

Education involves housing finance, business, public administration or related field. Qualifying education post High School or equivalent may be substituted year for year for experience.

Examples of how to qualify:

• 5 years of experience 
• 4 years of experience and one year of education   
• 3 years of experience and two years of education   
• 2 years of experience and three years of education   
• 1 year of experience and four years of education   

Preferred/Desired Qualifications:

• Experience with database systems.
• Customer Service experience working in a variety of settings.
• Experience negotiating, developing, managing, and/or monitoring contracts. 
• Experience applying for and/or managing grants.

Required Position Competencies: 

• Ability to communicate fluently and effectively, both verbally and in writing; writing skills necessary to develop letters and provide summary reports; comprehension skills to successfully translate verbal and written information. 
• Ability to independently determine, organize, and prioritize workload. 
• Strong organizational and coordination skills to insure a smooth-flowing, productive work unit.
• Strong interpersonal skills, ability to work with all levels of internal management and staff and maintain a respectful demeanor in stressful situations.
• Ability to meet commitments, accept accountability, set personal standards, maintain confidentiality and stay focused under pressure.
• Understanding and commitment to anti-racism, equity, diversity, and inclusion.
• Ability to assess a situation and independently take action
• Ability to anticipate future issues and strive to make things happen with a specific goal in mind.
• Intermediate experience managing complex assignments and projects using MS Outlook, Word and Excel. 
• Strong organizational skills and ability to handle multiple assignments and priorities simultaneously.
• Strong ability and desire to meet deadlines with quality work and high degree of accuracy.

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 message.

This position requires being in the Olympia office at least two times a week.  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. 

This recruitment may be used to fill future vacancies over the next 60 days.

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 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 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.

Salary : $49,428 - $66,372