Federal Contracts LIHEAP/BPA Program Manager (COM 3)

Federal Contracts LIHEAP/BPA Program Manager (COM 3) 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. This job is a commitment to reshape systems so they work better for everyone. If you’re ready to challenge the status quo and build meaningful connections, we want to meet you. Let’s build what’s next, together. The Energy Division (Energy) leads Washington’s transition to a clean, affordable, and equitable energy future by providing statewide energy policy leadership, guiding investments, and advancing initiatives that serve all communities. This position works within the Weatherization Unit of the Energy Division. This position advances the agency’s priority to help low-income families live in healthy, safe, and affordable housing by providing advanced-level technical expertise and program administration for low-income weatherization assistance programs. This position ensures the federal weatherization assistance programs are designed and deployed effectively and efficiently, optimizing internal operations and leveraging external relationships with funders, service providers and other stakeholders. Examples of Duties Grant Management: Produce program applications, budgets, contracts, and policies Tasks include:

• Secures and maintains weatherization funding by creating grant applications or state plans to federal partners, developing weatherization plans, narratives, and budgets for 24 local weatherization providers and two Native American tribes.
• Maintain expertise on federal statutes and state statutes, rules, policies, standards, methods, and protocols regarding energy efficiency and weatherization.
• Monitors grantee expenditures, compliance with deliverables, and reporting to ensure projects are implemented on time and within budget.
• Ensures program data is current and accessible to facilitate inquiries and reporting of key metrics.
• Identifies and solves problems with effective solutions. Identifies information needed to clarify a situation and seeks information from appropriate sources. Takes the initiative to seek input from peers and Supervisor to help with problem solving.
• Incorporate federal policies and LIHEAP/HHS Program Notices into weatherization program operations, policies, and procedures.
• Serves as a technical specialist for assigned grant programs.
• Develop and manage program and personal service contracts that define clear performance expectations and maintain fair and equitable funding allocations, influenced by the accomplishment of performance measures.
• Develops, updates, maintains, reviews, and analyzes spreadsheets, databases, and information systems to conduct program evaluation and reporting.
• Contribute to maintaining grant and data information management, collection, and reporting, including advancing online systems.
• Conducts complex program implementation, evaluation, and oversight of processes and policies, ensuring compliance with relevant state and federal laws and regulations.
• Utilizes spreadsheets, databases, and information systems to conduct program evaluation and reporting.
• Coordinates with others to streamline processes, develop best practices, and implement program delivery improvements. Manage continuous improvement functions Tasks include:
• Serve as a technical expert for the weatherization program, including researching best practices, collecting and analyzing performance data, and creating and implementing work plans to improve program quality and monitor program performance.
• Understand program and technical rules, standards, tools, protocols, and implementation strategies to facilitate the development and maintenance of program policies for cost-effective energy conservation, health, and safety.
• Plan and orchestrate logistics for federal monitoring visits.
• Collaborate with field monitors and section staff.
• Analyze program performance and provide advanced technical assistance and training to local agencies necessary to determine both compliance and opportunities for improvement.
• Develop performance measures to be incorporated into weatherization grants with local agencies.
• Develop performance expectations in alignment with agency goals; contribute to efficient and accurate grants and systems.
• Monitors grantee expenditures, compliance with deliverables, and reporting to ensure projects are implemented on time and within budget.
• Maintain knowledge and expertise of program federal statutes, rules, guidance, and policies related to weatherization. Engages with supervisor to assist with resolving and negotiating complex issues.
• Recommend policy and program changes to improve service delivery based on data and tangible evidence.
• Organizes, leads, and solicits input from program advisory groups, technical experts, and external stakeholders to advance program goals.
• Craft focused work plans, with performance benchmarks, that improve program quality.
• Develops and maintains technical expertise of Commerce program requirements related to contact management, budgeting, invoicing, and compliance.
• Negotiates, drafts, and executes grants and contracts and subsequent amendments to scopes of work and special terms and conditions.
• Works with Commerce’s Assistant Attorney General (AAG) and the Commerce Chief Contracting Officer (CCO) on contract language and grantee negotiations to limit agency liability.
• Works closely with program support staff to track, route, and keep grantee records current. Develop, strengthen, and maintain strong working relationships with stakeholders Tasks include:
• Collaborate with federal agencies, peers and advocates, including grantees and sub grantees in Washington, partners at DOE, HHS, NASCSP, NCAP, BPA, IREC, and other federal networks to improve the Washington weatherization program.
• Contribute to unit and division’s strategic plan.
• Develop and present timely, accurate, and insightful information to grantees and advisory groups.
• Participate in regional and national advisory and advocacy organizations.
• Serve as program representative to Federal and state authorities, the public, and interested parties.
• Provides technical support to grantees. Identifies and resolves programmatic, scope of work, or funding condition conflicts. Staff Management Tasks include:
• Supervises contract administration support staff.
• Oversees the work performed and delegates workload responsibilities and assignments to staff.
• Provides regular feedback, coaching, and guidance to staff.
• Evaluates staff performance and addresses performance concerns as necessary.
• Recommends corrective and/or disciplinary actions to the Section Supervisor and Managing Director. Encourages and supports staff professional development goals and opportunities.
• Works with staff to identify training needs.
• Performs all aspects of the hiring process.
• Ensures that all agency hiring procedures are followed and requirements are fulfilled in coordination with Human Resources.
• Develop and provide training for new staff. Cross division and agency collaboration Tasks include:
• Participate in division and agency-wide project workgroup opportunities including outcome measures, contracting risk workgroup, strategic breakthrough initiatives and other opportunities that align with the duties of this position.
• Provide regular updates to division staff and management on work of these cross-agency initiatives. Qualifications Required Position Qualifications: Seven (7) years of combined experience and/or education as described below: Examples of how to qualify:
• 7 years of experience
• 6 years of experience and one year of education
• 5 years of experience and two years of education
• 4 years of experience and three years of education
• 3 years of experience and four years of education
• 2 years of experience and five years of education
• 1 year of experience and six years of education Education involves business administration, public administration, or related field. Qualifying education post High School or equivalent may be substituted year for year for experience. Preferred/Desired Qualifications:
• Three years’ experience managing projects or working in the energy sector.
• Experience working with weatherization and/or energy assistance programs.
• 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.
• Advanced-level proficiency in project management software, MS Office Suite, contract management databases, cloud-based productivity tools. Required Position Competencies:
• 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
• Stay focused under pressure, performs duties with minimal supervision, uses time efficiently and effectively to accomplish priorities. Motivates and encourages project team members to persevere through change and adversity, skillfully negotiates competing needs and priorities, and facilitates consensus-based decision-making when appropriate.
• Operates within the organization's formal and informal structures, builds allies and relationships across the division and agency, seeks to understand others' roles and perspectives, and navigates organizational structure with diplomacy and goodwill.
• 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, uses computer to improve productivity. 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: [email protected] - please reference the job number in your message. Supplemental Information 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. 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 [email protected] . 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 [email protected]. 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.