About the Department
The Department of Commerce is the one agency in state government that touches every aspect of community and economic development: planning, infrastructure, energy, public facilities, housing, public safety and crime victims, international trade, business services and more. We work with local governments, tribes, businesses and civic leaders throughout the state to strengthen communities so all residents may thrive and prosper.
The Community Services Division (CSD) 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.
Within the Community Economic Opportunities (CEO) Unit of CSD, this position performs professional, journey-level program work for the Commerce WorkFirst Programs. These programs provide transitional employment and work training to low-income families in partnership with DSHS, other state agencies, and community-based organizations. The goal of this program is to improve the economic stability and mobility of vulnerable families through employment. This position is part of the Commerce WorkFirst contracts management team, and key skills include collaboration, curiosity, candor, synthesizing information, inventiveness, and efficiency. Primary responsibilities include managing complex and competing issues; coordinating program operations; conducting policy research and data analysis; facilitating contract improvements through gap analysis and collaborative work; and working closely with other staff, contractors, and key partners to connect ideas and support program performance.
Position Duties
• 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.
• Develops language for contract and policy documents.
• Drafts contract amendments throughout the contract year as necessary.
• Conducts contracting activities such as reviewing and executing contracts and amendments per policies and procedures.
• Tracks and collaborates on program and contract challenges, gaps, and opportunities.
• Suggests, collaborates on, and tracks changes to program policies, procedures, and services.
• Resolves complex policy issues with contracted service providers, Commerce fiscal staff, or other community partners.
• Monitors progress on program and policy enhancements and collaboration on adjustments as needed.
• Maintains key program resources, and supports such as program promotional materials, technical assistance, monitoring, procedure manuals, and guidance documents, etc.
• Resolves complex technical assistance matters with contracted service providers, Commerce staff, and other community partners.
• Designs, coordinates and implements pilot programming.
• Develops, designs, coordinates, and conducts contractor training sessions and training curriculum with internal and external stakeholders to develop an understanding of current or changing policy and system enhancements, which includes the Electronic Jobs Automated System (eJAS).
• Acts as the lead organizer for the Commerce WorkFirst technical assistance conference.
• Acts as project manager for competitive procurement processes by planning, organizing, and executing the process in all stages.
• Acts as the program lead for data collection and visualization efforts. Analyzes program data needs and represents the program’s business needs in creating, revising, and enhancing data processes.
Operations Support for Work First
• Creates and maintains internal process and procedures manual(s).
• Maintains highly collaborative relationships across the team to support the annual team calendar and workflow.
• Prepares and presents an annual program decision summary.
• Collaborate with other staff, including other CS3s to maintain operations.
• Produces quarterly contractor network newsletter and other communications.
• Tracks ideas, questions, and topics across the program, creates monthly and quarterly meeting agendas, and schedules meetings with key partners.
• Coordinates monthly with the Department of Program Integrity (DPI).
• Creates and maintains program promotional materials.
• Synthesizes information across the program and between staff members and key partners.
• Does federal and state policy research to support team projects and priorities.
Program and Policy Support for WorkFirst
• Assists the Program Commerce Specialist 5 to conduct Commerce WorkFirst program and policy enhancements.
• Develops, implements, and maintains program data collection and quality standards.
• Performs quantitative or qualitative data collection, reporting, and analysis. Monitors and reports on technical information. Performs process improvement exercises to facilitate the collection and analysis of information.
• Works with internal and external partners on data collection, analysis, and visualization.
• Interprets data and funding-tracking reports and reporting systems for funding.
• Provides data and research support during the legislative session.
• Analyzes technical assistance, monitoring, billing, and other program data to identify trends, questions, and opportunities, conducts policy research, synthesizes and reports on the information, through collaboration with CS5 and other staff.
• Analyzes eJAS, eMAPs, TANF WorkFirst Forecast, DSHS WorkFirst performance data, and other partner program data to identify trends, questions, and opportunities, conducts policy research, synthesizes and reports on the information, through collaboration with CS5 and other staff.
• Investigates gaps, issues, and challenges, conducts policy research, and collaborates with the team in an iterative process for improvement.
• Performs monthly DPI data analysis and works with the Contractor network for performance improvement.
Minimum Qualifications
Required Position Qualifications:
Seven (7) total years of professional-level experience or education in project management, policy development, compliance monitoring, technical assistance, performance management, human services, or related which includes:
Three (3) or more years of the following:
• Policy analysis, project management, data management and/or reporting, and/or improving operational systems.
• Reviewing, interpreting and implementing state and federal requirements
• Facilitating, coaching, and relationship-building skills across diverse partners
Lived experience with TANF, SNAP, or other publicly funded programs 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.
Examples of how to qualify:
o 7 years of experience
o 6 years of experience and one year of education
o 5 years of experience and two years of education
o 4 years of experience and three years of education
o 3 years of experience and four years of education
o 2 years of experience and five years of education
o 1 years of experience and six years of education
AND
Demonstrated commitment to growth 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.
Preferred/Desired Qualifications:
• Working knowledge of workforce development, case management, and social services practices
• Ability to produce high-quality work in an efficient manner while managing multiple projects
• Ability to use software and cloudware programs to create complex documents and tools
• Demonstrated high-level interpersonal communication skills: two-way communication, strong writing skills, information sharing, leveraging customer feedback, and creating and facilitating presentations
• Ability to develop and maintain meaningful relationships with community partners and stakeholders
• Experience with data analysis, and/or policy research.
• Experience working for, or in partnership with, WorkFirst or employment and training programs
• Experience working in the Department of Social and Health Services’ Electronic Jobs Automated System (eJAS) or a similar case management database systems
• Experience in contracting public funds to community agencies
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).
Other Qualifications
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 will 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 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.
Benefits
More than Just a Paycheck!
Employee benefits are not just about the kind of services you get, they are also about how much you may have to pay out of pocket. Washington State offers one of the most competitive benefits packages in the nation.
We understand that your life revolves around more than just your career. Like everyone, your first priority is ensuring that you and your family will maintain health and financial security. That's why choice is a key component of our benefits package. We have a selection of health and retirement plans, paid leave, staff training and other compensation benefits that you can mix and match to meet your current and future needs.
Read about our benefits:
The following information describes typical benefits available for full-time employees who are expected to work more than six months. Actual benefits may vary by appointment type or be prorated for other than full-time work (e.g. part-time); view the job posting for benefits details for job types other than full-time.
Note: If the position offers benefits which differ from the following, the job posting should include the specific benefits.
Insurance Benefits
Employees and their families are covered by medical (including vision), dental and basic life insurance. There are multiple medical plans with affordable monthly premiums that offer coverage throughout the state.
Staff are eligible to enroll each year in a medical flexible spending account which enables them to use tax-deferred dollars toward their health care expenses. Employees are also covered by basic life and long-term disability insurance, with the option to purchase additional coverage amounts.
To view premium rates, coverage choice in your area and how to enroll, please visit the Public Employees Benefits Board (PEBB) website. The Washington Wellness program from the Health Care Authority works with PEBB to support our workplace wellness programs.
Dependent care assistance allows the employee to save pre-tax dollars for a child or elder care expenses.
Other insurance coverage for auto, boat, home, and renter insurance is available through payroll deduction.
The Washington State Employee Assistance Program promotes the health and well-being of employees.
Retirement and Deferred Compensation
State Employees are members of the Washington Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS). New employees have the option of two employer contributed retirement programs. For additional information, check out the Department of Retirement Systems' web site.
Employees also have the ability to participate in the Deferred Compensation Program (DCP). This is a supplemental retirement savings program (similar to an IRA) that allows you control over the amount of pre-tax salary dollars you defer as well as the flexibility to choose between multiple investment options.
Social Security
All state employees are covered by the federal Social Security and Medicare systems. The state and the employee pay an equal amount into the system.
Public Service Loan Forgiveness
If you are employed by a government or not-for-profit organization, and meet the qualifying criteria, you may be eligible to receive student loan forgiveness under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.
Holidays
Full-time and part-time employees are entitled to paid holidays and one paid personal holiday per calendar year.
Note: Employees who are members of certain Unions may be entitled to additional personal leave day(s), please refer to position specific Collective Bargaining Agreements for more information.
Full-time employees who work full monthly schedules qualify for holiday compensation if they are employed before the holiday and are in pay status for at least 80 nonovertime hours during the month of the holiday; or for the entire work shift preceding the holiday.
Part-time employees who are in pay status during the month of the holiday qualify for the holiday on a pro-rata basis. Compensation for holidays (including personal holiday) will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status in the month to that required for full-time employment, excluding all holiday hours. Pay status includes hours worked and time on paid leave.
Sick Leave
Full-time employees earn eight hours of sick leave per month. Overtime eligible employees who are in pay status for less than 80 hours per month, earn a monthly proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment. Overtime exempt employees who are in pay status for less than 80 hours per month do not earn a monthly accrual of sick leave.
Sick leave accruals for part-time employees will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment. Pay status includes hours worked, time on paid leave and paid holiday.
Vacation (Annual Leave)
Full-time employees accrue vacation leave at the rates specified in WAC 357-31-165(1) or the applicable collective bargaining agreement (CBA). Full-time employees who are in pay status for less than 80 nonovertime hours in a month do not earn a monthly accrual of vacation leave.
Part-time employees accrue vacation leave hours in accordance with WAC 357-31-165(1) or the applicable collective bargaining agreement (CBA) on a pro rata basis. Vacation leave accrual will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment.
Pay status includes hours worked, time on paid leave and paid holiday.
As provided in WAC 357-58-175, an employer may authorize a lump-sum accrual of vacation leave or accelerate the vacation leave accrual rate to support the recruitment and/or retention of a candidate or employee for a Washington Management Service position. Vacation leave accrual rates may only be accelerated using the rates established WAC 357-31-165.
Note: Most agencies follow the civil service rules covering leave and holidays for exempt employees even though there is no requirement for them to do so. However, agencies are required to adhere to the applicable RCWs pertaining holidays and leave.
Military Leave
Washington State supports members of the armed forces with 21 days paid military leave per year.
Bereavement Leave
Most employees whose family member or household member dies, or for loss of pregnancy, are entitled to five (5) days of paid bereavement leave. In addition, the employer may approve other available leave types for the purpose of bereavement leave.
Additional Leave
Leave Sharing
Parental Leave
Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)
Leave Without Pay
Please visit the State HR Website for more detailed information regarding benefits.
Updated 01-07-2026
Supplemental Questions
-
01In the space below, please write a formal cover letter describing your interest and how you meet the specific qualifications for this position.02How many years of post-high school equivalent formal education (including college-level coursework, technical and/or vocational education, and/or certification programs) involving project management, policy development, compliance monitoring, technical assistance, performance management, human services, or related field do you have?
- Less than 1 year
- More than 1 year but less than 2 years
- More than 2 years but less than 3 years
- More than 3 years but less than 4 years
- More than 4 years but less than 5 years
- More than 5 years but less than 6 years
- 6 years or more
03Does your professional-level experience include three (3) or more years within the following areas:? • Policy analysis, project management, data management and/or reporting, and/or improving operational systems. • Reviewing, interpreting and implementing state and federal requirements • Facilitating, coaching, and relationship-building skills across diverse partners- Yes
- No
04If you indicated you have experience noted above, please explain how, where and when you gained this knowledge and experience (must also be reflected in the work experience of your application). If you answered no, please type N/A in the text box below.]05Please describe how you meet the Preferred/Desired Qualifications. If you do not, please type N/A in the text box below.06Please indicate how you have demonstrated your commitment to growth, 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. If you do not have this experience, please type N/A in the text box below.07Do you have lived experience with TANF, SNAP, or other publicly funded programs? •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.- Yes
- No
08As a condition of employment, I understand and agree that I must reside in the state of Washington prior to or on the first day of state employment.- Yes
- No
09Are you a current or former employee of the state of Washington?- Yes
- No
10If you answered yes to the question above, what is the agency you are currently or formerly with? If you answered no, please type N/A.11Please select the option below that best indicates where you heard about this job opportunity.- www.careers.wa.gov
- Aggregate job search website (Indeed.com, Simplyhired.com)
- Department of Commerce website
- Department of Commerce employee
- Social Media (LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter)
Required Question
Agency Information
- Employer
- State of Washington
- Address
-
View Job Posting for Agency Information
View Job Posting for Location, Washington, 98504 - Website
- http://www.careers.wa.gov
7 years professional experience in project management, policy development, compliance monitoring, technical assistance, performance management, or human services, including 3+ years in policy analysis, project management, data management, or improving operational systems; must reside in Washington State.
Key Responsibilities
- managing contracts
- conducting policy research
- coordinating program operations
Skills & Tools
eJAS, eMAPs, TANF WorkFirst Forecast, DSHS WorkFirst performance data
Job Details
- Category: Project and Program Management
- Seniority: Senior Level
- Commitment: Full Time
- Workplace: Remote — Washington, United States
- Salary: USD 67,704 – 91,104 / year
- Languages: English
Benefits
- Generous paid time off
- Retirement plan
- Generous parental leave
About Washington State Department of Commerce
A state agency that strengthens communities through economic development and community services. — Industry: Government Agencies and Departments