Assistant Managing Director (WMS 2)

Description Assistant Managing Director (WMS 2) 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. This position is the Assistant Managing Director (AMD) for the Office of Firearm Safety and Violence Prevention / Community Safety Unit (OFSVP/CSU) in the Department of Commerce, Community Services Division (CSD). Reporting directly to the Executive Director, this position represents OFSVP/CSU, CSD and the Department of Commerce (Commerce) with the Governor’s office, legislators, media, community leaders and other key partners, supporting and filling in for the Executive Director as needed. The AMD manages and is responsible for developing program policy and operations for grant programs administered by the OFSVP/CSU, which includes the administration of 20+ federal and state grant programs and hundreds of contracts (and subcontracts) with tribal, state and local agencies, and community-based organizations, distributing an expanding budget of over $46 million/year. This position supervises four staff and supports the 25+ unit staff who administer those grant programs. This position is familiar with all aspects of the OFSVP/CSU policy role and grant programs and maintains relationships internally and externally that allow the position to make day-to day-decisions with a high degree of independence. OFSVP/CSU grant programs include, but are not limited to: Firearm safety andviolence intervention and prevention grants to promote effective state and local efforts to reduce preventable injuries and deaths from firearm violence including suicide, intimate partner violence, and community violence. Byrne State Crisis Intervention Program grants to improve enforcement and implementation of protection order laws Byrne-JAG program grants focused on the criminal justice, social services and public health systems. Reentry grants to community-based programs to provide reentry services for formerly incarcerated persons and supports to facilitate successful transitions to the community Community Reinvestment Programs administered with state funding from the Community Reinvestment Account to address racial, economic, and social disparities in communities across the state created by the historical design and enforcement of state and federal criminal laws and penalties for drug possession. Duties Back up for Executive Director of OFSVP/CSU: Represents OFSVP/CSU and Commerce in meetings with internal and external partners, including legislators, legislative staff, Governor’s office, congressional and federal agency staff, representatives from other state agencies and local government, Tribal representatives, and media. Provides oversight and guidance of over 25 staff. Responds to Division and Agency assignments. Supervision and Coordination of Staff: Directly hires and supervises four positions providing cross-team support to OFSVP/CSU. Establishes OFSVP/CSU staffing goals and priorities. Supports management team in recruitment, hiring and performance issue decisions. Ensures appropriate training of staff. Identifies and supports opportunities for professional development. Sets priorities and monitors staff workload to ensure priorities and timelines are met. Ensures equitable workload distribution. Lead Contracting Efforts: Provides contracting support and assistance to staff across OFSVP/CSU. Tracks and approves software and database management. Standardizes, optimizes, and helps run grant solicitation and management process, including ongoing assessment. Addresses, resolves and trains on state auditing and monitoring responses and requirements. Coordinates and collaborates with OFSVP/CSU portfolio managers to align and ensure consistency among grant programs to align with federal and state requirements. Support Legislative Matters: Leads the implementation of special Legislative directives, such as provisos, task forces or committees, and legislative studies and reports. Responds to Legislative requests. Researches, develops, and makes recommendations to the Executive Director, agency leaders and external partners on matters dealing with policy, maximizing available resources, and program administration/management. Develops and tracks agency- and governor-request legislation related to OFSVP/CSU programs. Analyzes proposed legislation as it affects OFSVP/CSU and partners. Provides input to the Executive Director on the action necessary to secure the optimal outcome of legislation and budget proposals. Lead Equity Integration and Execution: Develops and maintains equity strategies across OFSVP/CSU programs, grant solicitations and management, unit procedures, and staff development. Develops and implements short and long-range plans, strategies, and innovative community-driven systems using an equity-focused lens. Support Communications and Partnerships: Develops and maintains strong working relationships and strategic partnerships with non-profit organizations, federal and state policymakers, legislative and congressional staff, and the Governor’s office. Speaks on behalf of the Executive Director as required in unit, division, agency, legislative, and other public venues. Acts as legislative and interagency liaison. Ensures quality and accuracy of OFSVP/CSU reports, fact sheets, web content and other communications. Lead Budget and Financial Management: Develops and manages the OFSVP/CSU operating budget, including oversight of obligations and expenditures. Supports program budget development and management. Qualifications Required Education, Experience, and Competencies: A combination of seven years of formal education and/or professional experience managing, negotiating, administering federal and state grants or contracts as a grantor or grantee. AND Two years of supervisory experience successfully supervising, mentoring and coaching professional staff. (A graduate degree will substitute for one year of the required years of professional experience.) AND Demonstrated competency in diversity, equity, inclusion and anti-racism work, including: create space that is inclusive and respectful for everyone who interacts with and within our agency; recognize that oppression and inequities such as racism, sexism, classism, etc., are real, exist and need to be addressed; implement practices and working conditions that achieve inclusion in the workforce and in the way we serve the public; identify where barriers and inequities exist in your area of expertise or responsibility and lead the removal, change or culture adjustment; co-create and support policies, programs, practices and procedures that increase the power, voice and influence of the most impacted and marginalized people; and use DEI data to inform and influence inclusive programs and services. Required Competencies: Accountability-Meets commitments, works independently, accepts accountability, handles change, sets personal standards, stays focused under pressure, and meets attendance/punctuality requirements. Customer Service-Handles customer questions and complaints, communicates with customers, handles service problems politely and efficiently, always available for customers, follows procedure to solve customer problems, understands company products and services, maintains pleasant and professional image. 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. Leadership-Leads through change and adversity, makes the tough call when needed, builds consensus when appropriate, motivates and encourages others. 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. Hiring-Defines position requirements and necessary skills, recruits large applicant pool, prepares for and conducts good interviews, values both experience and potential, selects appropriate candidates, builds teams with complementary skills, promotes diversity in hiring. Interpersonal Skills-Has good listening skills, builds strong relationships, is flexible/open-minded, negotiates effectively, solicits performance feedback and handles constructive criticism. People Development-Provides feedback and coaching, rewards hard work and risk taking, takes mentoring role, challenges and develops employees, accepts mistakes, provides visibility/opportunity. People Management-Defines roles and responsibilities, motivates and challenges employees, delegates effectively, rewards contributions, manages collaboratively. Results Focus-Targets and achieves results, sets challenging goals, prioritizes tasks, overcomes obstacles, accepts accountability, sets team standards and responsibilities, provides leadership/motivation. Budgets/Cost Control-Plans for and uses resources efficiently, always looks for ways to reduce costs, creates accurate and realistic budgets, tracks and adjusts budgets, contributes to budget planning. 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. 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. Computer Skills-Skilled in the use of computers, adapts to new technology, keeps abreast of changes, learns new programs quickly, and uses computers to improve productivity. Preferred/Desired Education, Experience, and Competencies: Working knowledge of the state’s legislative and budget process. Experience with policy around justice systems and/or violence prevention. Experience working for, or in partnership with, organizations based in historically marginalized communities, low income populations and/or Tribes. Demonstrated ability to collaborate and build partnerships, develop and lead work teams, and work effectively with authorizing and external environment. Demonstrated ability to pay attention to detail and oversee a complex suite of responsibilities. Knowledge of advanced principles of management in a team environment, including facilitating collaborative strategic planning, continuous quality improvement processes, designing and implementing new systems and business practices, managing change, equity, identifying community needs, interests and perspectives, empowering and equipping staff with the necessary tools and resources, conflict resolution and mediation, and balancing multiple competing interests. Ability to produce and provide advanced-level communication to the agency’s executive management, divisions, program managers and external partners. Demonstrated effective collaboration with staff, management, stakeholders, constituent groups, Legislature and others 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 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 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 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.