Climate Operations Team Supervisor (COM 5)

Climate Operations Team Supervisor (COM 5)
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.

Program Management
Tasks include:
• Determine and assess the Operations Team’s goals/timelines, and adjust resource levels associated with the implementation of the GMA’s climate planning law (RCW 36.70A.070(9)).
• Oversee development and implementation of equity and environmental justice policies related to climate planning and local government funding.
• Oversee the development of rulemaking for climate regulations.
• Identify and prioritize strategies to support local government as they implement climate programs. Represent the GMS unit as the program liaison at professional, local, state, regional, or national meetings.
• Present technical program information internally, to other agencies, governments, private entities, and the legislature.
• Provide complex technical assistance on the GMA/Climate & Ecosystem program to local governments and stakeholders.
• Ensure the appropriate terms and conditions, scope of work, certifications, and other documents are identified to mitigate risk to the agency and comply with state and federal laws, agency requirements, and program policies.
• Ensure contracts are aligned with all statutes, program rules, the agency’s performance expectations, and the appropriate authorizing authority.
• Oversee technical assistance and outreach efforts to support potential applicants.
• Advocate on behalf of all Commerce programs and identify other funding opportunities available to applicants through other Commerce programs.
• Oversee development of executive reports and summaries for executive management as requested.
• Develop administrative procedures and staff resources.
• Collect and report program performance data for Climate Commitment Act reporting, the division, the agency, and the Governor’s office.

Staff Management and Supervision
Tasks include:
• Supervise a team of professional staff and set goals and expectations.
• Perform all aspects of the hiring process.
• Identify and support training and mentoring needs and opportunities.
• Evaluate and correct job performance.
• Delegate workload responsibilities, priorities, and assignments to staff.
• Provide regular feedback, coaching, and guidance to staff.
• Recommend corrective or disciplinary action to the Section Manager and work with Human Resources to remedy.

Contract Management
Tasks include:
• Oversee the development of the grant program, including the development contract templates and resources.
• Ensure all contract operations implement state and department contract rules and procedures.
• Provide oversight of the Climate & Ecosystem Section programs contract negotiations and execution processes.

Rulemaking Activity
Tasks include:
• Oversee implementation of the Administrative Procedures Act as it pertains to Climate & Ecosystem Section rulemaking activity.
• Oversee draft rule amendments for technical completion and consistency.
• Ensure internal and external GMS coordination throughout revising, maintaining, and updating the Law & Rules materials for GMS, as needed.

Database Management
Tasks include:
• Coordinate with the Regional Planning Section staff on plan review for the Climate and Ecosystem Section.
• Develop necessary reports to access information for program analysis and reporting.
• Provide training to staff, such as review workflow and customer relationship management tools.

Required Position Qualifications:

Eight (8) years of combined experience and/or education as described below:

Experience working in community, trade, or economic development with a focus on local or regional planning in two or more of the following areas:
• Knowledge of the Washington State Planning Enabling Act, Growth Management Act, State Environmental Policy Act, and Shoreline Management Act.
• Highly competent at writing and/or administering zoning code or development regulations
• Coordination and consultation with public officials and departments
• Conducting data collection analysis
• Analyzing and reviewing policies, rules, and laws.
• A minimum of one year of supervisory or management experience. Supervisory experience could include hiring staff, training and development, assigning work, evaluating performance, and taking corrective action. Managerial experience could include project and program leadership, resource and financial management, strategy, and process optimization

Education involves land use planning, urban planning, public administration, public policy or related field. Qualifying education post High School or equivalent may be substituted year for year for experience.

Examples of how to qualify:
• 8 years of experience
• 7 years of experience and one year of education
• 6 years of experience and two years of education
• 5 years of experience and three years of education
• 4 years of experience and four years of education

Preferred/Desired Qualifications:
• Experience with Washington State planning and plan implementation procedures.
• Familiarity with local governance structures, including experience working with elected officials and staff at the local government level.
• Experience with the administration of state or federal grants.
• Certification by the American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP), or ability to obtain AICP certification within two years of appointment.
• Specialized training, experience, and knowledge related to climate change.
• Demonstrated experience managing complex planning projects.

Required Position Competencies:
• Intermediate skill level in the Microsoft Office Suite products including OneDrive, Teams, SharePoint, Excel, Word and Outlook.
• Ability to review material against criteria consistently and communicate changes needed for consistency in clear, concise language.
• Strong problem-solving skills, highly organized and detail oriented.
• Strong interpersonal skills with demonstrated ability to understand and appropriately respond to community, partner and stakeholder interests and needs.
• Demonstrated ability to exercise sound judgement and discernment, and the ability to understand the “big picture”.
• Strong anticipatory skills to see opportunities and needs.

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).

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 atcareershelp@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.