Preservation Specialist; COM

Housing Preservation Specialist (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.

Housing Division partners with local governments, Tribes, housing authorities, nonprofits and other organizations to develop and preserve affordable housing, promote individual and family self‑sufficiency, and reduce adult and youth homelessness.

This position works within the Multifamily Housing Unit of HD and is responsible for specific tasks within the State Housing Trust Fund, Housing Preservation Program and the federal HOME and National Housing Trust Fund programs. The role is a technical specialist in real estate development and finance. It develops, negotiates, and manages key terms and conditions for state and federally funded contracts that specialize in the development of affordable housing for low‑income and special‑needs populations.

The position updates and maintains Commerce databases to ensure accurate project data is available and establishes program priorities and policies to ensure affordable low‑income housing units are created and preserved from the time of award through to the project’s long‑term period of performance.

• Implement proviso programs as outlined within each section of the HTF budgets to ensure legislative intent is met.
• Participate in the MHU resource allocation process by providing technical assistance to applicants requesting funds from the Housing Preservation Program (HPP).
• Review, analyze, and score project applications using the HPP Funder Application, Housing Trust Fund Handbook, Federal Guidebooks and Notice of Funding Availability guidelines to recommend to MHU management for investment of state funds.
• Manage new awards assigned in each funding round. Process consistent and timely updates into the Commerce Contract Management Services (CMS) and Housing Contract Management Services (HCMS) database systems and project files (electronic and physical).
• Review, analyze, and present for approval project scope, contract terms based on current approved terms established by MHU, financial structures for long‑term project sustainability, and key performance measures to unit management team members.
• Coordinate with contracting specialists, clients, developers, and attorneys to ensure the development and execution of contracts meet approved terms established by RCWs or MHU written policy.
• Facilitate real estate closings by:
  • Ensure escrow has received closing instructions.
  • Ensure recording package with all recordable documents has been completed.
  • Ensure predetermined closing funds are agreed upon with a signed A‑19 for closing draw disbursement and align with the project budget.
  • Ensure all recorded document copies are received for the project file.
• Coordinate and communicate with other private‑and public‑financing partners and third‑party consultants involved with projects.
• Troubleshoot and problem‑solve contract, construction, and project schedule‑related issues, including technical assistance and renegotiation of financial structure, when necessary.
• Monitor the project’s scope to ensure work completed is in alignment with funding request, contract terms and programmatic guidelines.
• Ensure timely workflow and…