Commerce Specialist

Commerce Specialist 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.

Let’s build what’s next, together.

The Local Government Division (LGD) partners with local governments, nonprofits, and others to strengthen the ability of all forms of local government and community‑based organizations to fund and develop critical services to their citizens. The division provides leadership in local government finance and statewide infrastructure initiatives that help create and retain jobs. We also provide grants, loans, and planning and technical assistance to local governments for community development needs, infrastructure improvements, and economic development opportunities.

The Public Works Board (PWB) assists local governments in meeting their critical infrastructure needs by providing technical assistance, training, and funding for basic public works infrastructure including water, wastewater, stormwater, roads/streets, bridges, solid waste/recycling/organics and broadband systems.

• Develop work methods and administrative procedures to implement the Board Programs, determine/assess program and organizational goals/timelines, and project/adjust resource assignment levels associated with business need and requirements.
• Manage the loan portfolio of the PWB for adherence to state and federal regulations. Develop, implement and maintain systems for contractor authority, invoicing, reasonableness, approval and processing.
• Plan, monitor, oversee, and adjust budget elements necessary to implement the PWB contracts and the technical assistance and educational programs. Participate for awareness in divisional quarterly Financial Status Review processes and direct adjustments in spending patterns to program and project managers.
• Ensure program compliance with applicable agency policies, procedures and contract requirements by reviewing and approving all PWB contract templates prior to circulating them to the Executive Director and Assistant Attorney General (AAG) for approval and approving all final contracts prior to client signature.
• Oversee the PWB Assistance Loan and Grant Programs project selection processes, which include developing and implementing application processes, guidelines and scoring criteria, consulting with legal counsel and outside stakeholders and regulatory agencies as needed, overseeing scoring and selection processes, and making recommendations to the Board.
• Develop program contract terms, policies and procedures; ensuring that policies and procedures are effectively aligned with statutes and rules, the PWB and agency’s strategic plan and performance expectations.
• Designate and monitor PWB programs metrics and performance measures to ensure program implementation aligns with strategic objectives. Summarize program information and provide recommendations to leadership.
• Works in collaboration with the Executive Director of the PWB in developing and implementing Board policies and programs by providing essential policy and technical leadership, serving as the conduit between PWB program managers and the Unit and Board leadership, including facilitating opportunities for Board input related to policy and legal strategy.
• Oversee, guide and coach project and program managers on the technical assistance and outreach being provided to applicants. On a case‑by‑case basis, directly provide complex technical assistance to prospective applicants.
• Guide the programs team…