Contract Specialist (COM2)

About the Department

Contract Specialist (COM2)
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 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.

This position works within the Community Economic Opportunities (CEO) Unit of CSD and is responsible for specific tasks within the State Home Energy Assistance Program (SHEAP). Primary duties include implementing SHEAP compliance and monitoring procedures, conducting training and technical assistance, and performance of outreach to include presentations to various partner groups. The Commerce Specialist 2 must possess the knowledge and skills to manage and maintain documentation and tracking systems for contractor invoices and understand state regulations and work practice standards, follow procedures and recommend system improvements, provide compliance assistance, perform reviews, and recommend actions. This position provides technical assistance to state and local agencies and the general public.

This is a project position with a projected end date of July 31, 2027. 

Position Duties

Compliance, Review, and Technical Assistance:
• Manages and maintains documentation and tracking systems for contractor invoices and spending
• Prepares initial notice, review, and final monitoring documents, as needed. Identify and respond to contractors’ needs. Keep Commerce Specialist 3 and Commerce Specialist 5 apprised of compliance issues.
• Coordinates, supports and co-facilitates contractor workgroup meetings and partner training sessions in multiple formats, including, but not limited to, in-person, virtual, recorded, etc.
• Provides ongoing technical assistance to contractors on items such as program policy/guidance and billing. Elevates complex or unique technical assistance requests to the supervisor.
• Reviews, tracks, and analyzes contractor technical assistance trends and makes recommendations to the supervisor.
• Reviews policy and contractor issues with contracted service providers. Provides recommendations and elevate complex policy issues to the supervisor for resolution.
• Conducts desk audits to determine compliance with program rules and laws.
• Provide recommendations to Commerce Specialist 3 and Commerce Specialist 5 on programmatic requests from contractors.
• Assists Commerce Specialist 3 with fair hearings with SHEAP clients requiring further review of their eligibility and/or benefit calculation.

Process Improvements:
• Research best practices for state/federal compliance and enforcement activities to develop and implement SHEAP compliance protocols.
• Ensure state/federal regulations are applied consistently, effectively, and in a fair manner.
• Engage in continuous quality review processes for grantee program management tools including systems such as monitoring and risk management protocols; community, services, and agency assessments; and performance tracking.

Minimum Qualifications

Required Position Qualifications:
Six (6) years of combined education and/or experience as described below:

• Qualifying experience includes, but is not limited to:
   o Demonstrated success supporting community-based organizations or implementing public programs
   o Strong facilitation, coaching, and relationship-building skills across diverse partners
   o Lived experience with serving communities impacted by economic exclusion may substitute for one year 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, volunteer role/capacity, any experience gained outside of professional paid and unpaid    experience, academic or a combination of experiences. The above-listed experience will demonstrate that a candidate possesses the necessary    knowledge, skills, abilities, and competencies to successfully qualify for and perform the duties of the position.
• Qualifying education post High School or equivalent may be substituted year for year for experience.

Education can include:
o A degree in any applicable field. This can include:
- Human resources, organizational development, education, business management, sociology, applied science, public relations, public affairs, community relations, public health, public policy, or any related field.

Examples of how to qualify:
o 6 years of experience
o 5 years of experience and one year of education
o 4 years of experience and two years of education
o 3 years of experience and three years of education
o 2 years of experience and four years of education
o 1 years of experience and five 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:
• One (1) year experience working in or with non-profit organizations, community action agencies, municipalities, and/or Native American Tribal organizations.
• Strong customer service skills in a variety of settings, including facilitating or participating in workgroups or committees, providing technical assistance and training to contractors, responding to constituent and public inquiries and concerns, and working with the SHEAP/LIHEAP team.

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: [email protected]- please reference the job number in your message.

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 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 at [email protected].
 
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 [email protected].  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

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Agency Information

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View Job Posting for Location, Washington, 98504 Website http://www.careers.wa.gov