Community Engagement Specialist

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.
Community Engagement Specialist
The position proactively engages, conducts outreach to and collaborates with communities of all types throughout the region to support the goal of strong, sustainable, equitable and vibrant communities. This position also serves as a navigator, assisting community leaders and equity-focused groups in understanding and accessing Commerce resources and funding, as well as other sources of funding and support. Responsible for engaging and assisting agency staff as needed, including serving in a facilitative role. The position also reflects community needs to the agency and advises on development of agency programs and offerings that respond to local needs, including emphasizing equitable access and investment of funding. This position helps strengthen and maintain local community capacity and prioritizes service to small, rural and historically underserved and marginalized communities.
The position works collaboratively within the Community Engagement and Outreach Team, which includes Community Engagement Unit that serves other regions of the state, Childcare Partnership Grants, Family Friendly Workplaces, and the Small Business Resiliency Network. Many projects are conducted together as a team, including developing approaches, processes, communications, tools, tracking and metrics, and managing special projects. This position reports to the Community Engagement Managing Director.
The objective for this position is to represent Commerce as an agency community liaison.
Based in Clark County- (Fully telecommuted and Home-Based Duty Station), to serve Clark, Cowlitz, Pacific, Skamania, and Wahkiakum Counties and occasional support in the following counties and communities: Grays Harbor, Lewis, Pierce, and Thurston.
DUTIES:

• Establish and maintain relationships with community leaders, stakeholders, Commerce partners, customers, and stakeholders, including but not limited to local governments, tribes, community-based organizations, nonprofits, advocacy groups, other funders, and businesses.
• Serve as a navigator to help communities identify how Commerce, state government, and others can partner to advance their community needs, respond to opportunities and address emergencies.
• Proactively work to understand the unique needs of local areas, populations, communities and tribes, and provide support to local staff and leadership in accessing resources and programs that are relevant to their needs and interests.
• Assess organizational capacity of organizations and entities and determine opportunities to assist with capacity development and readiness to successfully compete for funding.
• Independently determine the level of involvement with stakeholders and other staff including higher-level management within and/or across organizations and appropriately navigate highly political situations.
• Help key leaders identify, prioritize, and plan for meeting community needs. Conduct and facilitate engagement efforts, as needed.
• Assist communities during and after disasters and emergency events by visiting the impacted area, serving as the point of contact with local leadership, coordinating with state leadership and resources, and assisting as necessary.
• Provide professional staffing support to the Commerce Director at events and meeting with communities within the region. Make recommendations for stakeholder engagements and assist with logistics and preparation.
• Maintain collaborative partnership with Governor's Office Regional Outreach colleagues.
• Manage multiple priorities and effectively manage time to ensure ability to meet commitments.
• Conduct outreach to community leaders and other partners to collaborate on specific projects and strategic opportunities and plans.
• Proactively engage with diverse and historically marginalized and underserved communities and organizations to increase awareness of opportunities and resources and equitable access.
• Participate in relevant community meetings, conferences and other events to educate stakeholders about Commerce partnership opportunities and to offer technical support.
• Develop and distribute communications and outreach materials, including summary information; online content; presentations; reports; graphic representations of data; and other materials for executive management, elected officials and staff, partners, community leaders and other stakeholders.
• Identify and pursue funding opportunities that could support enhancing community capacity.
• Conduct outreach to convene and facilitate community leaders and other partners to collaborate on specific projects and strategic opportunities and plans.
• Contribute to and occasionally lead efforts and projects that support agency priorities of strengthening communities, and of equitably supporting and investing in Washington's communities through implementation of the Capital Funding Equity Review Legislative Report recommendations and strategic plan.
• Report daily client contact information in data collection system.
• Assess effectiveness of Community Engagement and equity efforts and projects and develop plans and recommendations for improving them.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:
Bachelor's Degree, preferably in community or economic development, public administration, communications or a related field; 4 years professional experience in community or economic development, preferably involving local government, state government, non-profit sector, for-profit sector, and community-based organizations, including intercultural work and engagement with diverse multicultural communities and organizations.
OR

An Associate's degree, preferably in community or economic development, public administration, communications or related field and 6 years of professional experience in community or economic development, preferably involving local government, state government, non-profit sector, for-profit sector, and community-based organizations, including intercultural work and engagement with diverse multicultural communities and organizations.
AND

• Fluent English speaker, reader and writer.
• Working knowledge of Community Engagement principles and practices.
• Exceptional interpersonal skills with demonstrated ability to conduct outreach and invite engagement, initiate and maintain positive and effective relationships, and work collaboratively and effectively with a broad spectrum of individuals and groups internally and outside the agency.
• Ability to communicate persuasively at all levels of the agency and externally.
• Understanding of local, state level government; tribal governments, organizations; and legislative processes, including successful experience navigating in a political environment.
• Experience working with non-profit sector; business sector; philanthropy; community-based organizations including inter-cultural organizations;
• Effective listening, verbal, written and digital communication skills that are appropriate for a variety of audiences.
• Experience successfully using a variety of media channels, including developing outreach materials, external communication pieces such as short and long reports, proposals, summaries, project plans, newsletters, and social media.
• Highly developed anticipatory and creative thinking and problem solving abilities, including ability to exercise sound judgment and discernment.
• Ability to plan and coordinate successful completion of complex projects.
• Experience working on issues related to equity, environmental and/or racial justice, including supporting integration into organizational practices and policies.
• Ability to work independently and also as part of a team to develop and achieve agency goals.

To be considered for this position the following are needed:

• A complete and detailed online application
• A Cover letter (enter online)
• At least three (3) professional references (enter online)

For questions about this recruitment, please contact Elly Price at Elly.Price@Commerce.wa.govThis 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 call Human Resources at (360) 725-2650. 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.
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.
Employment Type: Full Time - Permanent