What are the responsibilities and job description for the QA Manager (COM 3) with in-training option position at State of Washington?
THIS IS AN INTERNAL POSTING FOR CURRENT COMMERCE EMPLOYEES
QA Manager (COM 3) with in-training option
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.The Housing Division (HD) 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.
The Office of Homeless Youth Prevention and Protection Programs (OHY) in HD manages state funding and directs the state’s efforts to address youth and young adult homelessness. Youth of color and those who identify as 2SLGBTQIA experience homelessness and housing instability at higher rates than their peers. The OHY strives to achieve equity for these youth and places youth at the center of funding, practice, and policy decisions. The OHY is responsible for leading efforts to coordinate a spectrum of ongoing and future funding, policy, and practice efforts to improve the safety, health, and well-being of homeless youth in Washington State.
This position reports to the OHY Quality Assurance Director and supports OHY’s work by providing subject matter expertise on a portfolio of existing OHY programs and new initiatives to meet the varied and unique needs of youth and young adults statewide. It develops program policy, procedures, and guidelines; conducts programmatic risk assessments and monitoring; provides technical assistance and training on best practices and requirements to grantees and collaborate across units and with partner agencies.
Tasks include:
• Develop programmatic and administrative risk assessments and monitoring compliance tools
and reports.
• Collaborate with OHY grant managers to conduct programmatic and administrative risk
assessments, including evaluating other HD Units working with grantees for more
comprehensive program analysis.
• Evaluate program activities and monitor grant compliance by reviewing program fiscal and
service delivery to ensure compliance, effectiveness, and advance equitable outcomes for
youth of color and those who identify as 2SLGBTQIA .
• Conduct annual program monitoring, onsite or at the desk, to ensure compliance with policy,
procedures, and guidelines, including assessment of projects that need support in meeting
state goals.
• Include Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-Bound (SMART) goals like
race and equity, low barriers, youth and young adult voice in all our programs.
• Work with HD Contract Compliance Supervisor to develop corrective action plans and
technical assistance.
• Inform grant managers of most current compliance practices for contract management.
• Work with the Data and Performance Unit (DPU), the youth and young adults performance
specialist, and the youth and young adults data manager to review data and analyze
program performance and program data compliance.
• Synthesize elements of grant requirements to grant managers to bridge the gap between
data and grant components. Develop and maintain cooperative relationships with grantees.
• Inform decisions regarding performance and data collection to ensure meaningful analysis.
• Participate in stakeholder and agency workgroups regarding program and service delivery
(for example, Extended Foster Care workgroup, Group Care Licensing workgroup, Statewide
Initiatives.)
Tasks include:
• Develop, maintain, and update program policies, procedures, guidelines, programmatic-
related forms, and objectives for grants administered through the OHY.
• Serve as subject-matter expert on a portfolio of programs.
• Manage stakeholder processes to review program changes, including youth and young adult
lived expertise.
• Identify and promote best practices and efficient program designs that center the needs of
youth and young adults who experience higher rates of homelessness and housing
instability, such as BIPOC, 2SLGBTQIA , and young people with disabilities.
• Coordinate with the Best Practices Manager and Quality Assurance Director to assist in
developing and guiding new programs and initiatives.
• Assist in the development and guidance of new programs and initiatives.
• Participate in team and unit meetings to review grant activities, priorities, and procedures and
handle complex and conflicting issues.
Tasks include:
• Provide advanced technical assistance and training to meet grant programmatic and
administrative requirements.
• Provide a variety of technical assistance and training opportunities for grantees, including but
not limited to onsite visits, monthly virtual office hours, program-specific webinars, learning
circles, and written training manuals.
• Provide direct assistance to grantees who must comply with programmatic, administrative, or
performance requirements. Participate in stakeholder and agency workgroups regarding
program and service delivery.
• Seven years total of professional experience in community, trade or economic development with a focus in housing or homelessness services, youth development, mental/behavioral health or related field
OR
• Seven years total combination of professional and/or lived experience, and post-high school equivalent formal education (including college level coursework, technical and/or vocational education and/or certification programs. Combinations could include but not are not limited to:
o Five years of professional experience AND two years lived experience (see below for definition of
lived experience),
OR
o Associate’s degree AND two years lived experience AND three years of professional experience,
OR
o Associate’s degree AND five years of professional experience
OR
o Bachelor’s degree AND three years of professional experience,
OR
o Bachelor’s degree AND two years lived experience AND one year of professional experience,
*A graduate or advanced degree may substitute for one year of the required professional experience.• Lived experience with housing instability and/or experience navigating and receiving services from public systems such as homeless and housing services systems, foster care, the criminal legal system, or
behavioral health system will substitute for two years of professional experience.
o 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.
• Experience and understanding the principles and best practices of homelessness, housing and/or social service programs.Required Qualifications for Commerce Specialist 2 In Training to Commerce Specialist 3:
• Six years total of professional experience in community, trade or economic development with a focus in
housing or homelessness services, youth development, mental/behavioral health or related field
OR
• Six years total combination of professional and/or lived experience, and post-high school equivalent formal
education (including college level coursework, technical and/or vocational education and/or certification
programs. Combinations could include but not are not limited to:
o Four years of professional experience AND two years lived experience (see below for definition of
lived experience),
OR
o Associates degree AND two years lived experience AND two years of professional experience,
OR
o Associates degree AND four years of professional experience
OR
o Bachelor’s degree AND two years lived experience
OR
o Bachelor’s degree AND two years of professional experience,
*A graduate or advanced degree may substitute for one year of the required professional experience.• Lived experience with housing instability and/or experience navigating and receiving services from public
systems such as homeless and housing services systems, foster care, the criminal legal system, or
behavioral health system will substitute for two years of professional experience.
o 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.
o Experience and understanding the principles and best practices of homelessness, housing and/or social
service programs.
• Experience and understanding the principles and best practices of homelessness, housing and/or social service programs.Preferred/Desired Qualifications:
• Understanding of the intersection of race and gender as it relates to efforts to address homelessness.
• Experience with state contracting procedures and systems.
• Experience working with or for Human Service oriented non-profit agencies.
• Experience working with Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) data and performance measurement.
• Knowledge of specific housing and fiscal data systems such as the Department of Commerce’s Contracts Management System (CMS).
• Experience providing technical assistance to others.
• Experience developing and/or delivering training.
• Experience monitoring programs, projects, and/or contracts.
• Experience developing, maintaining, and updating program policies, procedures, guidelines, objectives, and/or programmatic-related forms.
• Experience working with youth and young adults who experience higher rates of homelessness and housing instability, such as BIPOC, 2SLGBTQIA , and young people with disabilities.
• Experience working with or as a participant in stakeholder and/or agency workgroups regarding program and service delivery (for example, Extended Foster Care workgroup, Group Care Licensing workgroup, Statewide Initiatives.)
• Experience creating data visualizations, reviewing data, and/or analyzing program performance and program data compliance.
• Experience with one or more program subject areas including state and federal housing assistance eligibility requirements, street outreach methodologies, licensing requirements for residential programs serving minors, and lease, income verification, and payment standards for the provision of rental assistance.
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).
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.
This 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 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.
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.
Salary : $64,440 - $86,712
