PWB Project Manager/Infrastructure Specialist

PWB Project Manager/ Infrastructure 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.

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.

This position is responsible to the Public Works Board (PWB) and reports to the Programs Director for the Board. As the program technical specialist, this position is responsible for providing technical support and guidance to local government clients to ensure compliance and success with the PWB funding programs. This position is responsible for providing advanced professional level financial and technical assistance to Washington's communities and implements the Public Works Board's (PWB) annual workplan. This position develops, negotiates, and monitors the technical aspects of PWB's programs utilized by local governments, elected officials, private entities, citizenry, technical experts, federal and state governmental program staff, as well as tribal nations.

Provides advanced professional level contract management assistance, from inception to closeout
Tasks include:

• Manage the full project lifecycle by developing, negotiating and monitoring the technical aspects of complex contracts between the PWB and local governments as well as providing technical assistance to local governments, ensuring contracts are successful and compliant with all state and federal regulations.
• Oversee the entire reimbursement process, from reviewing documentation to ensuring timely payments for public works projects.
• Prepare and present detailed reports to the Board, including rationale for project extensions and scope changes.
• Identify and resolve programmatic or funding conflicts, facilitating negotiated resolutions in compliance with state and federal regulations.
• Serve as a primary point of contact for local governments and their contractors, communicating complex contract requirements and technical specifications.
• Build and maintain cooperative relationships with key stakeholders, including government officials, business leaders, and community organizations, by attending industry conferences, forums and workshops hosted by the PWB.
• Maintain meticulous contract data and records within the PWB's systems, ensuring all documentation standards are met in accordance with PWB standards and providing clear communication to the Board and other interested parties.
• Monitor and enforce project timelines for construction and restoration, guiding clients through key milestones, time extensions, and contract closeout processes.
• Ensure all contractor deliverables are met, confirming that projects adhere to all state and federal requirements in a timely manner.
• Proactively identify and address discrepancies or issues that arise during the contract period, notifying supervisors and seeking swift resolution.

Technical assistance and partnerships
Tasks include:

• Provides advanced level technical assistance to local governments to help them maintain, develop, rehabilitate, construct, etc. infrastructure in support of public health and safety, economic development, and other state priorities.
• Provides outreach and technical assistance to potential clients, stakeholders, and other interested persons on accessing programs administered by the Public Works Board, the Department of Commerce (Commerce), and other state agencies in support of public health, safety, economic development and other state priorities.
• Attends, represents, and presents information on PWB program details at conferences, forums, and workshops hosted by the PWB, Department of Commerce, Infrastructure Assistance Coordinating Council (IACC) or other infrastructure forums.
• Research programmatic requirements to create and conduct Public Works Board program training, seminar and conference presentations.
• Develops and maintains relationships with existing and potential applicants, associations, collaborates with organizations (both state and federal), and other partner organizations.
• Organizes and leads technical assistance providing teams comprised of representatives from the primary providers of infrastructure assistance to local, state, and federal government agencies.
• Coordinates with the PWB team to implement infrastructure solutions and other Board priorities, including consideration of diversity, equity, and inclusion, climate resiliency and community and infrastructure sustainability.

Public Works Board Assistance
Tasks include:

• Provides assistance, as part of a team, to the Public Works Board to include, but is not limited to:

o Staffing Board committees or work groups

o Lead Ad Hoc Committees, as needed

o Work plan development and implementation

o Project management to support board initiatives

o Workload status reports

o Development of integrity, integration and automation of data across multiple systems

o Research and data synthesis as needed / assigned

o Continuous improvement initiatives

o Other duties as needs dictate

• Provides technical assistance in direct coordination with the PWB team, Commerce, and technical assistance initiatives including with Sync: System Improvement Team and the Small Communities Initiative and other stakeholder and partner organizations at all levels of government.

Assists with the contract activities of other programs within Commerce.
Tasks include:

• Cross trains and collaborates with unit staff on selected contract requirements.
• Consults with other unit staff to resolve contracting questions and issues.
• Provides contract management back up for other PWB team members.
• Serves on the scoring panel for other state-wide programs within the Local Government Division including but not limited to the Connecting Housing to Infrastructure Program (CHIP) or other agency infrastructure financing programs, as required.

Required Position Qualifications:
Seven (7) years of combined experience and/or education as described below: Experience working in community, trade, or economic development consisting of one or more of the following:

• Federal/state infrastructure financing
• Grant and loan administration
• Research and analysis related to local governments and infrastructure
• Communication as it relates to project management, contract management and contract negotiation

Education involves business, public administration or related field. Qualifying education post High School or equivalent may be substituted year for year for experience.

Examples of how to qualify:

• 7 years of experience
• 6 years of experience and one year of education
• 5 years of experience and two years of education
• 4 years of experience and three years of education
• 3 years of experience and four years of education
• 2 years of experience and five years of education
• 1 year of experience and six years of education

Required Position Competencies:

• Excellent interpersonal skills and the demonstrated ability to build trusting relationships and loyal partnerships with customers, employees, and executive management.
• Technical knowledge of Commerce Infrastructure program requirements related to financing, contract management, and compliance.
• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously and to participate in multi-stakeholder processes.
• Intermediate skill level in the Microsoft Office suite products including OneDrive, Teams, SharePoint, Excel, Word, and Outlook.

Preferred/Desired Qualifications:

• Experience working with state, federal or local policy boards.
• Experience collaborating, working with, and providing technical assistance to stakeholders including local, state, federal, and tribal partners.
• Proficient in the use of state agency accounting and finance database system

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: - please reference the job number in your message.

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 position is covered by a collective bargaining agreement.

This recruitment may be used to fill future vacancies over the next 60 days.

Technical support is provided by NEOGOV, can't log in, password or email issues, error messages). DES job seeker support may answer general questions regarding the recruiting system at

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 Applicants who are deaf or hard of hearing may call through the Washington Relay Service by dialing 7-1-1 or

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.