STEP Grant and Special Project Manager (COM 3)

STEP Grant and Special Project Manager (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 Office of Economic Development and Competitiveness (OEDC) partners with local, regional and international economic development agencies, companies, site selectors and decision makers to strengthen communities and grow Washington’s economy through increased exports, investment, retention and expansion.

The Small Business Export Assistance Team (SBEA) helps Washington small and medium-sized companies engage in successful international trade strategies through a range of support services and programs that help businesses enter and expand into key markets, increase sales revenue, and create living wage jobs.

This position is part of the Small Business Export Assistance (SBEA) Unit within OEDC and is responsible for managing the State Trade Expansion Program (STEP) under the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), including the STEP Export Voucher Program administration. It serves as the primary liaison with grantors on policy, reporting, and administrative processes. The position also implements key special projects, including outreach and export promotion to expand the number of small and medium-sized exporters statewide. Additionally, the role represents Commerce at professional groups and community events to promote SBEA programs and services, strengthening international trade opportunities for small businesses in rural communities. This role requires professional-level expertise and substantive knowledge of regulations, rules, policies, and procedures to ensure the division meets critical deadlines and program goals.STEP Grant Management
Serve as the agency’s subject matter expert and program lead for the State Trade Expansion Program (STEP) administered by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) to help Eligible Small Business Concerns (ESBCs)s and tribes grow through exports, including small businesses from rural communities.
Tasks include:
Grant Preparation, Submission, Budget Monitoring, Financial Reporting, and Compliance
• Manage the full lifecycle of the STEP federal grant, including annual grant application preparation and submission, award set-up and closeout, monitoring progress toward program goals and performance metrics, and overall program administration.
• Serve as the primary liaison with the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) on grant administration matters, including award announcements, reporting, revisions, and other programmatic communications.
• Oversee the overall grant budget, coordinate invoice payments, track expenditures, prepare accurate financial and performance reports, and ensure full utilization of STEP funds.
• Ensure compliance with federal program regulations and applicable state policies, including documentation standards, reporting requirements, and coordination of federal and state audits.
• Maintain audit-ready program documentation and internal controls to support federal and state monitoring, audits, and compliance reviews for the STEP grant.

STEP Export Voucher Program
• Manage the Export Voucher Program to maximize the participation of ESBCs in eligible trade activities, including trade shows, missions, and export trainings which result in new export sales.
• Serve as the subject matter expert for export voucher questions and manages Export Voucher applications and required documentation from the ESBCs for participation in the program.
• Review and ensure ESBC eligibility and compliance in relation to the STEP Grant’s programmatic requirements.
• Manage weekly STEP Committee meetings, reviewing export voucher applications, contacting companies when missing information, and notifying companies of award status.
• Monitors budget for vouchers, tracking spending and allocation in compliance with federal grant requirements.
• Manage receipts and required documentation for reimbursement payments to ESBCs, process voucher reimbursements, and follow up with outstanding vouchers.
• Survey participating ESBCs for feedback and new export sales results, as required by the STEP Grant.

Database Management and Reporting
Tasks include:
• Serve as the Subject Matter Expert (SME) for the client relationship management (CRM) system, managing 7,000+ accounts and tracking over $1 billion in sales results to help direct SBEA’s allocation of resources and support a high level of client service.
• Develop and implement best practices and training for SBEA users, ensuring client records and program data are complete and accurate.
• Monitor and validate STEP grant tracking system data to ensure accuracy and completeness for quarterly reports submitted to the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA).
• Produces Salesforce reports for the quarterly Performance Progress Reports (PPR) and other STEP reporting required by SBA for the STEP Grant reports.
• Prepares reports and supporting documentation for inclusion in annual STEP grant applications.
• Collect data, analyze, and prepare reports for the SBEA unit using Salesforce and WISERTrade.
• Produce monthly and annual reports in collaboration with agency communications to highlight SBEA’s activities and results for targeted metrics.

Small Business Export Client Services – Outreach and Marketing
Tasks include:
• Conducts outreach to ESBCs by delivering presentations on the STEP program and approved activities that support export sales, helping small businesses and tribes enter export markets and assisting current exporters in expanding into new markets.
• Promotes the STEP program by collaborating with statewide and regional partners, including but not limited to Associate Development Organizations (ADOs) network, Greater Seattle Partners (GSP), Washington Small Business Development Center (SBDC), Washington Export Outreach Team (WEOT), Export Finance Assistance Center of Washington (EFACW), Washington Economic Development Association (WEDA), and local chambers of commerce to expand export opportunities for Washington small businesses.
• Guide Washington small businesses to internal SBEA subject-matter experts for guidance on international trade issues, including export and import operations, pricing, financing, logistics, intellectual property, tariffs and supply chains disruptions.
• Prepare memos outlining overseas consultants’ scope of work in collaboration with the SBEA MD and OEDC Contract team.
• Track and assist with overseas consultants contracts; monitoring projects deadlines, invoices, and performance reports.
• Review, verify, and deliver the Certificate of Free Sale program for clients, in collaboration with the OEDC notary.
• Serve as SBEA point of contact for internal and external inquiries.Required Position Qualifications:
Seven (7) years of combined experience and/or education as described below:
Experience must include:
• Three (3) years of professional experience working in government programs, community, international trade, or economic development, with a focus on small businesses in rural communities.
• Experience implementing, managing, and reporting on federal grant programs.
• Experience managing Salesforce or comparable client relationship management (CRM) databases to track engagements and outcomes and produce reports

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

Required Position Competencies:
• Ability to write clearly, present information effectively, and speak publicly to diverse audiences.
• Demonstrated ability to implement, manage, and report on federal grant programs.
• Good understanding of international business development principles and practices
• Familiarity with the benefits of exports in helping small business diversify and build resilience.
• Proven ability to prioritize and manage multiple complex projects and deadlines in a fast-paced environment
• Skilled in working with business leaders, trade partners, and public stakeholders from diverse backgrounds and industries
• Intermediate skill level with Microsoft Office 365 applications, including Excel and Word
• Proficient with OneDrive, Teams, SharePoint, and Outlook
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision

To be considered for this position the following are needed:

• A complete and detailed online application.
• A cover letter (enter online).
• At least threeprofessional references(enter online).

For questions about this recruitment, please contact our recruitment team via email: comrecruitment@commerce.wa.gov - 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 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 atcareershelp@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.