Grant and Loan Program Specialist (CS 3) DOH9016

Washington State Department of Health; Tumwater (WA); Hybrid; USD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

The Washington State Department of Health’s Office of Drinking Water seeks a Grant and Loan Program Specialist to administer statewide, federally funded drinking water grant and loan programs. This role develops program rules, evaluates existing funding, and implements new opportunities to help communities access critical drinking water infrastructure funding.

In a hybrid setting, you will collaborate with multiple teams, ensure compliance with state and federal requirements, and manage

Qualifications

• Experience with MS Excel for spreadsheet tasks and data management.
• Experience managing detailed, multifaceted projects and reporting progress to leadership.
• Knowledge of federal and state requirements for public works contracts and labor standards.

Responsibilities

• Evaluate existing grant and loan programs and identify opportunities for improvement.
• Develop program rules, guidelines, and funding requirements.
• Plan and implement program changes and new funding opportunities.
• Publish grant and loan funding opportunities and review applications.
• Determine funding awards and prepare grant and loan contracts.
• Manage grant and loan contracts through the lifecycle and ensure compliance.

Skills

MS Excel

MS Word

MS Outlook/Teams

Education

Bachelor’s degree or higher in finance / business administration / project management or related field

Tools

Contract management systems

Job description

Grant and Loan Program Specialist - Commerce Specialist 3 (CS 3)

Office of Financial Services – Environmental Public Health

This position offers a hybrid work arrangement, combining remote work with scheduled onsite work at our DOH facility in Tumwater, WA, approximately 3 days per week.

The Opportunity

The Washington State Department of Health (DOH), Office of Drinking Water (ODW), works to protect and improve the health of people in Washington by ensuring access to safe and reliable drinking water. Through the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF), ODW provides grants and loans to support public water systems in improving drinking water infrastructure.

As the Grant and Loan Program Specialist in ODW, this position administers statewide, federally funded drinking water grant and loan programs. The role evaluates and improves existing funding programs, develops program rules and guidelines, and implements new funding opportunities. Through collaboration, program development, and contract management, this position helps communities access funding for critical drinking water infrastructure while ensuring compliance with state and federal requirements.

Key Responsibilities Include

Program Development and Improvement

• Evaluate existing grant and loan programs and identify opportunities for improvement.
• Develop program rules, guidelines, and funding requirements.
• Plan and implement program changes and new funding opportunities.

Funding Administration

• Publish grant and loan funding opportunities.
• Review and evaluate grant and loan applications.
• Determine funding awards and prepare grant and loan contracts.

Contract Management and Compliance

• Manage grant and loan contracts throughout the contract lifecycle.
• Maintain complete program records documenting compliance with state and federal requirements.
• Ensure funding activities and contract files meet applicable program and regulatory requirements.

Why You’ll Love This Role

This role offers the opportunity to make a meaningful difference in communities across Washington by supporting investments in safe and reliable drinking water. By combining program development, funding administration, and contract management, the position helps strengthen drinking water infrastructure while ensuring responsible use of public funds. The work also provides opportunities to collaborate with colleagues and partners, improve statewide funding programs, and contribute to the long-term success of public health initiatives.

Required Qualifications

There are multiple pathways to qualify for this position. You must meet one of the options provided and any additional criteria listed. Experience may have been gained through paid or unpaid activities.

Please ensure any relevant experience defined below is outlined in your cover letter, resume, and/or applicant profile.

Option 1: 6 years of experience managing public works contracts for compliance with applicable federal and state requirements, including labor standards, domestic material sourcing, and environmental and historic preservation reviews.

Option 2: A Bachelor’s degree or higher in finance, business administration, project management or related field and three years of professional experience managing public works contracts for compliance with applicable federal and state requirements, including labor standards, domestic material sourcing, and environmental and historic preservation reviews.

Additional Required Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, And Experience

• Experience will include practical skills in MS Excel for spreadsheet tasks, database management, MS Word for document creation and formatting, and MS Outlook/Teams or similar email systems for electronic correspondence.
• Experience managing detailed, multifaceted projects, including coordinating tasks, guiding team members, and reporting progress to project leadership.

Preferred Qualifications

• Direct experience with Davis - Bacon, prevailing wage standards.
• Direct experience with American Iron and Steel, domestic material sourcing contracts
• Understanding of reviews required under the National/State Environmental Policy Act and Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 (NHPA).

Employee Benefits

We want you to have the support and benefits you need to do your best work while building a career that fits your life. As a DOH employee, you’ll have access to a comprehensive benefits package that supports your health, financial well-being, and work-life balance, with resources to support you now and help you plan for the future. Learn more about DOH benefits and what it’s like to work with us by visiting Work@Health .

About The Washington State Department Of Health

We're nearly 2,700 professionals across Washington working together to protect and improve community health. Guided by our values of Equity, Innovation, and Engagement, we address health disparities, respond to emerging challenges, and strengthen systems that support resilience.

At DOH, we help reduce barriers, collaborate with diverse communities, and champion equitable health outcomes. We're passionate people who are driven to make a difference in public health . Our work depends on people who take action to learn and grow and who take action to meet the needs of others every day, in service of a healthier Washington. Explore more about the Department of Health, our programs, and our impact by visiting our website .

Working Conditions

Work Setting, including hazards

Work is performed almost exclusively indoors in an office environment. Exposure to hazards is limited to those commonly found in government office environments. Work is performed in office three days a week due to file management restrictions and two days from home.

Schedule (i.e., hours and days):

Standard business hours are Monday – Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., but the incumbent may be expected to adjust the work schedule to meet business needs. Work is performed in office three days a week due to file management restrictions and two days from home.

Travel Requirements

Some travel is required and is typically local or regional, to meet with clients, conduct business, or attend or provide training.

Tools and Equipment

Duties require the use of standard office furniture and equipment (e.g., desk, filing cabinet, computer, printer, telephone, fax machine, copy machine, etc.).

Customer Interactions

Frequent contact (likely daily) with clients, including some contact with those who may be angry, distraught, or frustrated.

Other:

This position is covered by a bargaining unit for which the Washington Federation of State Employees (WFSE) is the exclusive representative. The DOH campus is a smoke-free, drug-free, alcohol-free, scent-neutral environment. This position may be required to conduct and/or participate in public health emergency preparedness and response activities.

Veterans Preference

We value the experience and skill veterans bring to the workforce and encourage veterans, transitioning service members, and military spouses to apply. Eligible veterans may qualify for veterans’ preference in accordance with Washington State Law. If you are claiming veterans’ preference, you must attach your applicable DD‑214, NGB Form 22, or other equivalent discharge or separation documentation. Please redact your social security number, date of birth, and any other sensitive information before uploading and attaching the document.

Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion

We regard diversity as the foundation of our strength, recognizing that differing insights and abilities enable us to reflect the unique needs of the communities we serve. DOH is an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, ethnicity, color, creed, religion, national origin, citizenship or immigration status, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, age, the presence or perception of a disability, honorably discharged veteran or military status, genetic information, or any other basis protected by law.

Questions and Accommodations:

If you have questions, need assistance with the application process, require an accommodation, or would like to request this posting in an alternative format, please contact Andrea Thieme at [e-mail] and reference DOH9016.

Supplemental Information

This recruitment may be used to fill positions of the same job classification across the agency. Once all the position(s) from the recruitment are filled, the candidate pool may be used to fill additional open positions for the next sixty (60) days.