Contract Specialist

We are dedicated to growing a culture of belonging through our values:

Respect | Trust | Diversity | Inclusion | Equity

First round interviews will be held March 21st, 2024. You must be available on that day for interviews to be considered for the position.

At the Department of Licensing (DOL), we recognize the importance of work life harmony and work hard to create a culture where employees feel valued and respected. Our employees are trusted and encouraged to be a part of process improvements that impact their work, create value for our customers and help build trust in our government.

Our Contracts and Procurement unit is recruiting a Contracts Specialist with the ability to provide accurate and timely consultation services, administration, and oversight for agency procurement and contracting activities.
The Department of Licensing is one of the most public facing state agencies and the second largest revenue generating agency in Washington State. Our team is looking for a confident and experienced researcher to help ensure our business license programs are meeting requirements. We regularly interact with over 8 million Washingtonians and collect approximately $3 billion in taxes and fees annually. We know our services are essential to our customers’ ability to live, work, drive, and thrive and we are committed to ensuring every resident has equitable and meaningful access to our services.
Are you well versed in compliance with contracting and procurement regulations, policies, and procedures? If so, please read on.

Duties

As the Contracts Specialist you will be responsible for drafting, reviewing, negotiating, executing, and managing assigned contracts and agreements for the agency. Your attention to detail, analytical abilities, and impeccable writing skills will be vital to your success as you will create professional and legally compliant documents following RCW, policy, procedure, and guidelines. You will research applicable laws and policies and work with the program area contract managers to ensure policies and processes are followed for the life cycle of our contracts.

Some of what you will be doing:

• Independently plan, manage, and conduct solicitations for contracts of varying complexity while consulting with customers, vendors, and team members.
• Create professional, technical, and compliant documents, negotiation terms, and performance work statements based on RCW, policy, procedure, and guidelines.
• Provide oversight and assistance to assigned contract managers on contracts, vendors, contract payments, tracking of terms, and planning for scope or cost changes.
• Support DOL by acting as facilitator, mediator, and direct point of contact for customers, vendors, and contract managers.
• Serve as a contracting, procurement, and contract/vendor management process subject matter expert including coaching, educating, and supporting DOL staff.
• Partner with contract managers on contract/vendor management best practices, processes, policies, and procedures for new and existing contracts, and/or acquiring goods and services.

Qualifications

What you will bring (Required):

• Seven (7) years of professional experience in negotiating, administering, managing, contract compliance administration, terminating contracts, contract property management, contract cost or price analysis.

Up to four (4) years of relevant education* may substitute year for year for experience.
(Associates degree = 2 years Bachelor’s degree = 4 years)
*Relevant education will include major study in Information Management, Computer Science, Business or Public Administration, business law, commerce, mathematics, statistics, economics, or closely allied field.
Experience must include three (3) years of the following experience:

• Performing risk analysis and applying contract specific mitigation strategies.
• Interpreting, explaining, and correctly applying relevant rules, laws, and regulations regarding contracts.
• Writing and communicating complex ideas to a variety of audiences in a clear, concise, and error-free manner.
• Providing excellent customer service, answering customer questions, and resolving complex customer issues including consultation or guidance while building relationships.
• Using Microsoft Office products with an emphasis on Word, Outlook, and Excel programs.

What may help set you apart (Preferred):

• Additional years of professional experience in negotiating, administering, managing, contract compliance administration, terminating contracts, contract property management, contract cost or price analysis.
• A Master's Degree in business administration, public administration, business law, commerce, economics, mathematics, statistics, or closely allied field or a Law Degree from an accredited college or university approved by the WA State Bar Association.
• Experience working with subject matter experts, program managers, and stakeholders and using Lean concepts and tools to review, develop, and implement business processes, which result in faster and more efficient service deliver to customers.
• Experience leading or facilitating project teams or programs, which could include creating project plans and goals, managing timelines and deliverables, risks, identifying desired outcomes and communicating statuses and other information to stakeholders and staff at all levels of an organization.
• Experience writing, creating, or delivering clear, concise, professional presentations or trainings through multiple formats such as technical reports, spreadsheets, summaries, PowerPoint, instructions, information/decision briefs, and other correspondence.

Additional Requirements of Employment:

• Prior to a new hire, a background check including criminal record history will be conducted. Information from the background check will not necessarily preclude employment but will be considered in determining the applicant’s suitability and competence to perform in the position.

DOL is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. In keeping with our commitment, we will take the steps to assure that people with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $5,341.00 - $7,184.00 per month

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Flexible schedule
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Health savings account
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Parental leave
• Professional development assistance
• Retirement plan
• Tuition reimbursement
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• 10 hour shift
• 8 hour shift
• Day shift
• Monday to Friday
• No nights
• No weekends

Ability to Relocate:

• Olympia, WA 98501: Relocate before starting work (Required)

Work Location: Hybrid remote in Olympia, WA 98501

Salary : $5,341 - $7,184