Contract Specialist (CS3)

  • State of Washington
  • Olympia, Washington
  • Full Time

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

Respect | Trust | Diversity | Inclusion | Equity

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 leverage best practices and partner focus for every stage of creating and managing a contract.
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. While building contract agreements and organizing priorities for partners, your attention to detail and long-term planning will be key for success.

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 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 Bachelors degree = 4 years)
*Relevant education will include major study in Business or Public Administration, business law, commerce, mathematics, statistics, economics, or closely allied field.
  • Must be able to understand and follow agency values of respect, trust, diversity, equity, and inclusion through behaviors and decisions.
Experience must include three (3) years of the following:
  • 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 computer programs to write documents, send emails, and edit spreadsheets.
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 partners while using Lean concepts and tools to review, develop, and implement business processes, which result in faster and more efficient service delivery to customers.
  • Contract and Procurement experience
  • 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:
  • This position, while mostly a telework role, will require you to report to our Olympia, WA offices at times for team meetings, trainings, and infrequent tasks. You must be onsite for required activities.
  • Prior to a new hire, a pre-employment screening, including criminal record history, will be conducted. Information from the pre-employment check will not necessarily preclude employment but will be considered in determining the applicants 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 ensure that people with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations.
For information about available accommodations, the interview process, or the position contact Kyle Odell.

Supplemental Information

Come join us in changing the way government delivers services and help build a legacy of commitment to and excellence in diversity, equity, and inclusion!

How to Apply:
  • Select the apply button at the top of this job announcement.
  • Please ensure your application includes three (3) professional references.
  • Attach the following:
    • Current Resume.
    • A Letter of Interest.
Incomplete applications may disqualify you from eligibility for the position. Please ensure all application areas, including supplemental questions and attachments are fully completed. You are welcome to include the name and pronoun you would like to be referred to in your materials and we will honor this as you interact with our award-winning diverse and inclusive organization.
We value diverse perspectives and life experiences.
We employ and serve people of all backgrounds including people of color, immigrants, refugees, women, LGBTQ+, people with disabilities, and veterans. We value the unique traits and attributes that each employee brings to the job. Through the diverse perspectives of an inclusive workforce, we will create a more respectful, productive, and unified team to better serve the public of Washington.

Veteran/Military Spouse Preference Notice To take advantage of veteran/military spouse preference, please notify the Recruitment Team . Use a subject line that includes the title of this position.
The Washington State Department of Licensing is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of age, sex (including gender identity), marital status, sexual orientation, race, religion, creed, color, national origin, honorably discharged veteran or military status, or the presence of any sensory, mental, or physical disability or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with a disability.
Persons requiring accommodation in the application process, during the recruitment process, or who need this job announcement in an alternative format, may contact the Human Resources Office at ... or may email .... Applicants who are deaf or hard of hearing may call our ASL interpreter via Video Phone at ....
The candidate pool certified from this recruitment may be used to fill future similar vacancies for up to sixty days.
Job ID: 483747587
Originally Posted on: 7/2/2025

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