The Contract Specialist III manages the Division’s contracts program. This is a special duty assignment open for qualified King County employees only. This position is responsible for compliance with policies and procedures, and laws and regulations governing contracts. The position provides technical advice to Division staff and reviews and recommends for approval, contract documents & any contract amendments. 

Division contracts range from major construction to consulting. They also include non-standard contracts and agreements with other governmental entities. The position guides the procurement process from inception to close-out. It oversees the construction contract prevailing wage and close-out programs. The position also develops contracting systems, writes Division policies and procedures, trains staff, and works closely with the County’s procurement agency.

Who May Apply: This position is open to all qualified King County employees.

Forms and Materials Required: Applicants must submit a (1) King County Application and a (2) letter of interest. The letter of interest should detail your background and describe how your education and experience meets the qualifications and has prepared you to perform the essential functions of the job.

Telecommuting Requirement 

The work associated with this position will be performed remotely on a full time basis. Employees will also have access to shared workspaces at King Street Center at 201 S. Jackson Street in downtown Seattle. There will be situations where the employee is required to report to a County worksite. Employees must reside in WA state and within a reasonable distance to their King County worksite to respond to workplace reporting requirements. 
 
Employees will be provided with a County issued laptop and must maintain a workspace with an internet connection (access may be supplemented in some situations) where they can reliably perform work and remain available and responsive during scheduled work hours. Please note that when an employee conducts work that is likely to bring them in contact with another individual, safety precautions are required by the department in alignment with the Public Health Directive from the Seattle & King County Public Health Officer. King County is doing its part to reduce the spread of COVID-19 and remains committed to reducing our carbon footprint. 
 
To support employees during this time King County has a robust collection of tools and resources to support working remotely. The individual selected for this opportunity will be joining an innovative and progressive team. 

Work Location: This position will work remotely.  However, there will be an expectation to travel to various worksites throughout King County as needed for your work.  

Work Schedule: This position is exempt from the overtime provision of the Fair Labor Standard Act (FLSA) and is not overtime eligible. This full-time position works a 40-hour workweek, Monday through Friday.

About Solid Waste Division: A division within King County's Department of Natural Resources & Parks, the award winning and innovative Solid Waste Division (SWD) has been recognized for operational excellence. The division's line of business is comprised of waste prevention, resource recovery, and waste disposal. This robust and dynamic enterprise funded division has an annual budget exceeding $100 million. More than 400 employees create value for customers across ten active locations (eight recycling and transfer facilities). Resources are harvested on-site and refuse is transported by SWD to the Cedar Hills Regional Landfill in Maple Valley, Washington. Through a public/private partnership, landfill gas is captured and converted to clean natural gas. In 2015, SWD and the partnership proudly produced enough pipeline quality fuel to heat 19,000 homes in King County.

• Develop and maintain the Division’s professional and construction services contracting program to comply with County policy and procedures, and applicable laws and regulations. 

• Work with Division staff to develop contracts that mitigate risks in order to protect the County from being subject to litigation, criticism or unanticipated costs due to unclear, ambiguous, and non-compliant contract documents. 

• Serve as a technical expert to review and advise on the contract content and process. 

• Work collaboratively with the County’s Project Control Officer and Procurement Agency. 

• Develop contracting systems, including manuals and other guidance documents to assist Division Project Managers and management. 

• Review all contract documents including change orders for compliance with policy, procedure and department processes. Approve contract documents for management signature, which binds the Division’s assets. 

• Oversee the construction contract close out and prevailing wage process. 

• Participate in contract audits by facilitating reviews and working relationships between auditors and project personnel. 

• Provide copies of contract status reports to County’s Project Control Officer for inclusion in quarterly report 

• As appropriate, assist project staff with scopes of work, solicitation strategy and selection process, to include negotiations. 

• Supervise, oversee, and evaluate work of assigned staff. 

• Provide training associated with contracting, policy/procedures or other relevant subject for Division and other agency staff as appropriate. 

• Represent the Division on inter-agency teams, committees or workgroups, as assigned. 

• Provide input on any new or revised relevant legislation, contract development or management procedures. 

• Other duties as assigned. 

• A minimum of five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in contracting, to include developing contracts and amendments, procuring and negotiating contracts in the public sector, and reviewing contract documents for compliance with relevant procedures, laws and regulations. 
• Experience should demonstrate the following:
• Knowledge and experience of contract law and regulations, including contract close out and prevailing wage requirements.
• Knowledge and experience of Contracts Administration as an essential duty and function of one's job. 
• Knowledge of procurement practices in the public sector. 
• Knowledge of contract development, review, negotiations, administration and related business law principles for financially large and complex contracts 
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, including presentations to groups. 
• Ability to communicate contracting requirements to staff and management through training and preparation of written material which may be used in manuals or on internet pages. 
• Analytical and research skills; skill in problem-solving, conflict resolution, and decision making. 
• Excellent customer service, people management, and interpersonal skills, including ability to work with all levels of management and staff across organizational lines and outside agencies under challenging conditions. Skill in dealing effectively with groups or individuals effectively in sensitive situations. 
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with workgroups.
• Strong organizational skills, demonstrated ability to multitask and to produce quality products and services while under the pressure of multiple deadlines. 
• Knowledge of contract management administrative systems, i.e., document filing and/or databases 
• Knowledge of and ability to apply supervisory principles and practices. 
• Attention to detail.