Description

Who we are:
The Department of Enterprise Services (DES) provides centralized business services to state government agencies; to other public entities such as cities, counties and tribes; and to Washington residents. DES’ mission is to strengthen the business of government. We do this by creating overall operating efficiencies so our state’s government entities can focus on their core missions. Our buying power, economies of scale and years of experience help government get the best value for the products and services they need to support their missions. We value Respect, Integrity, Excellence, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. We seek new team members who share our commitment to be an equity-driven and antiracist organization. We listen to customers and team members to understand what they need and expect. We promote creativity, learning and improvement to meet those needs and adapt to the ever-changing business environment. We measure our results and seek feedback to improve our performance.

Who we are looking for:
The Contracts and Procurement (C&P) Division is seeking several new Contracts Specialists to provide both internal and external contracting and procurement support and services to DES, state agencies, higher education entities and political subdivisions. Depending on qualifications, these positions will be filled at the Contract Specialist 2 or 3 level, or as in-training positions where an employee starts at a certain job class level and then advances to the next job class level after satisfactory completion of the training requirements.

We are looking for team members that understand the fundamentals of contracts and procurement and are ready to work collaboratively with a team in developing and conducting procurements and contract management. We are looking for team members that can identify and understand issues, problems, and opportunities; compare data from different sources to make decisions; and use effective approaches for choosing a course of action or developing appropriate solutions. We are looking for team members that have the ability to be exposed to, know and understand the language and concepts of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) and be committed to being part of creating, maintaining, and improving a diverse, equitable, respectful, and inclusive workplace.

Why you should join us:
Do you want the opportunity to step into a role where you can become a professional in contracts within a team that supports your growth and development? Do you love to be challenged and enjoy a variety of contracting duties that have a big impact on citizens in the state of Washington? Do you want to be surrounded with the most talented and agile professionals equally passionate about contracts and providing outstanding customer service to a diversified population? If you want to work in a place that truly values you and your ideas to improve processes that allow us to exceed our customer expectations, this opportunity might be the right fit for you.

The Department of Enterprise Services offers:

• A great total compensation and benefits package;
• Paid Vacation, Leave, and Holidays;
• A healthy work/life balance, which may include flexible work schedules, teleworking, and an Infants in the Workplace Program;
• An agency-wide commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion and respect, and leaders who encourage all employees to bring their authentic selves to work;
• Access to several state business resource groups including the Rainbow Alliance and Inclusion Network (RAIN); Veteran Employee Resource Group (VERG); Latino Leadership Network (LLN); Blacks United in Leadership and Diversity (BUILD); Disability Inclusion Network (DIN); Washington Immigrant Network (WIN); and Hawaiians, Asians, and Pacific Islanders Promoting an Empowerment Network (HAPPEN);
• Supported growth and development opportunities; and
• Opportunities to serve your community through meaningful work.

Duties

Some of what you will enjoy doing:

• Independently solicit low, medium, or high complexity bids and contracts, focusing on best value awards
• Consult with customers and vendors to achieve business objectives through understanding markets, commodities, and applying best value procurement concepts
• Use project management methods and techniques to plan and manage solicitations and assigned projects
• Participate in discussions with stakeholders and customers to define requirements
• Create professional, technical, and legally compliant documents following RCW, policy, procedure and guidelines
• Perform analysis of proposals for technical requirements and cost factors
• Provide frontline customer service, including responding to customer and vendor inquiries via phone and email
• Interact directly with customers and vendors to address vendor performance management to insure contract compliance and correct issues
• Write corrective actions (cure, suspension, termination) and contract amendments
• Amend contracts with oversight and in accordance with signature authority
• Actively participate in reviewing and monitoring program policies, procedures and guidelines for improvement; including bringing ideas for change forward proactively

Qualifications

These positions may be filled at the Contract Specialist 2 or 3 level depending on qualifications. In-training opportunities MAY be available depending on candidate’s knowledge, skill, and ability level.

What is an in-training plan? The in-training is intended to provide an opportunity for an individual to gain the required experience on the job as part of a formal “in-training” plan. Upon successful completion of an in-training program (typically 12 months), the incumbent will move up to the next job classification that is listed on the in-training plan if applicable. The Contracts Specialist 2 in training starts at the Contracts Specialist 1 level. The Contracts Specialist 3 in training starts at the Contracts Specialist 2 level. Your advancement will be based upon the successful completion of an In-Training Plan.

Required Qualifications for Contracts Specialist 1 (Range 47: $3,821 - $5,013)

• 
  Bachelor's degree involving major study in public administration, business administration, business law, commerce, economics, mathematics, statistics or closely allied field; AND
• One (1) year of experience in negotiating, administering or terminating government contracts, contract property management, contract cost or price analysis, or contract compliance administration.

• Note:

• Additional qualifying experience may be substituted, year for year, for the required education.
• A Master's degree in one of the above academic disciplines may be substituted for the required experience.
• A law degree from an accredited college or university approved by the Washington State Bar Association may be substituted for the required experience and education.

Required Qualifications for Contracts Specialist 2 (Range 53: $ 4,425 - $ 5,813)

• Bachelor's degree involving major study in public administration, business administration, business law, commerce, economics, mathematics, statistics or closely allied field; AND
• Two (2) years of experience in negotiating, administering or terminating government contracts, contract property management, contract cost or price analysis, or contract compliance administration.

• Note:

• Additional qualifying experience may be substituted, year for year, for the required education.
• A Master's degree in one of the above academic disciplines may be substituted for one (1) year of experience.
• A law degree from an accredited college or university approved by the Washington State Bar Association may be substituted for the required experience and education.

Required Qualifications for Contracts Specialist 3 (Range 59: $ 5,136 - $ 6,746 )

• Bachelor's degree involving major study in public administration, business administration, business law, commerce, economics, mathematics, statistics or closely allied field; AND
• Three (3) years professional level experience in negotiating, writing, administering or terminating government contracts, contract cost/price analyses or contract compliance administration.

• Note:

• Additional qualifying experience may be substituted, year for year, for the required education.
• A Master's degree in one of the above academic disciplines may be substituted for one (1) year of professional level experience.
• A law degree from an accredited university or college approved by the Washington State Bar Association may be substituted for the required experience and the required education.

The most successful applicants for all levels will also possess the following skills, knowledge, and abilities:

• Critical thinking and decision making: identifies and understands issues, problems, and opportunities; compares data from different sources to make decisions; uses effective approaches for choosing a course of action or developing appropriate solutions.
• Accountability and self-management: takes personal responsibility for the quality and timeliness of work; achieves results with little oversight.
• Customer focus: customers and their needs are a primary focus of one's actions; develops and sustains positive and productive customer relationships.
• Adaptability and flexibility: ability to maintain effectiveness when experiencing major changes in work tasks or the work environment.
• Communication: clearly conveys information and ideas; uses effective listening skills to understand and learn from what others say.
• Leadership and teamwork: promotes organizational mission and goals and shows the way to achieve them.
• Computer skills: efficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (or equivalent); ability to learn unique systems (PCMS, ECMS, WEBS).
• Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Knowledge, Understanding, & Commitment: the ability to be exposed to, know and understand the language and concepts of DEI and be committed to being part of creating, maintaining, and improving a diverse, equitable, respectful, and inclusive workplace.
• Self-Awareness and Commitment to Growth: engages in self-reflection, lifelong learning, and growth.
• Cultivating Mutually Beneficial and Trusting Strategic Partnerships: conducts oneself in a manner that builds trust, enhances work relationships, and meaningfully partner and engage with those you serve and serve with.
• Inclusive Excellence & Allyship: demonstrates that all people are valued and engaged as members of the group, team, organization, or community through equitable, inclusive, and respectful behavior.
• Measuring for Success and Improvement: the ability to develop, implement, evaluate, and continually improve strategies that promote equity and inclusion in our organization and with the communities you serve.

Diversity Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Competencies
Possess and demonstrate the following competencies:

• Able to learn and understand the language and concepts of our DES DEI culture and commit to being a part of creating and maintaining a diverse, equitable, respectful and inclusive workplace.
• Demonstrate a commitment to growth, learning and self-awareness when provided training and opportunities to participate in improving our work environment.
• Participate and behave in a manner that creates trust and builds working relationships, promoting teamwork and collaboration in the work environment.
• Demonstrate the understanding that all people are valued; contribute to an equitable, inclusive and respectful environment when working with members of the group, team, organization or community.
• Commit to being an active participant in continually evaluating and improving strategies that promote equity and inclusion in our organization.

Find the full DEI competencies and their descriptions on this page . (Download PDF reader)

Preferred Qualifications:
Certified Professional Public Buyer (CPPB)

Supplemental Information

Please provide the following documents in order to be considered; failure to do so may result in you not being considered for the position:

• A letter of interest, describing how you meet the qualifications for this position as outlined in the job posting;
• A current resume, detailing experience, and education; and
• A current (from the last two years) list of at least three (3) or more professional references with current contact information (attached or available to provide at the time of interview). Please include at least one supervisor, peer and if you have supervised in the past a subordinate.

Conditions of Employment:

• COVID Vaccination Requirement: Governor Inslee’s Directive 22-13.1, state employees must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Providing proof of being fully vaccinated is a condition of employment and your vaccine status will be verified prior to starting work. Being fully vaccinated means two weeks after you have received the second dose in a two-dose series of a COVID-19 vaccine or a single-dose COVID-19 vaccine authorized for emergency use, licensed or otherwise authorized or approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration or listed for emergency use or otherwise approved by the World Health Organization. Please note that any offer of employment is contingent upon you providing verification of your vaccine status, having an approved medical accommodation, or having an approved religious accommodation. No start date will be approved until you have either verified your vaccine status or have an approved accommodation. Please do not attach your vaccination verification to your application as it will be removed. Details on how to proceed with verification or accommodation will be provided once a conditional offer has been made.
• Background Check Notice: Prior to any new appointment into the Department of Enterprise Services, 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.

Union Inclusion:
This position is included in a bargaining unit represented by the Washington Federation of State Employees (WFSE).

Opportunity for All:
The Department of Enterprise Services celebrates our differences and we are committed to a workplace that supports equal opportunity employment and inclusion regardless of race, creed, color, national origin, citizenship or immigration status, marital status, families with children (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sex, sexual orientation, gender identity diversity, age, status as a protected veteran, honorably discharged veteran or military status, status as an individual with the presence of any sensory, mental, or physical disability or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with disabilities or other applicable legally protected characteristics. We will also consider qualified applicants with criminal histories, consistent with applicable federal, state and local laws.

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 organization.

Contact Information:
For questions about this recruitment or to request a reasonable accommodation in the application process, contact Jennifer McWaid at (360) 407-8210 or email jobs@des.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.

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