Contract Specialist III

Full Job Description

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*This position is open to current King County employees and the general public. *

King County Metro Transit’s Facilities Division (TFD) has an exciting opportunity for a Contract Specialist III. We are seeking to fill this position with an outstanding people leader.

The Transit Facilities Contract Specialist III will be responsible for supporting the Metro Transit Facilities Division by leading and overseeing procurement and contract administration activities that impact multiple departments and divisions.

This position requires providing excellent customer service and collaboration in a team-oriented environment in support of TFD’s mission.

A successful candidate will have strong knowledge of public procurement policies and procedures, contract administration for goods and services, and other types of purchases as required by the Division.

Key responsibilities include leading the development of the division’s procurement processes, interpreting County and State policies and procedures, providing technical expertise to staff in developing contract specifications and scopes of work, determining and implementing procurement strategies, maintain a contracts database, and providing expert guidance with King County Central Procurement, Risk, and the Prosecuting Attorney in reviewing and negotiating contracts.

The Contract Specialist III will also supervise assigned staff or provide lead directions to Project Team Leaders, oversee and evaluate the work of others, and ensure consistency by interpreting policies and procedures.

This position has some project management and/or supervisory responsibilities and will also support division users through the establishment of construction, engineering, and/or professional services contracts via ITBs (Invitations to Bid), RFPs (Requests for Proposals), and negotiations.

About Metro’s Facilities Division

The Transit Facilities Division maintains all Metro Transit properties, such as bus bases, park & rides, bus shelters, and offices and maintenance shops.

Services include bus shelter repairs and replacements, bus shelter cleaning, trolley wire repairs, radio maintenance for buses, environmental spill clean-up, bus sign replacement, graffiti removal, and other facilities maintenance duties.

Additionally, the Facilities Division also implements capital improvement and grant-funded projects aimed to enhance the condition of County-owned facilities and to respond to ridership needs based on route usage and customer feedback.

The Contract Specialist III position will report to the Business Management Unit.

This unit provides division-wide support functions, including administrative services, project management and planning, inventory and materials management, functional asset management, general and maintenance agreements, capital infrastructure, sustainable resources and energy management, building maintenance, and the Zero Emissions program.

This recruitment may immediately fill one (1) Career Service (CS) vacancy.

This recruitment may also be used to establish an eligibility pool to fill future Career Service, as well as Term-Limited Temporary (TLT) and/or Special Duty Assignment (SDA), vacancies in this classification and within this division that may occur over the next 12 months, at the discretion of the hiring authority.

WHO MAY APPLY:
This position is open to current King County employees and the general public.

TO APPLY:
Required Application Materials:

1. An online King County application, updated with accurate contact information, and relevant work history going back 10 years (or more, if necessary), with all duties, dates of employment, and reasons for leaving explained clearly.
2. Completed supplemental questions.
3. A cover letter/letter of interest, which addresses all of the following**:
   • Why you are interested in and excited for this position, and
   • The top skills, abilities, and knowledge that make you uniquely qualified for this leadership role.

**Note: Please limit cover letter/letter of interest to no more than two (2) pages. A resume is encouraged but not required. Any additional attachments will not be considered.

Interviews are currently anticipated to begin during the week of March 2, 2026, but dates are subject to change.

Want to make sure your application materials are as competitive as possible?
We highly recommend visiting the Workforce Development website for tips and examples on how to make your application materials most effective: Workforce Development - King County, Washington.

Applicants who are unable to apply online should follow the instructions at Application FAQ’s- King County.

For more information regarding this recruitment, please contact:

Erica Minshull, Talent Advisor for King County Metro Transit

Erica.Minshull@KingCounty.govor (206) 477-6059

Requirements

Applying equity and social justice principles is a daily responsibility and a foundational expectation for all King County employees. All employees are expected to model and apply our equity and social justice shared values, behaviors, and practices. As a Contract Specialist III you will also:

Qualifications

To be considered eligible for this role, applicants must possess these MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Five (5) or more years in contract administration work experience.
• Ability to work and provide motivation in a team environment and with a diverse work group.
• Ability to effectively communicate, both verbally and in writing.
• Ability to resolve conflict, solve problems, and listen effectively.
• Skill in establishing and maintaining effective working relationships.
• Knowledge of workload planning and scheduling, with ability to effectively manage competing priorities.
• Knowledge of and ability to apply continuous improvement methodologies
• Intermediate computer skills with knowledge of Microsoft Office applications, such as Microsoft Outlook, Word, Excel, Teams, and computerized work order systems, e.g. EAM.

The most competitive applicants will possess these DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS

Additional Information

CLASS CODE / PAY GRADE 2215300 / 66

UNION STATUS
This position is represented by Professional & Technical Employees (PROTEC), Local 17.

SELECTION PROCESS Applications will be screened to determine whether candidates meet the minimum qualifications, as well as for clarity, completeness, and responsiveness to the application instructions above.

Applications submitted that omit the required attachments will be considered incomplete and will be removed from further consideration. Highly competitive applicants may be asked to interview.

Formal offers will be finalized after candidates have successfully completed any necessary pre-employment processes, such as internal record reviews or reference checks, etc.

The first six (6) months of employment are served in a probationary capacity to provide an opportunity to confirm whether the position is a good match between the successful candidate’s interests and skills and the ability to perform the requirements of the job.

WORK LOCATION AND ENVIRONMENT

The primary reporting location for this position will be at King Street Center (210 S Jackson St; Seattle, WA 98104). Work may also be required at other facilities throughout the Metro Transit service area.

This position will work in a hybrid model, with up to three (3) days in the office as well as telecommuting. The ratio of remote to onsite work will be dependent on business needs and is subject to change.

Employees must reside in Washington state and within a reasonable distance to their King County worksite to respond to workplace reporting requirements.

King County has a robust collection of tools and resources to support working remotely.

The individual selected for this opportunity will join an innovative and progressive team that is redefining how we work as we transition to the department's hybrid environment.

Employees will be provided with a County-issued laptop and must maintain a home workspace with an internet connection where they can reliably perform work and remain available and responsive during scheduled work hours.

WORK SCHEDULEThis position is anticipated to be full time. Typical work hours are comprised of a 40-hour workweek, normally 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Work may be required outside of these typical hours on an occasional basis. This position is exempt from the provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act and is therefore not eligible for overtime pay.

Forbes recently named King County as one of Washington State's best employers.Together, with leadership and our employees, we're changing the way government delivers service and winning national recognition as a model of excellence.

Are you ready to make a difference? Come join the team dedicated to serving one of the nation's best places to live, work, and play.

Guided by our "True North", we are making King County a welcoming community where every person can thrive. We value diversity, inclusion and belonging in our workplace and workforce.

To reach this goal we are committed to workforce equity.

Equitable recruiting, support, and retention is how we will obtain the highest quality workforce in our region; a workforce that shares and will help advance our guiding principles: we are one team; we solve problems; we focus on the customer; we drive for results; we are racially just; we respect all people; we lead the way; and we are responsible stewards.

We encourage people of all backgrounds and identities to apply, including Native American and people of color, immigrants, refugees, women, LGBTQ+, people living with disabilities, and veterans.

KING COUNTY IS AN EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY (EEO) EMPLOYERNo person is unlawfully excluded from employment opportunities based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex (including gender identity, sexual orientation, and pregnancy), age, genetic information, disability, veteran status, or other protected class.

Our EEO policy applies to all employment actions, including but not limited to recruitment, hiring, selection for training, promotion, transfer, demotion, layoff, termination, rates of pay or other forms of compensation.

TO APPLYIf you are interested in pursuing this position, please follow the application instructions carefully.

If you need this announcement in an alternate language or format, would like to request accommodation or assistance in the application or assessment process, or if you have questions, please contact the recruiter listed on this job announcement.