Lead Contracts Consultant - Contracts Specialist 3 - Permanent - 2026-00476

Full Job Description

Title- Lead Contracts Consultant

Classification- Contracts Specialist 3

Job Status- Full-Time/Permanent
WDFW Program- Financial Services Program – Contracts and Procurement Office
Duty Station- Olympia, Washington – Thurston County

Hybrid/Telework- This position is required to be onsite at least three days per week.

Learn more about being a member of Team WDFW!

Photo Caption: Driftwood Sunrise – Photo Credit: Blue Haught

This position supports the Contracts and Procurement Office’s mission by helping WDFW plan for and manage current and future procurement and contracting needs.

It ensures contracts are properly established, administered, tracked, and reported in compliance with applicable laws, policies, and agency requirements, while promoting consistency, fiscal accountability, and transparency.

The role works closely with program staff and internal and external partners to interpret contract requirements, maintain accurate records and systems, mitigate contract-related risks, and improve contract management processes.

Through strong oversight, collaboration, and continuous improvement, this position contributes to operational excellence and advances WDFW’s strategic goals.

What to Expect-

Act as Lead Contracts Consultant

• Serves as a subject matter expert providing advanced consultation and technical guidance to program staff on complex, high-risk, and high-dollar procurements and contracts.
• Provides consultation and technical assistance to agency staff on the development, management, and monitoring of solicitations and contracts to ensure compliance with applicable procurement rules, policies, and statutes.
• Collaborates with program staff to develop clear, well-defined specifications and performance standards that support competition and meet program needs.
• Develops evaluation criteria for solicitations; analyze and evaluate bids and proposals; and determine responsiveness, responsibility, and compliance.
• At an expert level, perform complex contract administration work. Makes decisions by considering several approaches or methods, use critical thinking and past experience to devise new or original methods or processes.
• Manage the full lifecycle of formal solicitations, including solicitation document development, scope definition with customers, procurement schedule management, evaluation facilitation, award, and contract file review and audit.
• Perform ongoing contract administration and contractor performance evaluations to ensure goods and services are delivered in accordance with contract requirements and that pricing remains competitive with market conditions.
• Conduct pre-bid and pre-proposal conferences to clarify requirements, address bidder questions, and provide procurement guidance.
• Independently determines and advises on the appropriate procurement methodology, including direct buy, competitive solicitation, sole source, and WDFW statutory exemptions from competition, based on risk, complexity, and regulatory requirements.
• Provide direction, guidance, and training to program managers and staff on procurement processes and contract administration requirements.
• Maintain expert-level knowledge of Washington State and local government procurement and contract administration laws, rules, and regulatory requirements related to goods and services.
• Advise agency staff on using the agency’s contracts management system to request contracts, monitor status, maintain accountability of assigned contracts, and request timely amendments or successor contracts.

Provides Lead Contracting and Procurement Support

• Serves as a team lead for procurement and contracting activities, providing day-to-day technical leadership, instruction, and quality review of work performed by Contracts Specialist I and II staff.
• Plans, assigns, instructs, and reviews procurement and contract work to ensure consistency, accuracy, compliance with laws and policies, and adherence to best practices.
• Works collaboratively with the Contracts Team Manager to plan team workload, prioritize projects, and identify training needs to support agency programs and procurement initiatives.
• Serves as Assistant Contracts Administrator, supporting the Contracts Team Manager by acting as a subject matter expert, providing continuity of operations, and assisting with complex or high-risk procurements.
• Mentors and coaches’ staff on procurement strategies and methods, including competitive solicitations, sole source procurements, statutory exemptions, and alternative procurement approaches.
• Reviews and provides expert feedback on solicitations, contracts, evaluations, and negotiations to ensure legal sufficiency, sound risk management, and alignment with agency goals.
• Responsible for ensuring that all negotiated contracts and agreements for WDFW comply with State of Washington contract and legal requirements, applicable federal regulations, any special program requirements, and all state purchasing and accounting regulations.

Working Conditions:

Work Setting, including hazards: Work is performed almost exclusively in an office environment. Exposure to hazards is limited to those commonly found in government office environments.

Office hazards include working under fluorescent light, repetitively entering data into computer, looking at computer monitor for long periods of time, sitting or standing for long periods of time.

Schedule (i.e., hours and days): Standard business hours are Monday- Friday from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm but the incumbent may be expected to adjust the work schedule to meet business needs.

A flexible work schedule can be considered at the incumbent's request, subject to supervisory approval. Position is required to be onsite no less than three days a week.

Travel Requirements: Some travel is required, and is typically local or regional, to meet with field staff, or attend or provide trainings. Overnight travel may be required.

Customer Interactions: Frequent contact with agency staff, vendors, executive management, state and federal authorities etc. Topics may be very complex, and some contact may be with people who are angry, distraught or frustrated.

Qualifications:

Required Qualifications:

A Bachelor's degree involving a major study in business administration, public administration, business law, commerce, mathematics, statistics, economics, or closely allied field and three (3) years of experience in negotiating, administering, or terminating government contracts, contract property management, contract cost or price analyses, or contract compliance administration.

Experience/Education Substitution:

Preferred Qualifications:

In addition to the required qualifications, our ideal applicant will possess one or more of the following:

Knowledge of State procurement statutes and administrative codes, government contracting and procurement techniques research and market analysis techniques; effective methods of oral and written communications; technical writing skills; contract development, and administration.

Two (2) years of professional experience in:

Your application should include the following:

• A completed online application showcasing how your qualifications align with the job requirements.
• An up-to-date resume.
• A cover letter detailing your interest in the position, your relevant skills and experience, and why you are the ideal candidate.
• At least three professional references with current contact information.

Supplemental information:

In addition to pay and other special employee programs, there are other benefits that WDFW employees may be eligible for. Click the “Benefits” tab at the top of this announcement to learn more.

Important Note:

All new employees must complete an Employment Eligibility Verification Form (I-9 Form) on their first day of work.

If hired for this or any position at WDFW, you will be required to provide documentation proving you are eligible to work in the United States.

For a list of acceptable documents, please use the following link: https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents

Union - WFSE:

This position is covered by a collective bargaining agreement between the State of Washington, Department of Fish and Wildlife and the Washington Federation of State Employees (WFSE). This recruitment may be used to fill positions in addition to those listed.

Veteran and Military Spouse Preference Notice:

Per RCW 73.16.010 Veterans and qualifying spouses who meet the minimum qualifications of a position are eligible for preference during the initial application review stage. To receive this benefit, please do the following:

• Notify us of your veteran or military spouse status by email at RecruitmentTeam@dfw.wa.gov.
• Veterans only – Attach a copy of your DD214 (Member 4 copy), NGB 22 or USDVA signed verification of service letter.
  • Please redact any PII (personally identifiable information) data such as social security numbers.
• Subject line must include recruitment number, position, and spouse/veteran (example: 2024-1234 – Biologist 1 – Veteran)
• Include your name as it appears on your application in careers.wa.gov.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Employer

As part of WDFW’s efforts to advance respectful and inclusive work environments, the Agency expects inclusivity as part of our professional interactions and communications.

Therefore, we want to ensure that all individuals feel welcome, are treated fairly and respectfully.

All staff are empowered to fully contribute to serving their work unit, Agency, and the citizens of Washington.

The Department of Fish and Wildlife is an equal opportunity employer.

We strive to create a working environment that includes and respects cultural, racial, ethnic, sexual orientation and gender identity diversity.

Women, racial and ethnic minorities, persons of disability, persons over 40 years of age, disabled and Vietnam era veterans and people of all sexual orientations and gender identities are encouraged to apply.

Request an accommodation: Persons needing accommodation in the application process or this announcement in an alternative format please contact Jayme Chase by phone 360-902-2278 or email Jayme.Chase@dfw.wa.gov, or the Telecommunications Device for the Deaf (TDD) at 800-833-6388.

Technical Difficulties: If you are having technical difficulties creating, accessing, or completing your application, please call NEOGOV toll-free at (855) 524-5627 or support@neogov.com.

Other questions: If you have other questions regarding this position, please reach out to diana.humes@dfw.wa.gov

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