Contracts Specialist (CS2) - Tacoma

Our vision is to ensure that “Washington state’s children and youth grow up safe and healthy—thriving physically, emotionally and academically, nurtured by family and community."

Job Title: Contracts Specialist 2
Location: Tacoma, WA - Flexible/Hybrid
Closes: Friday, April 25th, 2025
Salary: $56,880 - $76,608 Annually

We're seeking a proven and dynamic performer to fill the Contract Specialist (CS2) position, within the DCYF Contracts and Procurement Office, to join our team to support regional contract management and contract compliance activities for Child Welfare programs. This includes administering and managing regional contracts to ensure that contracted terms and conditions, and all applicable regulations, laws and policies as outlined with DCYF contracts are followed. This position ensures contract adherence by implementing all DCYF Contracts and Procurement Office Standard Operating Procedures (SOP's), DCYF Administrative Policies, and contracting policies for the State of Washington. This helps to ensure services provided to DCYF clients contribute to the protection of children, so that children, and youth grow up safe and healthy, in strong families and environments that flourish.

Click here to learn more about DCYF.

The Opportunity:
As the Contract Specialist 2, you will be assigned to work mainly with Child Welfare programs. In this position, you will be responsible for Contract Management activities in accordance with established DCYF Administrative Policies, Contracts and Procurement Office Standard Operating Procedures (SOP's), Washington Administrative Code (WAC's), Revised Code of Washington (RCWs), and Department of Enterprise Services (DES) contracting policies. Your greatest asset will be the ability to work under tight deadlines and adapt to changing priorities, seek out creative solutions while delivering first-class customer service, and build strong business relationships. If you want the opportunity to step into a position where you will become a professional in contracts within a team environment that supports your growth and development, then this may be the position for you.

Some of what you will get to do:
Contract Management:

• Process background checks received by contractors according to Administrative Policies, SOPs, and Guides.
• Establish and maintain provider records in the contract management system and the child welfare case management system according to SOPs and guides.
• Develop, generate, and sign template contracts, and amendments in a timely and accurate manner using the Contracts and Procurement Office contracting system.
• Provide consultation to regional field staff regarding existing contracted services and service needs.
• Research and resolve regional contract disputes and keep the Regional Team Supervisor informed.
• Review and Process contract requests according to Administrative Policies, SOPs, and guides.

Training, Policy, Procedures, and Other Supports:

• Provide consultation, technical assistance, and training to regional field staff, management, field staff, and contractors on best practices, rules, and regulations of all contracts.
• Answer questions regarding Administrative Policies, SOP's, RCW's WAC's, and other rules on contracts.
• Participate and assist with contract related workgroups as assigned and follow-up on contract action items identified during meetings/workgroups.
• Participate in reviewing and monitoring SOP’s, and guidelines for improvement.
• Attend and complete contract-related training when assigned.

Responsible for Contract Compliance Activities:

• Responsible for planning, developing, initiating, scheduling, attending, and conducting on-site contract compliance reviews.
• Provide on-site Technical Assistance (TA) to Contractors as part of the Compliance Review process.
• Assist program and fiscal staff to resolve non-performance or other problems by communicating with contractors, and drafting TA Action Plans or compliance agreements as needed.
• Identify and resolve areas where the Contractor is out-of-compliance with the contracted terms and conditions of the executed contract/agreement.

Required Qualifications:

• Equivalent combination of education and experience totaling six (6) years.

OR

• A 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’ experience in negotiating, administering or terminating government contracts, contract property
  management, contract cost or price analysis, contract compliance administration or conducting activities such as inspections, investigations, enforcement of policies/regulations/laws.

In addition to those required qualifications, our ideal applicant will also have some or all of the following:

• Demonstrated experience in interpreting contract language and applying contracting policies, procedures, and state and federal laws.
• Demonstrated experience working with customers/clients with varying backgrounds and experience(s).
• Demonstrated experience assuring compliance with policies, procedures, laws, regulations, or contracted terms and conditions.
• Ability to write clearly and concisely.
• Ability to deal with change effectively.
• Demonstrated ability to maintain confidentiality both inside and outside of the workplace.
• Ability to work independently to establish priorities and organize work to enable completion of assigned task(s) through exercising good judgement, problem solving ability and multi-tasking to complete all assignments in a timely and accurate manner with little oversight.

How do I apply?
In addition to completing the online application, applicants must attach the following documents to their profile in order to be considered for this position:

• Cover letter
• Resume (current/updated)

Supplemental Information:
The Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) is committed to Washington’s children and youth growing up safe, healthy, and thriving. We invite all candidates to join us in our mission to create a diverse and equitable workplace that reflects the communities we serve. If you are excited about this role but you believe that your education and/or experience might not align perfectly with every qualification in the job posting, we encourage you to apply anyway.

The Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of age, sex, marital status, sexual orientation, race, 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 service animal by a person with a disability.

Prior to a new hire, a background check including criminal 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.

This position requires a minimum of at least two years of driving experience and a valid driver's license.

This position is included in the bargaining unit represented by the Washington Federation of State Employees (WFSE). For more information: https://wfse.org/

This announcement may be used to fill multiple vacancies.

If you have any questions pertaining to this recruitment or if you would like to request an accommodation throughout the application/interview process, contact Veronica Jones (Talent Acquisition Specialist) at veronica.jones@dcyf.wa.gov. If you're experiencing technical difficulties creating, accessing or completing your application, call NEOGOV toll-free at (855) 524-5627 or email support@neogov.com.

Persons needing accommodation in the application process or this announcement in an alternative format may call the Telecommunications Device for the Deaf (TDD) at (360) 664-1960.

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