Contract Specialist 2 (CS2) - Olympia

State of Washington; Olympia (WA); Hybrid; USD 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

The Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) in Olympia, WA is seeking a Contract Specialist 2 (CS2) with flexible/hybrid work arrangements. You will develop and manage formal and informal contract documents and analyze proposals for technical and cost factors to best reflect DCYF needs.

You will coordinate bid evaluations, negotiate terms and conditions, collect signatures, and support the contract lifecycle from procurement to termination, collaborating with internal and external

Qualifications

• Six (6) years of experience in negotiating, administering, or terminating contracts, contract property management, contract cost or price analyses, or contract compliance administration
• 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
• Equivalent combination of education and experience totaling six (6) years

Responsibilities

• Oversee the negotiation, administration, and termination of contracts, agreements, leases, purchases, and other non-standard agreements
• Arrange for and/or performs the analysis of proposals for technical requirements and cost factors
• Coordinate the evaluation of bids/proposals
• Assure compliance with the terms of contracts, while also resolving any problems concerning the obligations of the state or private concerns
• Educate stakeholders of DCYF policies and procedures regarding contract development and management
• Make requests for change(s) to regulation, policy, or procedures

Skills

Negotiation

Contract analysis

Stakeholder coordination

Education

Bachelor's degree in public administration, business administration, business law, commerce, economics, mathematics, statistics or closely allied field

Job description

Job Title

Contract Specialist 2 (CS2) Olympia

Location

Olympia, WA, Thurston County (Flexible/Hybrid)

Posting Closes

September 29th, 2026

Salary

$59,760.00 to $80,496.00 Annually

About the Department

Our vision is to ensure that “Washington state’s children and youth grow up safe and healthy—thriving physically, emotionally and educationally, nurtured by family and community.” The Department of Children, Youth, and Families protects children and families, so they flourish. Our focus is to support children and families at their most vulnerable points, giving them the tools they need to succeed. We accomplish this by collaborating with state and local agencies, tribes, and other organizations in communities across the state of Washington.

Opportunity

Contracts Specialist 2, which supports the operations of the Contracts Office from the statewide headquarters in Olympia, Washington. This position is responsible for the development and management of formal and informal contract and procurement documents; along with the analysis of any proposals for both technical requirements and cost factors. The person in this role will work with various stakeholders, both from within and outside of DCYF, to create documents and agreements which fully reflect the needs of the organization and its partners. This Contract Specialist 2 will coordinate the evaluations of bids and proposals, subsequent to a formal or informal procurement process. The person in this role will also negotiate the terms and conditions of the final contract document, so as to establish reasonable cost levels, along with equitable fees / profits. As part of the contract lifecycle, this Contract Specialist 2 will collect signatures related to specific documents, while also coordinating the termination of agreements, on an as needed basis.

Key Responsibilities

• Oversee the negotiation, administration, and termination of contracts, agreements, leases, purchases, and other non-standard agreements
• Arrange for and/or performs the analysis of proposals for technical requirements and cost factors
• Coordinate the evaluation of bids/proposals
• Assure compliance with the terms of contracts, while also resolving any problems concerning the obligations of the state or private concerns
• Educate stakeholders of DCYF policies and procedures regarding contract development and management
• Make requests for change(s) to regulation, policy, or procedures

Required Qualifications

• Six (6) years of experience in negotiating, administering, or terminating contracts, contract property management, contract cost or price analyses, or contract compliance administration
• 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
• Equivalent combination of education and experience totaling six (6) years

Additional Qualifications

• The ability to take action to learn and grow
• The ability to take action to meet the needs of others

Preferred Qualifications

• Knowledge of regulations, policies, and procedures for the preparation of contracts, agreements, etc. This knowledge should be inclusive of business and professional services, practices and trends, sources of supply and cost factors, contract terminology and development
• Ability to deal with representatives of business, the professions and institutions, so as to agree to terms of contracts, assure compliance with the terms of contracts and/or agreements. Work to obtain timely delivery of goods and services and the most reasonable prices; coordinate contract negotiation work with efforts of other units in need of services, if applicable. Advise department offices and sections on contract terms and conditions

Equal Opportunity Employer

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.

Veterans Preference

Applicants who meet the minimum qualifications and wish to claim Veteran's Preference MUST attach a copy of their DD214, NGB Form 22 or Predischarge Certification (issued not more than 120 days prior to End of Term of Service (ETS) by date of submission). If claiming preference based on Predischarge Certification, individual will be required to provide their official discharge documentation, such as a DD form 214, NGB form 22, or equivalent, within 30 days after the date of discharge.

Benefits Overview

Washington State offers one of the most competitive benefits packages in the nation.

Insurance Benefits

Employees and their families are covered by medical (including vision), dental and basic life insurance. There are multiple medical plans with affordable monthly premiums that offer coverage throughout the state. Staff are eligible to enroll each year in a medical flexible spending account which enables them to use tax-deferred dollars toward their health care expenses. Employees are also covered by basic life and long-term disability insurance, with the option to purchase additional coverage amounts.

To view premium rates, coverage choice in your area and how to enroll, please visit the Public Employees Benefits Board (PEBB) website. The Washington Wellness program from the Health Care Authority works with PEBB to support our workplace wellness programs.

Dependent care assistance allows the employee to save pre‑tax dollars for a child or elder care expenses.

Other insurance coverage for auto, boat, home, and renter insurance is available through payroll deduction.

The Washington State Employee Assistance Program promotes the health and well‑being of employees.

Retirement And Deferred Compensation

State Employees are members of the Washington Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS). New employees have the option of two employer contributed retirement programs. For additional information, check out the Department of Retirement Systems' web site.

Employees also have the ability to participate in the Deferred Compensation Program (DCP), a supplemental retirement savings program (similar to an IRA) that allows you to control over the amount of pre‑tax salary dollars you defer as well as the flexibility to choose between multiple investment options.

Social Security

All state employees are covered by the federal Social Security and Medicare systems. The state and the employee pay an equal amount into the system.

Public Service Loan Forgiveness

If you are employed by a government or not-for-profit organization, and meet the qualifying criteria, you may be eligible to receive student loan forgiveness under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.

Holidays

Full-time and part-time employees are entitled to paid holidays and one paid personal holiday per calendar year.

Employee who are members of certain Unions may be entitled to additional personal leave day(s), please refer to position specific Collective Bargaining Agreements for more information.

Full-time employees who work full monthly schedules qualify for holiday compensation if they are employed before the holiday and are in pay status for at least 80 non‑overtime hours during the month of the holiday; or for the entire work shift preceding the holiday.

Part-time employees who are in pay status during the month of the holiday qualify for the holiday on a pro rata basis. Compensation for holidays (including personal holiday) will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status in the month to that required for full-time employment, excluding all holiday hours.

Sick Leave

Full-time employees earn eight hours of sick leave per month. Overtime eligible employees who are in pay status for less than 80 hours per month earn a monthly proportionate accrual to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment. Overtime exempt employees who are in pay status for less than 80 hours per month do not earn a monthly accrual of sick leave.

Sick leave accruals for part‑time employees will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment. Pay status includes hours worked, time on paid leave and paid holiday.

Vacation (Annual Leave)

Full-time employees accrue vacation leave at the rates specified in WAC 357-31-165(1) or the applicable collective bargaining agreement (CBA). Full‑time employees who are in pay status for less than 80 non‑overtime hours in a month do not earn a monthly accrual of vacation leave.

Part‑time employees accrue vacation leave hours in accordance with WAC 357-31-165(1) or the applicable collective bargaining agreement (CBA) on a pro rata basis. Vacation leave accrual will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full‑time employment.

Pay status includes hours worked, time on paid leave and paid holiday.

As provided in WAC 357-58-175, an employer may authorize a lump‑sum accrual of vacation leave or accelerate the vacation leave accrual rate to support the recruitment and/or retention of a candidate or employee for a Washington Management Service position. Vacation leave accrual rates may only be accelerated using the rates established WAC 357-31-165.

Note: Most agencies follow the civil service rules covering leave and holidays for exempt employees even though there is no requirement for them to do so. However, agencies are required to adhere to the applicable RCWs pertaining holidays and leave.

Military Leave

Washington State supports members of the armed forces with 21 days paid military leave per year.

Bereavement Leave

Most employees whose family member or household member dies, or for loss of pregnancy, are entitled to five (5) days of paid bereavement leave. In addition, the employer may approve other available leave types for the purpose of bereavement leave.

Additional Leave

Leave Sharing

Parental Leave

Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)

Leave Without Pay

Updated 01-07-2026