Contracts Specialist

Energy Trust Of Oregon; Portland (OR); Hybrid; USD 54,000 - 68,000; Full time

Job summary

Energy Trust of Oregon seeks a Contracts Specialist to negotiate, draft, and finalize contracts for energy programs, procurement, and grants. You will ensure compliance with policies, participate in competitive solicitations, and support contract administration. This role partners with staff across the organization and reports to the Sr.

Contracts Manager. The position may involve travel to meetings and events, with a mix of remote and in-office work in the Portland area.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in business, contracts management, procurement, legal studies, or related field.
• J.D. from ABA-accredited law school is a plus.
• Minimum of 3 years of experience in contracting, procurement, contract administration, or similar work.
• Demonstrated experience negotiating and developing contracts with sound negotiation and administration skills.
• Strong written and oral communication skills and ability to work across teams.

Responsibilities

• Negotiate and draft contracts for Energy Trust programs and operations.
• Review contract scopes and terms for alignment with policies and program needs.
• Develop and review program forms defining obligations for participation and funding.
• Prepare documents translating program aims into legally sufficient agreements.
• Support competitive solicitations and contract administration across the organization.

Skills

Contract negotiation

Contract drafting

Contract administration

Policy compliance

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s degree in business, contracts management, or related field

Juris Doctor (J.D.) from ABA-accredited law school is a plus

Tools

MS Office

SharePoint

DocuSign

Teams

OneDrive

Copilot

Job description

Position: Contracts Specialist

Reports to: Sr. Contracts Manager

Compensation*: Competitive starting hourly rate $39.23 - 49.42 commensurate with skills and experience, Full Pay Range: $39.23 – $59.62

Energy Trust is committed to pay equity. Energy Trust is committed to fair employment practices and non-discrimination, including pay equity for all employees. We do not discriminate on the basis of protected class (race, sex, veteran status, disability, age, color, religion, national origin, marital status, sexual orientation) in the payment of wages or screen applicants on the basis of their current or past compensation. We determine salary by completing a review of your application materials to evaluate your related education, experience and training.

*Actual compensation packages are based on several factors that are unique to each candidate, including but not limited to skill set, depth of experience, and certifications in the pay equity assessment to determine equitable salary placement. Candidates should expect compensation offers within the starting compensation range. The full pay range is included to show the potential earnings for this position with sustained high performance.

Employment Classification: Full-Time, Contract

Anticipated Start Date: As soon as possible, position is open until filled

Office Location: Portland Metro Area, Oregon, USA

BACKGROUND

About Energy Trust of Oregon

Energy Trust of Oregon is an independent nonprofit organization dedicated to energy efficiency and renewable energy development. We serve Oregon customers of Portland General Electric, Pacific Power, NW Natural, Cascade Natural Gas and Avista, and SW Washington customers of NW Natural. Year over year Energy Trust is recognized as one of the 100 Best Nonprofits to Work For in Oregon.

Our Vision

Clean, affordable energy for everyone.

Our Commitment to Diversity

We recognize the lack of diversity in our industry, and we actively seek to address it with our hiring and retention practices as well as our values. We believe every person and their lived experience is integral to building a vibrant culture and delivering effective services to all customers we serve. We are committed to the principles of diversity, equity and inclusion, and we encourage candidates with diverse backgrounds and experience to apply.

Our Location

Energy Trust provides for a range of work location options, including remote, hybrid and in-office work. This position will represent Energy Trust in public settings and potentially at community events. We are open to candidates who live throughout Oregon and Washington. The Contracts Specialist would be expected to report to the office on a quarterly basis, at minimum.

What We’re Looking For:

The Contracts Specialist plays an important role in supporting Energy Trust’s purpose and values by providing a wide range of services related to contracts and customer program participation and incentive forms, including procurement support, contracts administration, and ensuring our agreements align with relevant policies, procedures, and program requirements. The Contracts Specialist analyzes information, identifies and helps resolve contracting issues, and supports strategies to minimize risk and improve contracting processes and workflows. The position also provides contracting guidance and support to staff across the organization.

The Contracts Specialist is responsible for negotiating, drafting, and finalizing contracts relating to Energy Trust programs, projects, and operations. They interface with employees across the organization helping to: develop, review, and approve forms that define obligations and responsibilities for program participation, incentive and grant funding; act as a subject matter expert and support competitive solicitations for identifying and selecting contractors according to organizational policies and procedures, including Energy Trust’s inclusive procurement program requirements; help integrate contracts and forms with Energy Trust data systems; and maintain contracts and contract records. The Contracts Specialist takes considerable initiative, yet if the incumbent is not an attorney, will perform any work that is legal in nature under the oversight of an attorney. The position is not supervisory in nature.

This individual reports to theSr. Contracts Manager.

This position isexpected toreportto the Portland office quarterly at a minimum for all staff and monthly team meetings, and other in-person meetings as determined by the General Counsel. This position would berequiredto travel as needed in support of regional board meetings and community events.

What You’ll Do:

• Negotiates and drafts contracts for a range of programs and projects. Contract types and complexity varies widely, but may include nondisclosure agreements, licensing agreements and software agreements, services agreements, and other agreements supporting Energy Trust programs and operations. Supports more complex contracting matters in coordination with senior contracts management and legal staff.


• Reviews contract scopes and terms for consistency with Energy Trust policies, principles, and program needs and identifies issues requiring additional legal review.


• Develops and reviews program forms that define energy program participation obligations and responsibilities.


• Generates and/or edits unique documents (letters, memos, etc.) with the express purpose of translating programmatic desires and requirements into legally sufficient documentation detailing the contractual aspects.


• Supports plain language contract improvements and enhancements to Energy Trust’s contracting processes, systems, administration, and compliance. Conducts research in areas of contracting and procurement, as needed; gathers and compiles data and information; prepares memos and/or reports. Capable of analyzing a regulatory framework and applying it to the situation at hand.


• Reinforces consistency in the organization's policies and procedures and provides support and guidance related to competitive solicitation and contracting requirements and administration.


• Supports staff in developing competitive solicitations, including requests for proposals, and in reviewing proposals in accordance with Energy Trust procurement policies and procedures. Perform other job-related duties as assigned.


• Perform all functions of the job in a safe manner.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY

• This position has no supervisory responsibilities.

What You’ll Need:

• Bachelor’s degree in business, contracts management, procurement, legal studies, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and directly related experience. Juris Doctor (J.D.) from an ABA-accredited law school is a plus.


• Minimum of 3 years of progressively responsible experience in contracting, procurement, contract administration, or similar directly related work.


• Demonstrated experience negotiating and developing contracts, with sound contract negotiation and administration skills.


• Demonstrated knowledge and experience with contracting language, processes and systems.


• Exceptional interpersonal skills with demonstrated ability to build rapport and collaborate effectively across disciplines and with contract counterparties.


• Strong and effective written and oral communication skills.


• Ability to prioritize and reprioritize work, perform effectively under pressure, adapt to changing demands, meet deadlines, and thrive in a fast-paced work environment.


• Demonstrated problem-solving and critical thinking skills.


• Strong organizational and time-management skills, with demonstrated attention to detail and accuracy.


• Strong customer service skills and experience working effectively in culturally diverse settings and groups.


• Proficiency in Microsoft Office software, including Word, Excel, Outlook, OneDrive, Copilot, etc., meeting collaboration software (e.g. Teams/Zoom, etc.), SharePoint, Adobe, DocuSign, and willing to learn new skills and applications.


• Demonstrated ability to use discretion, maintain the confidentiality of sensitive legal and financial information, exercise sound judgment, and take appropriate initiative as needed.


• Experience in energy efficiency, renewables energy or the utility industry is preferred.

The above information is designed to outline the major functions and position requirements of this job. It does not identify all tasks that may be expected, or address the performance standards that must be maintained.

All offers of employment are conditional pending the successful completion of a background check (which may include employment verification, education verification, criminal history, motor vehicle record) and reference checks.

Don’t meet every single requirement? Studies have shown that candidates from certain demographics are less likely to apply to jobs unless they meet every single qualification—for example, women and People of Color. At Energy Trust we are dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive and authentic workplace—if you’re excited about this role but your past experience doesn’t align perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we encourage you to apply. You may be the right candidate for this or other roles.

Energy Trust of Oregon is committed to providing equal employment opportunity for all persons regardless of race, color, religion (including religious dress and grooming practices), sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, age, marital status, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, pregnancy, medical condition, genetic information, mental and physical disability, political affiliation, union membership, status as a parent, military or veteran status or other non-merit based factors. We will provide reasonable accommodations throughout the application, interviewing and employment process. If you require a reasonable accommodation, contact us. Energy Trust of Oregon is an E-Verify employer. This policy is applicable to all phases of the employment relationship, including hiring, transfers, promotions, training, terminations, working conditions, compensation, benefits, and other terms and conditions of employment.

Energy Trust is committed to pay equity. Energy Trust is committed to fair employment practices and non-discrimination, including pay equity for all employees. We do not discriminate on the basis of protected class (race, sex, veteran status, disability, age, color, religion, national origin, marital status, sexual orientation) in the payment of wages or screen applicants on the basis of their current or past compensation. We determine salary by completing a review of your application materials to evaluate your related education, experience and training.

*Actual compensation packages are based on several factors that are unique to each candidate, including but not limited to skill set, depth of experience, and certifications in the pay equity assessment to determine equitable salary placement. Candidates should expect compensation offers within the starting compensation range the full pay range is included to show the potential earnings for this position with sustained high performance.