DSHS HCLA Contracts Specialist 3

State of Washington Dept. of Social and Health Services; Lacey (WA); On-site; USD 75,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

State of Washington Dept. of Social and Health Services is seeking two experienced Contracts Specialists 3 to oversee contract policy and ensure compliance for HCLA and DDA, guiding the full lifecycle of contracts and maintaining templates.

You will interpret state and federal rules, develop standard procedures, and provide guidance to staff on contracting requirements, aiming for clear, accurate, and statewide consistent contracts.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in business administration, public administration, or related field.
• 3 years of experience in negotiating, administering, or terminating contracts, contract property management, cost/price analysis, or contract compliance.
• Strong research, interpreting, and analytical skills; effective communication and facilitation; staying current with industry and DSHS best practices.

Responsibilities

• Contract development and management including templates and custom contracts.
• Statewide contract management and oversight for vendor and contract evaluation.
• Provide strategic leadership and program support across the contracts portfolio.
• Guide disputes, corrective action, and coordination with CCLS on termination for default.
• Act as liaison between regional staff and CCLS for contract compliance.
• Instruct and assist on creating custom contracts in the Agency Contracts Database.
• Provide consultation for program staff on contract creation and monitoring.

Skills

Contract negotiations

Policy compliance

Stakeholder collaboration

Regulatory knowledge

Education

Bachelor's degree in business administration, public administration, or closely related field

Tools

Agency Contracts Database

Job description

Management Services Division (MSD) Contracts Specialist 3

Home and Community Living Administration (HCLA)

We are searching for two experienced DSHS Contract Specialist 3 to provide senior-level work and serve as a contract professional responsible for overseeing contract policy and procedures and ensuring contracts are in compliance as assigned to HCLA and the Developmental Disabilities Administration (DDA).

As a Contract Specialist 3, you help ensure our contracts are clear, compliant, and support the work of the agency. You interpret and apply state and federal contracting rules, work with management to develop and maintain standard procedures, and provide guidance to staff on contracting requirements. You create, review, and approve regional custom contracts, maintain pre-approved and semi-custom templates, and oversee the full lifecycle of the Administration’s contracts to support consistency, accuracy, and compliance.

Some of what you will do

• Contract development and management to prepare review, and negotiate contracts, including preapproved templates, semicustom agreements, and custom client, personal, and interlocal contracts for HCLA/DDA.
• Statewide contract management and oversight to ensure consistent statewide practices for vendor and contract evaluation, management, and oversight.
• Provide strategic leadership and program support through proactive collaboration, communication, and relationship building between the contracts office and the assigned portfolio to establish and maintain a positive working relationship.
• Provide guidance and assistance regarding disputes and corrective action and coordinate with DSHS Central Contracts and Legal Services (CCLS) terminations for default.
• Function as Key Contract Coordinator for contracts to ensure statewide contract compliance with CCLS. Act as the liaison between regional contract staff and CCLS.
• Instruct, problem-solve and create custom contracts Agency Contracts Database system.
• Provide consultation and technical assistance for program staff regarding contract creation, monitoring, and requirements

Professionals that have knowledge of DSHS and DES regulations, policies, and procedures for preparation of contracts and agreements, business and professional services, practices and trends, sources of supply and cost factors, contract terminology and development should apply. Along with:

• A bachelor's degree with a major study in business administration, public administration, business law, commerce, economics, mathematics, statistics, or a closely related field.
• And, 3 years of experience in negotiating, administering, or terminating contracts, contract property management, contract cost or price analysis, or contract compliance administration.
• Also needed: Skilled research, interpreting, and analyzing skills, applying laws, rules and policies, multitasking, and being meticulous about details. Effective communication and facilitation skills, thoughtful and thorough in approach, and continuously seeking new information to stay current on industry & DSHS best practices.

Additional contract-related experience may be substituted, year for year, for education. A master's degree in the above-mentioned disciplines will substitute for one year of work experience. A law degree will substitute for 2 years of work experience.

Preferred knowledge, skills, and abilities:

• Washington State and federal laws and regulations governing contracts and agreements, contract principles, theory and application, contracts terminology and development, and contracts practices and procedures.
• Capable to negotiate with representatives of business to agree on terms of contracts, assure compliance with terms of contracts.
• Recognize desirable contract terms and provisions and ability to identify areas and incidents of non-compliance within existing contracts.

DSHS partners with people to access support, care, and resources.

Questions?

Please contact the Recruiter Saleen Hernandez at [e-mail] or 360-725-5810 and reference #06327. Learn more about DSHS.

The Department of Social and Health Services’ (DSHS) vision that people find human services to shape their own lives requires that we come together with a sense of belonging, common purpose, shared values, and meaningful work. It is crucial to our agency’s vision that you bring a fairness, access, and social justice commitment to your work with DSHS. We strive to support all Washingtonians, including Black, Indigenous, and People of Color, people with physical, behavioral health, and intellectual disabilities, elders, LGBTQIA+ individuals, immigrants and refugees, and families building financial security.

Prior to a new hire, a background check including criminal record history may 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 job. This announcement may be used to fill multiple vacancies. Employees driving on state business must have a valid driver's license. Employees driving a privately owned vehicle on state business must have liability insurance on the privately owned vehicle.

Washington State Department of Social and Health Services is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate in any area of employment, its programs or services on the basis of age, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity/expression, marital status, race, creed, color, national origin, religion or beliefs, political affiliation, military status, honorably discharged veteran, Vietnam Era, recently separated or other protected veteran status, the presence of any sensory, mental, physical disability or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with a disability, equal pay or genetic information.

Persons requiring accommodation in the application process or this job announcement in an alternative format may contact the Recruiter at [phone]. Applicants who are deaf or hard of hearing may call through Washington Relay Service by dialing 7-1-1 or 1-800-833-6384.

Relationship and Reporting Structure (Nebotism) Disclosure: If you are selected for hire, you must disclose whether you have a relative, household member, close friend, or romantic partner within your potential supervisory chain of command. DSHS has a Relationships and the Reporting Structure policy that prohibits nepotism and can be reviewed here. Applicants whose appointment would result in a prohibited reporting relationship are not eligible for appointment to that position.

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