Federal Contracting Strategic Advisor (Strategic Advisor 2)

City-of-Seattle; Seattle (WA); Hybrid; USD 78,000 - 117,000; Full time

Job summary

City of Seattle0is seeking a Federal Contracting Strategic Advisor (Strategic Advisor 2) to guide complex consultant contracting with federal partners like FHWA, WSDOT, and FTA. The role supports SDOT with procurement policy, timelines, and compliance, collaborating across legal, financial, and regulatory teams.

Candidates should have a bachelors degree and at least three years in contract administration or related fields, with strong MS Office, SharePoint, and Adobe Sign skills.

Qualifications

• Bachelors degree in business or public administration, finance, economics, or a related field.
• Three (3) years of professional experience in contract administration, financial analysis, project management, grant administration, inter-agency agreements.
• Equivalent combinations of education and experience may apply.

Responsibilities

• Provide guidance on complex consultant contracting with federal partners and other agencies.
• Coach teams to build clear, compliant procurement strategies with legal, financial, and regulatory input.
• Maintain procurement planning timelines, data dashboards, and escalate challenges early.
• Ensure alignment with federal, state, and city contracting requirements and promote grant/contract compliance.
• Translate laws and best practices into clear policy recommendations for project delivery.

Skills

Microsoft Office Suite

Microsoft SharePoint

Adobe Sign

Oral and written communication

Education

Bachelors degree in business/public administration/finance/economics

Tools

Microsoft SharePoint

Adobe Sign

Job description

Join us in shaping Seattle’s streets!

At the Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT), we don’t just move people—we connect communities, build safer streets, and create a more sustainable city.

With a bold vision for the future, we’re tackling big challenges: making travel safer, cutting carbon emissions, and ensuring reliable, affordable transportation for everyone—no matter who they are or where they live.

Seattle is growing fast, and we’re growing with it. Thanks to a historic voter-approved $1.55 billion investment in transportation in 2024, we’re building sidewalks, fixing bridges, and improving transit connections to keep our city moving.

We’re a team of problem solvers, planners, engineers, communicators, and field crews—bringing purpose-driven work to life. Now, we need passionate, innovative talent like you. Let’s build a Seattle that works for everyone—together!

Federal Contracting Strategic Advisor (Strategic Advisor 2)

Please note that while this position falls under the Finance Division, it is specifically a consultant contracting role.

• Provide thoughtful guidance to SDOT Directors, Managers, and Project Managers on complex consultant contracting needs and questions, especially for projects supported by federal partners such as Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT), Federal Transit Administration (FTA) and other public agencies. Coach teams across SDOT to build clear, consistent, and compliant procurement strategies, partnering closely with legal, financial, and agency regulatory experts to ensure sound decisions.
• Support the development and implementation of policy and process improvements and contribute to technology-driven process improvements that help teams work more efficiently.
• Maintain and monitor procurement planning timelines, create and update work plans and data dashboards, elevate potential challenges early, and help teams navigate complex procurement issues with confidence.
• Provide department-wide technical assistance to ensure alignment with federal, state, and city contracting requirements while fostering a culture of grant and contract compliance through ongoing policy and procedure improvements.
• Research laws, regulations, and best practices across all government levels and translate findings into clear policy recommendations that support smooth, compliant project delivery.
• Communicate professionally and positively with federal and state agency staff to resolve issues and questions.
• Draft and update contracts, terms and conditions, procedures, and guidance documents to reflect evolving FTA, WSDOT, and SDOT procurement expectations.
• Support the City’s Women and Minority-Owned Business Enterprise (WMBE) goals and the Federal Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) program, helping strengthen opportunities for diverse firms.
• Assist with Federal audits and compliance reviews and other audit processes, including documentation, reporting, and occasional purchasing activities.
• Champion SDOT’s commitments to diversity, equity, and social justice by embedding these values into contracting and procurement practices.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in business or public administration, finance, economics, or a related field.

Experience

• Three (3) years ofprofessional experience in contract administration, financial analysis, project management, grant administration, inter-agency agreements.

OR: An equivalent combination of education and experience that demonstrates the ability to perform the position duties.

Desired Experience

• Demonstrated record of exercising an extensive degree of independent judgment and technical expertise in assuring the integrity of procurement and contracting activities.
• Demonstrated ability to work both independently, as well as leading teams.
• Proven success with public sector consultant contracting, including regulatory agency policies and procedures.
• Experience with federal grant compliance, federal grant contracting terms and conditions, and federal audits.
• Experience with federal purchasing and public works contracting methods, requirements and restrictions.
• Demonstrated organizational skills and capability to actively manage multiple processes at once in a fast-paced work environment, prioritizing based on ever-changing situations.
• Intermediate to advanced skills with Microsoft Office Suite (Outlook, Word, Excel, Access), Microsoft SharePoint, and Adobe Sign.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills for audiences ranging from Senior Management to Project Managers, with broad experience in contracting policy and processes.
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate effectively in a wide range of work environments and personality types.
• Demonstrated self-starter with attention to detail and follow-through on work commitments.
• Ability to work effectively in a multicultural workplace with a diverse customer base.

Other Requirements

• Work is typically performed in a hybrid work environment in which a minimum of 3 days of work is completed in a City office, and 2 days of work is completed remotely in a regular 40-hour work week.

Your application will not be reviewed if these items are missing or incomplete.

Hiring Process

1. Completed NEOGOV online application.
2. Supplemental questionnaire responses
3. Cover letter describing how your skills and experience align with the stated job responsibilities and qualifications.
4. Current résumé indicating relevant experience and education.

Offers of employment are contingent on verification of information provided by the applicant as part of the application process, including professional work and education verifications.

This hiring process involves a background check of conviction and arrest records in compliance with Seattle's Fair Chance Employment Ordinance, SMC 14.17. Applicants will be provided with an opportunity to explain or correct background information.

Please note this job advertisement is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

The City’s full salary range for this position is$56.57 - $84.88 hourly.

Please contact Ryan Jonesat [e-mail].

The City of Seattle offers a comprehensive benefits package including vacation, holiday, and sick leave as well as medical, dental, vision, life and long-term disability insurance for employees and their dependents. More information about employee benefits is available on the City's website at https://www.seattle.gov/human-resources/benefits

Who May Apply:

This position is open to all candidates that meet the minimum qualifications. The City of Seattle values diverse perspectives and life experiences. Applicants will be considered regardless of race, color, creed, national origin, ancestry, sex, marital status, disability, religious or political affiliation, age, sexual orientation or gender identity. The Department encourages people of all backgrounds to apply, including people of color, immigrants, refugees, women, LGBTQ+ people, people with disabilities, veterans and those with diverse life experiences.

Accommodations for people with disabilities are provided on request.

The City is a Drug Free Workplace.