Federal Contracting Strategic Advisor (Strategic Advisor 2)

Seattle Department of Transportation; Seattle (WA); Hybrid; USD 77,000 - 117,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Leave benefits

Insurance package

Benefits portal

Job summary

The Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) invites a Federal Contracting Strategic Advisor to join the Finance Division. You will guide complex consultant contracting with federal and state partners, align procurement with compliance standards, and help deliver equitable, community‑centered transportation.

This is a cross‑functional role emphasizing collaboration and policy guidance. You will support procurement, grants, and audits while advancing SDOT’s commitment to diverse contracting

Qualifications

• Bachelor's 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.

Responsibilities

• Provide guidance on complex consultant contracting needs for projects with FHWA, WSDOT, FTA and other agencies; coach teams to develop clear, compliant procurement strategies.
• Maintain procurement planning timelines, update work plans and data dashboards, and flag challenges early.
• Ensure alignment with federal, state, and city contracting requirements while promoting grant and contract compliance.
• Translate laws and best practices into policy recommendations to support smooth project delivery.
• Draft and update contracts, terms and conditions, procedures, and guidance documents for evolving procurement expectations.
• Support WMBE and DBE goals and assist with federal audits and compliance reviews.
• Champion diversity, equity, and social justice in contracting and procurement practices.

Education

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

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.

Position 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!
(SDOT) is looking for a thoughtful, relationship-oriented Federal Contracting Strategic Advisor (Strategic Advisor 2) to join our Finance Division and play a pivotal role in shaping how we steward federal, state, and local funding across the department. This is a unique opportunity to support some of the most impactful transportation and community-focused projects in the city—projects that rely on strong partnerships, shared expertise, and seamless collaboration to move from vision to reality.
As federal funding continues to grow and diversify, SDOT, along with partner departments such as the Department of Finance & Administrative Services (FAS), along with the Office of Planning & Community Development (OPCD), and Seattle Center, depends on a dedicated contracting expert who can work side-by-side with teams across the City. In this role, you will serve as a trusted advisor, helping project managers, division directors, and executive leadership navigate complex requirements with confidence and clarity. You will be the connective tissue linking technical contracting knowledge with the daily work of delivering equitable, community-centered transportation infrastructure.
This position is ideal for someone who thrives in cross-functional environments, enjoys guiding colleagues through challenging questions, and finds energy in building systems that help teams work more effectively together. Whether shaping policy, advising on funding requirements, or supporting citywide initiatives, you will collaborate with diverse stakeholders to ensure our contracting practices remain compliant, efficient, and audit-ready—ultimately helping SDOT deliver safe, accessible, and innovative mobility solutions for all Seattle residents.

Job Responsibilities

• 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.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications

Education

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

Experience

• Three (3) years of professional 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.

Though not requirements, strong candidates will have some of the following experience or are able to describe comparable 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[MD1] .
• 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 Environment

• 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

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.

For more information regarding this recruitment, please contact: Ryan Jones at [e-mail].

Benefits

• 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.