Procurement & Contract Specialist II

County of Thurston; Olympia (WA); On-site; USD 73,000 - 98,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Retirement plan

Pre-tax savings accounts

Paid vacation and holidays

Training program

Flexible work schedules

Job summary

Thurston County Public Works Department in Olympia, WA seeks a Procurement & Contract Specialist II to lead procurement activities and contract development for public works, professional consulting, and construction projects. This role supports planning, issuing solicitations, and managing awards while ensuring regulatory compliance.

The position focuses on negotiations, contract amendments, and maintaining records, with responsibilities to train staff and advise on procurement best practices

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Business or Public Administration.
• Five (5) years of experience in procurement or contract administration.
• Certified Purchasing Professional or Certified Public Procurement Officer or similar certification.
• Knowledge of Washington State policies and regulations related to public purchasing and contracting.

Responsibilities

• Develop and administer procurement for goods and services, including planning, issuing, advertising, and coordinating solicitations (RFPs, RFIs, ITBs).
• Lead proposal evaluation, vendor selection, and negotiations of contract scope and costs.
• Ensure contracts comply with departmental standards, local policies, and regulatory requirements.

Skills

Negotiation

Communication

Process improvement

Teamwork

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Accounting, Finance, Business or Public Administration

Tools

BARS System

Job description

The salary range for this position is $6,569.00 - $8,738.00 monthly.

Thurston County Public Works is recruiting for a Procurement & Contract Specialist II to join our dynamic, energetic, and innovative Business Services team. The successful candidate will perform procurement activities and related contract development and administration for goods and services involving public works, technical and professional consulting, architectural and engineering consulting, construction, and infrastructure maintenance and repair.

Essential functions

• Maintains expert knowledge of current regulatory requirements for local government purchasing, procurement, and contract administration in Washington State related to goods and services, including but not limited to those for public works, technical and professional consulting, architectural and engineering consulting, construction, and infrastructure maintenance and repair. May act as liaison with other departments, vendors, and regulatory agencies, as required.
• Works closely and collaboratively with various staff to develop and implement internal procedures for best practices in purchasing, procurement, and contract administration to ensure compliance with state and local policies and regulations.
• Responsible for procurement activities in support of departmental programs, such as planning, developing, issuing, advertising, and coordinating solicitations (e.g., RFPs, RFIs, ITBs); writing or assisting others with writing and editing scopes of work; and advising on structure of solicitations and determination of appropriate selection criteria and weighting. Leads the proposal evaluation and vendor selection process; negotiates or participates in negotiations of contract scope of work and associated costs; issues notices of award; and maintains all related documents and records.
• Negotiates, prepares, and maintains various contract mechanisms, such as service contracts; on-call contracts; contracts for materials, equipment, and supplies; change orders; contract amendments and memorandums of agreement. Ensures contract mechanisms are in compliance with departmental standards, local policies, and regulatory requirements.
• Provides direction, assistance, and training to department managers and staff on purchasing, procurement, and contract administration requirements and processes.
• Responsible for purchasing goods and services, including small purchases and larger purchases that involve complex procurement activities. Research state and local master contracts and other means to purchase goods and services in the most efficient manner to achieve the best value.
• Assists various users with contract administration. Provides oversight and recommendations to ensure contract specifications pertaining to licensing, permitting, insurance, bonds, and other requirements are met. Advises users of risks, upcoming expiration dates, and other contract-related issues. Works with department staff to address contract issues and corresponds with vendors to resolve disputes.

Essential Personnel

This position is considered to be an essential worker and may be required to work during non‑business hours or closures in order to meet operational requirements and needs.

Working Conditions

• Work Environment – Office setting in Thurston County, Washington.
• Schedule – Monday – Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Workload demands may occasionally require work outside the assigned work hours.
• Travel Requirements – Occasional travel may be required to attend meetings or trainings.
• Customer Interactions – Daily interactions via phone, in‑person, and video with Thurston County staff and the public.

Who We Are

Thurston County Public Works Department, located in Olympia, Washington, is a national award‑winning agency in delivering quality projects to our community. Our mission is to provide excellent public services in all areas of our business. We actively help our staff develop and grow professionally, we bring together resources across divisions to achieve organizational goals, we are always ready to respond to community needs, and we are an American Public Works Association accredited agency, consistently meeting industry best practices benchmarks.

Our Core Values

• Accountability - We take responsibility for our actions and the resulting outcomes.
• Customer Service - We provide our customers with the highest level of service and quality.
• Innovation - We strive to continuously improve processes, performance, and results.
• Safety - We demonstrate an uncompromising commitment to safety.
• Teamwork - We work together toward achieving a common recognized end.

Mission

To provide excellent public services in all areas of our business.

Vision

The premier public works organization, accountable and transparent in all services we provide to our community.

Thurston County values the diversity of the people it hires and serves. Inclusion to us means fostering a workplace in which individual differences are recognized, appreciated, and responded to in ways that fully develop and utilize each person’s talents and strengths. We are dedicated to recruiting and developing a talented workforce from various cultures, lifestyles, backgrounds, and perspectives who are committed to our vision and core values. Thurston County Racial Equity and Inclusion Webpage.

What We Offer Our Employees

• Work‑Life Balance: We are committed to ensure that our staff experience the reward of public service, while also sustaining a routine that suits each individual’s lifestyle.
• Plan For Your Future: As a member of our team, you will enjoy great employee benefits, including a retirement plan, pre‑tax savings accounts, as well as comprehensive health care and dental/vision care for you and your family. Please visit Thurston County Employee Benefit Plans for more information.
• Paid Leave: Full‑time regular employees earn paid vacation in addition to paid holidays.
• Robust Training Program: Employees are encouraged to attend County paid training to help them further their career, learn new skill sets, and stay on top of emerging trends in our industry. We also encourage our staff to participate in professional organizations and attend conferences.
• Flexible Work Schedules: Some of the options that employees may take advantage of include alternative or compressed schedules and/or remote working.
• Deferred Compensation: The County offers 3 voluntary deferred compensation plans for employees who would like to set aside additional deferred tax dollars into a retirement savings plan.
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA): Employees can take advantage of Section 125 flexible spending accounts for out‑of‑pocket health care and daycare expenses with pre‑tax dollars.
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness: This is a federal program that allows full‑time public service employees who have made qualifying payments for certain loans, to get their student loans repaid. Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.

Why you'll love it here

Thurston County is located between Seattle and Portland in Western Washington’s South Puget Sound Region. Perched in between the mountains and the ocean, the area boasts the perfect blend of year‑round outdoor activities including boating, hiking, skiing, and more. The region is also home to the state capitol city of Olympia, known for its many restaurants, microbreweries, coffee shops, farmers markets, kids’ activities, history, and art events. Discover more about life in Thurston County at Experienceolympia.com.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Accounting, Finance, Business or Public Administration, Mathematics or a related field.
• Five (5) years of experience in procurement or contract administration, grant writing, accounting, or a related field.
• Any combination of experience or education equivalent to seven (7) years of experience in governmental procurement or contract administration, or other professional program coordination or administration involving data development, tracking and analysis.

Desired Skills

• Knowledge of and skills in applying relevant policies, regulations, standard methods, and procedures related to public purchasing, procurement, and contract development and administration in Washington State.
• Ability to write and understand technical and legal language related to procurement and contracting processes.
• Knowledge of Washington State BARS System.
• Ability to work independently with general direction, as well as train and direct the work of other employees or contractors as needed.
• Ability to think logically and develop solutions to complex procurement and contracting problems.
• Ability to effectively communicate and work cooperatively with staff, other departments, vendors, governmental agencies, and the general public.
• Skill and training in negotiation and conflict resolution.
• Ability to maintain reports and data in a highly organized manner using established administrative protocols.
• Knowledge of process analysis and improvement methods.
• Certified Purchasing Professional, Certified Public Procurement Officer, or similar certification.
• Ability to analyze and organize information to prepare clear, comprehensive, and concise guidelines, procedures and reports.

Other Related Recruitment Information

Questions about this recruitment? Please contact Matthew Charles Guzman, Business Services Manager, at (360) 867‑2459 or [e-mail].

This position is

• Represented by a Union
• Eligible for overtime under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA)
• Eligible for benefits

Items required for consideration

• Application
• Resume
• Letter of Interest
• Supplemental Questions

Learn more about Thurston County

Learn more about Thurston County at Thurston County.

Please note

Information in this announcement is subject to change without notice at any time during the length of the job advertisement.

THURSTON COUNTY IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

Thurston County is committed to provide equal opportunity to all persons seeking or having access to its employment, services and activities, which is free from restriction based on race, sex, marital status, color, creed or religion, national origin, age, sexual orientation, including gender expression or identity, pregnancy, status as an honorably discharged veteran or military status, genetic information, or the presence of any sensory, mental or physical disability, unless based upon bona fide occupational qualifications. Applicants with disabilities who need accommodation with the application or selection process should contact Thurston County’s Human Resources, at [phone]. Those who are deaf, deaf‑blind, hard of hearing or speech impaired may use the statewide relay system to reach Thurston County offices and departments to conduct their business telephonically. Relay users can simply dial 7-1-1 (or 1-800-833-6388) to connect with Washington Relay.