Public Works Contract/Office Administrator

City of Kennewick; Kennewick (WA); On-site; USD 65,000 - 86,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Kennewick is seeking a Contract/Office Administrator to support the Public Works team. This role focuses on contract administration, project documentation, financial tracking, and records management to support day-to-day department operations.

The position requires strong organizational skills and experience with public works processes, plus the ability to coordinate with auditors, agencies, and finance teams. This is a full-time, on-site role with standard business hours.

Qualifications

• Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree preferred in public administration, business administration, construction management or related field.
• Three or more years of experience in contract administration, preferably in public works or municipal government.
• Experience with state/local government contracts, procurement and public works construction processes highly desirable.

Responsibilities

• Supervise administrative staff and support the Public Works Director with hiring and performance reviews.
• Manage Public Works contracts to ensure compliance with state and federal funding requirements.
• Oversee project documentation and archives to maintain complete, auditable files.
• Serve as financial liaison, monitor budgets, and prepare departmental accounting records.
• Process pay estimates, reconcile budgets, and compile monthly and yearly reports.
• Coordinate public records requests and act as department records custodian.
• Maintain department webpage and support web team activities.

Education

Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in Public Administration, Business Administration, Construction Management, or related field preferred

Tools

MS Office

Job description

Join the City of Kennewick Public Works Team!

Recruitment Closes: October 28, 2026
First Review: October 22, 2026

The City of Kennewick is seeking a Contract/Office Administrator to support our Public Works team. This position plays a key role in contract administration, project documentation, financial tracking, records management, and supporting the day-to-day operations of the department.

CORE VALUE STATEMENT

The City of Kennewick will provide excellent public service and ensure the safety and wellbeing of our community and one another through the empowerment of each employee. We value integrity, inclusiveness, stewardship, and communication. We are accountable to our community for innovative and collaborative efforts that anticipate needs, leverage resources, and deliver solutions.

SAFETY STATEMENT

We expect our employees to ensure compliance with all applicable safety practices and policies, including those established by OSHA/DOSH regulations and by the City’s Accident Prevention Plan. This includes but is not limited to actively identifying and correcting potential hazards that may affect employee and public safety, including those identified by co-workers; leading by example to promote a positive culture of workplace safety through everyday action; and emphasizing safe completion of work throughout all aspects of developing and carrying out work plans.

CLASSIFICATION SUMMARY

Under general supervision of the Public Works Director, performs a variety of technical assistance and customer service duties to assist the Department in administering projects and services offered to the community. Incumbent interacts with the general public, contractors, and developers by providing technical assistance requiring a thorough knowledge and understanding of building and construction terminology and administrative procedures. Incumbent maintains accurate project documentation and archives in accordance with State and Federal guidelines, ensures contractor compliance with State, Federal, and grant agency requirements, and assists auditors during project documentation reviews. This is a single level classification. It is not part of a series.

WORK SCHEDULE

The initial work schedule for this classification will be full-time, Monday through Friday. This position may be eligible for a flexible work schedule, including a 9/80 schedule. This classification is non-exempt under the FLSA.

The following list reflects the essential job duties and responsibilities of this classification but should not be considered all-inclusive. The incumbent will be expected to perform other related duties as assigned.

• Supervises the activities of full-time and part-time administrative office support staff. Supervision includes providing training, work assignment and review, performance evaluation and in collaboration with Public Works Director hiring, termination, and pay change recommendations.
• Manages Public Works Contracts for compliance with state and federal funding requirements.
• Oversees contractors and sub-contractors in meeting project documentation requirements to maintain complete and accurate files.
• Provides clarification with respect to rules and regulations governing such contracts. Frequently interacts with outside agencies including the Department of Labor & Industries, Department of Transportation, Employment Security, and Department of Revenue.
• Interfaces with auditors from multiple State agencies during project audits. Maintains project archives in compliance with State laws.
• Serves as the financial liaison with the Finance Department. Assists in developing, monitoring, and reporting the financial status of departments operation and capital budgets. Sets up and maintains the Departmental Project Accounting files.
• Processes contractor pay estimates. Ensures prompt payment of approved invoices. Reconciles contract and consultant budgets. Compiles monthly/yearly reports.
• Acts as department’s public records request lead and primary custodian of the department’s records.
• Logs, records, and files documents, forms, correspondence, etc. according to established filing system. Ensures proper file documentation for all Public Works projects. Maintains documentation for audit review
• Serves on the City’s Web Team and acts as the lead in the management and maintenance of departments webpage.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Any combination of experience and education which provides the applicant with the listed necessary knowledge, skills and abilities will be considered.

Any combination equivalent to the following criteria:

Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in Public Administration, Business Administration, Construction Management, or related field preferred. Three (3) or more years of experience in contract administration, preferably in public works or municipal government; or any combination of relevant education and experience sufficient to demonstrate the knowledge, skills and abilities to perform the duties listed above. Experience with state/local government contracts, procurement and public works construction processes highly desirable.

• Must pass a criminal background investigation.
• Must maintain regular attendance and punctuality.
• Must maintain a level of mental and physical fitness required to perform the essential functions of this classification.

Physical Requirements:

To perform the essential functions of the classification, incumbents must be able to meet the following physical requirements: must regularly talk, hear/listen, see/observe, sit, stand and walk; must regularly demonstrate fine motor skills; must occasionally exert up to 10 pounds of force.