Purchasing and Travel Administrator

King County, WA; Seattle (WA); Hybrid; USD 65,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

King County Metro Transit is seeking a Purchasing and Travel Administrator to oversee procurement, accounts payable, vendor contracts, and employee travel with accuracy and public service focus.

The role is a Term Limited Temporary assignment through 2027, supporting internal controls, staff assistance, and cross-team collaboration to ensure compliant, efficient operations in King County.

Qualifications

• Minimum of two years’ experience in complex accounts payable, reporting, procurement, and vendor contract management.
• Experience reviewing vendor invoices and reimbursement accurately and on time.
• Experience in vendor account management and data collection procedures.
• Strong attention to detail resolving accounting discrepancies.
• Ability to develop and maintain complex database reports with charts and tables.
• Strong customer service skills with diverse stakeholders.
• Experience producing work under tight deadlines and managing priorities.
• Experience using Oracle EBS, SAP Concur or similar systems.
• Proficiency with Word, Excel, Outlook, SharePoint, PowerPoint, MS Teams, and Adobe.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the subject matter expert for procurement, accounts payable, vendor contracts, and travel processes.
• Manage accounts payable activities: invoices, payments, codes, controls, and policies.
• Assist employees with purchasing and travel, review submissions for accuracy, timely processing of expense reports.
• Maintain audit-ready financial records including invoices, contracts, travel docs, P‑Card transactions, assets.
• Independently administer complex procurement functions: solicitations, contracts, waivers, and vendor setup.
• Collaborate with internal teams and external partners to negotiate terms and conditions.
• Research, troubleshoot, and resolve discrepancies in purchasing and travel.
• Develop internal controls and procedures; suggest process improvements.
• Provide training and guidance on new processes and procedures.
• Support year-end activities and accruals.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Skills

Accounts payable

Vendor contracts

Procurement

Expense reimbursement

Vendor account management

Data reporting

Data analysis

Customer service

Multitasking

Adaptability

Oracle EBS

SAP Concur

Word

Excel

Outlook

SharePoint

PowerPoint

MS Teams

Adobe

Tools

Oracle EBS

SAP Concur

Word

Excel

Outlook

SharePoint

PowerPoint

MS Teams

Adobe

Job description

King County Metro Transit's Employee Services Division has an exciting opportunity for a Purchasing and Travel Administrator. This is a pivotal position that ensures our procurement, accounts payable, vendor contract management, and employee travel processes are carried out with consistency, accuracy, and a commitment to public service.

We are seeking a detail‑oriented, service‑driven professional who is eager to contribute to efficient government operations, strengthen internal partnerships, and uphold the high standards that support King County’s mission. If you are motivated by meaningful work that supports employees, advances equitable practices, and enhances the accountability of public resources, we encourage you to apply! We are accepting applications from all qualified candidates including current King County employees and the general public.

This recruitment will be used to fill one (1) Term Limited Temporary (TLT) / Special Duty Assignment (SDA) position. The TLT/SDA position is anticipated to end December 31st, 2027, with the possibility for extension. In addition, this recruitment selection process may be used to generate an eligibility pool for future Career Service, TLT, or SDA positions that may occur in this classification. The eligibility pool will be retained for up to 12 months from the date of posting and may be used at the discretion of the hiring authority. The Purchasing and Travel Administrator is an Administrator II classification.

Job Duties

Applying our ACTIVATE values: being Accountable, Collaborative, Timely, and Impactful; how we Value Employees; staying Accessible; building what’s Trusted; and acting Equitably, is a daily responsibility and a foundational expectation for all King County employees. As the Purchasing and Travel Administrator you will:

• Serve as the Employee Services Division’s subject matter expert and primary liaison for procurement, accounts payable, vendor contract management, and travel processes.
• Manage all accounts payable activities, including processing invoices and payments, verifying vendor and contract information, obtaining and applying accurate account charge codes, and ensuring adherence to required controls, procedures, and policies.
• Assist employees with purchasing needs and travel requests, review submissions for completeness and accuracy, and ensure timely processing of expense reports.
• Maintain organized and audit‑ready financial records, including invoices, contracts, travel documentation, P‑Card transactions, asset records, and other fiscal data sources.
• Independently administer complex procurement functions, including formal and informal solicitations, contract piggybacking, waiver and service requests, supplier and contract establishment, and provide support in the development of routine contract specifications.
• Collaborate with Employee Services Division teams, Metro Contract Team, and internal/external partners including various King County agencies to negotiate contract terms and conditions.
• Research, troubleshoot, and resolve discrepancies related to purchasing, accounts payable, and travel transactions.
• Participate in the development and implementation of internal controls, procedures, policies, standard work, and related tools or resources, and provide recommendations to improve operational processes.
• Provide training, guidance, and responsive support to co‑workers on new processes and transaction procedures.
• Support year‑end activities and identify transactions for accrual and adjustment entries as needed.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Experience, Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills

We are looking for candidates who meet the following minimum qualifications:

• Minimum of two years’ experience performing complex accounts payable, reporting, procurement, vendor contract management and expense reimbursement duties OR an equivalent combination of education and experience that demonstrates the ability to perform the role effectively.
• Experience independently reviewing and processing vendor invoices and reimbursement accurately and on time.
• Experience in vendor account management and applying proper data collection procedures and principles to ensure compliant, accurate, and well‑organized system records.
• Strong attention to detail with experience researching, verifying, troubleshooting, and resolving accounting discrepancies and payment issues.
• Ability to develop, prepare, and maintain complex database reports, including charts, graphs, and tables.
• Strong customer service skills, including experience building and maintaining respectful and collaborative relationships with diverse colleagues, internal and external stakeholders such as vendors, and other King County agencies.
• Experience producing work under tight deadlines, multitasking effectively amidst frequent interruptions, and managing competing priorities efficiently.
• Demonstrated ability to adapt in a dynamic work environment while managing high volumes of diverse tasks.
• Experience using enterprise financial systems such as Oracle Enterprise Business Solutions (EBS), SAP Concur, or similar systems.
• Technologically adept with strong proficiency including use of Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, SharePoint, PowerPoint, MS Teams, and Adobe.

Highly competitive candidates will have the following desired (but not required) qualifications:

• Experience interpreting and applying government and public sector financial policies, procedures, and compliance standards.
• Experience using EBS Financials (iProcurement, eProcurement/Procurement Cloud, iExpense, BI Insights) and SAP Concur.
• Working knowledge of King County processes, procedures, and policies related to P‑Card use and travel reimbursements.
• Administrative support experience in a public sector setting.

Supplemental Information

Who may apply: We are accepting applications from all qualified applicants including current King County employees and the general public. All candidates are eligible for TLT positions. SDA placement is only available to current King County employees that have completed their probationary period (or will complete it by the closing date of this posting) in their current career service position and is subject to reference checks, record review, and approval from the candidate's current supervisor.

Required Application Materials

• An online King County application updated with accurate contact information and relevant work history going back at least 10 years (or more, if necessary) with all job duties clearly explained.
• Completed supplemental questions. Responses to supplemental questions must be supported and verifiable by information found within your application materials.
• A cover letter outlining how your experience and skills align with the duties and qualifications of this specific position. Also, summarize your experience performing complex accounts payable, reporting, procurement, vendor contract management, and expense reimbursement duties. Please note, only the first two pages of your cover letter will be reviewed.

Selection Process

Applications will be screened to determine whether candidates meet the minimum qualifications, as well as for completeness and competitiveness as it relates to this position. The most competitive applicants may be invited to participate in one or more interviews and/or other selection processes. Formal offers will be finalized after candidates have successfully completed any necessary pre‑employment processes, such as internal record reviews or reference checks.

Work Schedule

The work performed in this role is typically Monday through Friday, 8.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m., but may at times require work outside of normal business hours. This position is non‑exempt from the provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act and is eligible for overtime pay, with prior supervisor approval.

Work Location

This position follows a hybrid work schedule currently requiring a minimum of two (2) days per week onsite at King Street Center (201 S. Jackson Street, Seattle), consistent with King County Metro's hybrid work policy. Remote workdays may be adjusted or increased based on operational or business needs. Employees will have access to shared workspaces at various King County facilities. Employees must reside in Washington state and within a reasonable distance of their assigned worksite to meet reporting requirements.

Safety Responsibility: Employees

• Responsible for understanding this policy and their role in safety
• Report all safety concerns
• Follow safety practices and procedures as necessary to maintain a safe work environment and in conformance with applicable regulations, policies, and training
• Report safety and security concerns and ideas to supervisors or anonymously through data collection system

Classification / Union / Classification Code / Grade

Administrator II / Non- Represented Z3 / 2810200 / 56

Are you ready to make a difference? Come join the team dedicated to serving one of the nation's best places to live, work and play.

King County's Vision, Mission, and ACTIVATE Values unite us.

King County serves residents with a relentless sense of urgency, delivering on commitments with transparency and accountability. We are action‑oriented, creative problem solvers who collaborate across roles, engage directly with communities, and challenge the status quo to achieve meaningful impact. As a unified team, we uphold high ethical and stewardship standards, embrace change, stay curious, and continuously improve. Across all interactions, we listen first, act quickly, and stay aligned as a team to earn and sustain public trust. Learn more about our Vision, Mission, and ACTIVATE Values here and visit our Why work at King County page here.

King County is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Employer

No person is unlawfully excluded from employment opportunities based on sex, race, color, national origin, ethnicity, religious affiliation, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age except by minimum age and retirement provisions, pregnancy, status as a family caregiver, parental status, marital status, military status or status as a veteran who was honorably discharged or who was discharged solely as a result of the person's sexual orientation or gender identity or expression, citizenship or immigration status, genetic information, or other protected class. However, to the extent that distinction or differential treatment on the basis of citizenship or immigration status is authorized by either federal or state law, regulation, or government contract, it is not an unfair practice.

Our EEO policy applies to all employment actions, including but not limited to recruitment, hiring, selection for training, promotion, transfer, demotion, layoff, termination, rates of pay or other forms of compensation.

Benefits

• Excellent medical, dental, and vision coverage options: King County provides eligible employees with options, so they can decide what’s best for themselves and their eligible dependents
• Life and disability insurance: employees are provided basic coverage and given the opportunity to purchase additional insurance for both the employee and eligible dependents
• Retirement: eligible King County employees may participate in a pension plan through the Washington State Department of Retirement Systems and a 457(b) deferred‑compensation plan
• Transportation program and ORCA transit pass
• 12 paid holidays each year plus two personal holidays
• Generous vacation and paid sick leave
• Paid parental, family and medical, and volunteer leaves
• Flexible Spending Account
• Wellness programs
• Onsite activity centers
• Employee Giving Program
• Employee assistance programs
• Flexible schedules and telecommuting options, depending on position
• Training and career development programs

For additional information about employee benefits, visit our Benefits, Payroll, and Retirement Page.

This is a general description of the benefits offered to eligible King County employees, and every effort has been made to ensure its accuracy. If any information on this document conflicts with the provisions of a collective bargaining agreement (CBA), the CBA prevails.

NOTE: Benefits for Term Limited Temporary (TLT) or Short Term Temporary (STT) positions, including leave eligibility and/or participation in the pension plan through the Washington State Department of Retirement Systems, will vary based upon the terms and details of the position. Short Term Temporary positions are not eligible for an ORCA transit pass.