Contract Specialist - Olympia

Job Title:

Contracts Specialist 1 (Olympia)

Location:

Olympia WA, Thurston County (Flexible/Hybrid) Closes:
September 29th, 2026 Salary: $51,600.00- $69,348.00 Annually

Our vision is to ensure that "Washington state's children and youth grow up safe and health-thriving physically, emotionally and academically, nurtured by family and community"

This position is responsible for the administration of routine contracts, including but not limited to interagency agreements, leases, and letters of understanding to provide or obtain services or goods on behalf of the agency. The person in this role will also initiative competitive bid projects, develop specifications and terms, initiate advertising for bids; while also providing for the receipt, processing, and award of contracts.

Additionally, the Contract Specialist 1 will also support Contract staff with background checks for providers, as well as support the agency in the submission of DES related annual reports.

to learn more about DCYF.

As a Contract Specialist 1 with DCYF, you will help ensure the agency has the goods and services it needs to support children, youth, and families across Washington. Working with the Contracts Office, you will manage routine contracts and agreements, support competitive bidding and procurement, develop contract terms, and monitor compliance with state and federal requirements. Your work will help DCYF use public resources responsibly while ensuring programs and services are delivered effectively and on time.

• Initiates the competitive contracting process (competitive bid projects), including the development of specifications and terms.
• Administers contracts with other WA State Agencies, Other State Governments, federal agencies, and private vendors for goods, services, and project funding.
• Initiates advertising for bids / procurement efforts.
• Provides receipt, processing and award of contracts.
• Obtains signatures, of authorized parties or their agents, of the parties to agreements /contracts.
• Coordinates with DCYF Administrative Services Division Legal Counsel, the Office of the Attorney General, and representatives of other state agencies with regard to contract requirements and procedures.
• Advises DCYF departments, offices, and staff members on the procedures involved in contracting for goods and / or services.
• Maintain contracts records including internal tracking mechanisms.
• Coordinates reports internally and with representatives of other department divisions.
• Develops contract reports required for the Department of Enterprise Services and the Office of Women and Minority Owned Businesses.
• Uploads documents necessary to support contract creation and renewal.

• Equivalent combination of education and experience totaling five (5) years.

OR

• A Bachelor’s degree involving major study in business administration, public administration, business law, commerce, economics, mathematics, statistics, or a closely allied field.

AND

• One year of experience in negotiating, administering, or terminating contracts, contract property management, contract cost or price analysis, or contract compliance administration

AND

• The ability to take action to learn and grow.
• The ability to take action to meet the needs of others.

• Knowledge of Washington State and federal laws and regulations governing contracts and agreements.
• Knowledge of contract principles, practices, theory, and application.
• Knowledge of contract terminology, development, practices, and procedures.
• Ability to communicate and write effectively.
• Ability to represent the agency in coordination and negotiations with government agencies and private industry.
• Ability to identify desirable contract…