Senior Contract Specialist

City of Seattle•Seattle, WA

2d•Onsite

About The Position

Seattle City Light, a department of the City of Seattle, is one of the nation’s largest municipally owned utilities in terms of the number of customers served. Over the years we have worked very hard to keep Seattle's electricity affordable, reliable, and environmentally sound. Today, City Light is a recognized national leader in energy efficiency and environmental stewardship. This position provides expertise in the procurement of professional, engineering, and architectural consulting services as well as goods and services contracts. The role requires a seasoned contract administrator with experience negotiating cost, terms, and conditions in highly complex, time-critical, and high-profile consulting requirements from initiation to contract closure. The role involves collaborating with Contracts & Procurement staff, internal departments, and external procurement stakeholders in all matters relating to the procurement of materials, supplies, hardware, software, and consulting services. The role also focuses on managing and mitigating risks inherent in design, construction, and other professional services to protect the City from litigation, criticism, or unanticipated costs due to unclear, ambiguous, or non-compliant contract documents. This position will report to the Contracts & Procurement Manager.

Requirements

Requires a minimum of three years of professional experience in financial analysis, project management, grant administration, inter-agency agreements, contract administration or related work.
Bachelor’s degree in business or public administration, finance, economics or other field related to this work (or a combination of education and/or training and/or experience which provides an equivalent background required to perform the work of the class).

Nice To Haves

CPPB (Certified Public Professional Buyer) or equivalent certification
Public Procurement Experience and Understanding of municipal, state, and federal procurement laws (e.g., competitive bidding requirements, RFP/RFQ processes)
Proficiency in managing the entire contract lifecycle from solicitation to closeout
Skills to evaluate cost structures, pricing models, and long-term financial implications of utility service agreements
Excellent customer service skills with experience to working with all employees at all levels of the organization
Ability to handle sensitive information with high degree of confidentiality
Strong oral and written communication skills
Strong organizational skills and attention to detail to actively manage multiple contract assignments in fast-paced environment
Ability to work independently and as part of a team
Strong negotiation skills with the experience securing favorable terms while maintaining vendor relationships

Responsibilities

Manage consultant procurement processes for business units
Coordinate preparation and approve requests for proposals or qualifications (RFP/Q) and related documents
Train project managers in consultant selection procedures
Participate in contract negotiations and ensure all contracts receive required approvals
Ensure compliance with all applicable laws and regulations
Review requests for procurement and contracting of equipment, goods, and services including architects, engineers, and small works
Analyze requirements and determine appropriate procurement methods
Recommend improvements to statements of work and specifications
Determine contract types, milestones, and procurement plans
Review sole source justifications and prepare documentation
Assess public work requirements including prevailing wage and bonding requirements
Prepare requests for proposals for technical, professional, and engineering services contracts
Develop solicitation strategies and write/edit scopes of work
Determine RFP structure and scope of work approaches
Assist in establishing selection criteria, phasing, and weighting
Develop and implement procedures for complex, politically sensitive, high-value projects
Collaborate with project managers to define procurement requirements including scope, evaluation criteria, pricing schedules, and milestone dates
Coordinate completion and issuance of solicitation documents
Train department representatives on procurement codes, policies, procedures, and waivers
Provide direction and training for Contracts & Procurement Specialists and administrative staff
Mentor and support junior contracts staff in research, writing, and document preparation
Develop, implement, and monitor departmental policies and procedures related to procurement and contracting
Investigate and make recommendations on procurement/contracting financial issues
Analyze contracting policies and procedures for effectiveness in meeting organizational objectives and statutory requirements