Contract Specialist I

Title: Contract Specialist I

Location: Seattle United States

Salary

$44.83 - $56.82 Hourly

Location 

Seattle, WA

Job Type

Career Service, Full Time, 40 hrs/week

Job Number

2025-25768

Department

DNRP-Natural Resources & Parks

Division

Parks

FLSA

Non-Exempt

Bargaining Unit

F3A : L117-P&T

Full- or Part-Time

Full Time

Hours/Week

40 hours/week

Job Description:

Summary

Join a team that's shaping the future of King County's parks! The Capital Improvement Program (CIP) keeps our parks safe, accessible, and sustainable through smart planning and thoughtful investment-and we're looking for a Contract Specialist Ito help make it happen. If you're a motivated, detail-oriented professional who loves improving systems and supporting impactful projects, we'd be excited to have you on our team.

In addition to the current opening, this recruitment may be used to establish a pool of qualified candidates to fill future Contract Specialist I career service and term-limited temporary openings within the Parks Division or throughout the Department of Natural Resources & Parks (DNRP) over the next six months.

About the Role:

As a Contract Specialist I on the King County Parks CIP team, you'll provide contract and procurement support using established methods, under supervision of senior staff, for a team comprised of over fifty planners, architects, engineers and project managers. The primary function is to support and assist the team in procurement and management of Construction, Architectural & Engineering (AEP), and Goods & Services contracts, covering full project life-cycle. Your work will directly support a diverse range of improvement funded by the 2026-2031 Parks Levy, including play area rehabilitations, aquatic center Improvements, regional trail enhancements, restroom and building system rehabilitations, synthetic turf replacements, and more.

This position follows a hybrid work model, blending remote and in-person work.

About the Team:

King County Parks Capital Improvement Program (CIP) is a mission-driven team dedicated to planning, designing, and building safe, accessible, and vibrant public spaces across the county - from more than 205 parks to 175 miles of regional trails and 215 miles of backcountry trails. Together, we maintain and enhance the infrastructure that supports healthy communities and reflects our commitment to environmental stewardship and public service. We're a motivated, forward-thinking, detail-orientated group that values strong systems, efficient processes, and meaningful work. If you're energized by fast-paced teamwork and the chance to make a lasting impact on the places people love, you'll thrive here.

Commitment to Equity, Racial and Social Justice:

King County, named after Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., is a diverse and vibrant community that represents cultures from around the world. Our True North is to create a welcoming community where everyone can thrive. We prioritize equity, racial and social justice, making it a foundational and daily expectation for all employees. As a Contract Specialist I, you will actively apply these principles in all aspects of your work. Learn more about our commitment at http://www.kingcounty.gov/equity.

Apply now for a rewarding career at the Parks Division of King County Department of Natural Resources & Parks (DNRP). Join our talented workforce in protecting and restoring the natural environment and promoting more resilient, sustainable, and equitable communities. Enjoy training, comprehensive benefits, and growth opportunities.

Job Duties

What You Will Be Doing:

• Facilitate and manage multi-step procurement processes including defining bidding requirements, selection criteria, and contract terms and conditions.
• Research, draft, and issue Invitations to Bid (ITBs) and assemble comprehensive contract documents for public works and construction projects in alignment with established policies and procedures.
• Maintain accurate, complete procurement files by organizing and verifying all required documentation for audit compliance.
• Collaborate with project teams to develop, refine, and edit scopes of work and technical specifications.
• Support the CIP Contracts team in executing contract closeout activities.

Experience, Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills

Qualifications You Bring:

•  
• Knowledge of competitive procurement solicitations and/or contracting.
• Basic understanding of contract law, regulations, procurement methods, and/or contracting best practices.
• Ability to stay organized and when working in a fast-paced environment with many competing priorities.
• Effective written and oral communication skills.
• Intermediate to advanced proficiency using MS Office Suite, including Word and Excel and the ability to understand and learn additional software systems (i.e., Unifier, Oracle, SharePoint, etc).

Competencies You Bring:

•  
• Customer Focus: Ability to build strong customer relationships and deliver customer-centric solutions.
• Values Differences: Ability to recognize the value that different perspectives and cultures bring to an organization.
• Collaborates: Ability to build partnerships and work collaboratively with others to meet shared objectives.
• Action Oriented: Ability to take on new opportunities and tough challenges with a sense of urgency, high energy, and enthusiasm.
• Situational Adaptability: Ability to adapt approach and demeanor in real time to match the shifting demands of different situations.

It Would Be Great if You Also Bring:

• Experience with LEAN processes and principles

• Experience with SharePoint, MS Teams, and other collaborative online tools

• Public procurement experience

Supplemental Information

• Work Location: The CIP team works in a hybrid model, with days in the office as well as telecommuting. The ratio of remote to onsite work will be dependent on business needs and is subject to change. The primary onsite location is King Street Center, 201 S. Jackson, Seattle, Washington 98104.
• Employees must reside in Washington state and within a reasonable distance to their King County worksite to respond to workplace reporting requirements.
• King County has a robust collection of tools and resources to support working remotely. The individual selected for this opportunity will join an innovative and progressive team that is redefining how we work as we transition to the department's hybrid environment. Employees will be provided with a County-issued laptop and must maintain a home workspace with an internet connection where they can reliably perform work and remain available and responsive during scheduled work hours.
• Work Schedule: This full-time position works a 40-hour work week. This position is non-exempt from the overtime provision of the Fair Labor Standard Act (FLSA) and is overtime eligible.
• Union Representation: This position is represented by Teamsters L117.

Application and Selection Process:

We welcome applications from all qualified applicants. We value diversity, diverse perspectives and life experience and encourage people of all backgrounds to apply.

Application materials will be screened for clarity, completeness and alignment with the experience, qualifications, knowledge, and skills essential for this role to determine which candidates may be invited to participate in one or more panel interviews.

To apply, submit a:

• Complete Application
• Resume (PDF format)

Note: Additional documents won't be considered during minimum qualification screening.

Who to Contact: For more information regarding this recruitment, please contact Crystal Yost at cyost@kingcounty.gov.

Discover More About the Parks Division: Visit our website and check us out at Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Flickr.

Discover More About DNRP: Visit our website, explore an interactive mapof our recent accomplishments and check us out at Facebook, X , LinkedIn, TikTok, Instagram, YouTubeand Keeping King County Green News.

Sign up for Job Alerts to be notified of additional career opportunities with King County. Select the Natural Resources category for DNRP opportunities and explore other categories of interest.

Forbes named King County as one of Washington State's best employers.

Together, with leadership and our employees, we're changing the way government delivers service and winning national recognition as a model of excellence. 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.

Guided by our "True North", we are making King County a welcoming community where every person can thrive. We value diversity, inclusion and belonging in our workplace and workforce. To reach this goal we are committed to workforce equity. Equitable recruiting, support, and retention is how we will obtain the highest quality workforce in our region; a workforce that shares and will help advance our guiding principles - we are one team; we solve problems; we focus on the customer; we drive for results; we are racially just; we respect all people; we lead the way; and we are responsible stewards. We encourage people of all backgrounds and identities to apply, including Native American and people of color, immigrants, refugees, women, LGBTQ+, people living with disabilities, and veterans.

King County is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Employer

No person is unlawfully excluded from employment opportunities based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex (including gender identity, sexual orientation and pregnancy), age, genetic information, disability, veteran status, or other protected class. 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.

To Apply

If you are interested in pursuing this position, please follow the application instructions carefully. If you need this announcement in an alternate language or format, would like to request accommodation or assistance in the application or assessment process or if you have questions, please contact the recruiter listed on this job announcement.

King County offers a highly-competitive compensation and benefits package designed to meet the diverse needs of our employees and support our employees' health and well-being. Eligible positions receive the following benefits and have access to the following programs:

• 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.

For inquiries about the specifics of this position, please contact the recruiter identified on this job posting.

01

Are you applying to this position as an eligible current or previous King County Employee Priority Placement Program Participant? AND Is this position the same or lower percentage of full-time when compared to the position held at the point of the notification of layoff? AND Do you possess the skills and abilities to qualify for this position?

• Yes, I was given a layoff notice from my Career Service role at King County and I am within two years of the effective date of my layoff. Additionally, the position I was laid off from was the same or a higher percentage of FT status when compared to this one.
• No.

02

If you answered yes to the question above and you are applying for this position as a Priority Placement Participant, to be considered, you must provide the following three pieces of information in the space provided: 1. The title you held when you received your layoff notice 2. The department you worked in 3. The effective date of your layoff

03

This position requires an intermediate level of proficiency using Microsoft Office and the ability/aptitude to learn additional software. Do you meet this requirement?

• YES: I have an intermediate level of proficiency using MS Office and I have the ability to learn new software.
• NO: I do not meet this requirement.

04

If you answered yes to the above question, please list the Microsoft products you use on a regular basis and describe the tasks/purpose you use them. If you answered no, please put N/A.

05

This position requires the ability to stay organized and work in a fast-paced environment. Do you meet this requirement?

• YES: I have the required ability.
• NO: I do not have the required ability.

06

This position requires effective writing and oral communication skills. Do you meet this requirement?

• YES: I have the required skills.
• NO: I do not have the required skills.

07

If you answered yes to the above question, please describe your experience as it pertains to the Contract Specialist I role. If you answered no, please put N/A.

08

This position requires knowledge of competitive procurement solicitations and/or contracting. Do you meet this requirement?

• YES: I have the required knowledge.
• NO: I do not have the required knowledge.

09

If you answered yes to the above question, please describe your knowledge of competitive procurement solicitations and/or contracting. If you answered no, please put N/A.

10

This position requires basic understanding of contract law, regulations, procurement methods, and/or contracting best practices. Please select all the areas you have a basic understanding:

• Contract law
• Regulations
• Procurement methods
• Contracting best practices.
• None of these

Required Question

Employer King County

Address King Street Center

201 South Jackson Street

Seattle, Washington, 98104

Phone 206-477-3404

Website http://www.kingcounty.gov/