Senior Contracts Specialist

Description

• Interpreting and applying federal, state, and local policies, laws, and regulations.
• Trains, mentors, and supports junior level contracts staff as assigned; works closely with them to develop their skills in research, writing, document preparation, and quality documents; acts as a “sounding board” to their questions and suggest sources they may research to develop their strategies and resolution of issues; provides procurement training to Agency project managers and managers; and provides training on FTA requirements to staff & project managers.
• Develop and implement procedures for new or existing contracting program or project areas, analyze contracting policies and procedures to determine their effectiveness in meeting our mission, organizational objectives, and statutory requirements.
• Develops, reviews, and edits boilerplate documents such as solicitations, contracts, software license terms and conditions, letters, forms, and manuals for inaccuracies and inconsistencies; researches cited references to RCW, WAC, or CFR to ensure references are current; and revises and writes sections of boilerplates to reflect Agency changes in procurement and contracting approach.
• Analyzes bids for responsiveness/responsibility and proposals for conformance with the solicitation; and performs cost or price analysis, including review of cost breakdowns to determine reasonableness.
• Provides support to the division on matters as directed; serves as staff on a variety of committees; prepares and presents staff reports and other necessary correspondence; attends and participates in professional group meetings; maintains awareness of new trends and developments in the fields related to area of assignment; incorporates new developments as appropriate; ensures processes, policies, and practices are interpreted and applied consistently and effectively; including small business and diversity program requirements.
• Organizes, coordinates, and perform the bid opening process and the proposal evaluation process to select top ranked firms; assists project managers in evaluating bids and proposals and conducting interviews with top ranked firms to select finalists; and assists project managers in selecting firms for contract award.
• Performs the more complex and technically difficult work.
• Negotiates contract prices, terms and conditions, modifications, and change orders.
• Establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with other department staff, management, vendors, outside agencies, community groups, and the general public.
• Performing a full range of duties involved in participating in the services and activities of the procurement process within the Procurement and Contracts Division.
• Researches, prepares, and issues solicitation and contract documents in accordance with Agency policies and procedures, federal and state laws, and Federal Transit Administration (FTA) contracting regulations incorporating provisions such as cost accounting standards, and in compliance with socioeconomic programs such as DBE, small business, and sustainability.
• Participates, coordinates, or supports departments in invoice payment to ensure timely payment to vendors; monitors for the payment of prevailing wages and compliance with certified payroll requirements; performs contract administration and contract close out functions in accordance with contractual requirements and state law, as applicable; assists project team members relative to acceptance of work performed, final payment, and delivery of all final products and materials, including warranties, manuals, and as-built drawings; and participates in dispute resolution and claims settlement.
• It is the responsibility of all employees to follow the Agency safety rules, regulations, and procedures pertaining to their assigned duties and responsibilities, which could include systems, operations, and/or other employees.
• Reviews requests for the procurement of and contracting for equipment, goods, and services including architects and engineers, small works, and other procurements as assigned; analyzes the requirements and determines method of procurement; recommends improvements to the statement of work or specifications as necessary and decides on the type of contract, milestones, and procurement plan; reviews justifications for sole source and prepares documentation; and determines applicability of requirements including, but not limited to, public work requirements such as prevailing wage and bonding requirements.
• Administers assigned contracts in accordance with contractual terms and conditions, Agency’s internal policies and resolutions, Federal Transit Administration’s (FTA) Circular, and applicable state and federal laws; administers assigned contracts to ensure compliance with contractual requirements including deliverables, schedule, quality, cost, notices, insurance, etc.; conducts objective market research of sole source/proprietary/non-competitive contract requests; identifies issues of non-compliance and recommends remedial actions; interprets contractual provisions and provides guidance to project team members; investigates and resolves contractual issues relative to assigned contracts; reviews and processes invoices for payment consistent with contractual requirements and Agency’s policies and procedures; reviews and processes change orders (CO) consistent with contractual requirements, Agency’s policies and procedures, and applicable federal requirements.
• The Agency promotes a safe and healthy work environment and provides appropriate safety and equipment training for all personnel as required.
• Negotiating and identifying solutions that balance the Agency’s interests and those of the negotiating partner(s), within financial capacity and other constraints. This includes contract negotiation principles.
• Collaborates with project managers to define procurement requirements including proposed scope of work/specifications, evaluation criteria, pricing schedule, milestone dates, budgeted contract amount, type of procurement process, subcontracting opportunities and requirements, term of contract, drawings and reference documents, and selection of evaluation committee members; coordinates with project managers to complete and issue solicitation documents; assists with developing statements of work, schedules, work orders, and other contract requirements; and ensures proper contractual guidelines and policy procedures are followed in the procurement process.
• Preparing complex contracts, agreements, and management reports.
• Position is responsible for reading, scanning, and editing multiple pages of contracts in a short period of time. May be subject to seeing.
• Utilizing personal computer software programs affecting assigned work and in compiling and preparing spreadsheets and reports.
• Assists project managers in developing negotiation strategies; assists with or conducts negotiations with selected firms; provides support to project managers during the formal Committee and Board approval process; conducts debriefing sessions for unsuccessful proposers; and debriefs vendors and prepares initial agency position on protests from unsuccessful bidders/proposers.
• Interpreting and administering policies and procedures sufficient to administer, discuss, resolve, and explain them to staff and other constituencies.

Requirements

• Industry principles and practices in Goods, Professional, and other Services.
• Successful completion of CPPB; OR an equivalent combination of experience and certification.
• English usage, spelling, grammar, and punctuation.
• Project management techniques and principles.
• Principles and practices used on complex contractual actions.
• Procurement means and methods including alternatives to low-bid procurements.
• Principles of business letter writing and basic report preparation.
• Contract cost and price analysis principles and practices.
• Industry principles and practices in procurement of Technology, Goods, and Services.
• Champions and models Sound Transit's core values and demonstrates values-based behaviors in everyday interactions across the agency.
• Contract administration principles including those related to scope, schedule, and payments. State and federal contracting requirements including Federal Transit Administration and Federal Highway Administration requirements.
• Responding to inquiries and in effective oral and written communication.
• Mediation and negotiation principles and practices.

Benefits

• ORCA Card: All full-time employees will receive an ORCA card at no cost.
• Inclusive Reproductive Health Support Services.
• Work is performed in a standard hybrid office environment.
• Paid Time Off: Employees accrue 25 days of paid time off annually with increases at four, eight and twelve years of service. Employees at the director level and up accrue additional days. We also observe 12 paid holidays and provide up to 2 paid floating holidays and up to 2 paid volunteer days per year.
• Retirement Plans: 401a – 10% of employee contribution with a 12% match by Sound Transit; 457b – up to IRS maximum (employee only contribution).
• Employee Assistance Program.
• Long-Term Disability and Life Insurance.
• Parental Leave: 12 weeks of parental leave for new parents.
• Tuition Reimbursement: Sound Transit will pay up to $5,000 annually for approved tuition expenses.
• Pet Insurance.
• Health Benefits: We offer two choices of medical plans, a dental plan, and a vision plan all at no cost for employee coverage; comprehensive benefits for employees and eligible dependents, including a spouse or domestic partner.
• Compensation Practices: We offer competitive salaries based on market rates and internal equity. In addition to compensation and benefits, you’ll find that we provide work-life balance, opportunities for professional development and recognition from your colleagues.

Training + Development

Interview process

Visa Sponsorship

Security clearance