Salary : $69,348.00 - $93,288.00 Annually
Location : Thurston County - Tumwater, WA
Job Type: Full Time - Permanent
Remote Employment: Flexible/Hybrid
Job Number: 26DOT-HQ-05226e
Department: Dept. of Transportation
Division: Headquarters
Opening Date: 10/07/2026
Closing Date: 10/21/2026 11:59 PM Pacific
DescriptionThe OpportunityWSDOT is currently seeking is currently seeking a
Contracts Specialist 3 to serve as a unit supervisor in the Contract Ad & Award (CAA) Office in Tumwater, WA. In this role, you will help oversee the advertisement, bidding, and award of WSDOT highway, ferry terminal, and facility projects statewide-up to 250 contracts each year. You will exercise judgment on complex contracting matters, help develop and implement policies and procedures, and represent WSDOT with contractors, industry representatives, agency personnel, legal counsel, government officials, and the public. You will also supervise Contract Specialists and help ensure contracting practices are consistent, transparent, and compliant with applicable laws and rules.
What to ExpectAmong the varied range of responsibilities held within this role, you will:
- Review contractor and project engineer comments and recommend bid opening schedules that support competition and account for addenda, competing contracts, project office feedback, and other factors.
- Review contract addenda to determine impacts and time requirements for bid preparations or the bid opening delays.
- Assists with public bid openings, receiving and publicly opening and reading bids in concert with all applicable laws and rules.
- Review contract proposals and assist with determinations of responsiveness.
- Review all bid that are determined to be non-responsive and assists with bid rejections.
- Assist with bid protests, recommendations of merit, and carrying out appropriate follow up actions.
- Assist with legal reviews through the Attorney General's Office.
- Recommend awarding contracts to the lowest responsive bidder, and assist with soliciting and reviewing justifications for award when low bid exceeds engineer's estimates.
- Develop and maintain manuals, forms, desk procedures, policies, and guidance related to contractor prequalification, advertisement, bidding, and award.
- Support legislation and administrative rule and updates related to public works bidding and prequalification of contractors.
- Develop processes for evaluating and tracking contractor performance, review performance reports, and assist with corrective action.
- Review contractor financial information, work histories, applications, references, and other submittals to recommend prequalification levels, work classifications, maximum bidding capacities, and related adjustments.
- Review plans, specifications, and estimates to recommend work classes or combinations of work classes for contractor prequalification.
QualificationsTo be considered for this opportunity, the following competencies are required:
- Contract Evaluation: Ability to review and evaluate construction contracts, bids, proposals, specifications, estimates, and other contract documents.
- Analytical Judgment: Ability to assess the effects of contract addenda, project changes, competing contracts, and other factors on bid preparation and competition.
- Professional Representation: Ability to represent the department professionally before contractors, industry representatives, agency personnel, legal counsel, government officials, and the public while conducting processes in compliance with laws and regulations.
- Bid Administration: Ability to review bids and proposals, determine responsiveness, review award justifications, reject bids, and respond to bid protests.
- Policy and Procedure Development: Skills in developing, revising, and maintaining manuals, forms, desk procedures, policies, and administrative guidance.
- Regulatory Knowledge: Knowledge of applicable WAC, RCW, and other laws and regulations governing public works contracting and contractor prequalification.
- Regulatory Interpretation: Ability to interpret laws, regulations, policies, and administrative rules and translate them into operational procedures and guidance.
- Contractor Performance: Ability to develop contractor performance evaluation procedures, review performance reports, and recommend corrective action.
- Prequalification: Ability to evaluate contractor prequalification submittals in support of granting or denying proposals.
- Ethics and Objectivity: Strength in ethics and ability to maintain objectivity, confidentiality, consistency, and fairness.
- Confidentiality: Ability to maintain confidentiality and protect sensitive and confidential bid and financial information.
- Continuous Improvement: Ability to identify opportunities to improve efficiency, consistency, and quality within procurement and contract award processes.
- Growth Mindset: Actively demonstrates a commitment to learning and growth.
- Service-Oriented: Takes action to meet the needs of others.
It is preferred that qualified candidates also demonstrate:
- WSDOT Contracting Knowledge: Knowledge of WSDOT standard plans, standard specifications, contract requirements, templates, and contract administration procedures.
- Competitive Contracting: Knowledge of state and federal competitive bid statutes, administrative codes, regulations for public works contracts, and state procurement regulations and rules.
- Advertisement and Award: Knowledge of WSDOT contract advertisement and award procedures and related manuals and guidance.
- Prequalification: Knowledge of WSDOT's contractor prequalification process, procedures, and tools.
- Web Content Management: Knowledge of web content management and website development.
Important Notes - This recruitment may also be used to fill additional positions per business needs.
- This position offers flexible/hybrid remote work options.
- In addition to base salary, employees may be entitled to other forms of compensation depending on the type, duties, or location of the position. For union-represented positions, more information on other forms of compensation can be found in the applicable Information on other compensation types for non-represented positions can be found in of the Washington Administrative Code.
- WSDOT does not use the E-Verify system, therefore we are not eligible to extend STEM Optional Practical Training (OPT). For more information, please visit
How to ApplyApplications for this recruitment will be accepted electronically. Your relevant experience may be evaluated to determine salary. Therefore, it is very important that the "Work Experience" portion of the application be completed in as much detail as possible.
In order to be considered for this opportunity, please include the following with your online application:
- An attached Resume outlining (in reverse chronological order) your experience to date.
- An attached Cover Letter that further explains your qualifications and indicates why you believe you are a viable candidate for this role.
- Contact details for a minimum three (3) individuals who can attest to your work performance, technical skills, and job-related competencies. This information can be entered in the "References" section of the online application; does not require an additional attachment.
Please click the "APPLY" button to proceed. Note that you will be prompted to either sign in or create an account. This step is required in order to submit an application to this opportunity.
Contact UsFor inquiries about this posting, you may contact the assigned Recruiter at . Please be sure to reference
26DOT-HQ-05226 in the subject line.
More than Just a Paycheck!Employee benefits are not just about the kind of services you get, they are also about how much you may have to pay out of pocket. Washington State offers one of the most competitive benefits packages in the nation.
We understand that your life revolves around more than just your career. Like everyone, your first priority is ensuring that you and your family will maintain health and financial security. That's why choice is a key component of our benefits package. We have a selection of health and retirement plans, paid leave, staff training and other compensation benefits that you can mix and match to meet your current and future needs.
Read about our benefits:The following information describes typical benefits available for full-time employees who are expected to work more than six months. Actual benefits may vary by appointment type or be prorated for other than full-time work (e.g. part-time); view the job posting for benefits details for job types other than full-time.
Note: If the position offers benefits which differ from the following, the job posting should include the specific benefits.
Insurance BenefitsEmployees and their families are covered by medical (including vision), dental and basic life insurance. There are multiple medical plans with affordable monthly premiums that offer coverage throughout the state.
Staff are eligible to enroll each year in a medical flexible spending account which enables them to use tax-deferred dollars toward their health care expenses. Employees are also covered by basic life and long-term disability insurance, with the option to purchase additional coverage amounts.
To view premium rates, coverage choice in your area and how to enroll, please visit the Public Employees Benefits Board (PEBB) website. The Washington Wellness program from the Health Care Authority works with PEBB to support our workplace wellness programs.
Dependent care assistance allows the employee to save pre-tax dollars for a child or elder care expenses.
Other insurance coverage for auto, boat, home, and renter insurance is available through payroll deduction.
The Washington State Employee Assistance Program promotes the health and well-being of employees.
Retirement and Deferred CompensationState Employees are members of the Washington Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS). New employees have the option of two employer contributed retirement programs. For additional information, check out the Department of Retirement Systems' web site.
Employees also have the ability to participate in the Deferred Compensation Program (DCP). This is a supplemental retirement savings program (similar to an IRA) that allows you control over the amount of pre-tax salary dollars you defer as well as the flexibility to choose between multiple investment options.
Social SecurityAll state employees are covered by the federal Social Security and Medicare systems. The state and the employee pay an equal amount into the system.
Public Service Loan ForgivenessIf you are employed by a government or not-for-profit organization, and meet the qualifying criteria, you may be eligible to receive student loan forgiveness under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.
Holidays Full-time and part-time employees are entitled to paid holidays and one paid personal holiday per calendar year.
Note: Employees who are members of certain Unions may be entitled to additional personal leave day(s), please refer to position
