Salary : $69,348.00 - $93,288.00 Annually
Location : Thurston County - Olympia, WA
Job Type: Full Time - Permanent
Remote Employment: Remote Optional
Job Number:
Department: Health Care Authority
Division: DLS
Opening Date: 07/09/2026
Closing Date: 7/23/2026 11:59 PM Pacific
Salary Information: The high end of the salary range, Step M is typically a longevity step

Description
Contracts Specialist 3 (CS3/DLS)
71057460
This Contracts Specialist 3 role offers remote flexibility, a competitive salary, and the opportunity to support public health by managing essential employee and retiree benefit contracts. This position is responsible for the development of contracts and procurements to support the State's employee and retiree benefits purchasing goals. You will build specialized expertise in Washington state procurement laws while working on high-visibility, politically sensitive projects. You will provide meaningful contributions to your community by directly supporting programs like the Public Employees Benefits Board (PEBB) and the School Employee Benefits Board (SEBB)which provide healthcare to nearly 800,000 public employees, retirees, and their families.
All HCA employees will apply an equity lens to their work, which may include but is not limited to all analyses of core business and processes.
About the division:
The Division of Legal Services (DLS) provides the people, processes, and expertise to reduce risk while meeting the agency's strategic goals. The Contracts Specialist 3 position supports the Employees & Retirees Benefits Division (ERB) of HCA. ERB administers employee benefits designed by two entities: PEBB and SEBB, as well Cascade Care Select.
About the position:
The Contracts Specialist 3 will provide specialized knowledge and application of state contract/procurement laws, including support to agency programs in their contract/procurement activities, to ensure a healthy Washington through the delivery of HCA contracts supporting PEBB and SEBB through ERB.This position performs complex and/or politically sensitive activities related to contracts and procurements that support the agency, which include employee and retiree benefit contracts.
This position is eligible to telework and is typically not required to report on-site. The default assigned work location of all Health Care Authority (HCA) positions - both on-site and telework eligible positions - is within the State of Washington. This position reports to Olympia, WA. Frequency of onsite work will vary based on business and operational needs. All agency employees are required to report on-site in Olympia on their first and last days of employment to pick up and return state-issued equipment, regardless of telework status or location.
Duties
Some of what you will do:

• Collaborates with ERB program/project management staff on developing the contents for competitive contracts. Independently writes and provides technical advice for RFP's, RFQ's, RFQQ's, etc.
• Develops the work plan for contract solicitations. Approves and/or develops the contents for - and manages the process of - advertising for competitive contracts via the agency Internet and WEBS.
• Manages and provides oversight of appropriate solicitation processes by working in conjunction with ERB program, clinical, and fiscal staff to ensure compliance with program and fiscal requirements.
• Independently writes and/or provides technical advice for the Statement of Work (SOW), contract deliverables, contract amendments, and other contract documents for/with ERB staff and external constituents using best practice contracting principles.
• Negotiates (language, deliverables, time frames, and cost) contracts and agreements verbally and in writing by interacting with vendors, internal staff and other state agency staff to award contract for needed services.
• Manages and facilitates protest debriefings with non-successful bidders.
• Communicate with ERB management to ensure documentation is accurate and submitted prior to deadlines.
• Independently reviews and/or approves contract requests and determines applicable regulations.
• Provides technical assistance to internal and external constituents and stakeholders regarding contract activities, including providing advice and resources.
• Provides tailored one-on-one and group trainings as needed.
• Researches and stays current on contracting laws, rules, regulations, best-practices and trends.
• Advises junior Contract Specialists on contracting and procurement subject matter.

Qualifications
Required qualifications:
Consistent with Procurement Reform Law (RCW 39.26.110), this position requires the completion of the following DES contracts training courses within 90 days of hire:

• All courses required for School of Procurement Professionals.

Qualifying candidates will meet one of the following criteria options:
Option 1:

• A law degree from an accredited college or university approved by the Washington State Bar Association.
• One (1) year of experience in negotiating, administering or terminating government contracts, contract property management, contract cost or price analyses or contract compliance administration.

Option 2:

• Master's degree involving major study in business administration, public administration, business law, commerce, mathematics, statistics, economics, or closely allied field.
• Two (2) years of experience in negotiating, administering or terminating government contracts, contract property management, contract cost or price analyses or contract compliance administration.

Option 3:

• Bachelor's degree involving major study in business administration, public administration, business law, commerce, mathematics, statistics, economics, or closely allied field.
• Three (3) years of experience in negotiating, administering or terminating government contracts, contract property management, contract cost or price analyses or contract compliance administration.

Option 4:

• Seven (7) years of experience in negotiating, administering or terminating government contracts, contract property management, contract cost or price analyses or contract compliance administration.

Option 5:

• One (1) year of experience as a Contracts Specialist 2 in state government or equivalent role.

Required competencies:

• The ability to take action to learn and grow.
• The ability to take action to meet the needs of others.
• Demonstrates above average knowledge and skills regarding government contracting.
• Demonstrated skills in providing leadership to co-workers and stakeholders.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate clearly and effectively (oral and written) with internal and external stakeholders with diverse and divergent needs.
• Demonstrated ability to deliver presentations and participate in meetings with other staff and stakeholders.

Preferred qualifications:

• Three (3) years professional experience (high level proficiency) developing, managing, and providing consultation for competitive government contracts in Washington.
• One (1) year experience collaboratively working as a project team member in a large enterprise data management system.
• Two (2) years' professional experience developing, managing, and providing consultation for non-competitive government contracts in Washington.
• Two (2) years' professional experience monitoring and negotiating budget and contracts.
• Provide consistent, high-quality (error free) reviews of written communications with acute attention to detail.
• Ability to interpret and convey rules and regulations, and legal terminology to broad audiences.
• Clear, accurate verbal and written communication.
• Strong analytical ability demonstrated by using data and information in a clear and rational thought process to assess and understand issues, evaluate options, create accurate conclusions, and make clear and sound decisions.
• Demonstrate above average knowledge and skills regarding government contracting.

How to apply:
Only candidates who reflect the minimum qualifications on their NEOGOV profile will be considered. Failure to follow the application instructions below may lead to disqualification. To apply for this position, you will need to complete your profile which includes three professional references and attach in separate files:

• A cover letter that specifically addresses how you meet the qualifications for this position
• Current resume

To take advantage of veteran preference, please do the following:

• Attach a copy of your DD214 (Member 4 long-form copy), NGB 22, or USDVA signed verification of service letter.
• Please black out any PII (personally identifiable information) data such as social security numbers. Include your name as it appears on your application in careers.wa.gov.

Supplemental Information
About HCA:
Functioning as both the state's largest health care purchaser and its behavioral health authority, the Washington State Health Care Authority (HCA) is a leader in ensuring Washington residents have the opportunity to be as healthy as possible.
There are three pillars of our work: Apple Health (Medicaid); the Public Employees Benefits Board (PEBB) and School Employees Benefits Board (SEBB) programs; and behavioral health and recovery. Under these pillars, HCA purchases health care, including behavioral health treatment for more than 2.7 million Washington residents and provides behavioral health prevention, crisis, and recovery supports to all Washington residents.

What we have to offer:

• Meaningful work with friendly co-workers who care about those we serve Voices of HCA
• A clear agency mission that drives our work and is person-centered HCA's Mission, Vision & Values
• A healthy work/life balance, including alternative/flexible schedules and mobile work options.
• A great total compensation and benefit package WA State Government Benefits
• A safe, pleasant workplace in a convenient location with restaurants, and shopping nearby.
• And free parking!

Notes:
Prior to a new hire, a background check including criminal record history will be conducted. Information from the background check will not necessarily preclude employment.