Salary: $80,000.00 - $95,000.00 Annually
Location : Thurston County - Olympia, WA
Job Type: Exempt
Remote Employment: Flexible/Hybrid
Job Number:
Department: Washington Technology Solutions
Division: ASD
Opening Date: 05/27/2026
Closing Date: 6/10/2026 11:59 PM Pacific

Description
Contracts Specialist (EMS 1)

About the opportunity:
This position is part of WaTech's Contracts and Procurement (C&P) unit within the Administrative Services Division (ASD). The C&P unit provides contract and acquisition support in the form of contract policies and procedures, contract and acquisition document development, negotiation, procurement coordination, issue resolution and termination for WaTech service areas. This position reports to the Contracts & Procurement Manager.
Duties
Some of what to expect with this role:

• Draft contract amendments and other key contract documents that support statewide technology services.
• Help ensure every contract file meets legal, policy, and compliance requirements.
• Serve as a trusted resource for customers and vendors by answering questions, sharing pricing details, and guiding the proper use of contracts.
• Partner with service owners and senior Contracts & Procurement staff to gather acquisition requirements, develop solicitation documents, coordinate vendor outreach, and manage bidder communications.
• Play an active role throughout the acquisition process by supporting vendor communications, organizing evaluations, coordinating demonstrations and conferences, and assisting with negotiations and debriefings.
• Manage contract administration activities, including maintaining contract files and databases.
• Conduct internal contract and invoice audits to support accuracy, accountability, and continuous improvement.
• Coordinate the scanning, organization, and maintenance of electronic and hardcopy contract records.
• Support customers in using WaTech's contract and CSA/SLA database systems to maintain the integrity of the contract repository.
• Lead WaTech Requests for Information (RFIs) by partnering with service owners to define requirements, manage schedules, organize vendor responses, and coordinate vendor demonstrations.

Qualifications
Here's what we're looking for:

• Five years of experience in negotiating, drafting, and administering contracts or procurements for a private business or public agency OR a combination of education and experience in negotiating, drafting, and administering contracts or procurements totaling five years.

This experience must include:

• Contracts and acquisition experience in information technology.
• The ability to take action to learn and grow.
• The ability to take action to meet the needs of others.

Preference may be granted to applicants with the following:

• Bachelor's degree in business administration, business law or closely related field.
• Four or more years' experience administering contracts or procurements for a public agency.
• Knowledge of state and federal laws and regulations related to contracts and agreements, including contract principles, terminology, development, practices, and procedures.
• Experience representing an organization or state agency while coordinating and negotiating with government agencies and private industry partners.
• Strong written communication skills, including the ability to identify effective contract terms and recognize areas of noncompliance within existing contracts.

Supplemental Information
Telework: This position is approved for telework. However, the incumbent is required to live within a 60-mile radius of WaTech's Olympia, Washington Office and come into the office for in person meetings, trainings, and other business requirements as needed.
Additional information about this role:

• This position requires a background check. Information from the background check will not necessarily preclude employment but will be considered in determining the applicant's suitability to perform in the position and is a continued condition of employment.

How to apply:

Applications for this recruitment will be accepted electronically. Please select the large "apply" button at the top of this announcement. In addition to completing your online application, please also include the following attachments:

• A current resume detailing your applicable experience, training and/or education.
• A letter of interest highlighting how your experience aligns with the outlined job posting.

Top candidates will be asked to provide a list of their professional references with contact information.
Reminders:

• A real person is reviewing your application material. It is in your best interest to complete the application in its entirety and review thoroughly before submitting. You will not be eligible to re-apply for this posting for 30 days.
• Applications with missing or incomplete fields, or supplemental question responses such as "see resume" may be considered incomplete and removed from consideration.

By submitting your materials, you affirm that all information is true and correct. Any untruthful information is cause for removal from the applicant pool. If hired as a result of this recruitment, the discovery of incorrect or falsified information may lead to disciplinary action or dismissal.
Recruitment process:

The first round of application assessments will be conducted seven days after the initial job posting date. The hiring authority reserves the right to offer the position at any time after the initial seven-day job posting date. It is to the applicant's advantage to apply as early as possible. This recruitment may be used to fill multiple positions.
The salary range reflected above reflects the full potential for this position. The base pay offered to the selected candidate will consider the candidate's specific qualifying experience and internal equity of the existing team.
Contact us: For inquiries about this position, please contact Rebekah Wilkes at (360) 407-8646 or email to
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 Benefits
Employees 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 Compensation
State 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 Security
All 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 Forgiveness
If 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 specific Collective Bargaining Agreements for more information.

Full-time employees who work full monthly schedules qualify for holiday compensation if they are employed before the holiday and are in pay status for at least 80 nonovertime hours during the month of the holiday; or for the entire work shift preceding the holiday.

Part-time employees who are in pay status during the month of the holiday qualify for the holiday on a pro-rata basis. Compensation for holidays (including personal holiday) will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status in the month to that required for full-time employment, excluding all holiday hours. Pay status includes hours worked and time on paid leave.

Sick Leave
Full-time employees earn eight hours of sick leave per month. Overtime eligible employees who are in pay status for less than 80 hours per month, earn a monthly proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment. Overtime exempt employees who are in pay status for less than 80 hours per month do not earn a monthly accrual of sick leave.

Sick leave accruals for part-time employees will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment. Pay status includes hours worked, time on paid leave and paid holiday.

Vacation (Annual Leave)
Full-time employees accrue vacation leave at the rates specified in (1) or the applicable collective bargaining agreement (CBA). Full-time employees who are in pay status for less than 80 nonovertime hours in a month do not earn a monthly accrual of vacation leave.

Part-time employees accrue vacation leave hours in accordance with (1) or the applicable collective bargaining agreement (CBA) on a pro rata ba