Senior Contract Specialist

City of Seattle, WA

$108K — $126K *
Energy & Utilities
Less than 5 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Minimum 3 years experience in financial analysis, project management, or contract administration.
  • Bachelor's degree in business, public administration, finance, or related field.
  • CPPB certification or equivalent desired.
  • Understanding of municipal, state, and federal procurement laws.
  • Strong negotiation and relationship management skills.

Responsibilities

  • Manage procurement processes for engineering and consulting services.
  • Coordinate preparation of bids and proposals for vendor selection.
  • Train project managers on consultant selection processes.
  • Participate in contract negotiations and manage approvals.
  • Ensure compliance with laws and regulations during procurement.

Benefits

  • Opportunity to work in a critical public service role in Seattle.
  • Engagement in emergency response activities to support community readiness.
  • Collaborative work environment with opportunities for mentorship and training.
Full Job Description
Salary: $52.18 - $60.75 Hourly
Location : Seattle Municipal Tower, 700 5th Ave., Seattle, WA
Job Type: Classified Civil Service, Regular, Full-Time
Job Number:
Department: Seattle City Light
Opening Date: 09/09/2026
Closing Date: 9/22/2026 4:00 PM Pacific

Position Description
This position provides expertise in the procurement of professional, engineering, and architectural consulting services as well as goods and services contracts. The role requires a seasoned contract administrator with experience negotiating cost, terms, and conditions in highly complex, time-critical, and high-profile consulting requirements from initiation to contract closure.

The role involves collaborating with Contracts & Procurement staff, internal departments, and external procurement stakeholders in all matters relating to the procurement of materials, supplies, hardware, software, and consulting services. The role also focuses on managing and mitigating risks inherent in design, construction, and other professional services to protect the City from litigation, criticism, or unanticipated costs due to unclear, ambiguous, or non-compliant contract documents.

This position will report to the Contracts & Procurement Manager.

Job Responsibilities
Contract Management & Procurement
  • Manage consultant procurement processes for business units
  • Coordinate preparation and approve requests for proposals or qualifications (RFP/Q) and related documents
  • Train project managers in consultant selection procedures
  • Participate in contract negotiations and ensure all contracts receive required approvals
  • Ensure compliance with all applicable laws and regulations

Procurement Analysis & Strategy
  • Review requests for procurement and contracting of equipment, goods, and services including architects, engineers, and small works
  • Analyze requirements and determine appropriate procurement methods
  • Recommend improvements to statements of work and specifications
  • Determine contract types, milestones, and procurement plans
  • Review sole source justifications and prepare documentation
  • Assess public work requirements including prevailing wage and bonding requirements

Documentation & Process Development
  • Prepare requests for proposals for technical, professional, and engineering services contracts
  • Develop solicitation strategies and write/edit scopes of work
  • Determine RFP structure and scope of work approaches
  • Assist in establishing selection criteria, phasing, and weighting
  • Develop and implement procedures for complex, politically sensitive, high-value projects

Collaboration & Training
  • Collaborate with project managers to define procurement requirements including scope, evaluation criteria, pricing schedules, and milestone dates
  • Coordinate completion and issuance of solicitation documents
  • Train department representatives on procurement codes, policies, procedures, and waivers
  • Provide direction and training for Contracts & Procurement Specialists and administrative staff
  • Mentor and support junior contracts staff in research, writing, and document preparation

Policy & Procedure Management
  • Develop, implement, and monitor departmental policies and procedures related to procurement and contracting
  • Investigate and make recommendations on procurement/contracting financial issues
  • Analyze contracting policies and procedures for effectiveness in meeting organizational objectives and statutory requirements

Qualifications
Required Qualifications

In addition to the skills and experience mentioned below, a successful applicant will have experience that reflects a commitment to creating fair and equitable outcomes and has:

Experience: Requires a minimum of three years of professional experience in financial analysis, project management, grant administration, inter-agency agreements, contract administration or related work.

Education: Bachelor's degree in business or public administration, finance, economics or other field related to this work (or a combination of education and/or training and/or experience which provides an equivalent background required to perform the work of the class).

Desired Qualifications -You will be successful if you have the following experience, skills, and abilities:
  • CPPB (Certified Public Professional Buyer) or equivalent certification
  • Public Procurement Experience and Understanding of municipal, state, and federal procurement laws (e.g., competitive bidding requirements, RFP/RFQ processes)
  • Contract Administration: Proficiency in managing the entire contract lifecycle from solicitation to closeout
  • Financial Analysis: Skills to evaluate cost structures, pricing models, and long-term financial implications of utility service agreements
  • Excellent customer service skills with experience to working with all employees at all levels of the organization
  • Ability to handle sensitive information with high degree of confidentiality
  • Strong oral and written communication skills
  • Strong organizational skills and attention to detail to actively manage multiple contract assignments in fast-paced environment
  • Ability to work independently and as part of a team
  • Strong negotiation skills with the experience securing favorable terms while maintaining vendor relationships

Please note this job advertisement is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Emergency Response Commitment: Seattle City Light is committed to reliable service during emergencies. Through our Emergency Response Program, each employee is assigned a role-usually aligned with their regular duties-to support emergency operations. Your participation is required and vital to helping the utility stay prepared and serve our community when it matters most.

Additional Information
The full salary range for this position is $52.18 to $60.75 per hour.

Application Process

Please submit the following with your online application:
  • A cover letter in which you clearly describe how your knowledge, experience, skills, and abilities prepare you for the job responsibilities and qualifications outlined in the job announcement
  • A current resume of your educational and professional work experience.
Incomplete applications may not be considered.

Who May Apply: This position is open to all candidates that meet the qualifications.

Job offers are contingent on the verification of credentials and other information required by the employment process, including the completion of a background check. The background check will involve a criminal history check, which includes conviction and arrest records in compliance with the , and the A driving history review may be conducted in compliance with Applicants will be provided an opportunity to explain or correct background information.

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