Contracts Specialist

Are you an experienced contracting professional that enjoys working with a dynamic team tackling a variety of contracting situations? Come join our team! We're looking for someone to draft and administer procurement documents, contracts, and other agreements for AOC and the other entities of Washington's judicial branch of government.

This position works under the general direction of the Contracts and Procurement Manager. Decision-making is carried out in accordance with our policies and procedures that sometimes require interpretation and/or development of different approaches. The individual in this position interacts with executive leadership, agency management, external stakeholders, and all levels of AOC staff assigned to specific projects.

Washington Courts Employment Opportunity

Administrative Office of the Courts

Contracts Specialist

Management Services Division

Our Mission: Advance the efficient and effective operation of the Washington Judicial System.

The Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC) is looking for top-performing employees who embody its core values integrity, inclusion, accountability, and teamwork. It is committed to both employee growth and work-life balance.

Our diversity and inclusion efforts include embracing different cultures, backgrounds, and perspectives while fostering growth and advancement in the workplace.

POSITION DETAILS

Job #: 2023-103

Status: Regular, Full-Time*

Location: Olympia, Washington

Salary: Range 64: $72,552 - $95,184 per year (DOQ).

Opens: November 13, 2023

Closes: Opened until filled. Prior applicants are being considered and need not reapply. AOC reserves the right to close the recruitment at any time. We will conduct rolling interviews as we receive applications.

WASHINGTON STATE RESIDENCY AND TELEWORK INFORMATION

AOC requires employees to reside in Washington State. Any exceptions must be approved. If you are invited to interview and currently reside outside of Washington State, seek more information about residency requirements from the AOC hiring manager of this recruitment.

Position may be eligible for hybrid working; a combination of telework and working in-office.

• Develops, maintains, and enhances performance based, best value contracts for goods and services for AOC and the other entities of the Washington State Judicial Branch.
  
• Prepares, reviews, and approves new and existing contracts for the Judicial Branch.
  
• Develops and negotiates moderately complex contracts and assists Contract Manager and the Judicial Branch in the handling of more complex contractual issues.
  
• Administers assigned contracts in a manner that ensures best value/performance is consistently achieved.
  
• Consults with Contracts Manager, staff, and stakeholders in developing procurements regarding best value acquisition plans.
  
• Develops and maintains contract and procurement standards and training materials to be used by AOC and other Judicial Branch entities.
  
• Assists Contract Manager in establishing necessary office policies and procedures to ensure AOC, the Judicial Branch, and contractors comply with the agreements.
  
• Develops and maintains agency and branch procurement document templates; designs and publishes RFPs for procurement of goods and services; answers vendor questions; coordinates/participates in evaluation of proposals.
  
• Maintains and enhances AOC's contract management system, currently called the Judicial Contract Management Systems (JCTS).
  
• Assists with the development and maintenance of branch-wide contract and procurement policies and practices.
  
• Responds to contract and procurement inquiries from AOC and other judicial branch staff.
  
• Performs other duties as required.

• A Bachelor's degree involving major study in business administration, public administration, business law, commerce, economics, mathematics, statistics, or closely allied field

• Three years of experience in contract drafting, procurement management, contract cost or price analysis, process management, and contract compliance administration.

Additional relevant experience may be substituted for education on a year for year basis.

Advanced education in relevant areas may substitute for up to two years of the required experience.

THE IDEAL APPLICANT WILL ALSO HAVE SOME OR ALL OF THE FOLLOWING EXPERIENCE, EDUCATION, KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Skill to manage time, and resources to accomplish goals and objectives; ability to accurately assess resources needed to carry out planned actions
• Logically integrates ideas and information to form effective goals, objectives, timelines, action plans and solutions
• Ability to effectively communicate both orally and in writing. Ability to communicate proficiently in written reports as well as delivering information through presentations
• Understands expectations of judicial branch and ensures work meets those expectations
• Expert interpersonal skills and abilities to establish and maintain professional working relationships with co-workers, management, and other constituents
• Ability to engage in concise and effective interactions with other individuals as well as internal and external organizations and companies
• Ability to multi-task and effectively coordinate multiple projects
• Ability to identify risks and outcomes associated with courses of action; ability to develop action plans and strategies for the purpose of ensuring the desired outcome
• Ability to accomplish work objectives in cooperation with agency, court, state and professional colleagues
• Prioritization and effective time management
• Ability to exercise judgment and make timely, sound and ethical decisions and recommendations; ability to think critically in decision making and problem solving situations
• Knowledge of Washington State contract and procurement laws
• Skills in the preparation of competitive procurement documents, contracts, agreements, software licenses, interagency agreements, leases and other forms of contractual instruments
• Knowledge of cost and price determination techniques
• Ability to negotiate terms of contracts, agreements & other contractual instruments
• Ability to develop and coordinate competitive procurements, evaluate contractor performance and plan, develop and evaluate agency contract administration
• Knowledge of computer software business suites to include electronic presentations, spreadsheets and word processing
• Skill in the use of Microsoft Word and Excel, including the use of mathematical algorithms in Excel used to develop and score responses to procurements.

For more information about the position, to review the job description, application submission requirements, supplemental questions, inquire about benefits please contact the AOC Human Resource Office, at (360) 705-5337, or fax (360) 586-4409, or via email to Recruitment@courts.wa.gov.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

• The workweek may fluctuate depending on workload or agency needs.
• Overnight travel may be required based on business needs.
• This position is not overtime eligible.

The AOC is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate based on gender, pregnancy, race, color, national origin, ancestry, religion, creed, physical, mental or sensory disability (actual or perceived), use of a service animal, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran or military status, age, HIV or Hepatitis C status, or any other basis protected by federal or state law. Persons of disability needing assistance in the application process, or those needing this announcement in an alternative format, please contact the AOC Human Resource Office, at (360) 705-5337, or fax (360) 586-4409, or via email to Recruitment@courts.wa.gov.

In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and complete the required employment eligibility verification form upon hire.

SPECIAL NOTE: Before a new hire, a background check, including criminal history, will be conducted. Information from the background check will not necessarily preclude employment but will be considered in determining the applicant's suitability and competence to perform in the job.