NEOGOV · 1 week ago
Lead Contracts Consultant - Contracts Specialist 3 - Permanent - 2026-00476
Thurston County – Olympia, WA
Full-time
Hybrid
Mid, Senior Level
$5,666/mo - $7,622/mo
3+ years expNEOGOV is seeking a Lead Contracts Consultant to support the Contracts and Procurement Office's mission within the Department of Fish and Wildlife. This role involves managing and overseeing procurement and contracting processes, ensuring compliance with laws and policies, and collaborating with staff to improve contract management practices.
GovTechHuman ResourcesInformation TechnologySoftware
Responsibilities
Act as Lead Contracts Consultant
Serves as a subject matter expert providing advanced consultation and technical guidance to program staff on complex, high-risk, and high-dollar procurements and contracts
Provides consultation and technical assistance to agency staff on the development, management, and monitoring of solicitations and contracts to ensure compliance with applicable procurement rules, policies, and statutes
Collaborates with program staff to develop clear, well-defined specifications and performance standards that support competition and meet program needs
Develops evaluation criteria for solicitations; analyze and evaluate bids and proposals; and determine responsiveness, responsibility, and compliance
At an expert level, perform complex contract administration work. Makes decisions by considering several approaches or methods, use critical thinking and past experience to devise new or original methods or processes
Manage the full lifecycle of formal solicitations, including solicitation document development, scope definition with customers, procurement schedule management, evaluation facilitation, award, and contract file review and audit
Perform ongoing contract administration and contractor performance evaluations to ensure goods and services are delivered in accordance with contract requirements and that pricing remains competitive with market conditions
Conduct pre-bid and pre-proposal conferences to clarify requirements, address bidder questions, and provide procurement guidance
Independently determines and advises on the appropriate procurement methodology, including direct buy, competitive solicitation, sole source, and WDFW statutory exemptions from competition, based on risk, complexity, and regulatory requirements
Provide direction, guidance, and training to program managers and staff on procurement processes and contract administration requirements
Maintain expert-level knowledge of Washington State and local government procurement and contract administration laws, rules, and regulatory requirements related to goods and services
Advise agency staff on using the agency’s contracts management system to request contracts, monitor status, maintain accountability of assigned contracts, and request timely amendments or successor contracts
Serves as a team lead for procurement and contracting activities, providing day-to-day technical leadership, instruction, and quality review of work performed by Contracts Specialist I and II staff
Plans, assigns, instructs, and reviews procurement and contract work to ensure consistency, accuracy, compliance with laws and policies, and adherence to best practices
Works collaboratively with the Contracts Team Manager to plan team workload, prioritize projects, and identify training needs to support agency programs and procurement initiatives
Serves as Assistant Contracts Administrator, supporting the Contracts Team Manager by acting as a subject matter expert, providing continuity of operations, and assisting with complex or high-risk procurements
Mentors and coaches’ staff on procurement strategies and methods, including competitive solicitations, sole source procurements, statutory exemptions, and alternative procurement approaches
Reviews and provides expert feedback on solicitations, contracts, evaluations, and negotiations to ensure legal sufficiency, sound risk management, and alignment with agency goals
Responsible for ensuring that all negotiated contracts and agreements for WDFW comply with State of Washington contract and legal requirements, applicable federal regulations, any special program requirements, and all state purchasing and accounting regulations
Qualification
Required
A Bachelor's degree involving a major study in business administration, public administration, business law, commerce, mathematics, statistics, economics, or closely allied field and three (3) years of experience in negotiating, administering, or terminating government contracts, contract property management, contract cost or price analyses, or contract compliance administration
Preferred
Knowledge of State procurement statutes and administrative codes, government contracting and procurement techniques research and market analysis techniques; effective methods of oral and written communications; technical writing skills; contract development, and administration
Two (2) years of professional experience in Washington State government experience in negotiating, administering and terminating contracts, contract management, contract cost or price analysis, or contract compliance administration
Two (2) years of professional experience in coaching, mentoring, or leading staff
Two (2) years of professional experience in working in team-based or collaborative environments
Two (2) years of professional experience in communicating effectively orally and in writing with diverse internal and external audiences
Benefits
Employees and their families are covered by medical (including vision), dental and basic life insurance.
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.
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.
New employees have the option of two employer contributed retirement programs.
Employees also have the ability to participate in the Deferred Compensation Program.
All state employees are covered by the federal Social Security and Medicare systems.
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.
Full-time and part-time employees are entitled to paid holidays and one paid personal holiday per calendar year.
Full-time employees earn eight hours of sick leave per month.
Full-time employees accrue vacation leave at the rates specified in WAC 357-31-165 or the applicable collective bargaining agreement.
Washington State supports members of the armed forces with 21 days paid military leave per year.
Most employees whose family member or household member dies, or for loss of pregnancy, are entitled to five (5) days of paid bereavement leave.
Company
NEOGOV
NEOGOV is the leading provider of workforce management software uniquely designed for the public sector, education, and public safety.
501-1000 employees
Funding
Current Stage
Late StageTotal Funding
$700MKey Investors
Warburg Pincus
2025-07-28Secondary Market· $700M
2025-07-28Acquired
2021-06-02Private Equity
Leadership Team
Shane Evangelist
CEO
Brandon McDonald
Head Of Marketing
Recent News
Canada NewsWire
2025-11-14
2025-11-14
Government Technology US
2025-10-31
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