Senior Contract Specialist

Position Description

Seattle City Light, a department of the City of Seattle, is one of the nation’s largest municipally owned utilities. The utility provides affordable, reliable, and environmentally sound electricity and is a national leader in energy efficiency and environmental stewardship. 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 incumbent will collaborate with Contracts & Procurement staff, internal departments, and external procurement stakeholders on all matters relating to the procurement of materials, supplies, hardware, software, and consulting services, and will focus 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 reports to the Contracts & Procurement Manager.

Responsibilities

• Manage consultant procurement processes for business units.
• Coordinate preparation and approval of 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• Collaborate with project managers to define procurement requirements, 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.
• 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.

Required Qualifications

• Minimum of three years of professional experience in financial analysis, project management, grant administration, inter‑agency agreements, contract administration, or related work.
• Bachelor’s degree in business or public administration, finance, economics, or a related field (or equivalent combination of education, training, and experience).

Desired Qualifications

• 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).
• Proficiency in managing the entire contract lifecycle from solicitation to closeout.
• Skills to evaluate cost structures, pricing models, and long‑term financial implications of utility service agreements.
• Excellent customer‑service skills with experience working with employees at all levels of the organization.
• Ability to handle sensitive information with a high degree of confidentiality.
• Strong oral and written communication skills.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail to actively manage multiple contract assignments in a fast‑paced environment.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Strong negotiation skills with experience securing favorable terms while maintaining vendor relationships.

Emergency Response Commitment

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

Pay

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

Benefits

The City of Seattle offers a comprehensive benefits package including vacation, holiday, and sick leave as well as medical, dental, vision, life, and long‑term disability insurance for employees and their dependents.