Contracts Specialist 3, Financial Services Division, Tumwater

Description

Persons requiring reasonable accommodation in the application process or requiring information in an alternative format may contact the recruitment team at HREmployment@atg.wa.gov. Those with a hearing impairment in need of accommodation are encouraged to contact the Washington Relay Service at 1-800-676-3777 or www.washingtonrelay.com.

Position and Salary

The Attorney General’s Office is recruiting for a permanent full time Contracts Specialist 3 in the Financial Services Division. This position is located in Tumwater, Washington, and is not union-represented.

Contracts Specialist Salary range (59): $67,992 - $91,464
The base pay offered will take into account internal equity and may vary depending on the preferred candidate’s job-related knowledge, skills, and experience.

The AGO provides a workplace that is understanding of work-life balance and promotes advancement by offering a wide variety of professional development and growth opportunities.

Excellent benefits

Washington State offers one of the most competitive benefits packages in the nation, including Medical/Dental/Vision for employees & dependent(s); Vacation, Sick, and Other Leave; 11 Paid Holidays per year; Public Employees Retirement System (PERS) plans; and Life Insurance. Beyond these traditional benefits, we offer Dependent Care Assistance, Flexible Spending Accounts, Public Service Loan Forgiveness, Tuition Waiver, Deferred Compensation, Employee Recognition Leave, and more. With the goal of employee health and wellness, we also offer:

• Flexible schedules and part-time/hybrid telework options;
• A Wellness Program, an Infants in the Workplace Program, and the Employee Assistance Program, which provides counseling, webinar, and other cost-free support resources;
• Numerous employee-driven affinity groups to foster community and connection, including Bereavement, Elder Care, Parenting, POC, LGBTQ+, Veterans and more. The AGO is a place to belong and make a difference!

About the Financial Services Division:

The Financial Services Division (FIS) provides accountability for the AGO’s financial, budgetary and accounting practices. The division ensures financial records are complete, accurate and accessible to oversight agencies for state and federal compliance. FIS is responsible for agency budget development and monitoring, accounting, payroll, contracts, grants, and purchasing functions. FIS contains three main units: Accounting; Contracts and Grants; Budget.

The Accounting Services Unit is responsible for all accounting, purchasing, payroll, travel, legal services billing and timekeeping functions. Related responsibilities include: depositing and distributing divisional settlements and recoveries; purchasing goods and equipment for the Office; paying Office invoices; processing payroll; reconciling timekeeping and producing the monthly legal services bill; negotiating our federal indirect rate; preparing the agency statewide cost allocation plan; and preparing the comprehensive annual financial report.

The Contracts and Grants Unit is responsible for the centralized management and oversight of all AGO procurements, contracts, and grants. This includes a variety of activities such as posting all competitive solicitations, managing the entire lifecycle of a contract (creation, execution, renewal and closeout); negotiating contractual terms and conditions; ensuring compliance of all grants and contracts; applying for new grant opportunities; monitoring grantees; reporting; training to AGO staff and grantees; and creating policies, procedures and forms. This unit is also responsible for the AGO’s Special Assistant Attorney General program: contracts with outside law firms to assist client agencies when there is a need for specialized expertise or when a conflict arises.

The Budget Unit is responsible for all agency budget functions which includes requesting funding from the Governor’s Office of Financial Management and the Legislature; setting the billing rates for the Office; monitoring expenditures, monitoring fund cash balances; forecasting fund balances and revenue; projecting Office and Division expenditures and staffing usage and needs; reviewing legislative bills and assessing and articulating the impacts to the Office.

Duties and Essential Functions of a Contracts Specialist 3:

This position reports to the AGO Contracts Administrator and works as a part of a team that is responsible for contract monitoring, reporting and administration for the AGO’s Special Assistant Attorney General (SAAG) program. The AGO utilizes SAAGs to provide advice and representation to client agencies when specialized expertise is needed, when there is a conflict of interest, when there are capacity issues, or a variety of other reasons. While it varies, the AGO has approximately 1,100 active SAAG contracts. As a result, we have a great team of subject matter experts in the SAAG Unit to assist with the AGO’s SAAG program.

Duties may include, but are not limited to:

• Serve as main point of contact for SAAG contracts, amendments, terminations, invoicing, and closeouts.
• Negotiate with parties on modification requests to contract terms and conditions. Assure compliance with the terms of contracts and resolves problems concerning the obligations.
• Oversee the tracking of contracts in a central location and input contract data into the AGO’s matter management system, or other tracking tools.
• Training and Contract Resources: Assist with developing and executing agency-wide training on SAAG contract management. Create and maintain templates for contracts.
• Respond to, research, resolve and provide consultation agency wide regarding contract issues or concerns, or interpretation of OFM and DES regulations, policies or procedures. Advise and assist division staff and outside entities on the contract processes from initiation to completion.
• Following state and agency regulations and guidelines, DES procurement policies, Washington State Procurement Law RCW 39.26 and other applicable laws and policies;
• Developing, negotiating, and administering SAAG contracts;

Assisting with the monitoring and maintenance of the SAAG email box; Using critical thinking and good judgment to form conclusions and make decisions regarding contracts, including requests to modify standard contract language;

• Responding to, researching, resolving and providing consultation regarding contract issues or concerns, or interpretation of regulations, policies or procedures;
• Advising departmental divisions and staff members on procedures involved in SAAG contracting.

This recruitment announcement may be used to fill multiple open positions for the same classification, in addition to the position(s) listed in this announcement.

Qualifications:

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

AND

Three years of experience in negotiating, administering or terminating government contracts, contract property management, contract cost or price analyses or contract compliance administration.

• A Master’s degree in one of the above academic disciplines may be substituted for one year of experience.
• A law degree from an accredited college or university approved by the Washington State Bar Association may be substituted for two years of experience and the education.
• Additional qualifying experience may be substituted, year for year, for the education.

SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

Skills and experience in presenting training.

Direct experience with statewide systems including ECMS, WEBS, Access Equity, and AFRS and internal AGO systems such as the Case Management System and Purchasing & Payables.

Knowledge of contract law.

About the Washington State Office of the Attorney General

The Attorney General’s Office (AGO) touches the lives of every resident in this state. We serve more than 230 state agencies, boards, commissions, colleges and universities, as well as the Legislature and the Governor. The Office is comprised of nearly 700 attorneys and 800 professional staff, all working together to deliver the highest quality professional legal services to Washington state officials, agencies, and entities. This includes:

• Economic justice and consumer protections (safeguarding consumers, protecting youth, seniors, and other vulnerable populations)
• Social justice and civil rights (addressing discrimination, environmental protection, and veteran and military resources)
• Criminal justice and public safety (investigative and prosecutorial support, financial crimes)
• And much more!

Our agency also has national reach, representing the State of Washington before the Supreme Court, the Court of Appeals and trial courts in all cases that involve the state’s interest. If you want to make a difference, we may be the perfect fit for you! Learn more about the AGO here.

Commitment to Diversity

Diversity is critical to the success of the mission of the AGO. This means recognizing, respecting, and appreciating all cultures and backgrounds- and fostering the inclusion of differences between people. Appreciating, valuing and implementing principles of diversity permits AGO employees to achieve their fullest potential in an inclusive, respectful environment.

One recent measure of the AGO's commitment to diversity can be found in its nomination for Rainbow Alliance and Inclusion Network's "Outstanding Agency Award" in 2019. Our commitment to employee wellness is reflected in earning the 2024 Zo8 Washington Wellness Award.

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS:

In addition to completing the online application, applicants must attach the following documents to their profile in order to be considered for this position:

• A letter of interest, describing your specific qualifications for the position;
• A current resume detailing experience and education.

READ THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION COMPLETELY:

• Carefully review your application for accuracy, spelling and grammar before submitting.
• You may not reapply to this posting for 30 days.
• The initial screening of applications will be solely based on the contents and completeness of the “work experience” and “education” sections of your application in www.careers.wa.gov, completeness of the application material submitted, and responses to the supplemental questionnaire.
• A resume will not substitute for completing the “work experience” section of the application.
• All information may be verified and documentation may be required.
• The Washington State Office of the Attorney General does not use the E-Verify system; therefore, we are not eligible to extend STEM Optional Practical Training (OPT). For more information, please visit www.uscis.gov.

Equal Employment Opportunity and Accommodations Requests

Honoring diversity, equity and inclusion means that as an agency, and as individuals, we are committed to ensuring that all employees and volunteers enjoy a respectful, safe and supportive working environment. Only by fostering the inclusion of people from all backgrounds, cultures and attributes, can AGO employees and volunteers achieve their fullest potential and best advance the goals and mission of the AGO.

The AGO is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, creed, color, national origin, sex, marital status, sexual orientation/gender identity, age, disability, honorably discharged veteran or military status, retaliation or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with a disability. Persons requiring reasonable accommodation in the application process or requiring information in an alternative format may contact the recruitment team at HREmployment@atg.wa.gov. Those with a hearing impairment in need of accommodation are encouraged to contact the Washington Relay Service at 1-800-676-3777 or www.washingtonrelay.com.

For questions regarding this recruitment or assistance with the application process, please contact the recruitment team at HREmployment@atg.wa.gov. If you are having technical difficulties creating, accessing or completing your application, please call NEOGOV toll-free at (855) 524-5627 or support@neogov.com.