Senior Contracts Specialist (Senior Project Funding & Agreements Coordinator)

Join us in shaping Seattle’s streets!

At the Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT), we don’t just move people—we connect communities, build safer streets, and create a more sustainable city.

With a bold vision for the future, we’re tackling big challenges: making travel safer, cutting carbon emissions, and ensuring reliable, affordable transportation for everyone—no matter who they are or where they live.

Seattle is growing fast, and we’re growing with it. Thanks to a historic voter-approved $1.55 billion investment in transportation in 2024, we’re building sidewalks, fixing bridges, and improving transit connections to keep our city moving.

We’re a team of problem solvers, planners, engineers, communicators, and field crews—bringing purpose-driven work to life. Now, we need passionate, innovative talent like you. Let’s build a Seattle that works for everyone—together!

Position Overview:

SDOT’s Contracts & Procurement group is a small, lively and collaborative team that helps SDOT secure the contracts needed to deliver large and important projects such as Move Levy, Vision Zero, bike lanes, sidewalks, Bus Rapid Transit, and bridges for the City. As a Senior Contracts Specialist, you’ll support SDOT’s consultant contracting needs as we continue to execute on the $1.55 Billion Move Levy passed by voters in November 2024. Reporting to the Contracts Manager within the Contracts & Procurement group, but acting independently, you will work across the entire Department of Transportation, as well as collaborating with staff from other departments within the City to perform a variety of consultant contracting-related tasks. We want passionate, knowledgeable and innovative talent like you!

Please note, this position works in consultant professional services; it is not involved with grants contracts, purchasing procurements, or public works construction contracts.

In this role, you will:

• Develop and oversee Requests for Qualifications (RFQs) and manage the consultant selection process from start to finish.
• Develop, draft, and execute consultant contracts, amendments, and work authorizations. 
• Play a strong customer service and subject matter expertise role in supporting project managers who are initiating contracts and guiding them through the contract process.
• Train and advise staff and consultants on policies and best practices, including federal, state, and city contracting requirements. Research laws, regulations and policies as applicable.
• Use data platforms and systems such as the Citywide Contract Management System (CCMS) Masterworks, the City’s financial system (PeopleSoft 9.2), Laserfiche, the City’s procurement platform OpenGov and other internal systems to input and track contracts. 
• Have independent assignments and also work collaboratively within the Contracts Team to advance work
• Support City and department goals in promoting diversity and social justice by supporting the City’s Women- and Minority-Owned Business Enterprise (WMBE) initiatives, Federal Disadvantaged Business Enterprise program (DBE) and Small Business Enterprise (SBE) program
• Support rate adjustment, staff additions, invoicing and other contracting processes if needed. 
• Participate in and draft ongoing improvements to policies and procedures, forms and templates, and training materials.

Minimum Qualifications:
Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in business, public administration, finance, economics, English, or a similar field.

Experience:

• Three (3) or more years of professional experience in areas like financial analysis, project management, grant administration, inter-agency agreements, contract administration, or related work.

OR: An equivalent combination of education and experience that demonstrates the ability to perform the position duties.You’ll be successful in this role if you are able to:

• Work with public sector contracts and implement rules set by city, state and federal government agencies.
• Manage multiple contract assignments and processes at once in a fast-paced work environment; ability to prioritize work based upon ever-changing situations.
• Use Microsoft Office Suite (Outlook, Word, Excel, Access), Microsoft SharePoint, Adobe Sign at the intermediate level. 
• Apply excellent organizational skills, strong attention to detail, and follow-through on work commitments. 
• Comfortably lead meetings and guide others (including higher-level managers) through the contracting process
• Communicate orally and in writing to a broad range of professionals and less experienced people regarding contracting policy and processes. 
• Demonstrate customer service and collaborate effectively in a wide range of work environments and personality types. 
• Work both independently and as part of a team. 
• Work effectively in a multicultural workplace and with a diverse customer base.

Other Requirements:
 In this role, you’ll work in a hybrid setup, splitting your time between the office and working from home. You’ll need to spend at least three days each week at our office located in SDOT space in 800 Fifth Avenue next to the Seattle Municipal Tower in downtown Seattle. The rest of your work can be done remotely from home.  You’ll need to:

• Adapt to a flexible schedule based on the department’s needs and leadership direction.
• Be comfortable navigating a fast-paced workplace while managing competing priorities.

Your application will not be reviewed if these items are missing or incomplete.

Hiring Process
Applications are reviewed after the posting closes. Qualified candidates must submit the following to be considered:

1. Completed NEOGOV online application.
2. Supplemental questionnaire responses
3. Cover letter describing how your skills and experience align with the stated job responsibilities and qualifications.
4. Current résumé indicating relevant experience and education.

Offers of employment are contingent on verification of information provided by the applicant as part of the application process, including a potential background check.
 
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.

The City’s full salary range for this position is $52.18 - $60.75 hourly.

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. More information about employee benefits is available on the City's website at: https://www.seattle.gov/human-resources/benefits

Who May Apply: This position is open to all candidates that meet the minimum qualifications. The City of Seattle values diverse perspectives and life experiences. Applicants will be considered regardless of race, color, creed, national origin, ancestry, sex, marital status, disability, religious or political affiliation, age, sexual orientation, or gender identity. The Department encourages people of all backgrounds to apply, including people of color, immigrants, refugees, women, LGBTQ+ people, people with disabilities, veterans and those with diverse life experiences.

Accommodations for people with disabilities are provided on request.

The City is a Drug Free Workplace.