Contracts Specialist 2 (CS2) – Olympia

Benefits

Our vision is to ensure that “Washington state’s children and youth grow up safe and healthy—thriving physically, emotionally and academically, nurtured by family and community.

Job Title:

Contracts Specialist 2 (CS2)

Location:

Olympia, WA. Hybrid - we are mainly remote but come into the office depending on business need.

Closes:

Friday, December 19th, 2025

Salary:

$58,584.00 - $78,912 Annually

The Washington State Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF), Administrative Services Division, is seeking a Contracts Specialist 2 (CS2) to support the operations of the Financial and Business Services Division (FBSD) Contracts Office from our headquarters in Olympia, Washington. In this role, you will be responsible for developing and managing contract and procurement documents, analyzing proposals for technical requirements and cost factors, and ensuring timely processing of requests from programmatic and infrastructural personnel. If you are dedicated to making a positive impact and want to be part of a dynamic team that drives essential services for our community, we encourage you to apply!

DCYF Finance Division Principles

We serve the mission. DCYF’s mission is to work alongside Washington's vulnerable children, youth, and families to foster safety, stability, and better outcomes by strengthening opportunities, connections, and community. Finance is fundamental to the agency achieving its strategy.

We are great partners and focused on the work that matters so we drive great results. Great partnership starts with having the right people at the table early and often.

We are the finance team/employer of choice. We will be respectful and create a positive work environment without judgements.

We are curious and continue to learn. We see mistakes as an opportunity to better understand where things need to change.

We are future focused. We understand that things change but we stay focused on serving those who serve our mission (strategic outcomes).

The Opportunity:

As a Contracts Specialist 2, you will collaborate with stakeholders inside and outside the DCYF to create agreements that meet organizational needs. Your role includes evaluating bids, negotiating contract terms, and ensuring fair costs. You will manage the contract lifecycle by facilitating signatures, overseeing terminations, and ensuring compliance with obligations while resolving any issues that arise with private entities. You will also develop many different types of contracts, to include but not limited to contract templates, Service Level Agreements (SLAs), Data Sharing Agreements, and Interlocal/Intergovernmental Agreements, providing expert guidance to DCYF leadership and program staff to enhance operational effectiveness.

Some of what you will do:

Oversee the negotiation, administration, and termination of contracts, agreements, leases, purchases, and other non-standard agreements.

Arrange for and/or perform the analysis of proposals for technical requirements and cost factors.

Coordinate the evaluation of bids/proposals.

Assure compliance with the terms of contracts, while also resolving any problems concerning the obligations of the state or private concerns.

Educate stakeholders of DCYF policies and procedures regarding contract development and management.

When needed, make requests for change(s) to regulation, policy, or procedures.

Required qualifications:

Equivalent combination of education and experience totaling six (6) years.

OR

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

AND

Two (2) years’ experience in negotiating, administering or terminating government contracts, contract property management, contract cost or price analysis, contract compliance administration or conducting activities such as inspections, investigations, enforcement of policies/regulations/laws.

AND

The ability to take action to learn and grow.

The ability to take action to meet the needs of others.

In addition to those required qualifications, our ideal applicant will also have some or all of the following:

Knowledge of:

Regulations, policies, and procedures for the preparation of contracts, agreements, etc. This knowledge should be inclusive of business and professional services, practices and trends, sources of supply and cost factors, contract terminology and development.

Ability to:

Deal with representatives of business, the professions and institutions, so as to agree to terms of contracts; assure compliance with the terms of contracts and/or agreements.

Work to obtain timely delivery of goods and services and the most reasonable prices.

Coordinate contract negotiation work with efforts of other units in need of services, if applicable.

Advise department offices and sections on contract terms and conditions.

How do I apply?

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

Cover Letter describing how you meet the specific qualifications for this position

Resume (current/updated) detailing experience and education

Supplemental Information:

The Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) is committed to Washington’s children and youth growing up safe, healthy, and thriving. We invite all candidates to join us in our mission to create a diverse and equitable workplace that reflects the communities we serve. If you are excited about this role but you believe that your education and/or experience might not align perfectly with every qualification in the job posting, we encourage you to apply anyway.

The Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of age, sex, marital status, sexual orientation, race, creed, color, national origin, honorably discharged veteran or military status, or the presence of any sensory, mental, or physical disability or the use of a trained service animal by a person with a disability.

The incumbent must successfully complete formal training courses as required by law, policy, and regional requirements within one (1) year of their appointment.

This position is in a bargaining unit represented by the Washington Federation of State Employees (WFSE). For more information:

https://wfse.org/

Applicants who meet the minimum qualifications and wish to claim Veteran's Preference MUST attach a copy of their DD214 or NGB Form 22, or other verification of military service. Please blackout (redact) the social security number before attaching any documents. For additional information on Veteran's Preference and guidance on how to determine if you are eligible, click here.

This recruitment may be used to fill multiple vacancies.

If you have any questions pertaining to this recruitment or if you would like to request an accommodation throughout the application/interview process, contact Veronica Jones (Talent Acquisition Specialist) at veronica.jones@dcyf.wa.gov

If you're experiencing technical difficulties creating, accessing or completing your application, call NEOGOV toll-free at (855) 524-5627 or email support@neogov.com

Persons needing accommodation in the application process or this announcement in an alternative format may call the Telecommunications Device for the Deaf (TDD) at (360) 664-1960.

2025-08496

More than Just a Paycheck!

Employee benefits are not just about the kind of services you get, they are also about how much you may have to pay out of pocket. Washington State offers one of the most competitive benefits packages in the nation.

We understand that your life revolves around more than just your career. Like everyone, your first priority is ensuring that you and your family will maintain health and financial security. That's why choice is a key component of our benefits package. We have a selection of health and retirement plans, paid leave, staff training and other compensation benefits that you can mix and match to meet your current and future needs.

Read about our benefits:

The following information describes typical benefits available for full-time employees who are expected to work more than six months. Actual benefits may vary by appointment type or be prorated for other than full-time work (e.g. part-time); view the job posting for benefits details for job types other than full-time.

Note:

If the position offers benefits which differ from the following, the job posting should include the specific benefits.

Insurance Benefits

Employees and their families are covered by medical (including vision), dental and basic life insurance. There are multiple medical plans with affordable monthly premiums that offer coverage throughout the state.

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.

To view premium rates, coverage choice in your area and how to enroll, please visit the Public Employees Benefits Board (PEBB) website.

The Washington Wellness program from the Health Care Authority works with PEBB to support our workplace wellness programs.

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.

Retirement and Deferred Compensation

State Employees are members of the Washington Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS). New employees have the option of two employer contributed retirement programs. For additional information, check out the Department of Retirement Systems' web site.

Employees also have the ability to participate in the Deferred Compensation Program (DCP). This is a supplemental retirement savings program (similar to an IRA) that allows you control over the amount of pre-tax salary dollars you defer as well as the flexibility to choose between multiple investment options.

Social Security

All state employees are covered by the federal Social Security and Medicare systems. The state and the employee pay an equal amount into the system.

Public Service Loan Forgiveness

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.

Holidays

Full-time and part-time employees are entitled to paid holidays and one paid personal holiday per calendar year.

Note:

Employees who are members of certain Unions may be entitled to additional personal leave day(s), please refer to position specific Collective Bargaining Agreements for more information.

Full-time employees who work full monthly schedules qualify for holiday compensation if they are employed before the holiday and are in pay status for at least 80 nonovertime hours during the month of the holiday; or for the entire work shift preceding the holiday.

Part-time employees who are in pay status during the month of the holiday qualify for the holiday on a pro-rata basis. Compensation for holidays (including personal holiday) will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status in the month to that required for full-time employment, excluding all holiday hours. Pay status includes hours worked and time on paid leave.

Sick Leave

Full-time employees earn eight hours of sick leave per month. Overtime eligible employees who are in pay status for less than 80 hours per month, earn a monthly proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment. Overtime exempt employees who are in pay status for less than 80 hours per month do not earn a monthly accrual of sick leave.

Sick leave accruals for part-time employees will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment. Pay status includes hours worked, time on paid leave and paid holiday.

Vacation (Annual Leave)

Full-time employees accrue vacation leave at the rates specified in WAC 357-31-165 (1) or the applicable collective bargaining agreement (CBA). Full-time employees who are in pay status for less than 80 nonovertime hours in a month do not earn a monthly accrual of vacation leave.

Part-time employees accrue vacation leave hours in accordance with WAC 357-31-165 (1) or the applicable collective bargaining agreement (CBA) on a pro rata basis. Vacation leave accrual will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment.

Pay status includes hours worked, time on paid leave and paid holiday.

As provided in WAC 357-58-175, an employer may authorize a lump-sum accrual of vacation leave or accelerate the vacation leave accrual rate to support the recruitment and/or retention of a candidate or employee for a Washington Management Service position. Vacation leave accrual rates may only be accelerated using the rates established WAC 357-31-165.

Note:

Most agencies follow the civil service rules covering leave and holidays for exempt employees even though there is no requirement for them to do so. However, agencies are required to adhere to the applicable RCWs pertaining holidays and leave.

Military Leave

Washington State supports members of the armed forces with 21 days paid military leave per year.

Bereavement Leave

Most employees whose family member or household member dies, or for loss of pregnancy, are entitled to five (5) days of paid bereavement leave. In addition, the employer may approve other available leave types for the purpose of bereavement leave.

Additional Leave

Leave Sharing

Parental Leave

Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)

Leave Without Pay

Please visit the State HR Website for more detailed information regarding benefits.

Updated 07-21-2025

• Oversee the negotiation, administration, and termination of contracts, agreements, leases, purchases, and other non-standard agreements.
• Arrange for and/or perform the analysis of proposals for technical requirements and cost factors.
• Coordinate the evaluation of bids/proposals.
• Assure compliance with the terms of contracts, while also resolving problems concerning obligations of a state agency or private concerns.
• Educate stakeholders of DCYF policies and procedures regarding contract development and management.
• When needed, make requests for change(s) to regulation, policy, or procedures.

• Equivalent combination of education and experience totaling six (6) years.
• Bachelor’s degree involving major study in public administration, business administration, business law, commerce, economics, mathematics, statistics or closely allied field, AND Two (2) years of experience in negotiating, administering or terminating government contracts, contract property management, contract cost or price analysis, contract compliance administration or conducting activities such as inspections, investigations, enforcement of policies/regulations/laws.

• Insurance Benefits
• Retirement and Deferred Compensation
• Social Security
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness
• Holidays
• Sick Leave
• Vacation (Annual Leave)
• Military Leave
• Bereavement Leave
• Additional Leave