Senior Contract Specialist

Seattle City Light, a department of the City of Seattle, is one of the nation’s largest municipally owned utilities in terms of the number of customers served. Over the years we have worked very hard to keep Seattle's electricity affordable, reliable, and environmentally sound. Today, City Light is a recognized 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 role involves collaborating with Contracts & Procurement staff, internal departments, and external procurement stakeholders in all matters relating to the procurement of materials, supplies, hardware, software, and consulting services. The role also focuses 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 and will be assigned to support the Project Delivery Unit.

• Manage consultant procurement processes for business units
• Coordinate preparation and approve 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 including scope, 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

In addition to the skills and experience mentioned below, a successful applicant will have experience that reflects a commitment to creating fair and equitable outcomes and has:

Experience: Requires a minimum of three years of professional experience in financial analysis, project management, grant administration, inter‑agency agreements, contract administration or related work.

Education: Bachelor’s degree in business or public administration, finance, economics or other field related to this work (or a combination of education and/or training and/or experience which provides an equivalent background required to perform the work of the class).

Candidates must…