Assistant Construction Contracts Specialist

The City of Seattle is seeking an Assistant Construction Contracts Specialist (Assistant Capital Projects Coordinator). The position helps with advertising, bidding, executing, paying and closing out City construction contracts.

If you are an inquisitive and collaborative professional with a background in contracts, construction, purchasing or a related area and want to serve the community, this job might be for you! In this role you will have the opportunity to learn and grow while supporting fair and efficient public works construction bidding and contracting processes.

Finance and Administrative Services (FAS) is often the public's first interaction with the City of Seattle, operating as a customer-focused front door that assists with everything from paying utilities or reporting a pothole to requesting public information or even adopting a new pet.

The Purchasing and Contracting Division manages bids, public works and contracting needs. The division also supports the City's race and social justice initiative by expanding contracting equity for women- and minority-owned businesses and supporting labor equity on City construction projects.

As public servants, we recognize that care is integral to our work—care for each other, care for providing the best customer service possible to our residents, care for advancing equity within our communities, and care for responsibly managing the assets and public funds entrusted to us.

The 500-plus employees of FAS span across 10 divisions and work behind-the-scenes providing critical functions, like managing 120 City facilities—including police and fire stations—overseeing the City’s neighborhood customer service centers and Customer Service Bureau and making sure minority-owned businesses can equitably compete for City contracts. No matter the need, FAS is here—at your service.

• Help manage advertising and execute construction contracts.
• Approve public works invoice payments by checking contract details and compliance.
• Handle construction contracting using the City’s financial and procurement systems.
• Review close-out documents before completing processes with stakeholders.
• Verify submitted construction contract documents, including bonds and insurance.
• Support capital departments, contractors, and subcontractors with contract administration.
• Gather data regularly and create reports on City construction contracts.
• Oversee the receipt, filing, and archiving of original construction contracts.
• Know state and City of Seattle codes, regulations, and policies for public works contracting.

• Two years of contract, project, construction or related experience AND a bachelor’s degree in architecture, engineering, building construction, business administration, public administration or related field; OR
• Four years of contract, project, construction or related experience; OR
• A combination of education and/or experience that fulfills the minimum requirements.

• Experience in public purchasing or public works processes, like advertisement, bidding, award, bonding, insurance, payments, and prevailing wages.
• Experience checking payments or compliance on public contracts.
• Experience with financial data systems (e.g., People Soft), contract management systems (e.g., Master Works, Unifier), and procurement management systems.
• Knowledge of standard construction industry operations and practices.
• Experience thriving in a fast-paced, customer service environment.

• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with a proven ability to effectively interact with both technical and non-technical stakeholders, provide technical assistance to team members, and build/sustain strong relationships with peers and customers.
• An interest and curiosity in learning laws, policies and procedures around public works projects.
• The ability to build partnerships and work collaboratively with others to meet shared objectives.

This position requires a minimum of three days per week of onsite work. Alternative Work Arrangements and hybrid telework schedules for work conducted in a normal office environment may be considered…