Jobs and Careers

DSHS HCLA Contracts Specialist 3

State of Washington

United Statesfull_timeVerifiedPosted 13 Aug 2026

💰 $93,288/yr($69,348/yr – $93,288/yr)

About the role

Posting number: 2026-06327

Department: Dept. of Social and Health Services

Division: HCLA

Job classification: CONTRACTS SPECIALIST 3

Posting type: Open & Promotional

Categories: Administration, Legal, Purchasing, Attorney

Summary

Management Services Division (MSD) Contracts Specialist 3

Home and Community Living Administration (HCLA)

We are searching for two experienced DSHS Contract Specialist 3 to provide senior-level work and serve as a contract professional responsible for overseeing contract policy and procedures and ensuring contracts are in compliance as assigned to HCLA and the Developmental Disabilities Administration (DDA).

As a Contract Specialist 3, you help ensure our contracts are clear, compliant, and support the work of the agency. You interpret and apply state and federal contracting rules, work with management to develop and maintain standard procedures, and provide guidance to staff on contracting requirements. You create, review, and approve regional custom contracts, maintain pre-approved and semi-custom templates, and oversee the full lifecycle of the Administration’s contracts to support consistency, accuracy, and compliance.

Some of what you will do

Contract development and management to prepare review, and negotiate contracts, including preapproved templates, semicustom agreements, and custom client, personal, and interlocal contracts for HCLA/DDA.
Statewide contract management and oversight to ensure consistent statewide practices for vendor and contract evaluation, management, and oversight.
Provide strategic leadership and program support through proactive collaboration, communication, and relationship building between the contracts office and the assigned portfolio to establish and maintain a positive working relationship.
Provide guidance and assistance regarding disputes and corrective action and coordinate with DSHS Central Contracts and Legal Services (CCLS) terminations for default.
Function as Key Contract Coordinator for contracts to ensure statewide contract compliance with CCLS. Act as the liaison between regional contract staff and CCLS.
Instruct, problem-solve and create custom contracts Agency Contracts Database system.
Provide consultation and technical assistance for program staff regarding contract creation, monitoring, and requirements

Professionals that have knowledge of DSHS and DES regulations, policies, and procedures for preparation of contracts and agreements, business and professional services, practices and trends, sources of supply and cost factors, contract terminology and development should apply. Along with:

A bachelor's degree with a major study in business administration, public administration, business law, commerce, economics, mathematics, statistics, or a closely related field.
And, 3 years of experience in negotiating, administering, or terminating contracts, contract property management, contract cost or price analysis, or contract compliance administration.
Also needed: Skilled research, interpreting, and analyzing skills, applying laws, rules and policies, multitasking, and being meticulous about details. Effective communication and facilitation skills, thoughtful and thorough in approach, and continuously seeking new information to stay current on industry & DSHS best practices.

Additional contract-related experience may be substituted, year for year, for education. A master's degree in the above-mentioned disciplines will substitute for one year of work experience. A law degree will substitute for 2 years of work experience.

Preferred knowledge, skills, and abilities:

Washington State and federal laws and regulations governing contracts and agreements, contract principles, theory and application, contracts terminology and development, and contracts practices and procedures.
Capable to negotiate with representatives of business to agree on terms of contracts, assure compliance with terms of contracts.
Recognize desirable contract terms and provisions and ability to identify areas and incidents of non-compliance within existing contracts.

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