Contracts Specialist 2

Central Washington University is recruiting a Contracts Specialist 2 to join our Contracts and Procurement team in Ellensburg, Washington. This role is an important member of our team as they enhance the vision for the University. The role is a campus-based position, which means you get to see the lives you are impacting. We're offering a salary, depending on experience, from $56,880 - $76,608 annually plus the awesome CWU benefits.

Who we are:

We are a team of individuals committed to Changing Students' Lives. No matter what job, each of us plays a part in supporting and empowering our students to fulfill their dreams.

Working in higher education provides career growth and career choice. Think of a university campus like a mini city, operating across 380 acres. You'll find diverse academics, libraries, athletics and sporting events, full service and quick serve dining, conferences and events from small to large, recreation centers, housing, health services, police and public safety for the campus population of ~10,000 students.

Central Washington University has been named a Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program Top Producing Institution for the 2022-2023 academic year. In addition, for the seventh time in eight years, CWU is a recipient of the prestigious Higher Education Excellence in Diversity (HEED) Award from INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine. Come join us on our journey to encourage, inspire, and create spaces where all identities thrive on campus.

Tour our campus in Ellensburg here. www.youtube.com/watch?v=HjdhOegDa9A

What we offer:

Our investment in you begins the day you join our team, a healthy and successful future for you is important to us. We offer medical, dental, life and disability insurance, retirement and optional savings plans, tuition assistance for you and your dependents, discounts across town, an employee assistance program for individualized counseling, and a wellness incentive program. Learn more: Benefits, Perks, and Leave.

The Role:

The Contracts Specialist 2 performs the journey level of professional contract administration with responsibility in the negotiation and preparation of complex contracts, interagency agreements, leases, letters of understanding, contract templates, grant agreements, and other agreements to provide or obtain services or goods for the University. Duties include technical contract support activities such as contract compliance administration, contract property administration, and resolution of contract disputes. All employees are expected to support CWU's commitment to diversity and to bring and support inclusion into the university environment.

• Develop, negotiate, review, maintain, administer, and modify contracts, memoranda of understanding, and other complex agreements.
• Assist University personnel with writing specifications and statements of work.
• Analyze proposals for technical requirements and cost factors; request regulation, policy or procedure changes as necessary, and obtain special approval when necessary to deviate from regulations, policy or procedures.
• Ensure compliance with University, State, and Federal contracting rules, policies and procedures.
• Resolve contract-related issues including, but not limited to, disputes, scope changes, funding, invoicing, and performance issues.
• Obtain necessary signatures of parties to agreements, maintain a list of authorized contract signatories, and coordinate termination of contracts as necessary.
• Maintain electronic contracting transaction system, such as PeopleSoft, and paper-based contracting records.
• Assure compliance with the terms of contracts and resolve problems concerning the obligations of the State or private concerns; work with the involved University departments to address contractor concerns and/or complaints.
• Interpret and communicate state and University contracting and purchasing regulations/ policies/procedures to staff, campus community and external parties.
• Provide formal contracting training sessions for university staff as needed.
  
• Perform other duties as assigned.

• A bachelor's degree involving major study in public administration, business administration, business law, commerce, economics, mathematics, statistics, or closely related field, and
• Two years of experience in reviewing, negotiating, administering and/or terminating government contracts, contract property management, contract cost or price analysis, and/or contract compliance administration.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Demonstrated willingness and/or experience working with students and/or co-workers from a wide range of abilities, backgrounds and experiences.
• OR any other applicable combination of education and/or experience which demonstrates the ability to perform the essential functions of the position.

Preferred Qualifications

• A master's degree in public administration, business administration, business law, commerce, economics, mathematics, statistics, or closely related field.
• A law degree from an accredited college or university approved by the Washington State Bar Association.
• Experience in reviewing, negotiating, administering and/or terminating contracts on behalf of a local, state, or federal government agency.
• Experience working in a higher education setting.
• Experience in contract cost or price analysis.
• Certified Purchasing Manager (CPM), Certified Professional in Supply Management, or equivalent certification.
• A record of promoting inclusivity in the work environment.
• Ability to incorporate multicultural perspectives and issues into everyday conversations.

Competencies

• Accountability/Dependability: Accepts responsibility for quality of own work; acknowledges and corrects mistakes. Shows up on time, meets standards, deadlines and work schedules.
• Judgement: Makes timely, informed decisions. Analyzes options and determines appropriate course of action.
• Teamwork: Promotes cooperation and mutual support to achieve goals. Encourages participation and mutual support.
• Adaptability/Flexibility: Responds positively to changing business needs and responsibilities. Adapts approach and methods to achieve results; recovers quickly from setbacks and finds alternatives.
• Commitment to Diversity: Recognizes the value of diversity and helps create environment that supports and embraces diversity.
• Abilities: Is able to deal professionally and effectively with representatives of business, the professions and institutions to agree on terms of contracts.

Don't meet every single requirement? At CWU we're dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive, and authentic workplace, so if you're excited about this role but your experience doesn't align perfectly with every requirement, we encourage you to apply anyway. This may be the job for you!

Salary: This position is based on the range 53 of the Washington State Classification Listing, which has a minimum annual salary of $56,880 and maximum annual salary of $76,608. In accordance with RCW 49.58.110, the above salary reflects the full salary range for this position. Individual placement within the range is based on the candidate's current experience, education, skills, and abilities related to the position.

Schedule/Appointment: Monday - Friday, 8:00am-5:00pm (1 hour lunch)

Working Conditions: Work is performed in an indoor office setting with frequent in-person interactions. It is essential to be able to remain at a desk/computer workstation for prolonged periods of time, read complex documents, perform extensive data entry and other computer-related tasks and create/maintain filing systems for departmental records. Some evening or weekend work and/or occasional travel may be required.

Benefits: CWU offers a comprehensive benefits package including medical and dental insurance, retirement and optional savings plans, life and disability insurance, along with vacation and sick leave plans depending on employment classification. For additional information please visit Benefits, Perks, and Leave.

An employee of CWU may be eligible for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program if the employee has student loans. To learn more, visit: https://ofm.wa.gov/state-human-resources/public-service-loan-forgiveness-program.