Contracts Specialist 1 – Rail, Freight & Ports
State of WashingtonDescription About WSDOT The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) is a multimodal agency with a global reputation for excellence. Our dedicated workforce plans, designs, builds, and operates an integrated transportation system that safely and efficiently moves people and goods throughout the state. In addition to maintaining over 20,000 lane miles of state highway and 4,100 bridges, WSDOT leads an award-winning Active Transportation Plan, manages the world's longest floating bridge, and operates the largest ferry system in the nation! The Opportunity WSDOT is seeking a Contracts Specialist 1 to provide contracts, agreements, grant management, process expertise, and administrative support for the Rail, Freight and Ports (RFP) Division. You will support contracts and grants throughout their lifecycle, coordinate federal grant applications and reporting, assist with procurement activities, and work closely with WSDOT staff, government agencies, grantees, industry partners, and other stakeholders. Your attention to detail and ability to navigate policies and requirements will help ensure RFP programs are well-managed, compliant, and moving forward. This position helps support safe, reliable, and cost-effective transportation options that strengthen communities and economic vitality across Washington. What to Expect Among the varied range of responsibilities held within this role, you will: Support the administration of architectural and engineering, construction, consultant, interagency, professional services, and other contracts, agreements, and grants throughout their lifecycle. Monitor contract performance and deliverables, review invoices and supporting documentation, track milestones and dates, and support contract closeout. Maintain contracts, agreements, and grants information in databases, financial systems, filing and archival systems, and SharePoint. Coordinate grant calls for projects, including applicant review, documentation, scoring, and compliance activities. Coordinate with WSDOT staff, grant recipients, and stakeholders regarding administrative processes, performance monitoring, and required reporting. Coordinate federal grant applications, including development and quality review of application materials, submission, and monitoring. Coordinate required and ad hoc reporting with WSDOT staff, federal and state agencies, and external stakeholders. Support division procurement activities, review assigned procurements for compliance, maintain procurement files, and facilitate related documentation and processing. Provide backup support to the Contracts and Federal Compliance Lead, participate in meetings, prepare meeting summaries, collaborate with subject matter experts and staff, and support records retention requirements. Qualifications To be considered for this opportunity, the following competencies are required: Contracts & Agreements: Demonstrates working knowledge and experience administering state and/or government contracts and agreements. Ethics & Equity: Demonstrates a strong commitment to ethical and equitable standards, sound judgment, and appropriate handling of confidential or sensitive information. Growth Mindset: Actively demonstrates a commitment to learning and growth. Service-Oriented: Demonstrates a willingness to take action to meet the needs of others. Grants & Contract Agreements: Demonstrates knowledge of federal grant application processes, grant administration and oversight, agreement administration, and project delivery and planning agreements. Laws, Rules & Regulations: Demonstrates knowledge of laws, rules, and regulations applicable to federal and state procurements, grants, contracts, and agreements. Communication & Collaboration: Communicates clearly with diverse audiences, including government agencies, internal and external stakeholders, and partners; facilitates meetings and delivers presentations. Correspondence & Comprehension: Produces and reviews clear technical…