DSHS BHHA Contracts Specialist 3

Posting number: 2026-06886

Department: Dept. of Social and Health Services

Division: BHHA

Job classification: CONTRACTS SPECIALIST 3

Posting type: Open & Promotional

Categories: Administration, Legal, Purchasing, Attorney

• Develop BHHA contracts as assigned and requested by facilities, programs, and offices and execute them as delegated.
• Contract development work entails drafting, negotiating, and contract execution.
• Coordinate procurement activities using the appropriate method of procurement and working with the Central Purchasing Unit, Central Contracts and Legal Services, and the Department of Enterprise Services.
• Negotiate BHHA contracts in collaboration with customer representatives to ensure terms meet program needs and comply with requirements.
• Serve as a liaison between BHHA leadership, Contract Managers, Central Contracts and Legal Services, the Central Purchasing Unit, and the Department of Enterprise Services on compliance matters.
• Resolve contract issues by providing BHHA Contract Managers and fiscal staff with guidance on issues associated with funding, invoicing, and performance.
• Manage contract workflows by reviewing emails, entering new matters into SharePoint, assigning tasks, maintaining data, and supporting development of recordkeeping systems.

• Who should apply? A bachelor's degree involving major study in business administration, public administration, business law, commerce, mathematics, statistics, economics, or closely allied field.
• AND
• Three years of experience in negotiating, administering or terminating government contracts, contract property management, contract cost or price analyses or contract compliance administration.

The Behavioral Health & Habilitation Administration (BHHA) is searching for a Contract Specialist 3 (CS3) to provide expert level contract development work. This position is responsible for developing, drafting, negotiating, and finalizing contracts for clinical services, temporary staffing, compliance consulting, training, IT services, interlocal agreements, educational affiliations, forensic services, and vendor agreements for BHHA and its facilities and offices. The CS3 ensures all procurement and contracting activities comply with state and DSHS rules while maintaining accurate contract files across multiple systems and supporting the contracting needs of BHHA customers. This position also requires close coordination with BHHA Contract Managers (our customers), other internal business partners, and external contractors.

The CS3 also serves as the SharePoint technical analyst lead. In this role, the CS3 uses statistical data to develop and generate performance management and quality outcome reports for the BHHA Contracts Administrator. This role provides essential technical, organizational, and advisory support to strengthen BHHA Contracts Office operations. The CS3 also complies with BHHA Contracts Office protocols to ensure proper set-up of the contract record in the Agency Contract Database (ACD), network files, and outlook.

• A master's degree in one of the above academic disciplines may be substituted for one (1) year of experience.
• A law degree from an accredited college or university approved by the Washington State Bar Association may be substituted for two (2) years of experience.
• Additional qualifying experience may be substituted, year for year, for the education.

Ready to start a rewarding career? Apply today! Along with your application, please include:

• An updated resume.
• Three professional references with contact information.

Questions?Please contact the Recruiter Vincent Hamilton at and reference #06886.

The Department of Social and Health Services’ (DSHS) vision that people find human services to shape their own lives requires that we come together with a sense of belonging, common purpose, shared values, and meaningful work. It is crucial to our agency’s vision that you bring a fairness, access, and social justice commitment to your work with DSHS. We strive to support all Washingtonians, including Black, Indigenous, and People of Color, people with physical, behavioral health, and intellectual disabilities, elders, LGBTQIA+ individuals, immigrants and refugees, and families building financial security.

Prior to a new hire, a background check including criminal record history may be conducted. Information from the background check will not necessarily preclude employment but will be considered in determining the applicant’s suitability and competence to perform in the job. This announcement may be used to fill multiple vacancies. Employees driving on state business must have a valid driver's license. Employees driving a privately owned vehicle on state business must have liability insurance on the privately owned vehicle.

Washington State Department of Social and Health Services is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate in any area of employment, its programs or services on the basis of age, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity/expression, marital status, race, creed, color, national origin, religion or beliefs, political affiliation, military status, honorably discharged veteran, Vietnam Era, recently separated or other protect­ed veteran status, the presence of any sensory, mental, physical disability or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with a disability, equal pay or genetic information. Persons requiring accommodation in the application process or this job announcement in an alternative format may contact the Recruiter at .

Relationship and Reporting Structure (Nepotism) Disclosure: If you are selected for hire, you must disclose whether you have a relative, household member, close friend, or romantic partner within your potential supervisory chain of command. DSHS has a Relationships and the Reporting Structure policy that prohibits nepotism and can be reviewed here. Applicants whose appointment would result in a prohibited reporting relationship are not eligible for appointment to that position.

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