Senior Contract Specialist

Current employees: Please apply through the employee portal to be considered for this opportunity.

Pay Range:

$41.51 - $51.03 Hourly

Department:

Department of County Assets (DCA)

Job Type:

Regular Represented

Exemption Status:

United States of America (Non-Exempt)

Closing Date (Open Until Filled if No Date Specified):

November 23, 2025

The Opportunity:

Overview

This work matters...

Are you a contract expert passionate about making public services run smoothly? 

The Department of County Assets (DCA) is looking for a Senior Contract Specialist to lead our most complex procurements. This role requires a blend of sharp business sense, legal interpretation, and deep technical knowledge. You will manage large-scale contracts, ensuring strict compliance with all Local, State, and Federal rules, while using strategic sourcing to guarantee the County achieves the best possible value in every transaction.

This position specializes in Facilities and Property Management contracting. To succeed, you need advanced knowledge of building systems, construction methods, and technical terminology across architectural, civil, mechanical, and electrical fields. You must be familiar with the Construction Standards Institute (CSI) format and nomenclature. If you are a detail-oriented professional ready to apply your technical contracting to public service, we invite you to apply and help us build a better future for our residents.

Key Responsibilities:

• Building the Deals: You'll draft and compile all the necessary documents—from writing clear Statements of Work and specifications to finalizing agreements and contracts—for major capital projects and facilities maintenance across the County.

• Negotiating and Protecting: You'll put your legal savvy to work by interpreting and negotiating critical clauses related to liability, warranties, and damages, ensuring our agreements are fair, strong, and financially protected.

• Leading the Strategy: You will be a vital resource, communicating our goals to actively reduce risk and cost. This involves advising our contract administrators and coordinating complex special projects that involve agreements between various County divisions and outside agencies.

• Ensuring Flawless Compliance: You'll manage the lifecycle of existing contracts, monitoring County responsibilities and executing necessary amendments. Crucially, you'll review every contract to ensure it strictly follows all State laws and County policies before it moves forward for final approval.

• Connecting the Dots: You'll serve as a key research and analysis liaison, working with partners and stakeholders to make sure our contracts truly meet County-wide needs and deliver maximum effectiveness.

To Qualify

We will consider any combination of relevant work experience, volunteering, education, and transferable skills as qualifying unless an item or section is labeled required. Please be clear and specific about how your background is relevant. 

Minimum Qualifications/Transferable Skills:

• A bachelor's degree (in lieu of a degree, we will consider 4 equivalent years of experience.) 

AND

• A minimum of three (3) years of demonstrated experience in Purchasing, Contract Development, and Contract Management.

** The following specific knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs) are

REQUIRED for this role:

• Advanced knowledge of contract language, principles and format specific to facilities and building maintenance and capital improvement. 

• Working knowledge of Construction Standards Institute (CSI) nomenclature and format 

• Advanced knowledge of building systems terminology, construction methods, practices and techniques and nomenclature of architectural, civil, mechanical and electrical building systems. 

• Ability to read and evaluate drawings and specifications and equipment schedules.

• Working knowledge of JAGGAER or other E-Procurement Software Solution for creating solicitations and contracts.

• Working knowledge of State of Oregon QRF Program and Multnomah County Living Wage review board 

• Intermediate expertise utilizing Excel and advanced knowledge of permanent electronic and physical filing systems. 

Preferred Qualifications/Transferable Skills: You do not need to have the following preferred qualifications/transferable skills to qualify. However, keep in mind we may consider some or all of the following when identifying the most qualified candidates. Please clearly explain on your application how you meet any of the following preferred qualifications/transferable skills.

• Experience in public sector procurement methods, systems and processes.

• Experience directly related to construction or maintenance/repair/operations related goods and services procurement and contracting.

• Experience with Jaggaer and Workday software solutions.

Screening and Evaluation

The Application Packet:

• A completed online application.

• A resume covering relevant experience and education. Please be sure your resume includes the following for each employer: name of employer, location, dates of employment, your title, a brief summary of your responsibilities, and the number of employees under your supervision.

• A cover letter detailing how your experience and training qualifies you for this role, addresses why you are interested in this position, and demonstrates how your experience and skill set align with the minimum and preferred qualifications listed.

Note: The application, resume and cover letter should demonstrate your work experience/skills and how they relate to those shown in the Overview, Essential Job Duties and To Qualify sections of the job announcement. Please be thorough, as these materials will be scored to determine your eligibility for an interview.

The Selection Process: For details about how we typically screen applications, review our overview of the selection process page. We expect to evaluate candidates for this recruitment as follows:

• Initial review of minimum qualifications: We may do an additional preferred review and/or send out additional supplemental questions to identify those highest qualified.

• Consideration of top candidates: We will consider qualified candidates in order of rank and score from the list of eligible candidates. This may include panel interview(s), a hiring interview, and/or additional testing to determine the best candidates for a position.

• Reference check: All finalists must pass a thorough reference check.

 
Additional Information: 

This recruitment may be used to fill full-time, part-time, temporary, limited duration and on-call positions.

Type of Position:  This hourly, union-represented position is eligible for overtime pay.

Location:  501 SE Hawthorne Blvd, Portland, OR 97214

Schedule:  Monday - Friday 8:00am - 4:30pm. This position is currently eligible for “routine telework,” meaning you will be working remotely (from home) or a hybrid schedule. As with all routine telework positions, employees may be required to come into the office on occasion. There is some flexibility with the start and end times and a possibility of a 9/80 work schedule. All employees must reside in Oregon or Washington; the county cannot support ongoing telework from other locations. We are unable to hire those who hold work visas, including H-1B, F-1 OPT, or STEM OPT.

Equal Pay Law: Please be advised that the pay range listed for this position is intended to provide general guidance on the earning potential for the role. However, actual compensation will be determined in accordance with the Oregon Equal Pay Law and will take into account factors such as the candidate's relevant experience, education seniority, training, and/or tenure. Candidates should expect that initial offers will be made within the listed pay range and may not be at or near the top of the range.

Our Commitment to Safety, Trust and Belonging
Multnomah County is committed to developing, nurturing and continually improving workforce equity by identifying and addressing the structural and policy barriers to equal employment opportunity faced by our employees and communities. County employees across the organization have stepped forward to develop a strategic plan and help create a workplace where everyone can reach their full potential. Learn more by reading our Workforce Equity Strategic Plan and exploring our Core Competencies for all County employees.

Serving the Public, Even During Disasters
Everyday, Multnomah County staff work together to serve as a safety net for our communities. During a disaster, this safety net becomes even more critical. All County employees have a role in serving the public during inclement weather, natural disaster, or other types of community emergency response. During these emergency responses, while typically there begins with a call for volunteers, county employees may ultimately be reassigned from their current position to a role in the emergency response in order to support the critical needs presented by our communities. For more information, please visit the Disaster Service Worker Information page. 

In accordance with Oregon Law, Multnomah County is not collecting school attendance dates in the initial application process; please do not include these dates in your resume, cover letter and other application materials.

Diversity and Inclusion: At Multnomah County, we don't just accept difference; we value it and support it to create a culture of dignity and respect for our employees.

We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran or protected veteran status, genetic information and other legally protected characteristics. The EEO Know Your Rights poster is available for your reference. Multnomah County is a VEVRAA Federal Contractor. We request priority protected veteran referrals.

Veterans’ Preference: Under Oregon Law, qualifying veterans may apply for veterans’ preference. Review our veterans’ preference page for details about eligibility and how to apply.

Accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act: We gladly provide reasonable accommodation to anyone whose specific disability prevents them from completing an application or participating in this recruitment process. Please contact the recruiter below in advance to request assistance. Individuals with hearing or speech impairments may contact the recruiter through the Telecommunications Relay Service by dialing 711.

Questions?

Recruiter:

Allison Conkling

Email:

allison.conkling@multco.us

Phone:

+1 (503) 2604572

Application information may be used throughout the entire selection process. This process is subject to change without notice.

Disclaimer: This announcement is intended as a general descriptive recruitment guide and is subject to change. It does not constitute either an expressed or implied contract.

Job Profile:

6031 - Contract Specialist Senior