Contracts Specialist (COM3)

About the Department

Contracts Specialist (COM3)
At the Department of Commerce, we’re reimagining what’s possible in government. We’re builders, thinkers, and change-makers, working at the intersection of innovation, community, and impact. From unlocking critical funding to fueling inclusive economic growth, we’re turning big ideas into real-world solutions that uplift people and places.

Our agency’s strength lies in the diversity of our workforce and the breadth of the lived experiences and perspectives employees bring to the work. We believe equity is not just a value but a practice, which is reflected in how we design programs, engage communities, and deliver outcomes. We foster a workplace culture where curiosity is encouraged, bold thinking is welcomed, and collaboration drives our impact.

This job is a commitment to reshape systems so they work better for everyone. If you’re ready to challenge the status quo and build meaningful connections, we want to meet you.

Let’s build what’s next, together.

The Housing Division (HD) partners with local governments, Tribes, housing authorities, nonprofits, and other organizations to develop and preserve affordable housing, promote individual and family self-sufficiency and reduce adult and youth homelessness.

This position works in the Multifamily Housing Unit (MHU) of HD, with the state Housing Trust Fund (HTF) and the federal HOME and National Housing Trust Fund (NHTF) programs. This position is responsible for developing and maintaining complex contract and legal documents to protect state interests in investments made through the MHU programs, and provides technical assistance to program contractors and to other MHU staff regarding agency contracting requirements, program loan terms, and related legal documents.

Position Duties

Development and Maintenance of Capital Contracts:
• Develop, review, negotiate terms and collaborate with MHU project managers, asset managers, contractors and their attorneys for the execution of capital contracts for loans and grants or amendments for the state Housing Trust Fund and federal HOME and National Housing Trust Fund programs, including all related legal and security documents such as, Promissory Notes, Assignment Agreements, Deeds of Trust, Covenant Agreements, and Priority/Subordination Agreements, ensuring that all program and legal standards are met.
• Determine the correct forms, templates, documents, and language needed based on financial structure of project.
• Develop contracts and related legal documents by working directly with contractors, attorneys, title and escrow companies, developers, as well as internal project and asset managers, their supervisors and contract specialist supervisors to reach final execution of the contracts.
• Lead collaboration with MHU project managers and asset managers negotiations with contractors, attorneys, title/escrow company officers, and developers to complete and administer the unit’s complex legal and security documents, including but not limited to promissory notes, assignment and assumption agreements, deeds of trust, covenant agreements, and priority & subordination agreements.

Analysis and Preparation of Contracts and Legal Document Templates, and Improvement of Contracting Process:
• Make recommendations to Contract Specialist Supervisor (CS5) and management regarding the development of contracting and legal templates, as well as related policies under the HTF and the federal HOME and National Housing Trust Fund programs.
• Develop and maintain processes and procedures for newly created or established templates for contract and legal documentation as well as related work methods and information systems, while ensuring program policies and legal requirements are met.
• Perform analysis and interpretation of current legislation, budget provisos, state and federal regulations, legal issues, contract terminology and industry practices, and assist with drafting policies related to program contracts and other legal documents related to real estate and housing finance
transactions pertinent to the unit’s programs and projects and make recommendations to the Contract Specialist.
• Maintain reporting and tracking tools related to necessary legal review with the Commerce Contracts Manager.

Database Maintenance:
• Input and verify data from the original application submission, the budget allocation spreadsheet (BASS), conduct queries, and generate reports in the appropriate database systems (internal and external) related to project specifics.
• Enter contract, contact, organization name, and other data in the Contracts Management System (CMS) and the Housing Contracts Management System (HCMS) databases after contract execution.
• Enter and verify entries in CMS prior to submitting contracts and amendments to the Commerce Fiscal Unit.
• Track receipt of insurance certificates from contractors and verify information on certificate against the contract requirements.
• Ensure insurance documents are properly imaged and indexed as outlined within the Housing Unit Blueprint (HUB) and desk manual. Notify Project/Asset Manager, contractor of discrepancies and delinquencies.
• Receive and process project name changes notifications from contractors and verify completeness. Resolve discrepancies with contractors, as needed.
• Prepare correspondence to notify the unit of change, update databases, add correspondence to imaging, complete log, and maintain file.
• Oversee and provide quality management of document tracking, retention, and imaging system requirements.
• Provide guidance to the unit staff on the use of data and imaging systems.

Analysis and Interpretation:
• Proposes contract language and policy recommendations related to program contracts and other legal documents to the Contract Specialist Supervisor to ensure program policies and legal requirements are met.
• Analyze, interpret and propose improvements of unit contracts and legal documents to Contract Specialist Supervisor to ensure program policies and legal requirements are met.

Minimum Qualifications

Required Position Qualifications:
Seven (7) years of combined experience and/or education as described below:

Experience in community, trade, or economic development with a focus in two or more of the following areas:
• Affordable housing
• Housing finance
• Real Estate
• Contracting
• Knowledge of real estate contracts and transactions

Education involves housing finance, business, public administration or related field. Qualifying education post High School or equivalent may be substituted year for year for experience.

Examples of how to qualify:
• 7 years of experience
• 6 years of experience and one year of education
• 5 years of experience and two years of education
• 4 years of experience and three years of education
• 3 years of experience and four years of education
• 2 years of experience and five years of education
• 1 years of experience and six years of education

Preferred/Desired Qualifications:
• Experience or knowledge with development and/or financing of multifamily housing.
• Experience or knowledge of affordable housing, such as the Housing Trust Fund, the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit, the federal HOME, or National Housing Trust Fund programs.
• Notary experience or license.
• Paralegal experience or certification.
• Limited Practice Officer experience or certification.

Required Position Competencies:
• Intermediate skill level in the Microsoft Office suite products including OneDrive, Teams, SharePoint, Excel, Word, and Outlook.
• Ability to openly and honestly communicate; actively engage co-workers and contractors; develop interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work well with diverse groups and personalities.
• Ability to work well under stress and meet tight deadlines.
• The ability to identify and advocate for change necessary to streamline systems, enhance customer service, and improve efficiency and effectiveness.
• Strong proof-reading and editing skills.

To be considered for this position the following are needed:

• A complete and detailed online application.
• A cover letter (enter online).
• At least three professional references (enter online).

For questions about this recruitment, please contact our recruitment team via email: [email protected] - please reference the job number in your message.

Other Qualifications

Work from Anywhere in Washington State 
This position may be located anywhere within Washington State though occasional travel to a Commerce office building or in-state travel to attend events or meetings may be required. If selected, you will need to travel to pick up equipment and receive instruction. Many Commerce employees work remotely or have a hybrid schedule.

This recruitment may be used to fill future vacancies over the next 60 days.

Technical support is provided by NEOGOV, 855-524-5627 (can't log in, password or email issues, error messages). DES job seeker support may answer general questions regarding the recruiting system at [email protected].
 
Our Commitment to Equal Opportunity 
The Washington State Department of Commerce is an equal opportunity employer. We strive to create a working environment that includes and respects cultural, racial, ethnic, sexual orientation and gender identity diversity. Women, racial and ethnic minorities, persons of disability, persons over 40 years of age, veterans or people with military status, and people of all sexual orientations and gender identities are encouraged to apply. Persons needing accommodation in the application, testing, or interview process or this job announcement in an alternative format may email Human Resources at [email protected].  Applicants who are deaf or hard of hearing may call through the Washington Relay Service by dialing 7-1-1 or 1-800-833-6388.
               
Department of Commerce also offers a competitive benefits package including: medical and dental insurance benefits, retirement and deferred compensation plans, 11 paid holidays each year, 14-25 vacation days per year (depending on length of employment), 8 hours of sick leave per month (if full time employed), bereavement leave, an employee assistance program, as well as other benefits. Please see the Benefits Tab for more details.

Benefits

More than Just a Paycheck!
Employee benefits are not just about the kind of services you get, they are also about how much you may have to pay out of pocket. Washington State offers one of the most competitive benefits packages in the nation.

We understand that your life revolves around more than just your career. Like everyone, your first priority is ensuring that you and your family will maintain health and financial security. That's why choice is a key component of our benefits package. We have a selection of health and retirement plans, paid leave, staff training and other compensation benefits that you can mix and match to meet your current and future needs.

Read about our benefits:
The following information describes typical benefits available for full-time employees who are expected to work more than six months. Actual benefits may vary by appointment type or be prorated for other than full-time work (e.g. part-time); view the job posting for benefits details for job types other than full-time.

Note:  If the position offers benefits which differ from the following, the job posting should include the specific benefits. 

Insurance Benefits
Employees and their families are covered by medical (including vision), dental and basic life insurance. There are multiple medical plans with affordable monthly premiums that offer coverage throughout the state.

Staff are eligible to enroll each year in a medical flexible spending account which enables them to use tax-deferred dollars toward their health care expenses. Employees are also covered by basic life and long-term disability insurance, with the option to purchase additional coverage amounts.

To view premium rates, coverage choice in your area and how to enroll, please visit the Public Employees Benefits Board (PEBB) website. The Washington Wellness program from the Health Care Authority works with PEBB to support our workplace wellness programs.

Dependent care assistance allows the employee to save pre-tax dollars for a child or elder care expenses.

Other insurance coverage for auto, boat, home, and renter insurance is available through payroll deduction.

The Washington State Employee Assistance Program promotes the health and well-being of employees.

Retirement and Deferred Compensation
State Employees are members of the Washington Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS).  New employees have the option of two employer contributed retirement programs.  For additional information, check out the Department of Retirement Systems' web site.

Employees also have the ability to participate in the Deferred Compensation Program (DCP).  This is a supplemental retirement savings program (similar to an IRA) that allows you control over the amount of pre-tax salary dollars you defer as well as the flexibility to choose between multiple investment options.

Social Security
All state employees are covered by the federal Social Security and Medicare systems. The state and the employee pay an equal amount into the system.

Public Service Loan Forgiveness
If you are employed by a government or not-for-profit organization, and meet the qualifying criteria, you may be eligible to receive student loan forgiveness under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.

Holidays 
Full-time and part-time employees are entitled to paid holidays and one paid personal holiday per calendar year.

Note: Employees who are members of certain Unions may be entitled to additional personal leave day(s), please refer to position specific Collective Bargaining Agreements for more information.

Full-time employees who work full monthly schedules qualify for holiday compensation if they are employed before the holiday and are in pay status for at least 80 nonovertime hours during the month of the holiday; or for the entire work shift preceding the holiday. 

Part-time employees who are in pay status during the month of the holiday qualify for the holiday on a pro-rata basis. Compensation for holidays (including personal holiday) will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status in the month to that required for full-time employment, excluding all holiday hours. Pay status includes hours worked and time on paid leave.

Sick Leave 
Full-time employees earn eight hours of sick leave per month. Overtime eligible employees who are in pay status for less than 80 hours per month, earn a monthly proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment. Overtime exempt employees who are in pay status for less than 80 hours per month do not earn a monthly accrual of sick leave. 

Sick leave accruals for part-time employees will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment. Pay status includes hours worked, time on paid leave and paid holiday.

Vacation (Annual Leave)
Full-time employees accrue vacation leave at the rates specified in WAC 357-31-165(1) or the applicable collective bargaining agreement (CBA). Full-time employees who are in pay status for less than 80 nonovertime hours in a month do not earn a monthly accrual of vacation leave.

Part-time employees accrue vacation leave hours in accordance with WAC 357-31-165(1) or the applicable collective bargaining agreement (CBA) on a pro rata basis. Vacation leave accrual will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment.

Pay status includes hours worked, time on paid leave and paid holiday.

As provided in WAC 357-58-175, an employer may authorize a lump-sum accrual of vacation leave or accelerate the vacation leave accrual rate to support the recruitment and/or retention of a candidate or employee for a Washington Management Service position. Vacation leave accrual rates may only be accelerated using the rates established WAC 357-31-165.  

Note: Most agencies follow the civil service rules covering leave and holidays for exempt employees even though there is no requirement for them to do so. However, agencies are required to adhere to the applicable RCWs pertaining holidays and leave.

Military Leave
Washington State supports members of the armed forces with 21 days paid military leave per year.

Bereavement Leave 
Most employees whose family member or household member dies, or for loss of pregnancy, are entitled to five (5) days of paid bereavement leave. In addition, the employer may approve other available leave types for the purpose of bereavement leave.

Additional Leave
Leave Sharing
Parental Leave
Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)
Leave Without Pay

Please visit the State HR Website for more detailed information regarding benefits.

Updated 01-07-2026

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Agency Information

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View Job Posting for Location, Washington, 98504 Website http://www.careers.wa.gov