THE POSITION
The Project & Contracts Manager is responsible for representing the interest of Kittitas County during construction and remodeling projects, as well as other special projects as assigned. Additionally, the Project & Contracts Manager is responsible for supporting countywide contract compliance while developing systems and policies to improve contract workflows. These duties include overseeing third-party contractors to ensure adherence with contract/agreement scope, budget, and timelines, managing grant performance, and performing project close-out, including documentation, archiving, and warranty-registration. This position will participate in seeking out and applying for grant opportunities, conduct cost estimates, engineering estimates, claims analyses, and cost-benefit analyses, and conduct regular site visits.

THE AUDITOR'S OFFICE

The Kittitas County Auditor’s Office is dedicated to providing quality service to the public and employees within each of their divisions: Elections, Recording, Vehicle Licensing, Voter Registration, and Finance. The office is led by the County Auditor who is elected to a four-year term by the citizens. This position will lead and administer a centralized contracts and purchasing review function within the County’s Auditor’s Office, ensuring consistent intake, review, approval routing, and documentation of all agreements across departments under the direction of the Budget and Finance Director.

Project and Operations Management

• Oversee maintenance and improvement projects via third-party contractors.
• Conduct cost estimates, engineering estimates, claims analyses, and cost-benefit analyses.
• Conduct contract-award processes consistent with legal and policy requirements.
• Conduct regular site visits and create reports of critical work; provide regular progress reports to the Auditor, County Commissioners, and other project stakeholders.
• Collaborate with engineers, architects, and stakeholders during development of projects.
• Oversee third-party contractors to ensure adherence with contract/agreement scope, budget, and timelines.
• Perform project close-out, including documentation, archiving, and warranty-registration.
• Adhere to legal regulations, building and safety codes, and other requirements.
• Maintain and update County Energy management program.
• Manage and complete special and non-construction projects as assigned by the Auditor.
• Interact with vendors and keep up to date on current construction and remodeling trends.
• Seek out and apply for grant opportunities.
• Manage grant performance; ensure objectives and deliverables are met and grant funds are properly monitored and reported.

Contracts Management

• Conduct detailed contract reviews to ensure compliance with the Revised Code of Washington (RCW), County policies, procurement requirements, and applicable federal and state regulations.
• Provide guidance to departments regarding contract statutory requirements and corrective actions.
• Exercise judgement to identify opportunities to consolidate individual departmental agreements into enterprise-wide contracts to leverage purchasing power, reduce redundancy, improve standardization, and enhance fiscal stewardship.
• Lead and administer a centralized contracts and purchasing review function within the County’s Auditor’s Office, ensuring consistent intake, review, approval routing, and documentation of all agreements across departments under the direction of the Budget and Finance Director.

Administrative Duties

• Catalogue and file as-built drawings, warranties, photos, and other exhibits and documents.
• Prepare weekly bill-payment vouchers.
• Prepare and distribute reports internally and to various government offices.
• Prepare and manage a variety of records and correspondence including RFI logs, submittal logs, weekly reports, meeting minutes, etc.
• Obtain all necessary permits.
• Provide legal notices to local newspapers and the public via email, letter, County website, etc. as directed.
• Maintain filing systems and correspondence logs; recommend ways to improve efficiencies; implement new policies/procedures when needed.
• Schedule meetings, make room arrangements and send out schedule changes and notices; coordinate functions and activities; set up rooms and equipment required.
• Serve on various boards and committees as assigned.
• Participate in public meetings or forums regarding projects if needed.

• High School diploma or GED.
• Bachelor’s Degree in Business, Project Management, Construction Management, or Safety & Health Management.
• Five (5) years of experience managing construction, remodel, or facilities projects, preferably in a government office.
• An equivalent combination of education and experience which provides the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to perform the work required may substitute for the minimum qualifications above at the discretion of the Auditor.
• Valid Washington State driver’s license.
• A criminal history and background check will be performed on qualified applicants. Convictions may preclude candidates from employment in certain circumstances. Factors such as seriousness of the conduct, number of convictions, the place and manner in which the position will be performed, and any verifiable information related to the candidate’s rehabilitation, good conduct, work experience, education, and training will be taken into consideration.

Work is performed in a variety of environments including the job site and a standard office setting. Exposure to inclement weather including temperature extremes and windy/dusty conditions will occur. Work may occasionally be performed in close proximity to moving mechanical parts and equipment that causes vibration. The noise level can be loud in the field and moderately quiet in the office. The position requires the ability to sit, stand, walk, ascend/descend stairs or small ladders/stepstools, stoop, kneel, crouch, twist, grasp, and reach. Must have ability to lift, push, pull, or carry up to 25 lbs. and occasionally higher with assistance. Must be able to read printed materials and a computer screen, and have sufficient hearing and speech to communicate clearly via telephone and in person. Safety policies and procedures must be adhered to at all times, including proper lifting/carrying techniques and PPE.

Standard work hours are Monday-Friday, 8 AM – 5 PM; however, exempt positions are expected to work the number of hours required to complete the duties of the position, which may include occasional evening/weekend work. Regular and reliable attendance and punctuality are required. Regular travel throughout the County is necessary for meetings, site visits, and/or training opportunities. Occasional travel outside the County may be necessary to attend meetings, conferences and training opportunities. Must be able to safely operate a motor vehicle in varied weather conditions and all levels of daylight.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position.

Kittitas County is an equal opportunity employer. This means that Kittitas County does not discriminate against any employee on the basis of protected class status. All employees will be recruited, selected, trained, promoted, compensated, and if appropriate, disciplined or terminated without regard to race, color, religion or creed, ethnicity, national origin, sex, age (over 40), marital status, pregnancy or maternity, sexual orientation or gender identity, veteran status, use of a guide or service animal, genetic information, or the presence of any sensory, mental, or physical disability (unless based on a bona fide occupational qualification).