Initial Posting Date:
06/25/2026
Application Deadline:
07/09/2026
Agency:
Department of Environmental Quality
Salary Range:
$5,984 - $9,190
Position Type:
Employee
Position Title:
Senior Contract Specialist (Procurement & Contract Specialist 3)
Job Description:
The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality strives to build and sustain an inclusive and equitable environment that embraces and values diversity. Employees at all levels of the agency work together to foster fairness, equity, inclusion, and belonging. We strive to be a workplace where we share our authentic identities, while advancing our individual professional goals, and while collaborating to protect, preserve, and enhance the environment for current and future generations. We celebrate and appreciate diversity, champion equity, and treat each other with respect and dignity.
We are an equal opportunity employer and do not discriminate based on race, color, national origin, ethnicity, veteran status, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, marital status, age, or physical or mental disability in the administration of our programs and activities. Visit DEQ’s Civil Rights and Environmental Justice page.
Are you passionate about preserving, enhancing, and protecting Oregon’s environment? If so, please consider a career with the State of Oregon at the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ). At DEQ, employees have the opportunity to work with a dynamic and supportive team of mission-focused individuals tasked with maintaining, restoring, and enhancing the quality of Oregon’s air, land, and water.
The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality has a full-time opportunity available for a Senior Contract Specialist (Procurement & Contract Specialist 3) in Portland, Oregon.
This position is limited duration for 24 months with the potential of being extended or made permanent pending Budget and Legislature approval.
Please consider joining an innovative team, and work to advance our agency’s mission to protect and improve Oregon’s environmental quality.
About DEQ!
The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality is the primary regulatory agency of the government of the U.S. State of Oregon responsible for protecting and enhancing the state's natural resources.
The Central Services Division (CSD) is a collaborative, mission driven team that supports every part of the agency. We partner with DEQ programs across Oregon to make sure staff have the tools, systems, and guidance they need to serve communities effectively. Our work spans accounting and budgeting, information systems, human resources, health and safety, training, policy and organizational development, purchasing, and facilities management. Together, we support headquarters, regional offices, the Vehicle Inspection Program, and the Laboratory and Environmental Assessment Division. Our services touch more than 800 positions across the state and help ensure that DEQ can show up for local governments, sovereign Tribal Nations, community partners, and the people of Oregon we serve every day.
This position will provide critical support to DEQ’s Materials Management Program, which is focused on reducing the environmental and social impacts of materials and products throughout their full life cycle.
For a visual representation of DEQ’s offices and their locations, view our DEQ Offices and Vehicle Inspection Testing Stations map.
What you will do!
You will provide technical and contract support for the statewide Materials Management Program, including complex procurement processes, contract negotiations, establishment of grantmaking procedures, and grant agreements. You will serve as the Procurement section liaison to the Materials Management Program and act as an expert in various types of contracts, agreements, and grants. You will provide assistance, and where appropriate, guidance to program staff in the full range of contract processes, including issues related to complex funding structures, high risk contracts and agreements, grants, and contracts requiring modified terms and/or unique conditions, all while ensuring appropriate solicitation and contracting methods are used. You will evaluate contract risks and assist in the development of terms to minimize risk. In addition, you will work closely with the Procurement Manager as well as any Designated Procurement Officer (DPO) to develop new guidelines, policies, procedures, and training to staff, coordinating with other government entities as needed.
What’s in it for you!
The opportunity to work in a productive and creative environment where no two days are ever the same! DEQ cares deeply about employee wellness and benefits. We offer a competitive benefits package that offers comprehensive medical, dental, and vision plans for the employee and their qualified family members, as well as paid sick leave, vacation leave, personal leave, and 11 paid holidays a year. In addition, we offer membership in the Public Employees Retirement System (PERS), and you have the opportunity to potentially receive loan forgiveness under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF). If you are passionate about Oregon's environment, apply today!
This is a full-time, AFSCME represented position.
This recruitment may be used to fill future vacancies.
What are we looking for?
Minimum Qualifications: 5 years procurement and contract experience, including development and administration of standard contracts, agreements, and/or solicitations.
Substitutions:
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Bachelor’s degree may substitute for 3 of the required years of experience.
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Master’s degree may substitute for 4 of the required years of experience.
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Doctorate degree may substitute for 5 of the required years of experience.
Candidates who are most competitive will also reflect the following desired attributes:
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Demonstrated experience and personal commitment to building and sustaining an equitable and inclusive culture where all team members feel empowered to contribute.
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Extensive experience with a wide variety of contract processes, including issues related to complex funding sources, high risk contracts and agreements, grants, and contracts requiring modified terms and/or unique conditions.
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Experience evaluating contract risks and developing terms to minimize those risks.
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Experience ensuring appropriate solicitation and contracting methods are used.
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Extensive experience researching and applying appropriate state and federal procurement laws, rules, policies, and procedures.
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Extensive experience preparing grants and awards from federal sources.
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Procurement and contract experience with the State of Oregon.
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Oregon Procurement Basic Certification (OPBC) and/or UPPCC Certified Professional Public Buyer certification preferred.
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Excellent collaboration skills and ability to coordinate effectively with program subject matter experts to achieve shared procurement goals.
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Ability to apply the Materials Management Program’s strategic vision for reducing the environmental and social impacts of materials, and incorporate it into procurements.
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Excellent verbal and written communication skills; ability to use tact, diplomacy, and good judgment to communicate clearly and effectively with diverse colleagues and contractors, sometimes in stressful situations, and often to ensure compliance with laws, rules, and regulations.
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Ability to use critical thinking and analytical skills to form independent judgment, initiative, and decision-making; ability to work independently as well as in a team environment, in both virtual and in-person formats.
Working Conditions:
DEQ believes in a diverse and inclusive work environment. All employees are expected to contribute to a work environment that collectively values and benefits from respecting its diversity and promotes a culture of inclusiveness.
This position will be based out of DEQ’s Portland office; however, the successful candidate may be eligible for hybrid work. The logistics of hybrid work will need to be worked out with the Hiring Manager prior to your hire and may be changed at any time given specific job duties and business needs. DEQ will provide necessary hardware (laptop, monitor, keyboard, mouse, and cell phone) for an employee to successfully work from home. At DEQ sites, you will have access to a workspace, however, it may be shared with other employees.
This position requires occasional travel on official State business for meetings, conferences, trainings, vendor visits, and public hearings, some of which may involve evening work, weekend work, and/or overnight stays. This position may be required to lift up to 25lbs.
How to Apply: (complete the application in full)
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External Applicants Click on the “Apply” button and submit your application. For resources and support related to applying, view our External Candidate job aid and Workday Recruitment for External Job Applicants video.
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Internal Applicants (current State of Oregon employees): Apply through your employee Workday account. For step-by-step resources on how to apply, review the Jobs, search & apply knowledge article.
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Check out our Resources and Job Support Page for other helpful tips.
Help Your Application Rise to the Top!
Your application materials are the perfect opportunity to highlight your interest in the position and showcase your amazing skills and experience. In addition to your related work experience and education, DEQ will use the desired attributes and minimum qualifications above, under the “What are we looking for?” section to determine whom to interview. Please make sure your attributes and minimum qualifications are clearly demonstrated in your application materials.
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Veterans Information:
DEQ provides candidate preference points to all eligible veterans and Oregon National Guard servicemembers (current and former). For more information on candidate preference, please visit Veterans Resources. For privacy reasons, please do not attach candidate preference documents when initially applying. Instead, you will be asked to submit those at a later time as part of a future task in Workday.
Equal Pay Analysis:
As an employer, the State of Oregon complies with HB 2005, the Pay Equity Bill. We do not discriminate on the basis of protected class in the payment of wages, and we do not screen applicants on the basis of their current or past compensation. All finalists have an equal pay analysis completed to determine their placement on the salary scale. Please note: the salary listed is the non-PERS qualifying salary range. If the successful candidate is PERS qualifying, the salary range will reflect an additional 6.95% (6% goes to PERS and .95% covers payroll taxes). Please review the Classification and Compensation page for more details.
Work Authorization:
DEQ does not offer visa sponsorships. On the first day of employment, all hires will be required to complete the US Department of Homeland Security’s Form I-9, confirming authorization to work in the United States. In addition, hires will have three business days from their first day of employment to present documents that establish employment authorization and identity. DEQ is an E-Verify employer and will use E-Verify to confirm that hires are authorized to work in the United States.
Questions/Need Help?
If you have questions about the recruitment or need assistance to participate in the application process, including an accommodation request under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), please contact DEQ’s Recruitment Team at [email protected] or 503-229-5107. TTY users: please use the Oregon Telecommunications Relay Service at 1-800-735-2900.
