Senior Agreements Development Partner

Salary range is $81k to $170k with a midpoint of $118k. New hires typically receive between minimum and midpoint, however, we may go slightly higher based on experience, internal equity and market.

Sound Transit also offers a competitive benefits package with a wide range of offerings, including:

• Health Benefits: We offer two choices of medical plans, a dental plan, and a vision plan all at no cost for employee coverage; comprehensive benefits for employees and eligible dependents, including a spouse or domestic partner.
• Long-Term Disability and Life Insurance.
• Employee Assistance Program.
• Retirement Plans: 401a - 10% of employee contribution with a 12% match by Sound Transit; 457b - up to IRS maximum (employee only contribution).
• Paid Time Off: Employees accrue 25 days of paid time off annually with increases at four, eight and twelve years of service. Employees at the director level and up accrue additional days. We also observe 12 paid holidays and provide up to 2 paid floating holidays and up to 2 paid volunteer days per year.
• Parental Leave: 12 weeks of parental leave for new parents.
• Pet Insurance.
• ORCA Card: All full-time employees will receive an ORCA card at no cost.
• Tuition Reimbursement: Sound Transit will pay up to $5,000 annually for approved tuition expenses.
• Compensation Practices: We offer competitive salaries based on market rates and internal equity. In addition to compensation and benefits, you'll find that we provide work-life balance, opportunities for professional development and recognition from your colleagues.

GENERAL PURPOSE:

Under general direction of the Manager, Agency Agreements, will serve as a consultative and value added partner to agency departments. This position will be responsible for utilizing their contracting and negotiating knowledge and experience to negotiate, prepare, and facilitate the execution of intergovernmental agreements for the Agency in accordance with applicable laws, policies, and procedures. May serve as a back up to the Manager, Agency Agreements.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
The following duties are a representative summary of the primary duties and responsibilities. Incumbent(s) may not be required to perform all duties listed and may be required to perform additional, position-specific duties.

• Supports key stakeholders and senior leaders to implement agreement development programs and methodologies.
• Applies innovative proactive approaches to asses stakeholder needs and provide Agreement solutions to achieve agency goals and objectives.
• Manages intergovernmental agreements throughout the planning, negotiation, review, approval, execution, and transition into implementation processes including the development of terms and conditions and mechanisms to track agreement costs and commitments.
• Provides feedback from key Agreements stakeholders to assist in the development of Procurement & Contracts Division programs, policies, and practices.
• Provides timely and effective advice on Agreement related matters to key stakeholders including the interpretation of and/or application of contract provisions, Agency policies and procedures, rules and regulations.
• Provides leadership in coordination efforts with external agency stakeholders, ST key stakeholders, community groups, and advocacy groups where applicable.
• Identifies risks to the agency present in proposed agreements that could negatively impact the Agency's financial, project, or public relations objectives. Develops and proposes innovative and unique solutions to remove or mitigate risks.
• Leads the negotiation drafting and execution of amendments to agreements consistent with Agency's policies and procedures and applicable federal requirements.
• Develops, reviews, and edits agreement templates, letters, and revises and writes sections of templates to reflect Agency changes in contracting approach.
• Trains, mentors, and supports junior level contracts staff as assigned; works closely with them to develop their skills in research, writing, document preparation, and quality documents; acts as a "sounding board" to their questions; provides training to Agency project managers and managers; and provides training on FTA requirements to staff and project managers.
• Lead matrixed inter and intra agency teams in the property developer selection process for ST Transit Oriented Development projects.
• Provides support to the division on matters as directed; serves as staff on a variety of committees; prepares and presents staff reports and other necessary correspondence; attends and participates in professional group meetings; maintains awareness of new trends and developments in the fields related to area of assignment; incorporates new developments as appropriate; ensures processes, policies, and practices are interpreted and applied consistently and effectively; including small business and diversity program requirements
• Develops and implements procedures for new or existing contracting program or project areas, analyze contracting policies and procedures to determine their effectiveness in meeting our mission, organizational objectives, and statutory requirements.
• May serve as a back up to the Manager, Agency Agreements.
• Champions and models Sound Transit's core values and demonstrates values-based behaviors in everyday interactions across the agency.
• Contributes to a culture of diversity, equity and inclusion in alignment with Sound Transit's Equity & Inclusion Policy.
• It is the responsibility of all employees to follow the Agency safety rules, regulations, and procedures pertaining to their assigned duties and responsibilities, which could include systems, operations, and/or other employees.
• It is the responsibility of all employees to integrate sustainability into everyday business practices.
• Other duties as assigned

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Education and Experience: Bachelor's Degree in Legal Studies, Business Administration, Public Administration, Contract Management, or closely related field. Seven years of experience in complex contract drafting and negotiations; Or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Preferred Licenses or Certifications:

• Paralegal certificate.

Required Knowledge and Skills:

• Interagency agreement development, administration, tracking, and execution.
• Principals of team leadership.
• Mediation and negotiation principles and practices.
• Advanced knowledge of the principles, methods, and legal requirements of contract preparation, negotiation, administration, and terminology.
• Principals and applications of critical thinking and analysis.
• Project management techniques and principles.
• Principles and practices used on complex contractual actions.
• Contract administration principles including those related to scope, schedule, and payments. State and federal contracting requirements including Federal Transit Administration and Federal Highway Administration requirements.
• Contract cost and price analysis principles and practices.
• Principles of business letter writing and basic report preparation.
• English usage, spelling, grammar, and punctuation.
• Modern office procedures, methods, and equipment including computers and computer applications such as word processing, spreadsheets, and statistical databases.
• Negotiation and partnering skills with local jurisdictions, contractors, and community groups.
• Successful experience with consensus building.
• Analyzing problems and identifying alternative solutions; projecting the consequences of proposed actions and implementing recommendations in the support of Agency goals.
• Establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with other department staff, management, vendors, outside agencies, community groups, and the general public.
• Interpreting and administering policies and procedures sufficient to administer, discuss, resolve, and explain them to staff and other constituencies.
• Preparing complex contracts, agreements, and management reports.
• Negotiating and identifying solutions that balance the Agency's interests and those of the negotiating partner(s), within financial capacity and other constraints. This includes contract negotiation principles.
• Interpreting and applying federal, state, and local policies, laws, and regulations.
• Responding to inquiries and in effective oral and written communication.
• Utilizing personal computer software programs affecting assigned work and in compiling and preparing spreadsheets and reports.

Preferred Knowledge and Skills:

• Intergovernmental agreement contracting background.

Physical Demands / Work Environment:

• Work is performed in a standard hybrid office environment.
• The Agency promotes a safe and healthy work environment and provides appropriate safety and equipment training for all personnel as required.
  

Sound Transit is an equal employment opportunity employer. No person is unlawfully excluded from employment action based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex (including gender identity, sexual orientation and pregnancy), age, genetic information, disability, veteran status or other protected class.