Contracts Manager
Location: Richland, WA or Idaho Falls, ID
Company: Columbia Energy & Environmental Services
Salary: Competitive, based on experience
About Columbia Energy
Columbia Energy & Environmental Services, headquartered in Richland, WA, is a well-established small business with a strong track record of delivering comprehensive solutions in engineering, design, fabrication, instrumentation and controls, and other specialized services. With expertise in fixed-price design/build/test projects, we serve both federal and commercial clients, consistently delivering high-quality results through innovation and technical precision.
Our collaborative and experienced team is committed to providing practical, client-focused solutions tailored to address a wide range of challenges. Recently, we expanded our operations to Idaho Falls, ID, reflecting our ongoing growth and dedication to broadening our capabilities. We take pride in maintaining a strong reputation for quality and integrity while ensuring compliance with rigorous industry standards.
Why Join Columbia Energy?
At Columbia Energy, we foster a supportive and innovative environment where team members can thrive. As a growing small business with ambitious goals, we value initiative, teamwork, and a dedication to quality. This role offers the opportunity to work on impactful projects while advancing your career in a company that values precision, efficiency, and collaboration.
Position Overview
We are seeking a detail-oriented and experienced Contracts Specialist to join our team. This role plays a critical function in supporting both government and commercial projects, ensuring that all acquisitions and subcontracts are handled with compliance, efficiency, and integrity.
The Contracts Specialist will support the full contract lifecycle—including planning, negotiation, award, and closeout—with a strong emphasis on risk assessment, regulatory compliance, and stakeholder communication. This position works closely with internal systems and project controls, so familiarity or experience with Microsoft Dynamics NAV (or a similar ERP/contracting platform) is highly desirable. If you're not already fluent in NAV, you must be confident navigating system-based workflows and willing to learn a critical, high-volume enterprise system.
Essential Responsibilities & Duties
Contract Administration & Compliance:
- Draft, negotiate, and execute a variety of contract instruments including subcontracts, purchase orders, teaming agreements, NDAs, MOUs, and license agreements.
- Ensure compliance with FAR/DFARS, DOE Orders, company policies, and client-specific requirements.
- Interpret regulatory/legal language and advise internal stakeholders on risk and mitigation strategies.
Subcontract & Procurement Support:
- Collaborate with project and procurement teams to issue solicitations and conduct cost/price analysis.
- Enter subcontracts and purchase orders into Microsoft NAV and other internal systems with attention to accuracy and traceability.
- Track contract performance and ensure deliverables, timelines, and obligations are met.
- Coordinate with insurance brokers to obtain and manage COIs for active contracts.
Stakeholder Collaboration:
- Work closely with Project Managers, Engineering, and Finance to support contract execution and compliance.
- Support monthly project accruals, invoice processing, and NAV-based reporting tasks.
- Participate in ISO Monthly Reviews and other internal compliance meetings.
Negotiation & Risk Management:
- Evaluate and negotiate contract terms to ensure fairness and mitigate risk.
- Exercise sound judgment on exceptions and non-standard provisions.
- Identify red flags across cost, schedule, and compliance metrics.
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in Business, Finance, Legal Studies, or related field; or equivalent combination of education and experience.
- 3–8 years of experience in contract administration, preferably with federal clients.
- Familiarity with Microsoft Dynamics NAV or similar enterprise-level systems (experience entering and managing contract records is a plus).
- Knowledge of FAR/DFARS and DOE procurement protocols.
- Demonstrated ability to interpret complex contract terms and negotiate effectively.
- Excellent organizational, analytical, and communication skills.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite.
- Must pass background check, drug screen, and employment verification.
- U.S. citizenship required for government contract compliance.
Preferred Qualifications
- Prior experience with DOE or Hanford contracts.
- Understanding of government cost/price analysis and proposal preparation.
- Experience with ISO 9001 compliance or related quality systems.
- Familiarity with contract closeout and records retention procedures.
- Strong comfort level working in or learning enterprise systems like NAV, Deltek, or Costpoint.
Key Success Attributes
- ERP-Savvy: Able to navigate system-based workflows and manage contracts within a digital platform like NAV.
- Detail-Oriented: Ensures contract accuracy and supports audit readiness.
- Collaborative: Works effectively across departments and with external stakeholders.
- Professional Integrity: Upholds contractual and ethical standards.
- Flexible & Focused: Manages multiple priorities while maintaining high-quality output.
Equal Opportunity Employer
Columbia Energy is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.
