Purchasing Associate Jobs in Olympia, WA (NOW HIRING)

Position Profile Join the Judicial Branch Team as a Procurement & Purchasing Specialist. The Washington State Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC) is seeking a detail-oriented and proactive Procurement/Purchasing Specialist to support the critical work of Washington's judicial system. In this role, you'll help ensure that judges, court staff, and statewide programs have the goods and services they need to operate effectively and serve the public.

You will draft, process, and maintain low-risk purchasing documents, contracts, and agreements while supporting procurement needs across multiple entities within the Washington judicial branch. Your work involves collaborating with executive leadership, project managers, external partners, and staff at all levels. While you'll work under the general direction of the Contracts Manager, you'll have room to interpret guidelines, recommend approaches, and contribute to strengthening procurement practices statewide.

This position is an opportunity to apply your analytical strengths, deepen your procurement knowledge, and make a meaningful impact through thoughtful purchasing and contract support. If you are organized, curious, and ready to support public service through reliable, high-quality procurement work, we would love to hear from you. Washington Courts Employment Opportunity Administrative Office of the Courts Procurement/Purchasing Specialist Management Services Division Our Mission: To advance the timely, effective, and equitable operations of the Washington State judicial branch.

The Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC) is looking for top-performing employees who embody its core values integrity, inclusion, accountability, and teamwork. It is committed to both employee growth and work-life balance. Our diversity and inclusion efforts include embracing different cultures, backgrounds, and perspectives while fostering growth and advancement in the workplace.

POSITION DETAILS Job #: 2026-68 Status: Regular, Full-Time Location: Olympia, Washington Salary: Range 58: $67,704 - $88,788 per year (DOQ). Opens: July 30, 2026. Closes: August 13, 2026.

Candidates are encouraged to apply early. AOC reserves the right to close the recruitment at any time but no sooner than seven days after posting. WASHINGTON STATE RESIDENCY AND TELEWORK INFORMATION AOC requires employees to reside in Washington State.

Any exceptions must be approved. If you are invited to an interview and currently reside outside of Washington State, seek more information about residency requirements from the AOC hiring manager for this recruitment. This position requires you to be in the office at least three (3) days per week.

Duties and Responsibilities Some of the duties you will perform are: Manages all purchasing and Purchase Card transactions, including office supplies, technology, furniture, and statewide judicial branch needs. Creates and processes purchase orders, online orders, and low-risk contracts; reviews requests and clarifies specifications, availability, and compliance requirements. Coordinates closely with program managers and end users to refine specifications, recommend alternatives, and provide guidance on costs, timelines, and delivery.

Receives, inspects, and documents incoming goods; maintains logs, tracks orders and invoices, and ensures accurate approvals, budget codes, and timely payments. Resolves shipping issues, supplier performance concerns, and returns; monitors supplier reliability and evaluates statewide contract options for best value. Ensures compliance with purchasing policies, procedures, and Purchase Card requirements; develops templates, procedures, and contributes to branch-wide procurement practices.

Provides customer support and training, responds to procurement inquiries, and keeps stakeholders informed with clear status updates and transparent communication. Performs other duties as required. Qualifications and Credentials Associate of Arts degree in Business or a related field OR Two (2) years' experience in purchasing and procurement.

State government experience preferred. A combination of education and experience demonstrating a proficient working knowledge of the duties and responsibilities of the Purchasing Specialist may substitute for qualifications listed. THE IDEAL APPLICANT WILL ALSO HAVE SOME OR ALL OF THE FOLLOWING EXPERIENCE, EDUCATION, KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES Knowledge of Washington State procurement laws, government contracting techniques, and administrative procedures.

Skill in preparing and managing purchasing documents, low-level contracts, agreements, software licenses, and related instruments. Strong communication skills, including clear written reports, effective presentations, and professional interpersonal interactions. Proficiency with Microsoft 365 (Teams, Outlook, Word, OneNote, PowerPoint) and technology used in procurement and recordkeeping.

Ability to prioritize, multi-task, coordinate multiple projects, and manage time effectively while producing accurate, detailed work. Strong critical-thinking and decision-making abilities, including assessing risks, developing action plans, and making sound, ethical recommendations. Demonstrated customer-service focus, collaboration across diverse teams, and ability to maintain effective working relationships with internal and external partners.

Supplemental Information The workweek may fluctuate depending on workload or agency needs. Overnight travel may be required based on business needs. This position may be overtime eligible.

The AOC is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate based on gender, pregnancy, race, color, national origin, ancestry, religion, creed, physical, mental or sensory disability (actual or perceived), use of a service animal, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran or military status, age, HIV or Hepatitis C status, citizenship or immigration status, or any other basis protected by federal or state law. Persons of disability needing assistance in the application process, or those needing this announcement in an alternative format, please contact the AOC Human Resource Office, at (360) 705-5337, or fax (360) 586-4409, or via email to Recruitment@courts.wa.gov. Candidates who are offered a job with AOC must possess work authorization that does not require sponsorship by the employer for a visa now or in the future

AOC complies with the employment eligibility verification requirements of the federal government eligibility verification form I-9. The selected candidate must be able to provide proof of identity and eligibility to work in the United States consistent with the requirements for that form. AOC does not use E-Verify; therefore, we are not eligible to extend STEM-Optional Practice Training (OPT).

For information, please visit www.uscis.gov Persons legally authorized to work in the U.S. under federal law, including Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals recipients, are eligible for employment unless prohibited by other state or federal law. SPECIAL NOTE: Before a new hire, a background check, including criminal history, will be conducted

Information from the background check will not necessarily preclude employment but will be considered in determining the applicant's suitability and competence to perform in the job.