Contract Management Specialist IV (Parks and Recreation Department)

Minimum Qualifications
Education and/or Equivalent Experience:

• Graduation with a Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university plus four (4) years of experience in a related field.
• A Master's Degree may substitute for required experience up to a maximum of two (2) years.

Licenses or Certifications:

• None.

Notes to Applicants

The City of Austin Parks and Recreation Department ( PARD ) provides, protects and preserves a park system that promotes quality recreational, cultural and outdoor experiences for the Austin community. Working with the City of Austin provides a number of health and welfare benefits, such as medical, paid leave time, a great retirement plan, training opportunities and more! Click HERE for more information.

The purpose of this Contract Management Specialist IV position is to act as the subject matter expert for the contract compliance & purchasing unit and department customers. This position is a member of the Park and Recreation Department's ( PARD ) Contract Management team.

Responsibilities include (but are not limited to):

• Develop and draft new contracts by analyzing departmental needs and conditions and applying current trends to contract development.
• Prepare RFP's, scopes of work or specifications, and negotiate with vendors.
• To write contractual terms and conditions and to develop effective performance measures.
• To investigate alternative purchasing methods and recommend procedures for implementation.
• To monitor compliance of existing contracts.
• To negotiate and draft amendments.
• To resolve non-compliance issues.
• To provide contract information for inquiries from City Council, City Management, Boards and Commissions and others.
• To prepare and present reports by compiling, reviewing, and analyzing data.
• To interpret contract provisions and drafts legal assistance requests when necessary.
• To identify and analyze advantages and challenges associated with potential agreements.
• To respond to Public Information Requests.

Application Instructions/Job Requirements:

• Application: A detailed, complete application is required, and applicants must include on their Employment Record all experience (work and/or volunteer) related to this job posting - up to 10 years or more; this will be used to determine your base compensation. Employment Record dates must include month and year. Verification of employment history dates on resume should match online Employment Application. Statements such as "See Resume" will not be accepted and a resume alone will not be accepted in lieu of a complete online application.
• Skills Assessments: Skills assessment(s) may be required as part of the recruitment process.
• Virtual Interviews: PARD may conduct virtual interviews.
• Military/Veteran: An applicant claiming Military/Veteran status must provide a copy of his or her DD-214(s), or valid comparable document, at the time of interview.
• Physical Requirements: Tasks may involve bending, lifting, walking, carrying or using a force equal to lifting up to ten (10) pounds. Must be physically and mentally able to communicate, respond and work with participant's needs and safety issues.

Other:

• Travel: If you are selected for this position and meet the Driver Safety Standards in the City of Austin Driver Safety Program, you will drive when necessary to multiple locations as part of your regular job duties. Otherwise, you are responsible for getting to and from these locations.
• 90 Day Provision for Additional Vacancy: This posting may be used to fill other vacancies in other divisions/work locations within the City of Austin Parks and Recreation Department. Decisions on assigned selection will be made at the time of hire based on the business needs of the department.
• Tobacco and Vape-Free Workplace: All PARD work site locations are tobacco-free. Use of tobacco products and/or e-cigarettes is not permitted on any PARD work site - including construction sites, parking lots, garages or in any personal vehicles located on the premises.

Preferred Qualifications
Preferred Education:

• Coursework in Procurement, Contract or Business Law, Contract Management or other/similar related field.

Preferred Experience:

• Experience leading department-wide or organizational procurement activities related to the purchase of equipment, goods, and services, in compliance with local, state, and federal guidelines.
• Experience presenting at public meetings (boards, commissions, City Council, neighborhood groups, etc.) and professional conferences as representative of the department or organization.
• Experience with drafting/developing contract documents, including monitoring contracts for compliance.

Other:

• Ability to travel to more than one work location.

Duties, Functions and Responsibilities
Essential duties and functions, pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act, may include the following. Other related duties may be assigned.

Develops and drafts new contracts by analyzing market and economic conditions and applying current trends to contract development; preparing scopes of work and/or specifications; negotiating with vendors/contractors; writing terms and conditions; and developing effective performance measures; investigates alternative purchasing methods and recommends procedures for implementation. Limited signature authority as delegated by the Purchasing Office and relevant administrative bulletins.

Manages and administers existing contracts by determining compliance through performance monitoring; negotiating and writing amendments and revisions to scopes of work and/or specifications.

Resolves non-compliance issues by investigating and resolving contract-related discrepancies, complaints, and disputes between all involved parties; canceling and/or terminating contracts and negotiating settlement agreements; and resolving appeals and claims.

Provides consulting expertise to internal and external customers by developing and providing formal contract management training, interpreting contractual provisions, and providing advice on all facets of contract development, administration and management.

Provides contract information in response to inquiries from City Council, City Management, Boards and Commissions, vendors, and other stakeholders.

Prepares and presents reports by compiling, reviewing, and analyzing data and providing written and/or oral reports to management.

Responsibilities- Supervision and/or Leadership Exercised:

• May provide leadership, work assignments, evaluation, training and guidance to others.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
Must possess required knowledge, skills, abilities, and experience and be able to explain and demonstrate, with or without reasonable accommodations, that the essential functions of the job can be performed.

• Knowledge of contract law, contracting practices, regulations, policies and techniques.
• Knowledge of contracts, including contract development, contract language, terms, conditions, etc.
• Knowledge of applicable Federal, State and Local laws
• Knowledge of community resources and structures.
• Knowledge of city practice, policy and procedures.
• Skill in oral and written communication.
• Skill in using computers and related software applications
• Skill in data analysis and problem solving.
• Skill in planning and organizing
• Skill in negotiation.
• Ability to interpret policies, procedures and regulations.
• Ability to impartially summarize and evaluate factors related to contracts
• Ability to write specific terms of conditions for contracts
• Ability to enforce contractual obligations
• Ability to resolve complex, contractual issues
• Ability to establish and maintain good working relationships with other City employees and the public
• Ability to train others

Criminal Background Investigation This position has been approved for a Criminal Background Investigation. EEO/ADA
City of Austin is committed to compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. If you require reasonable accommodation during the application process or have a question regarding an essential job function, please call (512) 974-3210 or Texas Relay by dialing 7-1-1.

The City of Austin will not discriminate against any applicant or employee based on race, creed, color, national origin, sex, gender identity, age, religion, veteran status, disability, or sexual orientation. In addition, the City will not discriminate in employment decisions on the basis of an individual's AIDS , AIDS Related Complex, or HIV status; nor will the City discriminate against individuals who are perceived to be at risk of HIV infection, or who associate with individuals who are believed to be at risk.
Information For City Employees: If you are an employee within the department, are in good standing and meet both the minimum and preferred qualifications, then you will receive an initial interview.