Contract Specialist I, II, or III - Transportation Operations, Abilene District Office

Position Information

TxDOT's Abilene District Office is looking for a Contract Specialist I, II or III for the Transportation Operations Office. If you are looking to build a career, you have come to the right place!

At TxDOT we strive to achieve a work-life balance and recognize the importance of your career as well as your home life. We offer a wide array of programs and activities including compressed work schedules, wellness leave incentive, career development programs, tuition assistance and many other benefits.

For a complete list of our total compensation package please visit our website at: Hidden Benefits

Check out a few of our employees' testimonies of why they've chosen TxDOT: Why we choose TxDOT

Salary Plan/Grade:

• Contract Specialist I: B16 ($40,918.00 - $61,130.00/yearly)

• Contract Specialist II: B18 ($45,521.00 - $71,055.00/yearly)

• Contract Specialist III: B20 ($51,158.00 - $81,351.00/yearly)

*The Texas Department of Transportation reserves the sole right in determining the level of position offered based on the applicant's work experience, skill level and all other appropriate factors, and based on business needs.

Benefits and Perks

At TxDOT, we value work-life balance and are committed to providing our employees with a comprehensive range of benefits and programs, including:

• Retirement Plans
• Alternative and/or Flexible Work Schedules
• Paid Leave and Holidays
• Health Premiums paid at 100% for Full-Time Employees
• On-the-Job Training
• Tuition Assistance Program
• Holistic Wellness Program with Leave Incentives
• Career Development and Advancement Opportunities
• Family-Friendly Policies and Programs

In 2024, TxDOT was recognized as a Best Place for Working Parents, and many of our offices statewide are also designated as Texas Mother-Friendly Worksites. These recognitions reflect our dedication to supporting families and promoting a healthy work-life balance.

For a complete list of our total compensation package please visit our website at: Total Compensation Package

To view benefits available to all State of Texas employees visit: Benefits at a Glance | ERS (texas.gov)

Position Description

Contract Specialist I:

Performs contract duties to include [developing, analyzing, evaluating], reviewing, processing, ensuring applicable compliance, inspecting, implementing and/or monitoring contracts. Work requires extensive contact with division and district personnel. [Employees at this level perform work independently on assignments; however, all unusual issues are referred to the supervisor].

Contract Specialist II:

Performs [complex] contract duties to include developing, analyzing, evaluating, reviewing, processing, ensuring applicable compliance, inspecting, implementing and/or monitoring contracts. Work requires extensive contact with [governmental officials], division and district personnel. Employees at this level perform work independently on assignments; however, all unusual issues are referred to the supervisor.

Contract Specialist III:

Performs [highly] complex contract duties to include developing, analyzing, evaluating, reviewing, processing, ensuring applicable compliance, inspecting, implementing and/or monitoring contracts. Work requires extensive contact with governmental officials and [private entities]. [Employees at this level establish their own work plan and priorities to meet set objectives. Issues are rarely referred to the supervisor but are handled at the occurrence].

The essential duties for the Contract Specialist I include:

• Assists in developing, writing or revising contracts, amendments, procedures, forms, related documents and provisions.

• Assists in monitoring contractors' insurance certificates.

• Assists in researching state and federal statutes and opinions, Department policies and previous contracts.

• Audits payment invoices for completeness, accuracy and compliance with terms of contract and governmental contracting rules, regulations and procedures.

• Composes and transmits conditional award notices.

• Conducts audits, researches and identifies problems with proposals, contracts, contractors or lettings and proposes solutions.

• Ensures contracts are payable and meet all legal requirements.

• Executes agreements and contracts.

• Issues release to work orders.

• Meets with project managers to identify objectives, needs and issues concerning project contracts.

• Provides technical and administrative support to include reviewing, processing, answers questions, provides assistance and handles complaints and resolution of discrepancies and problems regarding contracts, billing, payment and warrant actions.

• Reviews construction field changes and change order notices to determine if funding agreements or supplemental agreements are required.

• Reviews contracts, amendments, subcontracts, procurement documents, change orders, work orders, supplemental agreements, time extensions, acceptance testing and consultant qualifications.

• Reviews, interprets and clarifies statutes, regulations, standard policies and procedures to ensure compliance with Department and governmental regulations.

• Sets up expenditure authorizations.

• Performs other job responsibilities as assigned.

Additional duties for Contract Specialist II include:

• Assists with presentations at local, state and federal levels.

• Assists in monitoring contractors' insurance certificates.

• Assists in printing, collating, preparing documents and/or binding contracts/manuals for distribution.

• Assists in researching state and federal statutes and opinions, Department policies and previous contracts.

• Audits payment invoices for completeness, accuracy and compliance with terms of contract and governmental contracting rules, regulations and procedures.

• Composes and transmits conditional award notices.

• Conducts audits, researches and identifies problems with proposals, contracts, contractors or lettings and proposes solutions.

• Ensures contracts are payable and meet all legal requirements.

• Executes agreements and contracts.

• Issues release to work orders.

• Maintains, updates and compiles detailed data, reports, summaries, files, records, logs, statistics or specific contracts including procurement documents and revisions; writes routine and unique correspondence.

• Meets with project managers to identify objectives, needs and issues concerning project contracts.

• Provides technical and administrative support to include reviewing, processing, answers questions, provides assistance and handles complaints and resolution of discrepancies and problems regarding contracts, billing, payment and warrant actions.

• Reviews construction field changes and change order notices to determine if funding agreements or supplemental agreements are required.

• Reviews contracts, amendments, subcontracts, procurement documents, change orders, work orders, supplemental agreements, time extensions, acceptance testing and consultant qualifications.

• Reviews, interprets and clarifies statutes, regulations, standard policies and procedures to ensure compliance with Department and governmental regulations.

• Performs other job responsibilities as assigned.

Additional duties for Contract Specialist III include:

• Analyzes, interprets legislation and coordinates the development of policies and procedures to ensure compliance with Department and governmental regulations.

• Assists with contract negotiations.

• Makes presentations at local, state and federal levels.

• May serve as a lead worker and the related tasks.

• Reviews contracts, amendments, subcontracts, procurement documents, change orders, work orders, supplemental agreements, time extensions, acceptance testing and consultant qualifications.

• Audits payment invoices for completeness, accuracy and compliance with terms of contract and governmental contracting rules, regulations and procedures.

• Composes and transmits conditional award notices.

• Conducts audits, researches and identifies problems with proposals, contracts, contractors or lettings and proposes solutions.

• Confers with legal staff and management on various legal matters.

• Coordinates, reviews, processes and monitors third party advanced funding agreements and supplemental agreements.

• Develops, writes, revises, or prepares contracts, amendments, procedures, forms, related documents and provisions, financial/statistical graphs and/or reports.

• Ensures contracts are payable and meet all legal requirements.

• Executes agreements and contracts.

• Provides technical and administrative support to include reviewing, processing, answers questions, provides assistance and handles complaints and resolution of discrepancies and problems regarding contracts, billing, payment and warrant actions.

• Reviews compliance of minority participation goals in consultant contracts.

• Reviews construction field changes and change order notices to determine if funding agreements or supplemental agreements are required.

• Reviews, interprets and clarifies statutes, regulations, standard policies and procedures to ensure compliance with Department and governmental regulations.

• Performs other job responsibilities as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications for all levels:

Education: Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration, Finance or related field. Relevant work experience may be substituted for degree on a year per year basis OR related graduate level education may be substituted for experience on a year per year basis. Substitutions for Minimum Qualifications

Licenses and Certifications: Valid driver's license. This position requires driving a state vehicle.

Minimum Qualifications for Contract Specialist I require the following:

Experience: 1 year in contract administration, administrative support, bookkeeping or accounting. Related graduate level education may be substituted for experience on a year per year basis.

Minimum Qualifications for Contract Specialist II requires the following:

Experience: 2 YEARS Contract administration, administrative support, bookkeeping or accounting. No supervisory experience required.

Minimum Qualifications for Contract Specialist III requires the following:

Experience: 3 YEARS in contract administration, administrative support, bookkeeping or accounting. No supervisory experience required.

The required competencies for the Contract Specialist I include:

• Applicable computer operating systems and relevant applications

• Generally accepted accounting principles, procedures and terminology

• Contract development and oversight

• Contract negotiation, development and management methods

• Contract writing and specifications

• Contract administration/management systems

• Contract record-keeping

• Contract billing procedures

• Scheduling work assignments

• Research and analysis methodologies

• Researching, analyzing, and interpreting policies and state and federal laws and regulations specific to functional area

• Public relations for maintaining effective working relationships with individuals and groups, both internal and external

• Maintaining effective working relationships with others

• Collecting, sorting and compiling data

• Prioritizing and organizing work assignments

• Using standard office equipment

• Preparing and maintaining confidential and sensitive records, files and reports

• Using computers and applicable programs, applications, and systems

Additional competencies for Contract Specialist II include:

• Contract writing and specifications

• Applicable computer operating systems and relevant applications

• Generally accepted accounting principles, procedures and terminology

• Contract development and oversight

• Contract negotiation, development and management methods

• Contract administration/management systems

• Contract record-keeping

• Contract billing procedures

• Monitoring contracts and procedures

• Scheduling work assignments

• Research and analysis methodologies

• Researching, analyzing, and interpreting policies and state and federal laws and regulations specific to functional area

• Public relations for maintaining effective working relationships with individuals and groups, both internal and external

• Collecting, sorting and compiling data

• Prioritizing and organizing work assignments

• Preparing and maintaining confidential and sensitive records, files and reports

• Using computers and applicable programs, applications, and systems

Additional competencies for Contract Specialist III include:

• Applicable computer operating systems and relevant applications

• Auditing and investigative methods, practices and procedures

• Generally accepted accounting principles, procedures and terminology

• Contract record-keeping

• Contract billing procedures

• Contract development and oversight

• Contract negotiation, development and management methods

• Contract writing and specifications

• Contract administration/management systems

• Applicable laws, rules, and regulations

• Legal terminology

• Scheduling work assignments

• Writing, reviewing and revising documents to include engineering notes, specifications, standards and procedures

• Collecting, sorting and compiling data

• Leading, assigning, reviewing, and monitoring the work of others

• Analyzing and organizing business and technical data

• Preparing correspondence/documents using correct spelling, grammar and punctuation; proofreading and reviewing documents for clarity and consistency

• Prioritizing and organizing work assignments

• Using standard office equipment

• Preparing and maintaining confidential and sensitive records, files and reports

• Training in a classroom, office, or field environment

• Using computers and applicable programs, applications, and systems

• Monitoring contracts and procedures

• Exercises logic and reasoning to define problems, establish facts and draw valid conclusions; makes decisions that support business objectives and goals

Physical Requirements and Working Conditions for all levels:

• Light work: Lift up to 20 lbs. at a time and frequently lift or carry objects up to 10 lbs.

• Standing-prolonged periods of time

• Repetitive Motion-substantial movements of the wrists, hands, and/or fingers

• Close Visual Acuity-work includes data/figures; view a computer screen; extensive reading

Conditions of Employment:

Please click this link to read the standard conditions of employment for all positions: Standard Conditions of Employment (TxDOT)