Contract Specialist III, IV, or V

Position Information

TxDOT's Houston District is looking for a Contract Specialist located at our Houston District Headquarters reporting to the Permits Office Engineer Supervisor. You will coordinate with utility companies, governmental representatives, and other public and private partners to ensure permits, utility, and contract compliance. If you are looking to build a career, work with a great group of people and help improve the maintenance program affecting highway and transportation development for Houston, you have come to the right place!

Effective 9/1/24 the salary range for this position will be updated to reflect new salary limits. Texas State Auditor's Office - Salary Schedules

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

Benefits and Perks

At TxDOT, we value employee work-life balance. In keeping with our commitment to this value, our employees benefit from a wide array of programs and activities that include:

• Low Turnover
• Retirement Pension
• Alternative Work Schedules
• Paid Leave/Holidays
• Health Premiums paid at 100% for full-time employees
• On the Job Training
• Tuition Assistance Program
• Comprehensive Wellness Program/Wellness Leave Incentives
• Career Development Programs/Opportunities for advancement

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 III

Performs highly complex contract duties to include developing, analyzing, evaluating, reviewing, processing, ensuring applicable compliance, inspecting, implementing and 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.

Contract Specialist IV

Performs advanced contract duties to include developing, analyzing, evaluating, reviewing, processing, ensuring applicable compliance, inspecting, implementing and 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.

Contract Specialist V

Performs highly advanced contract duties in direct support of agency transportation-related programs to include developing, analyzing, evaluating, reviewing, processing, ensuring applicable compliance, inspecting, implementing and 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.

Essential Duties:

Contract Specialist III

• 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.
• Conducts audits, researches and identifies problems with proposals, contracts, contractors or lettings and proposes solutions.
• Coordinates, reviews, processes and monitors third party advanced funding agreements and supplemental agreements.
• 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.
• Monitors and coordinates with the General Services Division.
• Reviews coordinates and processes routine open records requests.
• Performs other job responsibilities as assigned.

Contract Specialist IV

Includes all essential duties listed for Contract Specialist III as well as:

• 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.
• Performs other job responsibilities as assigned.

Contract Specialist V

Includes all essential duties listed for Contract Specialist III and IV as well as:

• May serve as a lead worker by serving as a resource for complex questions; presenting workflow and operational updates to the supervisor/manager; providing input on team members' career conversations; and approving leave requests to ensure operations coverage.
• Performs other job responsibilities as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:

Contract Specialist III

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 . Substitutions for Minimum Qualifications

Experience: 3 years in contract administration, administrative support, bookkeeping or accounting. (Experience can be satisfied by full time or prorated part time equivalent) Related graduate level education may be substituted for experience on a year per year basis.

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

Contract Specialist IV

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 . Substitutions for Minimum Qualifications

Experience: 4 years in contract administration, administrative support, bookkeeping or accounting. (Experience can be satisfied by full time or prorated part time equivalent) Related graduate level education may be substituted for experience on a year per year basis.

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

Contract Specialist V

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 . Substitutions for Minimum Qualifications

Experience: 5 years in contract administration, administrative support, bookkeeping or accounting. (Experience can be satisfied by full time or prorated part time equivalent) Related graduate level education may be substituted for experience on a year per year basis.

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

Competencies:

Contract Specialist III

• Extensive knowledge of:
  • Applicable computer operating systems and relevant applications
  • Auditing and investigative methods, practices and procedures
  • Contract record-keeping
• Considerable knowledge of:
  • Contract development and oversight
  • Contract administration/management systems
• Proficient skill in:
  • Prioritizing and organizing work assignments
  • Using computers and applicable programs, applications, and systems
  • Monitoring contracts and procedures

Contract Specialist IV

Includes all competencies for Contract Specialist III as well as:

• Extensive knowledge of:
  • Contract development and oversight
  • Contract administration/management systems
• Expert skill in:
  • Public relations for maintaining effective working relationships with individuals and groups, both internal and external
• Proficient skill in:
  • Using standard office equipment

Contract Specialist V

Includes all competencies for Contract Specialist III and IV as well as:

• Expert skill in:
  • Leading, assigning, reviewing, and monitoring the work of others
  • Monitoring contracts and procedures
  • Developing, interpreting, and implementing policies, procedures, and technical information
• 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:

Contract Specialist III, IV, and V

• Sedentary work: Lift up to 10 lbs. at a time and occasionally carry files/small tools
• 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 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)