Position Information

TxDOT's Environmental Affairs Division at the Stassney campus is looking for an Contract Specialist III, IV, V based in Austin, TX. We have a diverse workforce of over 13,000 employees statewide. If you want to build an exciting career, let's talk!

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 telework, flexed and compressed work schedules, wellness leave incentive, in-house wellness center, career development programs, tuition assistance, and various other benefits. For a complete list of our total compensation package, please visit our website at

http://ftp.dot.state.tx.us/pub/txdot-info/hrd/careers/hidden_benefits.pdf [JP1]

Contract Specialist III: $50,000-$63,000

Contract Specialist IV: $55,000-$72,000

Contract Specialist V: $62,004-$81,000

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 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

• Assists in receiving payments, preparing deposit vouchers and entering data in an automated information management system.
• Develops, writes, revises, or prepares contracts, amendments, procedures, forms, related documents and provisions, financial/statistical graphs and/or reports.
• Reviews coordinates and processes routine open records requests.
• Audits payment invoices for completeness, accuracy and compliance with terms of contract and governmental contracting rules, regulations and procedures.
• Reviews contracts, amendments, subcontracts, procurement documents, change orders, work orders, supplemental agreements, time extensions, acceptance testing and consultant qualifications.
• Sets up expenditure authorizations
• Reviews, coordinates and processes routine open records requests

Contract Specialist IV

All responsibilities of CS III plus:

• Assists in developing plans for implementing new contract evaluation requirements.
• Executes agreements and contracts.
• 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, updates and reconciles accounts and contracts in an automated information management system to include Financial Information
• Management System (FIMS) and Budget Monitoring System.
• Prepares bid proposals including researching previous contracts, writing specifications, advertising notice to bid; contacting bid list contractors; scheduling and conducting pre-construction/pre-bidding conferences and public bid openings.

Contract Specialist V

All responsibilities of Contract Specialist III & Contract Specialist IV plus:

• Confers with legal staff and management on various legal matters; inspects and reviews contracts for compliance with certification requirements, laws, regulations, policies, and procedures.
• Conducts audits, researches and identifies problems with proposals, contracts, contractors or lettings and proposes solutions.
• Meets with project managers to identify objectives, needs and issues concerning project contracts.
• Prepares cost analysis studies for contracts.
• Reviews, interprets and clarifies statutes, regulations, standard policies and procedures to ensure compliance with Department and governmental regulations.

Minimum Qualifications:

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:

Contract Specialist III

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.

Contract Specialist VI

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.

Contract Specialist V

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: May require certification as Certified Texas Contract Mgr (CTCM) and/or Certified Texas Contract Developer (CTCD). If the candidate does not possess the certification at the time of hire, they will be required to complete it after hire.

Competencies:

Contract Specialist III:

Extensive knowledge of

• 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

Considerable knowledge of

• Contract development and oversight
• Contract negotiation, development and management methods
• Contract writing and specifications
• Contract administration/management systems
• Applicable laws, rules, and regulations

Expert skill in

• 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
• Administrative support practices and procedures to include writing, editing and report writing techniques, recording meeting notes, record keeping and records management

Proficient skill in

• Developing and giving presentations
• Scheduling work assignments
• Collecting, sorting and compiling 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
• Using computers and applicable programs, applications, and systems
• Monitoring contracts and procedures

Other Attributes

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

Contract Specialist IV:

Extensive knowledge of

• Contract development and oversight
• Contract negotiation, development and management methods
• Contract writing and specifications
• Contract administration/management systems
• Applicable laws, rules, and regulations
• Applicable computer operating systems and relevant applications
• Contract record-keeping
• Contract billing procedures

Considerable knowledge of

• Scheduling work assignments
• Research and analysis methodologies
• Public relations for maintaining effective working relationships with individuals and groups, both internal and external
• Administrative support practices and procedures to include writing, editing and report writing techniques, recording meeting notes, record keeping and records management

Proficient skill in

• Analyzing business, technical and managerial problems and developing, recommending and implementing effective solutions
• Collecting, sorting and compiling data
• Leading, assigning, reviewing, and monitoring the work of others
• Persuasion and negotiation of critical issues
• Preparing correspondence/documents using correct spelling, grammar and punctuation; proofreading and reviewing documents for clarity and consistency
• Prioritizing and organizing work assignments
• Developing and giving presentations
• Using computers and applicable programs, applications, and systems
• Maintaining a safe and effective working relationship with others
• Monitoring contracts and procedures

Other Attributes

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

Contract Specialist V

Extensive knowledge of

• Applicable computer operating systems and relevant applications
• Auditing and investigative methods, practices and procedures
• 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
• Applicable laws, rules, and regulations
• Legal terminology

Considerable knowledge of

• Leading, assigning, reviewing, and monitoring the work of others
• Analyzing business, technical and managerial problems and developing, recommending and implementing effective solutions
• Persuasion and negotiation of critical issues
• Monitoring contracts and procedures
• Developing, interpreting, and implementing policies, procedures, and technical information
• Scheduling work assignments
• 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
• Administrative support practices and procedures to include writing, editing and report writing techniques, recording meeting notes, record keeping and records management

Proficient skill in

• Writing, reviewing and revising documents to include engineering notes, specifications, standards and procedures
• Collecting, sorting and compiling 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
• Developing and giving presentations
• Using computers and applicable programs, applications, and systems
• Maintaining a safe and effective working relationship with others

Other Attributes

• 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:

• 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
• 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)