Only applicants who apply with a State of Texas application via the CAPPS online application system will be considered for this position. First time applicants will need to create an account https://tinyurl.com/CAPPS-Login in the CAPPS online application system at https://tinyurl.com/CAPPS-Jobs. Please visit our job opportunities page at https://tinyurl.com/How-to-Apply-in-CAPPS for more information about the Texas Water Development Board and answers to frequently asked questions. To view this position in greater detail, visit the CAPPS online application system.
Texas Water Development Board’s Mission
Leading the state’s efforts in ensuring a secure water future for Texas.
The Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) endorses telecommuting and hybrid workplace plans, in addition to other flexible work alternatives. We offer competitive compensation and benefits package including medical, dental, vision, 401(k), flexible spending, and flexible work hours so you can have a work/life balance! For more information about our employee benefits and more, visit http://www.twdb.texas.gov/jobs/benefits.asp.
The Texas Water Development Board does not discriminate on basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, sexual orientation, age, or disability in employment or provision of services, programs, or activities.
***Salary commensurate with experience and qualifications***
Salary Range:
- Contract Specialist II – $4,250.00/monthly***
- Contract Specialist III – $4,251.00/monthly – $4,725.00/monthly***
Job Description Summary
Performs complex (journey-level) to highly complex (senior-level) contract management and monitoring work. Work involves coordinating, developing, and evaluating a broad range of contract executions, amendments, and payments. May provide guidance or supervise the work of others. Works under general to limited supervision with moderate to considerable latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment. Reports to the Manager of the Contract Services Department in the Procurement and Contract Services Division.
Essential Job Functions
- Monitors and/or tracks contract performance by examining billings, fiscal data, and eligibility determinations for compliance with terms of contract and policies.
- Serves as a liaison with internal and external stakeholders to ensure participation is consistent with program, legal, and fiscal requirements.
- Administers the billing process and eligibility monitoring functions for contract billings.
- Resolves audit exceptions by defining causes of errors and recommending appropriate dispositions.
- Negotiates and process contracts, contract renewals, and amendments.
- Monitor legal and regulatory requirements pertaining to contracting.
- Evaluates expenditure data and makes projections to ensure appropriate use of funds.
- May recommend the cancellation of contracts and assist in the dispute resolution process.
- Reviews and revises existing contracts and contract templates and language by making recommendations for changes where needed.
- Resolves audit exceptions by defining causes of errors and recommending appropriate dispositions.
- May coordinate and/or develop contracts, amendments and bid solicitations by identifying provider resources, describing services to be rendered, evaluating information supplied by bidders, and negotiating contract specifications.
- Recommends updates for solicitations, contract boilerplate language, and other contract-related documents.
- Assists in management of the division’s pending work log and tasks.
- Assists with contract reporting, deliverables acceptance and contract related records management.
- Tracks the status of related tasks using the agency’s information systems.
- Assists in developing bid evaluation scoring instruments.
- Complies with purchasing policies and regulations and ensures agency and state procurement procedures are followed in all procurements.
- Coordinates the risk assessment process for contract monitoring and planning.
- May monitor legal and regulatory requirements pertaining to contracting.
- Supports the coordination and facilitation of contracting related meetings such as kick-off meetings, post-award conferences, team briefings, and evaluation scorings.
- Assists with developing contract administration policies and procedures.
- May train others.
- Maintains confidential and sensitive information.
- Ensures individual and team files (electronic and hard versions) are appropriately maintained and timely disposed of in accordance with the agency’s records retention procedures and schedule.
- Maintains required certifications and licenses and meets the continuing education needs and requirements of the position including attending mandatory training courses.
- May be required to operate a state or personal vehicle for business purposes.
- Assists with maintaining master hard copies and electronic copies of TWDB information, policies, procedures, guidelines, checklists, forms, and reference materials.
- Assists with special projects as assigned.
- Performs other duties as assigned.
Minimum Qualifications
- Graduation from a standard senior high school or equivalent.
- Contract Specialist II: One or more years of work experience with contract development, contract management, business administration, or accounting.
- Contract Specialist III: Three or more years of experience in contract development, contract management, business administration, or accounting.
- One year of experience with using Microsoft Office programs such as Word, Excel, Teams, and Access (or other database software).
- Experience and/or education may be substituted for one another.
Preferred Qualifications
- Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with major course work in business administration, public administration, law, or a related field.
- Certification as a Certified Texas Contract Developer (CTCD) or Certified Texas Contract Manager (CTCM). or ability to obtain certification within six months of hire date.
- Experience in state procurement and contract management requirements, regulations, and best practices.
- Experience in contract payment processes and accounting principles.
- Experience with PeopleSoft, SQL, Oracle, and/or other software database systems.
- Experience in evaluating data for reasonableness, necessity, and legal conformity with contract requirements.
- Experience using the State of Texas Centralized Accounting, Purchasing, and Personnel System (CAPPS), TWDB’s internal Contract Administration System (CAS), and/or other contract lifecycle management, accounting, and financial systems.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs)
- Knowledge of local, state, and federal laws and regulations relevant to procurement and contract management requirements, regulations, and best practices, business administration and accounting principles and practices, and policies and procedures of contracts as it applies to the Contracts Department in the Procurement and Contract Services Division and of the principles and practices of public administration.
- Knowledge of negotiating contracts and developing contracts.
- Knowledge of policies and procedures of contract management.
- Skills in using the internet, and Microsoft Office programs such as Word, Excel, Teams, and Access (or other database software).
- Skills in formatting contracts or legal documents.
- Ability to collect, analyze, and interpret technical information to make arithmetical computations and tabulations.
- Ability to make mature, objective decisions and identify areas of potential problems and plan corrective actions.
- Ability to prepare and submit reports, to derive information from observations and interviews, to understand and follow instructions.
- Ability to gather specific data from documentation systems, to communicate effectively, and to provide guidance to others.
- Ability to provide prompt, courteous and accurate assistance, and clear and concise communication to internal and external stakeholders both verbally and in writing.
- Ability to interpret policies, procedures, and regulations.
- Ability to evaluate fiscal data for reasonableness, necessity, and conformity with contract requirements.
- Ability to train others.
- Ability to prioritize and multi-task projects in a fast-paced work environment.
- Ability to take initiative to effectively monitor and manage workload.
- Ability to pay attention to details.
- Ability to effectively manage difficult situations and provide excellent customer service.
- Ability to adhere to work schedules, follow procedures with respect to leave and submit accurate timesheets by prescribed deadlines.
- Ability to perform effectively and willingly when changes occur in scope and nature of the work and work environment.
- Ability to perform routine and non-routine work assignments accurately, on-time, with infrequent errors with little or no supervision.
- Ability to perform assigned duties and improve work habits and/or output.
- Ability to complete assigned work, on time, neatly and with infrequent errors.
- Ability to work and cooperate with others in a team environment.
- Ability to manage multiple tasks.
- Ability to stand/sit/move to perform activities such as retrieve/replace files in a large file system for boxes up to 30lbs.
- Ability and willingness to travel 5% of the time, primarily within the State of Texas.
- Ability to operate a vehicle (state or personal) for state business and maintain a driver’s license and driving record that complies with state and agency requirements.
- Ability to work days that may exceed eight hours, including early mornings, nights, and weekends.
- Ability to train others.