Contract Specialist IV

Company: Texas Education Agency
Location: Austin
Posted on: November 21, 2020

Job Description:

MISSION: -The Texas Education Agency (TEA) will improve outcomes for all public-school students in the state by providing leadership, guidance, and support to school systems. - -
-POSITION OVERVIEW: -The Texas Education Agency is seeking a talented, experienced, highly-motivated contract enthusiast to join a team of professionals committed to improving educational outcomes for all public-school students in the state. This position is responsible for coordinating, reviewing and developing the agency's contracts and procurements, valued at approximately $5 billion, in compliance with applicable state and federal regulations and statutes. -The position reports to the Assistant Director of the agency's Purchasing and Contracts Division. This position plays a critical role in the development, execution and monitoring of agency contracts, ensuring best value to the State of Texas. -

Please note that a resume and cover letter are required attachment for applying to this position. Incomplete applications will not be considered.


ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Coordinates, reviews, and/or develops solicitations, contracts, and amendments by identifying provider resources, describing needed services, evaluating information supplied by bidders, and negotiating contract specifications.
  
• Negotiates contracts, contract renewals, and amendments.
  
• Monitors contract performance by examining billings, fiscal data, and eligibility determinations for compliance with terms of contract and policies.
  
• Monitors and ensures compliance with legal and regulatory requirements pertaining to contracting and makes recommendations on policies and procedures or updates to forms and contract terms and conditions.
  
• Collaborates with internal and external stakeholders to provide guidance regarding contract administration, policies and procedures, and to ensure contracts include all necessary terms and conditions.
  -
  Qualifications
  -
  MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
  -
  Education: -Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university. Major coursework in business administration, finance, law or closely-related fields is preferred. - - - - -Experience: -at least two (2) years of experience in business, finance, accounting, contracts, purchasing or a related field.
  -Substitutions: -Each additional year of related experience above the required minimum may -substitute for education on a year-for-year basis.
  -
  -
  OTHER QUALIFICATIONS:
  
  
  • Certification as a Certified Texas Contract Developer (CTCD) must be obtained within six (6) months of hire
    
  • 
    Prior experience with federal, state or local government procurement preferred
    
    
  • Experience with State of Texas contract and procurement laws, managing state or federal funds, and with complex billing systems is preferred
    
  • Experience with Information Technology contracts and contract development preferred -
    
  • Ability to quickly master and apply new information, tools, and techniques
    
  • Skilled in tracking and prioritizing activities to meet deadlines while working well with a broad variety of people
    
  • Comfortable working independently and taking initiative when appropriate in a fast-paced environment while multi-tasking and producing high-quality work
    
  • Must exercise discretion and sound judgment and be capable of handling sensitive materials and maintaining confidentiality
    
  • Ability to correctly interpret complex laws, regulations, guidelines, agreements, and follow policies and procedures
    
  • Highly organized; ability to manage multiple projects at once and meet deadlines
    
  • Strong project management skills and attention to detail
    
  • Ability to break down complex information into comprehensive parts, ask questions, synthesize and analyze
    
  • Ability to use data to improve processes and outcomes
    
  • A strong customer-service mindset with a focus on engaging both internal and external stakeholders
    
  • Clear and concise written and oral communication skills
    
  • A desire to self-reflect, give/receive feedback and continuously improve
    
  • Familiarity with PeopleSoft products, TxSmartBuy and Oracle Financial Systems (CAPPS) highly preferred
    
  • Skilled with Microsoft Office Excel, Word, PowerPoint, TCAPPS, and SmartSheet
    - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -As an equal opportunity employer, we hire without consideration to race, religion, color, national origin, age, sex, disability, or veteran status, unless an applicant is entitled to the veteran's preference. - - - -Additional Military Crosswalk (occupational specialty code) information can be accessed - - - - -
    This position requires the applicant to meet Agency standards and criteria which may include passing a pre-employment criminal background check, prior to being offered employment by the Agency. - - - -No phone calls or emails, please. Due to the high volume of applications, we do not accept telephone calls and cannot reply to all email inquiries. Only candidates selected for interview will be contacted.
    

Keywords: Texas Education Agency, Austin , Contract Specialist IV, Other , Austin, Texas