Contract specialist V

TX-HHSC-DSHS-DFPS•San Antonio, TX

7d•Hybrid

About The Position

Join the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) and be part of a team committed to creating a positive impact in the lives of fellow Texans. At HHSC, your contributions matter, and we support you at each stage of your life and work journey. Our comprehensive benefits package includes 100% paid employee health insurance for full-time eligible employees, a defined benefit pension plan, generous time off benefits, numerous opportunities for career advancement and more. Explore more details on the Benefits of Working at HHS webpage. The Contract Specialist V (CS V) works under the direction of the Health and Specialty Case System (HSCS) Contract Team Manager, performs highly advanced (senior level) contract management and contract monitoring of the HSCS Facilities statewide contracts. This includes high dollar contracts, contract activities, amendments, renewals, contract creation of replacement contracts. These high dollar contracts have high visibility with the Comptroller, LBB, and Governor's Office. Extensive monitoring and payment accuracy is critical. This position has a working knowlege of the HHSC rules and HSCS facility policies and procedures, demonstrates the ability to communicate clearly both orally and in writing and provides training as needed to other employees. Completion of job duties requires work under minimal supervision, with limited latitude for use of initiative and independent judgement and provides excellent customer service to all customers, co-workers, and supervisory staff. Responsible for all aspects of contract management, contract monitoring, contract development, all required reporting, and contract close-out.

Requirements

Knowledge of state contracting and procurement regulations, of negotiating and developing contracts, of business administration and accounting principles and practices, and of contract management and contract monitoring policies and procedures.
Ability to evaluate contracts and make recommendations on amendments and future renewals; to interpret policies, procedures, and regulations; to analyze fiscal data for accuracy and conformity with contract requirements; to write and edit contract requirements and specifications; to negotiate features of a contract to meet end users needs; to communicate professionally and effectively both orally and in writing.
Skill in the use of standard office equipment, computer and software, including Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook.
Skill using Go-to-Meeting/ Go-to-Webinars/ Teams or similar products for training purposes.
Requires Certified Texas Contract Manager (CTCM) Certification. If not currently certified, must acquire certification within 3 months of employment unless otherwise approved by supervisor, availability of certification classes, and must maintain certification throughout employment in this position.
Must have minimum of 2 years experience working in HHSC or other Texas State Agency

Nice To Haves

Prefer two years experience in SCOR Contract System and CAPPS Financials System
Preferred graduation from an accredited four year college or university with major coursework in business administration or a related field is generally preferred. Experience and education may be substituted for one another on a year for year basis.

Responsibilities

Responsible for all aspects of contract management and contract monitoring, including the development and modification of solicitations, development of bid evaluation instruments, managing the scoring of evaluations, coordinating risk assessments, contractor performance evaluations, and contract monitoring plans.
Responsible for monitoring state-wide contracts to ensure contract monitoring requirements are met for compliance with federal and state laws, legal and regulatory requirements.
Fiscal costs are within the established amount of the contract, expected deliverables are provided as required.
Invoices are reviewed/approved by Program Subject Matter expert.
Ensures contract requirements are met, monitors contract purchase order balances confirming sufficient funds are available and vendor timelines are adhered to.
Identifies contract non-compliance during contract monitoring reviews and recommends appropriate corrective action.
Resolves audit exceptions by defining causes of errors and recommends appropriate dispositions to achieve compliance.
Prepares detailed contract monitoring reports outlining the findings and recommendations of the contract monitoring reviews.
Evaluates and reviews expenditure data and makes projections to ensure appropriate use of funds.
Provides oversight to assigned division contract managers, to internal and external stakeholders, regarding contract administration, policies, procedures and applicable business processes.
Serves as the liaison to the SHs and SSLCs, including (but not limited) to HHS Contract Oversight and Support, HHS Legal, and HHS PCS.
Provides assistance with processing requisitions, developing solicitations including scope preparation, and contract performance issues, tracks expenditures of assigned contracts to meet policy requirements.
Represents the HSCS division at meetings, conferences, seminars, and committees as needed relative to contract administration and procurement related activities.
Prepares, develops, coordinates, and leads the development of statewide solicitations including Requests for Proposals, Requests for Information, Requests for Offers, and Request for Qualifications, Invitation for Bids, Open Enrollments, and Group Purchasing Organizations for contracted services, including Interagency and Interlocal contracts, MOUs/MOAs and Non-Financial Agreements, and Direct Award contracts, renewals, and amendments for goods and services to support State Supported Living Centers (SSLCs) and State Hospitals (SHs) operations and facilities.
Responsible for coordinating contract negotiations, renewals and amendments.
Identifies provider resources for services to be provided and contract specifications.
Responsive to the facility requests for assistance.
Responsible for handling all phases of the contract process including obtaining designated signature authority approvals of purchase requisitions, forms and contract signatures.
Responsible for identifying contract performance issues that arise to keep HSCS executive staff apprised of situations that need intervention.
Identifies training needs, develops training curriculum and conducts formal training sessions covering assigned subjects and/or applicable systems used in contract management and procurement.