Contract Specialist V

TX-HHSC-DSHS-DFPS • Austin, TX

2d • 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.   Intellectual and Developmental Disability (IDD) Services and Preadmission Screening and Resident Review (PASRR) is expanding the reach of IDD Habilitative Specialized Services (IHSS), an array of services that supports individuals with IDD living in nursing facilities. We are seeking qualified and passionate professionals to help scale and strengthen this essential program across Texas. Ideal candidates will have experience implementing or expanding statewide initiatives, thrive in dynamic and evolving environments, and bring a creative, solutions-minded approach. Applicants should be comfortable with change, skilled at navigating ambiguity, and capable of quickly pivoting when systems or processes prove ineffective or inefficient. If you're energized by meaningful work, ready to build sustainable systems that improve lives, and excited to make a difference in the IDD community, we encourage you to apply. Under the supervision of the IHSS Contract Administration Manager, the IHSS Contract Manager provides leadership and support in contract activities by participating in procurement, contract and amendment development, contract monitoring, and providing support and assistance to ensure compliance with the terms and conditions of the contracts. With minimal supervision, and with extensive latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment, performs highly advanced, senior-level, technical and consultative work assisting with the oversight of the daily operations and contract management activities from development to closeout. The position focuses on contract development and contract management for the IHSS Contracts, including: planning, organizing, coordinating, and preparing specifications for client services; preparing procurement documents; and providing support and assistance to ensure contracts are managed and monitored effectively. The IHSS Contract Manager communicates with stakeholders regarding contract management and monitoring practices. The position assists with establishing goals, objectives, and procedures and coordinating and leading initiatives designed to strengthen contract management/administration functions.

Requirements

• Knowledge of state and federal laws, regulations, policies, rules, and requirements, and specific knowledge of local, state, and federal laws relating to IDD services and contract management/administration.
• Knowledge of business processes, process improvement, contract management/administration systems, and contract management/administration processes.
• Knowledge of State government organization, administration, management, and operating practices
• Knowledge of principles and practices of public administration and state contract management practices.
• Knowledge of the IHSS services delivery system
• Knowledge of computer software applications.
• Skill in project management.
• Skill in problem solving and conflict resolution.
• Skill in analyzing/interpreting large and complex data sets, and writing complex documents/reports, policies, and procedures.
• Skill in managing multiple and competing priorities.
• Skill in organizing and presenting information effectively, both orally and in writing, to individuals at all levels both internally and externally.
• Skill in assessing and evaluating services, and recommending improvements.
• Skill in use of computer software including, but not limited to, CAPPS Financial, SCOR, Excel, or other governmental financial, and contract management.
• Ability to present information clearly, concisely, and effectively to a variety of audiences, verbally and in writing.
• Ability to build, establish, and maintain effective working relationships with a variety of groups and entities.
• Ability to evaluate the performance of staff or contractors responsible for providing services.
• Ability to implement and balance change and lead cross-functional/interdisciplinary teams to design and deploy new or improved work processes.
• Ability to gather, assemble, correlate, and analyze facts/data/systems/financial information.
• Ability to establish goals and objectives while working independently and delivering results in an environment of complex organizational interactions and competing demands on staff resources.
• Ability to make independent and sound technical decisions and analyze new situations when encountered. Ability to learn and use sophisticated software/applications as necessary to successfully perform duties and assignments.
• Ability to interpret and apply federal and state statutes, as well as agency rules and policies in the development of guidelines, policies, and procedures.
• Ability to organize workload and set priorities.
• Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university. Every 2 years of state-level contract experience related to contract development, contract management or oversight of contracts may substitute for one year of college.
• Certified Texas Contract Manager (CTCM) or secure within 6 months of hire.

Nice To Haves

• Experience developing and managing state contracts or amendments is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Contract Management - Performs contract management activities for IHSS contract. These duties include assessment of risk, verification of contractor performance, monitoring compliance with deliverable and reporting requirements, and enforcement of contract terms. Reviews and determines trends in vendor performance associated with contract compliance, federal/state policies, rules, and regulations. Oversee the maintenance of contract documentation.
• Contract Development – Responsible for all contract development activities, including procurement, creating and amending contracts, and collaborating with internal stakeholders to develop scopes of work. Identify the need for contract action, prepare contract packets, and schedule kickoff meetings. Negotiates terms and conditions of new and amended contract packets. Collaborates with areas of HHSC to revise scopes of work as needed, adheres to department, state, and federal contracting policies. Facilitates approval, validates contract setups, and communicates contract changes effectively to contractors and staff. Projects expenditures to ensure proper fund usage and routinely shares findings and recommendations with program and agency staff.
• Monitoring – Monitors contractor performance by tracking contractor expenditure and performance data as well as appropriate contract deliverables. Completes analysis of contractor performance by reviewing contractor expenditure data, performance reports, technical assistance and training documentation, and other pertinent data as it relates to contractor performance. Projects expenditures to ensure appropriate use of funds. Communicates the results and recommends actions on a routine basis to program and other agency staff as appropriate.
• Communication - Acts as the single point of contact for written and oral communication for all IHSS contractual accountability activities between the State and contractors. Provides consultation and technical assistance to program areas regarding contracting needs and processes. Leads first-level contract resolution efforts regarding non-compliance issues and contractor concerns. Communicates with contractors verbally and in writing regarding extensions, renewals, and remedies associated with non-compliance.
• Training - Facilitates and ensures delivery of programmatic technical assistance and training with Contract Oversight and Support Section and appropriate agency programs. Provides guidance to internal and external customers regarding contract administration, policies, and procedures. May identify training needs and determine how training should be conducted.
• Other duties – Performs other duties as assigned, including reviewing and analyzing legislation related to procurement or contract management, serving as a subject matter expert in assigned workgroups, and actively participating or serving in a supporting role to meet the agency’s obligations for disaster response, recovery or Continuity of Operations (COOP) activation. Such participation may require an alternate shift pattern assignment and/or location.

Benefits

• comprehensive benefits package includes 100% paid employee health insurance for full-time eligible employees
• defined benefit pension plan
• generous time off benefits
• numerous opportunities for career advancement

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Number of Employees: 1,001-5,000 employees