Healthy Hometowns Contracting and Procurement Specialist

State of Iowa•Des Moines - 50319 - Polk County, IA

About The Position

The Iowa Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is seeking an experienced and forward-thinking Contracting and Procurement Specialist to play a key role in guiding complex procurements, managing high-profile contracts, and increasing community impact. This role will support agency-wide initiatives with the first project being Healthy Hometowns, Iowa’s Rural Health Transformation Plan. This is a $1 billion federal grant that aims to build a high-quality, sustainable system of care for rural Iowans. This position will work collaboratively with program divisions, fiscal teams, and leadership to design and administer procurements; develop and manage contracts; and support subrecipient monitoring and performance oversight within grant-funded programs. This is an opportunity to guide high-visibility procurements and contract strategies that directly influence health and human services across the state.

Requirements

Eight years of full-time work experience in the procurement of technical, standardized, expendable, and non-expendable items, or in services procurement and contract administration, including the review of ongoing compliance with contract requirements and terms.
Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with a degree in business or public administration, accounting, or economics, and experience equal to four years of full-time work in the procurement of technical, standardized, expendable and non-expendable items or in services procurement and contract administration, including the review of ongoing compliance with contract requirements and terms.
A total of eight years of education and/or full-time experience (as described in number one), where thirty semester hours of accredited college or university coursework in any field equals one year of full-time experience.
Three years of full-time work experience in the procurement of technical, standardized, expendable, and non-expendable items, or in services procurement and contract administration, including the review of ongoing compliance with contract requirements and terms; and a total of four years of education and/or full-time experience (as described in part a), where thirty semester hours of accredited college or university coursework in business or public administration, accounting, or economics equals one year of full-time experience; and a total of one year of graduate-level education and/or full-time experience (as described in part a), where twenty-four semester hours of accredited graduate college or university coursework in business or public administration, accounting, or economics equals one year of full-time experience.
Current, continuous experience in the state executive branch that includes one year of full-time work as a Procurement Specialist 3.

Nice To Haves

Budgeting 6 months’ experience, 12 semester hours, or a combination of both in preparing, analyzing budgets; and providing advice/technical assistance with cost analysis, fiscal allocation, and budget preparation.

Responsibilities

Lead complex, mission-critical procurements that support statewide programs and emerging initiatives.
Ensure strong compliance with state and federal requirements while helping programs navigate the technical and strategic aspects of procurement and contract management.
Provide contract oversight, ensuring deliverables, performance measures, and fiscal requirements are met; initiate corrective actions as needed.
Play a pivotal role in the administration of grant-funded projects, ensuring that funding is used effectively and responsibly.
Conduct contract and subrecipient monitoring, including program reviews, site visits, and compliance assessments.
Serve as liaison with HHS Finance and the Bureau of Service Contract Support; provide technical assistance on procurement policy, contract systems, and compliance expectations.
Support development, revision, and monitoring of grant and contract budgets; track payments, forecast spending, and maintain financial workbooks.