Contracts Manager

State of Montana • Helena, MT

24d

About The Position

The Contracts Manager is one of two contracts and purchasing officers in the Montana Judicial Branch’s Office of the Court Administrator and reports to the Financial Services Director. The position provides direction and technical assistance to staff developing contracts, trains staff in contracting procedures, develops contract monitoring schedules, and assists with contractor compliance. It leads Request for Proposal processes and resulting contracts, and works with Judicial Branch personnel on purchases such as copiers, vehicles, and office equipment to ensure compliance with procurement requirements.

The incumbent works independently with general supervision, consulting with the supervisor on project planning and work in progress and keeping the supervisor informed of contracting projects and issues through meetings and written progress reports. Supervision is generally not exercised, though it may occur on a project basis. The role directs and manages diverse projects and needs unique to the Judiciary and contributes to automating the Judicial Branch contracting process, including implementation of eMACS.

Work is performed in a standard office setting, and some travel may be required. Less than full-time work may be considered for the right candidate. New Judicial Branch employees serve a one-year probationary period, and the successful candidate will be subject to a criminal background check. Applicants must submit a resume with dates of employment and supervisor contact information for each position, a cover letter, and three professional references through the State of Montana Careers website. The Judicial Branch is an equal opportunity employer and encourages women, minorities, and people with disabilities to apply.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in business management, public administration, or a similar field, and at least two years of experience managing public contracts; alternative combinations of relevant education and experience may be considered case by case.
• Experience with state procurement rules and statutes is required.
• Extensive knowledge of state procurement theory and principles, risk management, and contracting laws and procedures.
• Ability to organize, manage, and efficiently direct a diverse contracting program.
• Ability to negotiate effectively with contractors and their agents, including under stressful circumstances.
• Ability to provide professional leadership to diverse staff, individually and in group settings.
• Superior written and oral communication skills.
• Ability to maintain effective working relationships with employees, contractors, other agencies, the public, and elected officials.
• Submit a resume with employment dates and supervisor name and phone number for each position, a cover letter, and three professional references.

Responsibilities

• Direct and manage diverse projects and needs unique to the Judiciary, researching issues and formulating recommendations to the court administrator or staff.
• Receive and monitor PIF plans from Youth Court chiefs and forward recommended plans to the Court Administrator.
• Help develop the Cost Containment Panel agenda; schedule meetings and prepare meeting minutes.
• Audit and process PIF contract invoices for payment.
• Author, revise, and enforce the use of standard contract and Request for Proposal templates.
• Author and revise the contracting manual, including instructions for contract drafters, and distribute it to Judiciary locations and support personnel.
• Establish standards for consistent contract format, structure, and requirements in compliance with state contracted-services and procurement laws.
• Consult and collaborate with the Department of Administration and State Purchasing when contracted-services solicitations must be administered under their authority.
• Review contracts for appropriate format and clear statements of scope of work, responsibilities, and compensation.
• Verify independent contractor status and assess whether insurance limits and indemnification language are balanced with contractor risk exposure.
• Maintain regular contact with the supervisor, judges, court personnel, government officials, the State Procurement Office, and court organizations to explain, coordinate, gather information, respond to inquiries, and resolve complaints.
• Contribute to automating the Judicial Branch contracting process, including implementation of eMACS.
• Provide direction and technical assistance to staff developing contracts, train staff involved in contracting, develop monitoring schedules, and assist with contractor compliance.
• Lead Request for Proposal processes and resulting contracts, and work with Judicial Branch personnel on purchases to ensure procurement compliance.

Benefits

• Work/life balance
• Family-friendly policies
• Dedicated and caring colleagues
• Health coverage
• Retirement plans
• Paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays (combination of up to 38 per year)
• Opportunities and room for professional growth
• Employment with the State of Montana may qualify for Public Service Loan Forgiveness

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level