Office Area Agencies on Aging Contract Specialist V

TX-HHSC-DSHS-DFPS • Austin, TX

2d • Hybrid

About The Position

This position may be eligible for telework. Please note, all HHS positions are subject to state and agency telework policies in addition to the discretion of the direct supervisor and business need.
Under the direction of the Contract Administration Manager I, performs advanced (senior level) contract management work with a focus on contract monitoring and other contract management activities for the Office of Area Agencies on Aging. Work involves providing quality assurance monitoring of contract deliverables, contract compliance, contract reporting, management practices, and internal controls to ensure compliance with federal and state laws and/or regulations as well as HHSC policies, regulations, and contract provisions. Work also involves the preparation of reports containing findings, recommendations, and corrective actions required of the contractor. In addition, the work involves providing technical assistance to HHSC contractors in matters relating to financial and contract compliance.
Responsible for completing analysis of contractor performance by reviewing contractor performance reports and other pertinent data as it relates to contractor performance. Aids and recommends sanctions or other contract actions for enforcement of the terms and conditions of the assigned HHSC agency contracts. The position is a subject matter expert in contract activities. Works under minimal supervision with considerable latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment.

Requirements

• Knowledge of complex data systems, journals and source documentation required for compliance with contract language and state and federal regulations.
• Knowledge of state and federal statute, rules, regulations, and guidance relevant to aging services.
• Knowledge of contract performance management and contract monitoring procedures.
• Knowledge of state and federal laws, rules, regulations, policies, and procedures relevant to contracts.
• Skill in project management with complex projects that cross agencies and several lines of business.
• Skill in identifying problems, evaluating alternatives, and negotiating and implementing solutions to organizational and service delivery problems.
• Skill in advanced business and technical writing, reporting, and interpretation of complex data sets related to provider performance.
• Skill in Microsoft Office products, including skills in Excel and/or other data base programs.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships.
• Ability to analyze, evaluate and summarize management records for accuracy and conformance to procedures, rules, and regulations and to draft clear and concise reports and correspondence regarding findings.
• Ability to interpret and analyze statutes.
• Ability to organize and present information effectively, both orally and in writing.
• Ability to analyze and solve work problems affecting the operations and functions.
• Ability to plan, organize and manage large multi-faceted projects and work in collaboration with others to manage multiple deadlines.
• Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with major coursework in finance, business administration, or a related field is preferred.
• Experience with MS office suite including Excel and Word. Preference given to experience with Peoplesoft, CAPPS Financials or other financial software.
• A minimum of 3 years of full-time professional work experience in a large public sector organization in contract management.
• A minimum of 2 years of experience interpreting federal and state laws, policies, rules and requirements in health and human services programs.
• A minimum of 2 years of experience conducting contract monitoring.

Nice To Haves

• A Certified Texas Contract Management (CTCM) is preferred.
• CTCM certification must be obtained within the first 6 months of employment.
• Experience in a State of Texas agency in the field of contract development, procurement, and management is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Performs complex monitoring of government, educational, non-profit and/or for-profit entities contracted to administer various programs for Older Americans Act services. Work involves the examination, investigation, and review of contractor records, financial statements, management practices, and internal controls to ensure compliance with federal and state laws and/or regulations as well as HHSC policies, regulations, and contract provisions. Plans and executes monitoring procedures, risk analysis, facilitates meetings for monitoring events assigned to understand the contract/program under review, identifies risks, conducts testing of source documentation for compliance, and reviews evidence and contractor responses for any issues identified during the monitoring engagement.
• Analyzes and reviews contractor's management operations, internal control structures and systems, and accounting records for reliability, adequacy, accuracy, efficiency, and compliance with legal regulations; reports erroneous or questionable performance data and provides interpretation of technical questions of performance compliance with applicable, state, and federal statutes and regulations.
• Prepares monitoring reports, including preparing initial and final monitoring reports for leadership review and approval. Tracks contract monitoring tasks and deliverables to ensure completion in accordance with contract life cycle and contract monitoring policies. Review, monitor, evaluate, and follow-up on single audits by reviewing evidence of compliance, completing Request for Information forms, tracking and following-up with contractors to ensure compliance and completion of corrective action plans.
• Provides consultation and technical assistance to contractors on contract issues and interpretation of policies and procedures related to contract monitoring. Makes recommendations for changes to, maintains, and updates policies and procedures, as well as external guidelines. Responsible for developing the annual contract monitoring plan and coordinating with the program, contract management, and contractor staff.
• Other duties as assigned. This position will be crossed trained to conduct various types of monitoring and contract management activities as determined by business need.

Benefits

• 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.

What This Job Offers

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