Senior Contract Specialist

DART (Dallas Area Rapid Transit)•Headquarters, KY

6d•$68,106 - $112,374•Onsite

About The Position

Under minimal supervision, develops and administers a wide range of complex, high-value goods and services contracts for DART. This role involves drafting, reviewing, and preparing complex contract requirements and documents in accordance with DART Procurement Regulations, FTA Third Party Contracting, and applicable state and federal laws. The specialist will complete all contract awards and modifications, participate in the solicitation process, and manage contracts after execution to ensure contractor performance compliance. The position requires knowledge of various contract types and maintaining communication with stakeholders regarding contract negotiations, process, and status. Responsibilities include interpreting contract terms, handling amendments and change orders, and providing senior-level procurement experience to support contracting officers. The role also involves participating in program meetings, contract administration activities, developing and managing solicitations, and serving as a liaison with contractors. Additionally, the Senior Contract Specialist will participate in policy development and implementation, and perform other related duties as assigned.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in Business Administration, Public Administration, Information Technology, Supply Chain Management, Project Management, Design/Construction SCS, or related field.
Five (5) years progressively responsible experience in procurement, business, or public administration, with emphasis on acquiring and administering contracts /agreements for specialized goods/services such as stock and non-stock products, parts, and goods to support Rail and Bus operations and Materials Management, design-build, construction, professional services, architect, engineering contracts involving annual work programs, information technology, capital projects, and/or specific experience with contracting for Technology systems and system application support services, Design Build and other Alternate Delivery Methods of procurement and professional services architect and engineering contracts involving annual work programs or experience in Operations and Materials Management for stock and non-stock products, parts, and goods to support Rail and Bus operations.
Proficiency of PC software applications to include Microsoft Office or other related software applications.
Proficiency of Technology systems that support Transit Operations, such as Trapeze.
Proficiency of Maintenance and support and license agreements.
Proficiency of Financial software system, such as Lawson, JD Edwards, and Workday.
Proficiency of Hardware, and/or experience with ERP systems implementation and related services.
Financial and business acumen required.
Skilled in the formulation, negotiation, and establishment of complex, integrated contractual arrangements.
Skilled in examining and re-engineering operations and procedures, formulating policy, and developing and implementing new strategies and procedures.
Knowledge of budget development/analysis, and operational cost factors.
Working knowledge of Design Build and other Alternate Delivery Methods of procurement and professional services architect and engineering contracts involving annual work programs.
Working Knowledge of Operations and Materials Management for stock and non-stock products, parts, and goods to support Rail and Bus operations.
Ability to provide operational guidance and leadership to technical staff in an area of specialty.
Ability to use independent judgment and to manage and impart information to various levels within the organization. Ability to make administrative/procedural decisions and use good judgment.
Skilled in organizing, planning, and strategic thinking. Proven ability to manage multiple tasks simultaneously; ability to prioritize in an ever-changing environment.
Ability to assess contract compliance and product/service quality.
Ability to be dedicated to meeting the expectations and requirements of internal and external customers. Gets first-hand customer information and uses it for improvements in products and services. Acts with customers in mind. Establishes and maintains effective relationships with customers and gains their trust and respect.
Ability to make good decisions (without considering how much time it takes) based upon a mixture of analysis, wisdom, experience, and judgment). Most of his/her solutions and suggestions turn out to be correct and accurate when judged over time. Sought out by others for advice and solutions.
Ability to pick up on technical things quickly. Can learn new skills and knowledge. Is good at learning new industry, company, product, or technical knowledge. Does well in technical courses and seminars.
Ability to be able to write clearly and succinctly in a variety of communication settings and styles. Interpersonal and communication skills and the ability to work effectively with a wide range of constituencies in a diverse organization. Can get messages across that have the desired effect.
Ability to quickly find common ground and solve problems for the good of all. Can represent his/her own interests and yet be fair to other groups. Can solve problems with peers with a minimum of noise. Is seen as a team player and is cooperative. Easily gains trust and support of peers. Encourages collaboration. Can be candid with peers.
Ability to use rigorous logic and methods to solve difficult problems with effective solutions. Can see hidden problems. Is excellent at honest analysis. Looks beyond the obvious and does not stop at the first answers.
Pass a physical (medical) examination that includes a drug screen in order to operate DART non-revenue vehicles.

Nice To Haves

Experience in implementation of financial systems preferred.
Advanced certification in procurement, contracting, supply chain, information technology, and/or project management from an accredited professional industry association is preferred.

Responsibilities

Drafts, reviews, and prepares complex contract requirements and documents in accordance with DART Procurement Regulations, FTA Third Party Contracting, and applicable state and federal laws.
Completes all contract awards and modifications for contracts, purchase/delivery/task orders, and other agreement documents within the established Acquisition lead-time identified by the Contracting Officer.
Participates with source evaluation team members in the solicitation process prior to contract award and provides guidance to the evaluation team, as needed.
Manages a variety of contracts after execution to ensure contractor performance compliance.
Maintains communication with stakeholders, internal clients, administration, and executive staff concerning contract negotiations, process, and status; includes follow-up on pending documentation to the file to ensure timely completion of contracts.
Interprets contract terms and conditions.
Handles requests and approval processes for amendments, change orders, or contract extensions.
Provides senior-level procurement experience in the review of contract documents to support senior procurement contracting officer’s approval.
Determines the need for the involvement of Procurement Management Team Executives for certain contracting matters and works directly with those officials to facilitate and resolve such matters.
Participates in program meetings as required with submittal of documentation for file management. Meetings may include, but are not limited to, pre-award conferences, periodic progress review meetings, acquisition planning meetings, and other meetings as assigned or required by the Contracting Officer.
Responsible for contract administration activities, such as contractor compliance issues and procedures as applicable to a public organization.
Develops and manages solicitations, negotiates, extends, terminates, and renegotiates contracts as appropriate.
Serves as principal point of liaison with contractors, monitors existing contracts for compliance to terms and conditions, and takes remedial action as required.
Participates in the development and implementation of contracting policy for the organization, and leads, guides, and manages assigned duties as appropriate.
Performs other related duties as assigned.