Contract Specialist

About the role

The New York City Department of Transportation (NYC DOT) is seeking a Contract Specialist to serve as a primary owner of a portfolio of construction and operate-and-maintain contracts that support Traffic Operations. This position helps ensure contractor-delivered work moves efficiently through the full contracting process from early planning through closeout by coordinating documentation, schedules, payments, and contract actions across internal partners and vendors. The role is well-suited for a highly organized, solutions-oriented professional who is comfortable managing multiple moving pieces and driving work to completion.

Responsibilities

• Own a portfolio of construction and operate-and-maintain contracts from planning through closeout, keeping actions moving across each step of the process.
• Coordinate with technical leads to define scopes, deliverables, and acceptance requirements so procurements are ready to launch and work is verifiable.
• Build and manage procurement and contract-action schedules (renewals, registrations, starts, modifications, and closeouts) to prevent gaps in contractor coverage.
• Drive invoice review and payment processing by validating backup, routing approvals, and resolving discrepancies with vendors and internal reviewers.
• Prepare and track change orders and amendments by assembling documentation and coordinating cost and schedule impacts through required approvals.
• Track spending, balances, and key risks across the portfolio; surface issues early and support timely decisions that keep work on schedule.
• Maintain complete contract records and clear status reporting so leadership has visibility and the division remains audit-ready.
• Support additional tasks or assignments as required to meet evolving project and Department needs.

Requirements

In order to be considered for this position candidate must be serving permanently in the title of Staff Analyst, or must have taken, passed, and be reachable on the Open Competitive civil service Staff Analyst list, Exam #3116.

Work location: 34-02 Queens Blvd., LIC, NY 11101.

Hours/Shift: 35 Hrs./9 A.M. to 5 P.M., Monday‑Friday.

Remote work: eligible for up to 2 days per week under the Remote Work Pilot Program.

Residency requirement: New hires must reside in NYC for the first two years of appointment; after two years may be eligible to reside in Nassau, Suffolk, Putnam, Westchester, Rockland, or Orange County.

Appointments are subject to OMB approval.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications: A master's degree from an accredited college in economics, finance, accounting, business or public administration, human resources management, management science, operations research, organizational behavior, industrial psychology, statistics, personnel administration, labor relations, psychology, sociology, human resources development, political science, urban studies or a Juris Doctor degree from an accredited law school; or A baccalaureate degree from an accredited college and two years of satisfactory full‑time professional experience working in one or a combination of the following areas: working with the budget of a large public or private concern in budget administration, accounting, economic or financial administration, or fiscal or economic research; in management or methods analysis, operations research, organizational research or program evaluation; in personnel or public administration, recruitment, position classification, personnel relations, labor relations, employee benefits, staff development, employment program planning/administration, labor market research, economic planning, social services program planning/evaluation, or fiscal management; or in a related area. An associate degree or completion of 60 semester credits from an accredited college and four years of satisfactory full‑time professional experience as described in "2" above. A four-year high school diploma or its educational equivalent approved by a State's department of education or a recognized accrediting organization and six years of satisfactory full‑time professional experience as described in "2" above. A combination of education and/or experience equivalent to “1”, “2”, “3”, or “4” above. College education may be substituted for professional experience at the rate of 30 semester credits from an accredited college for one year of experience. However, all candidates must have a high school diploma.

Skills

• Experience supporting construction and/or operate-and-maintain contracts, including planning, approvals, payments, modifications, and closeout.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple contract actions at once in a high-volume environment, set priorities, and keep work moving without losing details.
• Comfort working with budgets and spending tracking, including monitoring balances, flagging risks early, and supporting forecasting needs.
• Ability to coordinate effectively across diverse partners (technical staff, fiscal teams, procurement partners, and vendors) and resolve issues through follow-up and persistence.
• Strong written communication skills, including producing clear summaries, status updates, and well-supported approval packages.

Benefits

• Eligible for the 55‑a Program for qualified persons with a disability.
• Eligible for federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness and state repayment assistance programs.

Pay

$72,595.00 – $92,976.00 (salary range).

Schedule

35 hours per week, 9 A.M. to 5 P.M., Monday‑Friday, with eligibility for remote work up to 2 days per week.