Contracting Officer, Commuter Rail (O&M)

About the role

This position supports the administration, oversight, and lifecycle management of RTD's contracted commuter rail operations and maintenance services. This position is responsible for ensuring that private vendors comply with contractual performance standards, safety regulations, and budgetary requirements. The role monitors contractor performance, resolves disputes, processes invoices, enforces contract terms, and maintains comprehensive records for assigned departments. This position assists in the development and administration of contracts, including scopes of work, independent cost estimates, schedules, and budgets. Responsibilities include coordinating with internal stakeholders, vendors, and external partners on procurements, contract audits, change orders, amendments, and payments. The Contracting Officer monitors contractor performance to ensure compliance with contractual obligations and identifies corrective actions for non-compliance, supporting continuous improvement and operational reliability.

Responsibilities

• Support the planning, administration, and lifecycle management of contracted commuter rail operations and maintenance services.
• Assist in developing and maintaining departmental policies, procedures, and contract documentation.
• Ensure accurate and organized records of contract deliverables, amendments, and compliance documentation.
• Participate in committees, task forces, and working groups related to contracted services and operational activities.
• Collaborate with internal stakeholders to prepare scopes of work, independent cost estimates, schedules, and budgets.
• Support procurement activities, including solicitations, contract modifications, and change orders.
• Maintain procurement and contract documentation in accordance with established procedures.
• Monitor contractor performance for adherence to contract terms, service levels, and regulatory requirements.
• Track and document performance metrics, compliance records, and service outcomes.
• Identify deficiencies, support corrective actions, and assist with continuous improvement efforts.
• Review and process invoices, purchase orders, and work directives for accuracy and compliance.
• Track contract expenditures and monitor spending against established budgets.
• Maintain financial records to support accountability and reporting requirements.
• Coordinate with contractors, consultants, and internal teams to address issues and ensure compliance with contractual obligations.
• Maintain effective working relationships with vendors and cross-functional teams to support timely service delivery.
• Support communication, scheduling, and follow-up on deliverables and action items.
• All job-related duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Public Administration, Finance, Contract Management, or Transportation Management required, or an equivalent combination of education and relevant work experience.
• Two (2) years of experience in contract administration, procurement, or vendor management within rail operations, transit services, or a related technical or operational environment. Experience should include direct interaction with internal stakeholders, contractors, and regulatory or compliance entities.
• Experience assisting in the administration, oversight, or management of contracts, including monitoring contractor performance, processing invoices, managing budgets, and enforcing compliance with contract terms and service level agreements.
• Experience supporting regulatory, safety, and operational compliance in transit or rail services, including coordination with internal teams and external stakeholders to meet contractual and statutory requirements.

Knowledge, skills, and abilities

• Knowledge of contract administration, procurement processes, and vendor management principles, including contract lifecycle management, compliance monitoring, and performance evaluation.
• Knowledge of commuter rail operations, maintenance services, and associated technical or operational requirements relevant to contracted services.
• Knowledge of applicable local, state, and federal regulations, policies, and standards affecting transit contracts, procurement, and vendor compliance (e.g., FTA, FRA, OSHA).
• Skill in monitoring contractor performance, identifying non-compliance or service deficiencies, and implementing corrective actions to enforce contract terms.
• Skill in reviewing invoices, processing payments, and reconciling contract expenditures against budgets, including identifying trends, discrepancies, or potential cost savings.
• Skill in preparing scopes of work, independent cost estimates, schedules, and budgets for contracted services.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with internal departments, including Operations, Maintenance, Finance, Procurement, Safety, and Legal, to support contract execution and resolve operational or financial issues.
• Ability to analyze contract performance data, generate reports, and make recommendations to improve efficiency, ensure compliance, and support operational goals.
• Ability to communicate clearly and professionally, both orally and in writing, with internal stakeholders, contractors, and regulatory or oversight agencies.
• Ability to organize, prioritize, and manage multiple contracts, tasks, and deadlines simultaneously while maintaining attention to detail.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite, financial reporting systems, and contract management software or platforms.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality, demonstrate credibility, and exercise sound judgment in handling contractual, financial, and operational information.

Working environment

• Worker is subject to varying inside temperatures.
• Work is performed inside.
• Ability to independently travel between multiple locations as required by operational needs.

Career map

Based on job performance, experience, education and position availability the next step on the career map for this position may be: Manager, Contracted Services, Commuter Rail.

Pay

$77,437.00 - $109,380.25 Annual