Contracts Administration Specialist

About the role

The role involves performing technical and professional duties involved in the post-award administration of architect-engineering and construction contracts in the Agency's area of assignment. Responsibilities include reviewing direct and indirect costs, invoices, close-outs, and other contract administration functions, ensuring compliance with contractual requirements, and providing technical expertise and assistance.

Responsibilities

• Administers assigned A&E contracts in accordance with contractual terms and conditions, Agency’s internal policies and resolutions, Federal Transit Administration’s (FTA) Circular, and applicable state and federal laws.
• Administers assigned A&E contracts to ensure compliance with contractual requirements including deliverables, schedule, quality, cost, notices, and insurance.
• Reviews direct and indirect costs, identifies issues of non-compliance and recommends remedial actions; interprets contractual provisions and provides guidance to project team members; investigates and resolves contractual issues relative to assigned contracts.
• Reviews and processes invoices for payment consistent with contractual requirements and Agency’s policies and procedures; and negotiates, reviews, and processes change orders/contract modifications consistent with contractual requirements, Agency’s policies and procedures, and applicable federal requirements.
• Participates, coordinates, and supports departments to ensure timely invoice payment.
• Performs A&E and construction contract administration and contract close out functions in accordance with contractual requirements and state law, as applicable.
• Provides support to Agency staff in contract negotiations.
• Participates in division process improvement efforts and contributes to culture of continuous process improvement.
• Provides support to the division on matters as directed; prepares and presents staff reports and other necessary correspondence; attends and participates in professional group meetings; maintains awareness of new trends and developments in the fields related to area of assignment; incorporates new developments as appropriate; ensures processes, policies, and practices are interpreted and applied consistently and effectively.

Requirements

• Education and Experience: Associate's degree in Business Administration, Public Administration, Accounting, Contract Management, Construction, or closely related field. Three years of experience in contract services work, preferably in the architectural/engineering industry or government related setting; Or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Required Knowledge And Skills: Public procurement/contracting systems and processes, purchasing and accounting transactions, principles and practices of contract administration as applied to the public sector, basic contract cost and price analysis principles and practices based on federal regulations, basic negotiation principles and practices, pertinent federal, state, and local laws, codes, and regulations, project management techniques and principles, principles of business letter writing and basic report preparation, principles and procedures of record keeping, English usage, spelling, grammar, and punctuation, modern office procedures, methods, and equipment including computers and computer applications such as word processing, spreadsheets, and statistical databases, utilizing personal computer software programs affecting assigned work and in compiling and preparing spreadsheets and reports, establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with other department staff, management, vendors, outside agencies, community groups, and the general public, interpreting and administering policies and procedures sufficient to administer, discuss, resolve, and explain them to staff and other constituencies, performing a range of duties involved in participating in the services and activities of the A&E contract process within the Procurement and Contracts Division, preparing management reports, assisting with contract change orders and identifying solutions that balance the Agency’s interests and those of the negotiating partner(s), within financial capacity and other constraints, interpreting and applying federal, state, and local policies, laws, and regulations, contract management and oversight, strong written and oral communication skills, applying project management techniques and principles.

Qualifications

Minimum qualifications include an associate's degree in a relevant field and three years of experience in contract services work, preferably in the architectural/engineering industry or government related setting. Additional qualifications include knowledge and skills in public procurement/contracting systems and processes, purchasing and accounting transactions, principles and practices of contract administration as applied to the public sector, basic contract cost and price analysis principles and practices based on federal regulations, basic negotiation principles and practices, pertinent federal, state, and local laws, codes, and regulations, project management techniques and principles, principles of business letter writing and basic report preparation, principles and procedures of record keeping, English usage, spelling, grammar, and punctuation, modern office procedures, methods, and equipment including computers and computer applications such as word processing, spreadsheets, and statistical databases, utilizing personal computer software programs affecting assigned work and in compiling and preparing spreadsheets and reports, establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with other department staff, management, vendors, outside agencies, community groups, and the general public, interpreting and administering policies and procedures sufficient to administer, discuss, resolve, and explain them to staff and other constituencies, performing a range of duties involved in participating in the services and activities of the A&E contract process within the Procurement and Contracts Division, preparing management reports, assisting with contract change orders and identifying solutions that balance the Agency’s interests and those of the negotiating partner(s), within financial capacity and other constraints, interpreting and applying federal, state, and local policies, laws, and regulations, contract management and oversight, strong written and oral communication skills, applying project management techniques and principles.

Skills

Strong written and oral communication skills, applying project management techniques and principles.

Benefits

• Health Benefits: We offer two choices of medical plans, a dental plan, and a vision plan all at no cost for employee coverage; comprehensive benefits for employees and eligible dependents, including a spouse or domestic partner.
• Long-Term Disability and Life Insurance.
• Employee Assistance Program.
• Retail Plans: 401a – 10% of employee contribution with a 12% match by Sound Transit; 457b – up to IRS maximum (employee only contribution).
• Paid Time Off: Employees accrue 25 days of paid time off annually with increases at four, eight and twelve years of service. Employees at the director level and up accrue additional days. We also observe 12 paid holidays and provide up to 2 paid floating holidays and up to 2 paid volunteer days per year.
• Parental Leave: 12 weeks of parental leave for new parents.
• ORCA Card: All full-time employees will receive an ORCA card at no cost.
• Tuition Reimbursement: Sound Transit will pay up to $5,000 annually for approved tuition expenses.
• Inclusive Reproductive Health Support Services.

Pay

Salary range is $21.63/hour to $55.28/hour, with a midpoint of $38.46/hour. New hires typically receive between minimum and midpoint, however, we may go slightly higher based on experience, internal equity and market.

Schedule

Work is performed in a hybrid environment with an expectation of working in office a minimum of 3 days per week.