IT Contract Specialist (Austin)
About the role
Texas Workforce Commission seeks a professional to provide contract leadership on a portfolio of complex Information Technology (IT) contracts and solicitations. The ideal candidate will effectively organize, prioritize, and manage multiple assignments and priorities, work independently in a dynamic environment, communicate professionally and customer-focusedly, and collaborate with various IT teams, TWC Purchasing and Contract Services, and Office of General Counsel.
Responsibilities
Leading development and oversight of procurement of technology-related goods, services, and solutions.
Overseeing and managing technology-related contracts from initiation through close-out, ensuring adherence to terms for goods, services, deliverables, performance standards, and Service Level Agreements (SLAs).
Performing advanced to highly advanced contract development work within the IT division to acquire technology goods and services through DIR Cooperative Contracts, DIR’s Shared Technology Services (STS) Program, DIR’s Telecom Program, as well as Open Market procurements.
Developing needs assessments, proprietary justifications, and comprehensive solicitation documents including gathering and documenting business, technical, performance, and other requirements.
Evaluating, negotiating, and accepting contracts.
Maintaining compliance with all Federal, State, and agency laws, rules, policies, and procedures in all procurement and contracting processes.
Managing technology-related contracts including hardware, software, SaaS licenses, maintenance and operations support services, application development, telecommunications, data communications, and IT Staff Augmentation.
Drafting Deliverable Expectations Documents (DED) and coordinating reviews and approvals of acceptance criteria and final deliverables.
Monitoring contract requirements and vendor performance to assess compliance with contractual obligations; tracking deliverables for timely submission and quality; holding vendors accountable for contract compliance; and recommending and taking corrective actions as needed.
Developing and facilitating the review and approval of contract amendments within established guidelines.
Managing contract-related budget trackers; validating invoices for accuracy and within scope; and reviewing cost estimates and projections ensuring funds are available in the contract.
Collaborating with team members to provide innovative and continuous improvement of processes, support, and assist team members, and work effectively as a cohesive unit.
Collaborating with appropriate stakeholders to develop needs assessments, proprietary justifications, gather/document requirements for solicitation documents, complete Vendor Performance Reports, and close out assigned contracts.
Collaborating with the purchasing department to develop and ensure the solicitation schedule for assigned IT procurements stays on schedule.
Coordinating with DIR STS for assigned STS contracts and solicitations providing required solicitation documents and vendor performance reports in accordance with state statute and agency policies and procedures.
Performing other duties as assigned to maintain IT operations.
Qualifications
Four years of full-time experience in contract development, management, evaluation, monitoring, or training of contract providers or customers; or in the delivery of workforce development services which included contract development, management, evaluation, monitoring, or training of contract providers or customers for Contract Specialist IV.
Five years of full-time experience in contract development, management, evaluation, monitoring, or training of contract providers or customers; or in the delivery of workforce development services which included contract development, management, evaluation, monitoring, or training of contract providers or customers for Contract Specialist V.
Relevant academic credits may be applied toward experience qualifications for this position.
Four years of experience with technology-related contract management and purchasing/procurement management in local, state or federal government.
Knowledge of applicable local, state, or federal rules, regulations and policies related to technology procurement and contract management for Texas State agencies.
Knowledge of procurement and contract management policies and procedures as defined in the Texas Procurement and Contract Management Guide.
Experience with contract management and monitoring of technology-related contracts ensuring goods, services, deliverables, performance, SLAs, and other contract requirements are in compliance with the contract.
Experience with contract development of technology-related solicitation documents including development of business, technical, cybersecurity, and performance requirements.
Experience with Seat Management and/or Data Center Services.
Experience with Comptroller of Public Accounts, DIR, and Data Center Services (DCS)/STS procurement and contract processes for technology goods and services, as well as the DIR exemption requirements and processes.
Experience with reviewing and evaluating contracts and vendor deliverables.
Effectively demonstrating negotiation and facilitation skills.
Ability to work independently while understanding the need for communicating and coordinating work efforts with others.
Ability to handle multiple priorities while meeting strict deadlines and make critical decisions.
Ability to analyze complex information and develop plans to address identified issues.
Strong leadership, communication, and organization skills with attention to detail.
Experience with Microsoft Windows and Office products: Outlook, Word, Excel, Visio and PowerPoint.
Experience with SharePoint.
Preferred: Project management training and/or certification.
Benefits
A competitive starting salary of $6,000.00 - $7,300.00/month, Defined Retirement Benefit Plan, Optional 401(k) and 457 accounts, Medical Insurance, Paid time off, including time for vacation, sick and family care leave, and additional benefits for active employees can be found at https://www.ers.texas.gov/Active-Employees/Health-Benefits.