PRINCIPAL CONTRACT ADMINISTRATOR

Metro’s mission is to provide a world-class transportation system that enhances the quality of life for all who live, work, and play within LA County. This position performs complex work in support of contract administration activities for Metro's acquisition of goods and services.

Interviews are projected to be scheduled for the week of 9/15/2026. These dates are subject to change.

Responsibilities

• Leads the planning, development, and execution, including reviews and comments, on Request for Proposals (RFPs) and Invitation for Bids (IFBs), as necessary
• Meets with internal and external clients to anticipate requirements
• Establishes evaluation criteria
• Prepares packages for advertising, printing, and distribution
• Conducts pre-bid and pre-proposal meetings to answer questions and set schedules
• Receives bids and proposals, acts as chairperson on bid/proposal evaluation team, and makes awards recommendations and formalizes awards
• Prepares various contract award letters and notices
• Responds to bid and proposal award protests
• Participates in initial contractor and consultant conferences
• Conducts negotiations as necessary
• Completes final draft of contracts
• Responsible for contract management activities after award
• Liaises with Metro's vendors and internal clients
• Maintains all records associated with an acquisition
• Supports Metro's diverse and economically disadvantaged programs, as well as other initiatives as assigned
• Reviews and approves invoices and payments
• Negotiates and approves change orders, task orders, contract work orders, and contract modifications
• Coordinates escrow agreements
• Attends progress meetings to review contract issues, set payment schedules, and make adjustments to contract administration
• Monitors contract compliance
• Assists in developing claim strategies designed to minimize damage assessment and effect on schedules
• Arranges and participates in final inspection and prepares closeout documents
• Prepares monthly status reports, summaries, and other correspondence
• Briefs management on assigned projects and gives oral presentations as applicable
• Provides guidance and assistance to lower-level employees
• Communicates and implements safety rules, policies, and procedures in support of the agency's safety vision and goals; and maintains accountability for the safety performance of all assigned employees

Requirements

A combination of education and/or experience that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the essential functions of the position. Additional experience, as outlined below, may be substituted for required education on a year-for-year basis. A typical combination includes:

• Bachelor's Degree in Economics, Business, Public Administration, or a related field; Master's Degree in a related field preferred
• Five years of relevant experience performing complex contract administration work; some positions in this class may require specialized experience in area of assignment
• A valid California Class C Driver License or the ability to utilize an alternative method of transportation when needed to carry out job-related essential functions
• Professional certification from National Contract Management Association (NCMA), American Production and Inventory Control Society (APICS), Institute for Supply Management (ISM), or equivalent preferred

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience developing, planning, and executing Request for Proposals (RFPs) and Invitation for Bids (IFBs) for multi-million-dollar solicitations
• Experience analyzing market trends, cost and/or price analysis for goods and services
• Experience negotiating, leading a negotiation plan, and executing change orders and contract modifications
• Experience administering applicable local, state, and federal laws, Buy America, rules, regulations, and policies pertaining to public procurement
• Experience working with theories, principles, and practices of public procurement, supply chain management, and/or rolling stock contract administration activities

Skills

Essential Knowledge

• Theories, principles, and practices of public procurement, supply chain management, contract administration, and/or practice of public agencies
• Applicable local, state, and federal laws, rules, regulations, and policies pertaining to public procurement
• Financial and mathematical analysis, and statistical research
• Theories, principles, and practices of project management
• Principles of supervision
• Applicable business software applications

Skill in

• Performing complex contract administration and management work
• Planning, organizing, and coordinating the work of an integrated project team to perform contract administration functions
• Interviewing and evaluating contract proposal respondents
• Acquiring and analyzing information and resources, identifying problems, and making decisions in support of Metro's goals
• Exercising sound judgment and creativity in making decisions
• Determining strategies to achieve goals
• Influencing, mediating, and negotiating
• Communicating effectively both orally and in writing
• Interacting professionally with various levels of Metro employees and outside representatives

Ability to

• Serve as liaison across the organization to enhance, improve, and develop policies and procedures
• Think and act independently
• Meet tight time constraints
• Handle highly confidential material
• Represent Metro before the public
• Prepare comprehensive reports, contracts, specifications, correspondence, RFPs, and IFBs
• Perform cost analysis
• Understand, interpret, and apply laws, rules, regulations, policies, procedures, contracts, and budgets
• Oversee, train, and motivate assigned staff
• Travel to offsite locations
• Read, write, speak, and understand English

Working Conditions

• Typical office situation
• Close exposure to computer monitors and video screen

Physical Effort Required

• Sitting at a desk or table
• Operate a telephone or other telecommunications device and communicate through the medium
• Type and use a keyboard and mouse to perform necessary computer-based functions
• Communicating through speech in the English language required