Contract Management Specialist III

About This Position

Under limited supervision, develops and manages complex contracts and grants.

Duties, Functions and Responsibilities:

Essential duties and functions, pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act, may include the following. Other related duties may be assigned.

• Prepares for bids process by gathering and coordinating contract requirements from designated departmental liaisons, deciding appropriate commodities or scope of work to include on contract bid; recommending and preparing effective supplemental terms and conditions, and drafting purchase documents for bid. May also perform spot buying off existing contracts (per Central Purchasing policy limitations).
• Develops and maintains contract database(s) spreadsheets and/or other contract management software tools. Enters data into the system of record and generates approval documents to support purchases. Establishes budgeted base and resolves variances. Submits and/or coordinates submission of requisitions, evaluates bid files and prepares recommendations for award.
• Develops and manages requirements for complex contracts or grants for effectiveness by monitoring budgeted amounts to expended amount and/or contract's dollar balance and time remaining, recommending whether to extend an existing contract or prepare for a new bid process, processing contract modifications and performing contract releasing activities.
• Manages contractor and subcontractor performance for compliance to contract terms and conditions by monitoring contractor performance which includes but not limited to inspecting product to ensure compliance with specifications, preparing and discussing contractor performance evaluations with the contractor and/or departmental liaison to explain performance evaluations and obtain feedback, and reporting and resolving complex contractual issues.
• Prepares and/or develops reports by collecting, analyzing and summarizing information regarding contractor performance, supply chain effectiveness, contract expenditures, purchase history, etc., for reporting to management, team members and customers.
• Manages supply chain by reviewing status of selected materials, identifying problems and recommending and/or implementing solutions. Coordinating product demonstrations.
• Provides technical and contractual assistance by developing, advertising, coordinating and conducting workshops, training sessions and orientation sessions.
• Conducts site visits to educate contractors and subcontractors about contract requirements, to conduct interviews with contract workers, to obtain payroll records for audit purposes and/or to inspect products to ensure compliance with contract requirements.
• Develops requirements for new contracts by researching purchase history and product information; coordinating and compiling requirements; deciding and preparing effective supplemental terms and conditions; deciding and preparing effective contractor performance measurements.
• Researches and responds to inquiries from City Council, City Management, Boards and Commissions, vendors, and other stakeholders.

Responsibilities - Supervisor and/or Leadership Exercised:

• May provide leadership, work assignments, evaluation, training, and guidance to others.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Must possess required knowledge, skills, abilities, and experience and be able to explain and demonstrate, with or without reasonable accommodations, that the essential functions of the job can be performed.

• Knowledge of contract law, contracting practices, regulations, policies and techniques.
• Knowledge of contract development, contract language, terms, conditions, etc.
• Knowledge of Federal, State and Local laws.
• Knowledge of city practice, policy and procedures.
• Skill in oral and written communication.
• Skill in handling multiple tasks and prioritizing.
• Skill in using computers and related software applications.
• Skill in data analysis and problem solving.
• Skill in planning and organizing.
• Ability to evaluate contract agreements.
• Ability to write specific terms or conditions for contracts.
• Ability to enforce contractual obligations.
• Ability to evaluate contractor performance
• Ability to resolve complex problems.
• Ability to leading a work group.
• Ability to work with frequent interruptions and changes in priorities.
• Ability to establish and maintain good working relationships with other City employees and the public.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Graduation with a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in a field related to Business Administration, Public Administration, plus four years of experience in a related field.
• Experience may substitute for education up to the maximum of four (4) years.
• A Master’s Degree may substitute for required experience up to two (2) years

 Licenses and Certifications Required:

• None

Preferred Qualifications

These skills may help you become effective more quickly, but they are not required on day one. If you have some but not all of them, we still encourage you to apply.

• Public or Grant Funded Contracting | Experience supporting agreements funded by federal, state, or local government, including grants or social-service contracts.
• Contract Development and Negotiation | Experience drafting work statements, budgets, terms, amendments, or corrective-action documents and resolving differences with partners.
• Compliance Monitoring | Experience conducting desk reviews, site visits, audits, quality assurance, or other monitoring activities.
• Homelessness Response or Human Services | Familiarity with programs serving people experiencing homelessness or other community-based health and human services.
• Relevant Systems | Experience with Microsoft 365 suite, PartnerGrants, eCAPRIS, HMIS, another grants-management platform, or comparable contract and case-data systems.
• Training and Technical Assistance | Experience helping colleagues or partners understand financial, grant, documentation, or compliance practices.

Austin Homeless Strategies and Operations (HSO) is dedicated to addressing homelessness comprehensively and compassionately. HSO’s vision is bold: Ensuring everyone has access to stable housing and the support they need to thrive. HSO is a trusted system leader, working collaboratively to ensure an efficient, accessible, and effective homelessness response. HSO makes investments that resolve individual experiences of homelessness and result in meaningful system changes and ensures that people experiencing homelessness have easy access to basic needs, outreach, crisis shelter, and other services to support survival and pathways to stable housing. Through public dialogue and intentional communication with stakeholders, HSO strengthens community trust, aligns efforts, and drives systemwide impact. HSO pursues a culture of continuous learning, creating a collaborative, supportive, and engaging workplace that centers on growth, development, and well-being.

About the Team:

The Homeless Strategies and Operations Budget and Contracting Division oversees agreements with organizations that provide care, shelter, and support to vulnerable populations. Its work includes contract development and execution, compliance monitoring, claims and performance review, provider communication, and technical assistance.

The unit helps ensure that contracted services meet applicable requirements, public resources are used responsibly, and providers have the guidance needed for successful program implementation and fund utilization. Contract managers work with providers and internal partners to resolve issues, strengthen performance, maintain accurate records, and reduce financial and service-delivery risk.

About the Role:

This role helps guide contracts through their entire lifecycle—from drafting and negotiation to execution, amendment, and closeout. It collaborates regularly with colleagues across HSO to support the programmatic work behind each agreement. Once contracts are in place, this role monitors them to ensure compliance with City policies, legal requirements, funding rules, and approved budgets.

This role reviews provider claims carefully for accuracy and allowability, and keeps close track of deadlines, deliverables, spending and budgets, performance measures, and any needed corrective actions. This role analyzes financial and performance data, spots errors, trends, service gaps, and opportunities to strengthen results.

This role will offer clear, practical technical assistance to grantees on everything from allowable costs and documentation to reporting and amendments. Working closely with providers and internal team finance, legal, procurement, program staff, and leadership, it will help resolve issues and support strong program implementation.

It will also manage multiple evolving projects at once, maintain organized and confidential records in City systems, and share your expertise with colleagues through knowledge-sharing, reviewing work, and supporting training on contracts, grants, financials, and documentation practices.

Benefits:

Working with the City of Austin provides a number of health and welfare benefits such as low-cost medical, dental, vision, paid leave time, a highly competitive retirement plan, training opportunities, and more.

Salary Range: $62,890-$77,980

Location: 505 Barton Springs Road, Austin, TX 78704

Hours: Monday - Friday 8AM - 5PM

Hours may vary depending on departmental needs and initiatives. Some evening, weekend and holiday work may be required.

Criminal Background Investigation: This position has been approved for a Criminal Background Investigation.

Assessment: Please note that a skills assessment may be part of the competitive evaluation process.

Important Note to Applicants:

Current City employees must apply for City jobs using the internal job hub rather than through the external jobs site. If a current employee does not apply internally through Workday before the position is closed, their application cannot be accepted.

When completing the City of Austin employment application:

The City of Austin employment application is an official document; incomplete applications will not be considered. Please be sure that your application is a reflection of your entire work history.

o   Please be sure to detail on the application all previous employment that you wish to be considered as part of your qualifications.

o   A detailed, complete employment application is required. It helps us to better evaluate your qualifications and will be used to determine salary if you are selected for this position. Be sure to provide job titles and employment dates for all jobs you wish to be considered. Describe your specific experience for each position. Include all job duties, responsibilities, and employment dates.

o   A résumé is required but will not substitute for a complete employment application. Please include contact information from previous employers.

o   A cover letter is also required. In the cover letter candidates should describe, in concise detail, their interest in this position and highlight any prior experience that is relevant to this position  

Please be aware that the Job Posting Close Date reflects the final day to apply, but the posting will close at 11:59 PM the day before the date listed. All application steps, including attachments and submission, must be fully completed before that time.

We also recommend that you save or print a copy of the job posting for your records. Once a posting has closed, it will no longer be viewable in the system.

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• Make a Difference: Join a team driving meaningful change in one of the fastest-growing cities in the nation.

• Value and Innovation: Work in an environment where employees are valued, and innovation thrives.

• Competitive Benefits: Enjoy a comprehensive compensation package that includes generous leave, work-life balance programs, and extensive benefits.

• Retirement Security: Plan for the future with the City of Austin Employees' Retirement System.

• Sustainable Transportation Options: Commute easily with access to public transit and bike-friendly infrastructure.

• Focus on Wellness: Stay healthy through wellness programs, on-site fitness centers, and mental health support.

• Career Growth: Advance your skills and expertise with professional development and leadership opportunities.

• Modern Workspaces: Work in innovative and sustainable environments that foster collaboration and inspiration.

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EEO Statement for City of Austin:

The City of Austin will not discriminate against any applicant or employee based on race, creed, color, national origin, sex, gender identity, age, religion, veteran status, disability, or sexual orientation. In addition, the City will not discriminate in employment decisions on the basis of an individual's AIDS, AIDS Related Complex, or HIV status; nor will the City discriminate against individuals who are perceived to be at risk of HIV infection, or who associate with individuals who are believed to be at risk.

City of Austin is committed to compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. If you require reasonable accommodation during the application process or have a question regarding an essential job function, please call (512) 974-3210 or Texas Relay by dialing 7-1-1.