Contract Specialist I

Agency

Dept of Health and Human Services

Division

Mental Health

Job Classification Title

Contract Specialist I (NS)

Position Number

60043407

Grade

NC14

About Us

The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) is one of the largest, most complex agencies in the state, and has approximately 17,000 employees. It is responsible for ensuring the health, safety, and well-being of all North Carolinians, providing human service needs for special populations including individuals who are deaf, blind, developmentally disabled, and mentally ill, and helping poor North Carolinians achieve economic independence.

Description of Work

The purpose of this position is to advise program staff on proper procurement methods, provide technical assistance in the drafting procurement and contract documents, and to conduct intensive review to ensure contracts are justifiable, performance based, comply with State procurement rules, statutes and procedures, and contain adequate and accurate performance measures, scopes of work, and budgets. Contract types include Financial Assistance and Purchase of Service Contracts, Contract Amendments, Budget Realignments, Intra-Departmental Memoranda of Agreement (IMOAs), Requests for Applications (RFAs), Requests for Quote (RFQs), and Requests for Proposals (RFPs).
This position is responsible for:
- Developing, reviewing, critiquing, and executing performance-based contracts and procurements in accordance with state, federal, departmental, and divisional rules, regulations, laws, policies, directives, and mandates. This includes in-depth reviews and corrections of all contract documents including, but not limited to, contracts, contract justification, audit determination, scope of work, performance measures, and detailed contract budgets and cost tables, and IT exception forms.
- Ensuring that all required contract reviews and approvals are in place prior to contract execution.
- Ensuring that contracts are executed in a timely manner and organizing work in order to meet specific timelines.
- Providing both technical advice and training to DMH staff regarding contracting and procurement requirements, process and procedure as well as on the NC DHHS online contracting system: DHHS Open Window.
- Developing, updating, and presenting formal contracts and procurement training to DMH staff.
- Ensuring accuracy of data in Open Window system, updating execution status and uploading executed documents in Open Window.
- Entering nongovernmental financial assistance contracts in EBS system
- Encumbering contracts in eProcurement system when needed
- Reviewing and submitting monthly Financial Status Reports to Controller’s office for payment when needed

Knowledge Skills and Abilities/Management Preferences

Salary Range: $52,592 -$92,036

Candidates now meet the minimum qualifications of a position if they have the minimum education and experience listed on the vacancy announcement.

The following Management Preferences are not required, but applicants that possess these skills are preferred.

• Knowledge of contracting principles and processes

• Accuracy and attention to detail in work products.

• Time management and prioritizing skills.

• Proficiency with the Microsoft Office suite including Word, Excel, Outlook and PowerPoint

Position funded Position is funded in part through federal funds.

Position is eligible for a hybrid-teleworking schedule to include weekly onsite work hours

Posting closes at 11:59 p.m. the night before the end date

About the NC Division of Mental Health (DMH): The North Carolina Department of Mental Health provides quality support to achieve self-determination for individuals with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities and quality services to promote treatment and recovery for individuals with mental illness and substance use disorders.

Compensation and Benefits:

The State of North Carolina offers excellent comprehensive benefits. Employees can participate in health insurance options, standard and supplemental retirement plans, and the NCFlex program (numerous high-quality, low-cost benefits on a pre-tax basis). Employees also receive paid vacation, sick, and community service leave. In addition, paid parental leave is available to eligible employees. Visit website for State Benefits

Supplemental Contact Information:

The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) is an Equal Opportunity Employer that embraces an Employment First philosophy, which consists of complying with all federal laws, state laws, and Executive Orders.  We are committed to reviewing requests for reasonable accommodation at any time during the hiring process or while on the job.  For more information about DHHS: https://www.ncdhhs.gov/.

DHHS uses the Merit-Based Recruitment and Selection Plan to fill positions subject to the State Human Resources Act with the most qualified individuals.  Hiring salary will be based on relevant qualifications, internal equity, and budgetary considerations pertinent to the advertised position.

In accordance with the Governor’s Executive Order 303, our agency supports second-chance employment for individuals who were previously incarcerated or justice-involved.  We invite all potential applicants to apply for positions for which they may be qualified.

    

Application Process
Be sure to complete the application in its entirety.   Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of completing this application.

• Information should be provided in the appropriate areas, to include the following: Education, including high school and all degrees obtained, Work Experience, and Certificates & Licenses. It is critical to our screening and salary determination process that applications contain comprehensive candidate information.

• Answers to Supplemental Questions are not a substitute for providing all relevant information within the body of your application. To receive credit for the supplemental questions, you must provide supporting information within the "Work Experience" section of the application to support your answers.

• If multiple applications are submitted to an individual posting, only the most recent application received prior to the closing date will be accepted. Applications must be submitted by 5:00 PM on the closing date.

• Applicants may be subject to a criminal background check. All candidates selected for positions considered "Positions of Trust" will be subject to a criminal background check.

• Due to the volume of applications received, we are unable to provide information regarding the status of your application over the phone. To check the status of your application, please log in to your account.  Upon the closing date, applications are "Under Review" and will be screened by Human Resources for qualified applicants. The hiring process may take several weeks.

• Degrees must be received from appropriately accredited institutions.  Transcripts and degree evaluations may be uploaded with your application. The State of North Carolina/Office of State Human Resources uses the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) as a referral resource for applicants who need to have their credentials certified as equivalent.

• For a list of organizations that perform this specialized service, please visit the NACES membership website at https://www.naces.org/members.

Degree/College Credit Verification

Degrees must be received from appropriately accredited institutions.  Transcripts, degree evaluations and cover letters may be uploaded with your application.

Veterans’ and National Guard Preference

• Applicants seeking Veteran's Preference must attach a DD-214 Member-4 Form (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty) to their applications.

• Applicants seeking National Guard Preference must attach an NGB 23A (RPAS), along with the state application, if they are a current member of the NC National Guard in good standing. 

• Applicants who are former members of either the NC Army National Guard or the NC Air National Guard, with honorable discharge and six years of creditable service, must attach a copy of their DD 256 or NGB 22, along with the state application.

ADA Accommodations

Consistent with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (PWFA), DHHS is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, DHHS will ensure that people with disabilities, or known limitations covered by the PWFA, are provided with reasonable accommodation.  If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, please contact the person indicated below.

CONTACT INFORMATION: 

If there are any questions about this posting, please contact Talent Acquisition at [email protected]. Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of completing this application.

Minimum Education and Experience

Some state job postings say you can qualify by an “equivalent combination of education and experience.” If that language appears below, then you may qualify through EITHER years of education OR years of directly related experience, OR a combination of both. See the Education and Experience Equivalency Guide for details.

Minimum Education and Experience Bachelor’s degree in business or related area from an appropriately accredited institution and two years of progressive procurement or contract administration experience; or equivalent combination of education and experience. Necessary Special Requirements Completion of the North Carolina Contract Management Certification Program within one year of hire into the position.

EEO Statement

The State of North Carolina is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer and dedicated to providing employees with a work environment free from all forms of unlawful employment discrimination, harassment, or retaliation. The state provides reasonable accommodation to employees and applicants with disabilities; known limitations related to pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions; and for religious beliefs, observances, and practices.

Recruiter:

Charlene Michele Moore

Email:

[email protected]