Contract Specialist

City of New York; Queens (KY); Hybrid; USD 75,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of New York, NYC Department of Transportation, is hiring a Contract Specialist to manage a portfolio of construction and O&M contracts from planning through closeout, coordinating with technical leads and vendors to ensure timely procurement and payments.

The role emphasizes organized, results-driven professionals who can manage multiple moving parts and maintain audit-ready contract records for DOT’s Traffic Operations division.

Qualifications

• Master's degree from an accredited college in economics, finance, accounting, business or public administration, human resources management, management science, operations research, organizational behavior, industrial psychology, statistics, personnel administration, labor relations, psychology, sociology, human resources development, political science, urban studies or a Juris Doctor degree from an accredited law school.
• A baccalaureate degree from an accredited college and two years of satisfactory full-time professional experience in budgets, accounting, economic or financial administration, or related areas.
• Associate degree with four years of related experience.
• Four-year high school diploma and six years of related experience; or a combination of education/experience as described.

Responsibilities

• Own a portfolio of construction and operate-and-maintain contracts from planning through closeout, keeping actions moving across each step of the process.
• Coordinate with technical leads to define scopes, deliverables, and acceptance requirements so procurements are ready to launch and work is verifiable.
• Build and manage procurement and contract-action schedules (renewals, registrations, starts, modifications, and closeouts).
• Drive invoice review and payment processing by validating backup, routing approvals, and resolving discrepancies with vendors and internal reviewers.
• Prepare and track change orders and amendments by assembling documentation and coordinating cost and schedule impacts through required approvals.
• Track spending, balances, and key risks across the portfolio; surface issues early and support timely decisions that keep work on schedule.
• Maintain complete contract records and clear status reporting so leadership has visibility and the division remains audit-ready.
• Support additional tasks or assignments as required to meet evolving project and Department needs.

Skills

Procurement management

Contract administration

Vendor coordination

Financial/cost analysis

Documentation and reporting

Education

Master's degree (economics, finance, accounting, business, public administration, etc.)

Bachelor's degree + 2 years related experience

Associate degree + 4 years related experience

High school diploma + 6 years related experience

Job description

Job Description

In order to be considered for this position candidate must be serving permanently in the title of Staff Analyst, or must have taken, passed, and be reachable on the Open Competitive civil service Staff Analyst list, Exam #3116.
The New York City Department of Transportation (NYC DOT) is seeking a Contract Specialist to serve as a primary owner of a portfolio of construction and operate-and-maintain contracts that support Traffic Operations. This position helps ensure contractor-delivered work moves efficiently through the full contracting process from early planning through closeout by coordinating documentation, schedules, payments, and contract actions across internal partners and vendors. The role is well-suited for a highly organized, solutions-oriented professional who is comfortable managing multiple moving pieces and driving work to completion.
About NYC DOT and the Division of Traffic Operations
NYC DOT works to support the safe, equitable, and sustainable movement of people and goods across New York City. Within NYC DOT, the Division of Traffic Operations delivers and sustains the systems that help New Yorkers and visitors move safely and efficiently every day.
Traffic Operations manages the operation of more than 350,000 street lights, approximately 14,000 signalized intersections, roughly 90,000 on-street parking spaces, over 4,000 automated enforcement cameras, and a state-of-the-art Traffic Management Center. These roles will support the expansion and modernization of DOT’s Automated Enforcement program, which consists of red light, speed, and bus lane cameras. Work across the division spans signals and street lighting, traffic management and intelligent transportation systems, parking operations, modeling and data analysis, and automated enforcement much of it delivered through contractors and supported through effective contract planning and administration.
STAFF ANALYST - 12626

Responsibilities

• Own a portfolio of construction and operate-and-maintain contracts from planning through closeout, keeping actions moving across each step of the process.
• Coordinate with technical leads to define scopes, deliverables, and acceptance requirements so procurements are ready to launch and work is verifiable.
• Build and manage procurement and contract-action schedules (renewals, registrations, starts, modifications, and closeouts) to prevent gaps in contractor coverage.
• Drive invoice review and payment processing by validating backup, routing approvals, and resolving discrepancies with vendors and internal reviewers.
• Prepare and track change orders and amendments by assembling documentation and coordinating cost and schedule impacts through required approvals.
• Track spending, balances, and key risks across the portfolio; surface issues early and support timely decisions that keep work on schedule.
• Maintain complete contract records and clear status reporting so leadership has visibility and the division remains audit-ready.
• Support additional tasks or assignments as required to meet evolving project and Department needs.

Hours/Shift: 35 Hrs./9 A.M. to 5 P.M/Monday-Friday
Work Location: 34-02 Queens Blvd., LIC, NY 11101
This position may be eligible for remote work up to 2 days per week, pursuant to the Remote Work Pilot Program agreed to between the City and DC37.

Qualifications

A master's degree from an accredited college in economics, finance, accounting, business or public administration, human resources management, management science, operations research, organizational behavior, industrial psychology, statistics, personnel administration, labor relations, psychology, sociology, human resources development, political science, urban studies or a Juris Doctor degree from an accredited law school; or A baccalaureate degree from an accredited college and two years of satisfactory full- time professional experience working in one or a combination of the following areas: working with the budget of a large public or private concern in budget administration, accounting, economic or financial administration, or fiscal or economic research; in management or methods analysis, operations research, organizational research or program evaluation; in personnel or public administration, recruitment, position classification, personnel relations, labor relations, employee benefits, staff development, employment program planning/administration, labor market research, economic planning, social services program planning/evaluation, or fiscal management; or in a related area. An associate degree or completion of 60 semester credits from an accredited college and four years of satisfactory full-time professional experience as described in "2" above. A four-year high school diploma or its educational equivalent approved by a State's department of education or a recognized accrediting organization and six years of satisfactory full-time professional experience as described in "2" above. A combination of education and/or experience equivalent to “1”, “2”, “3”, or “4” above. College education may be substituted for professional experience at the rate of 30 semester credits from an accredited college for one year of experience. However, all candidates must have a high school diploma.

Additional Information

The City of New York is an inclusive equal opportunity employer committed to recruiting and retaining a diverse workforce and providing a work environment that is free from discrimination and harassment based upon any legally protected status or protected characteristic, including but not limited to an individual's sex, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, veteran status, gender identity, or pregnancy.