Contract Specialist

City of San Diego; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

City of San Diego is seeking an Assistant Engineer - Civil (Contract Specialist) to lead contract administration for architectural and engineering projects. The role involves negotiating terms, reviewing bids, preparing RFx, and ensuring compliance with city policies.

Candidates should have a bachelor's degree and at least two years of experience in contract administration related to construction. The position offers growth in a municipal setting with potential wage adjustments.

Qualifications

• Two years of full-time professional-level contract administration experience in architecture, engineering, and/or construction.
• Experience must include at least two of: contract development, evaluation of bids/proposals, negotiation of contracts/changes, administration of contract terms.

Responsibilities

• Negotiate terms and conditions for contracts with contractors and consultants.
• Review bids, proposals, and submittals for responsiveness and compliance.
• Assist in RFQ, RFI, ITB, and RFP processes and addenda.
• Administer contract terms and monitor performance to ensure contract compliance.

Skills

Contract negotiation

Bid evaluation

Contract administration

Vendor management

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent education

Tools

SAP

Job description

Assistant Engineer - Civil (Option Title: Contract Specialist)

Rev. 4 - November 6, 2026 (New Recruitment Date)

See NOTES below for future wage increases and/or additional compensation opportunities. APPLICANTS ARE ENCOURAGED TO APPLY TO THE FOLLOWING RELATED RECRUITMENT:

• Senior Contract Specialist

Contract Specialist positions open, negotiate, recommend contract award, administer and terminate various types of contracts including consulting, architectural and engineering projects, design, construction and construction management, and pre-purchased material and equipment contracts; assist in the preparation/distribution of Request for Qualifications (RFQ), Request for Information (RFI), Invitation to Bid (ITB), and/or Request for Proposal (RFP); assist in the preparation and dissemination of addenda; conduct pre-bid/pre-proposal meetings; review of bids/proposals and submittals for responsiveness; review bonding and insurances submittals; develop and maintain commercial terms and conditions of contracts; develop negotiation plans and strategies; prepare reports and correspondences; and perform other duties as assigned.

NOTES:

• Employees in job classifications represented by Municipal Employees Association (MEA) are scheduled to receive the following general wage increases:
  • 3.5% effective 7/1/27
  • 2% effective 7/1/28
  • 2% effective 1/1/29
• Eligible benefitted employees originally hired on or after July 10, 2021, will be automatically enrolled in the San Diego City Employees Retirement System (SDCERS).

You must meet the following requirements on the date you apply, unless otherwise indicated.

EDUCATION

Bachelor's Degree or equivalent education (i.e., minimum completed units = 120 semester/180 quarter).

NOTE: Additional qualifying experience may be substituted for education lacked on a year-for-year basis. One year of full-time experience = 30 semester/45 quarter college-level units.

EXPERIENCE

Two years of full-time professional-level contract administration experience in architecture, engineering, and/or construction which MUST include at least TWO of the following:

1. Contract development.
2. Evaluation of bids and/or proposals.
3. Negotiation of contracts and contract changes.
4. Administration of contract terms and conditions.

NOTES:

• A Master's Degree in Public or Business Administration may be substituted for a MAXIMUM of one year of the required experience.
• City of San Diego employees using Out-of-Class Assignment (OCA) experience to qualify must submit written documentation signed by their appointing authority or payroll specialist, detailing the work performed, dates, and total number of qualifying OCA hours. OCA experience without the required documentation will NOT be considered.

LICENSE

A valid California Class C Driver License may be required at the time of hire.

HIGHLY DESIRABLES

• Professional-level contract administration experience in public works architecture and engineering contracts, and/or public works construction contracts.
• Knowledge of architectural engineering and design contracting practices.
• Familiarity or experience with local, state, or federal laws as they apply to contract acquisition practices.
• Familiarity with negotiating labor disputes and/or labor compliance in a government or public agency setting.
• Knowledge of and ability to use a variety of computer software (e.g., Word, Excel, SAP, and labor compliance software).

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS (MUST SUBMIT WITH APPLICATION)

• Proof of degree/transcripts, if utilized to meet the minimum requirements.
• For City of San Diego employees, proof of Out-of-Class Assignment (OCA), if utilized to meet the minimum requirements.

Required documents should be attached electronically to your application. If you are unable to attach at the time of application submittal, you must submit them as soon as possible via fax: [phone]; or to the Employment Information Center: City of San Diego Personnel Department, 1200 Third Avenue - Suite 300, San Diego, CA 92101. Include your name and the title of the position for which you are applying.

Please ensure all information is complete and accurate as the responses you provide on the supplemental questions will be reviewed using an automated evaluation system. If you are successful in this initial screening process, your application will be reviewed for applicable education, experience, and/or training to ensure all minimum requirements have been met. Successful candidates will be placed on a list which will be used to fill position vacancies during the next six months (180 days). For each vacancy, only those candidates with the most appropriate qualifications will be contacted by the hiring department for an interview.

PRE-EMPLOYMENT REQUIREMENTS

Employment offers are conditional pending the results of all screening processes applicable to this position, which may include the following: confirmation of citizenship or legal right to work in the United States; completion of a pre-employment medical review and exam (which may include drug and alcohol testing); reference checks; and fingerprinting. Fingerprints will be submitted to the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the California Department of Justice for a conviction record report. Certain positions may require additional screening processes, which may include a polygraph examination and/or background investigation. All of these processes must be successfully completed before employment begins. A positive test for alcohol, cannabis/marijuana, illegal drugs, or inadequately explained prescription drugs, or misrepresentation, falsification, or omission of pertinent facts in any step of the screening or selection process, may be cause for disqualification or termination of employment. Nothing in this job posting constitutes an express or implied contract for employment with the City of San Diego. Candidates must notify the Personnel Department of any change in your name, mailing address, email address, or phone number, otherwise they may miss employment opportunities.