Contract Specialist - County Auditor

Bell County, Texas; Belton (TX); On-site; USD 67,000 - 82,000; Full time

Job summary

Bell County, Texas is seeking a Contract Specialist who will develop contracts, coordinate procurements, and monitor execution under the Purchasing Administrator. You will work with Legal, procurement staff, vendors, and agency employees to support the contracting process and ensure compliance with state law.

You will also advise managers on contract regulations, prepare reports, and serve as a backup to senior purchasing staff.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree and 3 years contract management experience.
• Or an Associate’s degree with 3 years related experience.
• Must possess and maintain a valid state driver’s license.
• Proficiency in English (read/write).
• Professional Public Buyer or Contract Manager certification or willingness to obtain.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate with Legal, procurement, and end users to resolve contracting issues.
• Monitor procurement to ensure fair contractor selection.
• Evaluate and negotiate contract terms and payables.
• Prepare contract and PO documents with legal staff.
• Serve as primary contact for contract questions and reporting.

Skills

Contract management

Negotiations

Legal coordination

Analytical skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree + 3 years experience

Associate’s degree + 3 years experience

Tools

Contract management software

Job description

General Description

Under the supervision of the Purchasing Administrator, the Contract Specialist performs contract development and solicitation work and provides support throughout contract execution. The incumbent develops and monitors purchase orders and contracts, supports County employees throughout the contracting process, provides reporting, and coordinates special projects. The position works proactively with Legal, Procurement staff, vendors, and agency employees, and serves as backup to the Senior Purchasing Specialist and Procurement Coordinator in their absence.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Coordinates with purchasing, end user departments, Legal, and management to resolve contracting issues, including language used to monitor contractor deliverables and performance.
• Monitors the procurement and contracting process to ensure contractors are selected fairly and objectively.
• Evaluates and negotiates contract terms, conditions, specifications, and provisions to identify potential risks and align with the agency’s best interests and applicable procurement law.
• Works with legal staff and contractors to finalize contracts and purchase order documents.
• Serves as the primary contact for agency employees on new and existing contracts and coordinates with legal, purchasing, accounting, management, and others to support successful solicitation and award.
• Advises agency managers and staff on contract‑related regulations, policies, procedures, processes, systems, best practices, issues, trends, and developments.
• Provides guidance to other purchasing and contracts staff on the contracting process.
• Participates in developing standards for contract administration activities.
• Works with the Public Information Officer, Legal, and, as needed, the State of Texas Attorney General to address contract‑related open records requests in accordance with State of Texas law.

Contract Compliance

• Collaborates with Legal to develop and revise contractor oversight processes, including risk assessment, monitoring, and evaluation criteria, to help ensure quality services and effective use of funds.
• Maintains systems for contract administration tracking, recordkeeping, and reporting.
• Consults with and advises end user departments on bid and contract specifications, renewals, and amendments.
• Ensures contracts comply with state and agency regulations and policies and address deliverables, performance measures, payment methodology, and consequences for non-performance.
• Participates in internal and external audits, researches and reconciles audit exceptions, identifies causes of errors, and recommends or implements solutions.

Reports and Special Projects

• Researches, analyzes, and evaluates contract administration practices, policies, procedures, guidelines, processes, systems, and forms, and recommends improvements.
• Develops and delivers reports and presentations to agency management and staff on contract administration plans, operations, activities, achievements, and related issues.
• Prepares and submits reports required by regulatory entities and internal management.
• Participates in special projects, task forces, and committees.
• Performs related duties as assigned.

Minimum Education and Experience Requirements

One of the following: Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university and three (3) years of full-time, progressively responsible experience in contract management, development, administration, negotiations, or related work; or Associate’s degree or equivalent, plus additional full-time related experience substituted year-for-year for the bachelor’s degree, and three (3) years of full-time, progressively responsible experience in contract management, development, administration, negotiations, or related work.

Physical Demands

Performs sedentary work that involves walking or standing some of the time and involves exerting up to 25 pounds of force on a regular and recurring basis or sustained keyboard operations.

Unavoidable Hazards (Work Environment)

None.

Special Certifications and Licenses

• Must possess and maintain a valid state driver’s license with an acceptable driving history.
• Must be able to speak, read, and write English proficiently.
• Professional Public Buyer or Contract Manager Certification, or willingness to obtain certification.

Americans with Disabilities Act Compliance

Bell County is an Equal Opportunity Employer. ADA requires the County to provide reasonable accommodations to qualified persons with disabilities. Prospective and current employees are encouraged to discuss ADA accommodations with management.

Additional Qualifications

Proposed Compensation: $74,371.00 - $74,371.00

Mission Statement

The government of Bell County, Texas exists to promote and sustain a superior quality of life in Central Texas. In partnership with our communities and citizens, we pledge to deliver cost-effective services in a personal, responsive, and innovative manner.

The Government of Bell County Values

• Public Safety for all citizens
• Responsibility and accountability
• People as our most important resource
• Achievement of positive solutions to every problem
• Positive liaisons with local government organizations
• A county that is renowned for its beauty and cleanliness
• Taking pride and achieving the highest quality in all we do
• An open, accessible government, where citizen involvement is vital
• Fairness, integrity, and trust as essential qualities of ethical governance
• Encouragement of progressive thinking through employee involvement and teamwork
• Citizens as customers, deserving the highest quality of services delivered by a local government.

Learn more about Bell County