Contract Specialist - County Auditor

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

Job summary

Bell County is seeking a Contract Specialist to develop, negotiate, and monitor contracts, purchase orders, and related reporting. You will work under the Purchasing Administrator, coordinating with Legal, procurement staff, vendors, and end users to ensure compliant, timely contracting.

The role emphasizes evaluating terms, ensuring regulatory compliance, and supporting contract execution. A valid driver’s license and a Professional Public Buyer or Contract Manager Certification (or willingness

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree and 3 years of full-time, progressively responsible experience in contract management, development, administration, negotiations, or related work.
• Associate’s degree or equivalent plus three years of related experience substituted year-for-year for the bachelor’s degree, and three years of related experience.
• Professional Public Buyer or Contract Manager Certification, or willingness to obtain certification.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate with purchasing, end user departments, Legal, and management to resolve contracting issues.
• Monitor procurement and contracting process to ensure fair and objective contractor selection.
• Evaluate and negotiate contract terms to identify risks and align with regulations.
• Finalize contracts and purchase orders with Legal and vendors.
• Serve as primary contact for employees on contracts and support solicitation and award.

Skills

Contract management

Negotiation

Vendor management

Procurement process

Legal coordination

Education

Bachelor's degree

Associate’s degree

Public Buyer/Contract Manager Certification

Job description

Come work at a place where we strive to promote and create a safe community. We take pride in living and working in Central Texas and are looking for exceptional talent to join our team.

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

The functions listed below are those that represent most of the time spent working in this position. Management may assign additional functions related to the type of work of the position as necessary.

Contracting Process

• 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

Bell County is an Equal Opportunity Employer, please see our EEO policy located at the Historic Courthouse, 3rd Floor, in downtown Belton.