Contract Specialist I-V: District Operations (Austin District)

Texas Department of Transportation; Austin (TX); On-site; USD 40,000 - 107,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Retirement Plans

Flexible work schedules

Paid leave and holidays

Health premiums paid for full-time

Job summary

Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) in Austin, TX seeks a Contract Specialist I–V to support contract development, evaluation, administration, and compliance with state and federal regulations. The role involves supplier coordination, data maintenance, and ensuring timely deliveries of required materials.

Responsibilities include drafting contracts and amendments, auditing invoices, monitoring insurance, and conducting compliance reviews.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration, Finance or related field; substitutions allowed on a year-for-year basis.
• 1+ to 5+ years of contract administration or related experience depending on level (I–V).
• Valid driver’s license; CT_CM/CTCD certifications may be preferred or required.

Responsibilities

• Assist in developing plans for implementing new contract evaluation requirements.
• Assist in developing, writing or revising contracts, amendments, procedures, forms and provisions.
• Monitor contractors' insurance certificates.
• Audit invoices for completeness, accuracy and compliance with contract terms and procurement rules.
• Coordinate start-work dates and ensure materials availability for contractors.
• Execute and oversee contracts; maintain detailed data and reports.
• Assist with policy and procedure changes at local, state, and federal levels.
• Review compliance of minority participation goals in consultant contracts.

Skills

Contract development & oversight

Contract record-keeping

Scheduling work assignments

Public relations

Effective communication

Problem-solving & decision making

Leadership & delegation

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration/Finance or related field

Tools

Contract management systems

Job description

• Close Visual Acuity-work includes data/figures; view a computer screen; extensive reading

This position performs contract duties to include developing, analyzing, evaluating, reviewing, processing, ensuring applicable compliance, inspecting, implementing and monitoring contracts. Work requires extensive contact with division and district personnel. Employees at this level perform work independently on assignments; however, all unusual issues are referred to the supervisor.

Essential Duties:

• Assists in developing plans for implementing new contract evaluation requirements
• Assists in developing, writing or revising contracts, amendments, procedures, forms, related documents and provisions
• Assists in monitoring contractors' insurance certificates
• Audits payment invoices for completeness, accuracy and compliance with terms of contract and governmental contracting rules, regulations and procedures
• Conducts audits, researches and identifies problems with proposals, contracts, contractors or lettings and proposes solutions
• Coordinates start-work date ensuring all necessary materials will be available for the contractor
• Executes agreements and contracts
• Maintains, updates and compiles detailed data, reports, summaries, files, records, logs, statistics or specific contracts including procurement documents and revisions; writes routine and unique correspondence
• Performs other job responsibilities as assigned. This position requires driving a state vehicle.

Additional essential duties for a Contract Specialist II, III, IV, and V include:

• Assists with presentations at local, state and federal levels
• Assists with recommending policy and procedure changes
• Confers with legal staff and management on various legal matters
• Develops, writes, revises, or prepares contracts, amendments, procedures, forms, related documents and provisions, financial/statistical graphs and reports
• Reviews compliance of minority participation goals in consultant contracts

Additional essential duties for a Contract Specialist III, IV, and V include:

• Analyzes, interprets legislation and coordinates the development of policies and procedures to ensure compliance with Department and governmental regulations
• Assists in researching and making recommendations concerning contract administration systems
• Assists with contract negotiations
• Assists with recommending policy and procedure changes and solutions
• Researches state and federal statutes and opinions, Department policies and previous contracts
• Reviews contracts, amendments, subcontracts, procurement documents, change orders, work orders, supplemental agreements, time extensions, acceptance testing and consultant qualifications

Additional essential duties for a Contract Specialist IV and V include:

• Acts as a consultant and provides technical assistance to plan, develop, implement, and monitor effective programs; researches and makes recommendations concerning contract administration systems
• Acts as a liaison with Regional Mobility Authorities, Metropolitan Planning Organizations, districts, divisions and other state Department of Transportation agencies concerning contract administration systems
• Analyzes, interprets legislation, statutes, federal regulations and coordinates the development of policies and procedures to ensure compliance with Department and governmental regulations
• Confers with legal staff and management on various legal matters; inspects and reviews contracts for compliance with certification requirements, laws, regulations, policies, and procedures
• Develops, writes, revises and prepares complex contracts, amendments, procedures, forms, related documents and provisions, financial/statistical graphs and reports

Additional essential duties for a Contract Specialist V include:

• Develops plans for implementing new contract evaluation requirements
• Develops, writes, revises and prepares highly complex contracts, amendments, procedures, forms, related documents and provisions, financial/statistical graphs and reports
• Monitors contract performance by examining billings, fiscal data, and eligibility determinations for compliance with terms of contract and policies; recommends cancellation of contracts when deviations occur
• Monitors contractors' insurance certificates

Minimum Qualifications:

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration, Finance or related field. Relevant work experience may be substituted for degree on a year per year basis. Substitutions for Minimum Qualifications

Experience

• Contract Specialist I: 1 YEAR in contract administration, administrative support, bookkeeping or accounting.
• Contract Specialist II: 2 YEARS contract administration, administrative support, bookkeeping or accounting
• Contract Specialist III: 3 YEARS contract administration, administrative support, bookkeeping or accounting
• Contract Specialist IV: 4 YEARS contract administration, administrative support, bookkeeping or accounting
• Contract Specialist V: 5 YEARS contract administration, administrative support, bookkeeping or accounting

For all levels; (Experience can be satisfied by full time or prorated part time equivalent). Related graduate level education may be substituted for experience on a year per year basis. Substitutions for Minimum Qualifications

Licenses and Certifications:

• Valid driver’s license. This position requires driving a state vehicle.
• Cert TX Contract Mgr (CTCM)
• Cert TX Contract Dev (CTCD)

Competencies:

Competencies for Contract Specialist I, II, III, IV, and V include:

• Applicable computer operating systems and relevant applications
• Contract development and oversight
• Contract record-keeping
• Scheduling work assignments
• Public relations for maintaining effective working relationships with individuals and groups, both internal and external
• Preparing correspondence/documents using correct spelling, grammar and punctuation; proofreading and reviewing documents for clarity and consistency
• Prioritizing and organizing work assignments
• Communicate effectively
• Exercises logic and reasoning to define problems, establish facts and draw valid conclusions; makes decisions that support business objectives and goals

Additional competencies for Contract Specialist II, III, IV, and V include:

• Contract writing and specifications
• Auditing and investigative methods, practices and procedures
• Contract administration/management systems
• Monitoring contracts and procedures
• Researching, analyzing, and interpreting policies and state and federal laws and regulations specific to functional area
• Writing, reviewing and revising documents to include engineering notes, specifications, standards and procedures
• Developing and giving presentations

Additional competencies for Contract Specialist III, IV, and V include:

• Applicable computer operating systems and relevant applications
• Auditing and investigative methods, practices and procedures
• Contract record-keeping
• Contract billing procedures
• Research and analysis methodologies.
• Researching, analyzing, and interpreting policies and state and federal laws and regulations specific to functional area
• Administrative support practices and procedures to include writing, editing and report writing techniques, recording meeting notes, record keeping and records management

Additional competencies for Contract Specialist IV and V include:

• Contract development and oversight
• Contract negotiation, development and management methods
• Contract writing and specifications
• Contract administration/management systems
• Developing, interpreting, and implementing policies, procedures, and technical information

Additional competencies for Contract Specialist V include:

• Leading, assigning, reviewing, and monitoring the work of others
• Analyzing business, technical, and managerial problems and developing, recommending, and implementing effective solutions
• Persuasion, negotiation, and communication of critical issues
• Analyzing, organizing, and communicating business and technical data
• Monitoring contracts and procedures

Physical Requirements and Working Conditions:

• Sedentary work: Lift up to 10 lbs at a time and occasionally carry files/small tools
• Light work: Lift up to 20 lbs at a time and frequently lift or carry objects up to 10 lbs
• Standing-prolonged periods of time
• Repetitive Motion-substantial movements of the wrists, hands, and fingers
• Close Visual Acuity-work includes data/figures; view a computer screen; extensive reading

Position Information

TxDOT's Austin District is looking for one Contract Specialist I, II, III, IV, or V based in Austin, TX at the Austin District Headquarters. This role is essential in ensuring contracts are administered effectively, vendors meet performance expectations, and operational initiatives are delivered in compliance with state and federal requirements.

This position is for ONE Contract Specialist I, II, III, IV, or V. The Texas Department of Transportation reserves the sole right in determining the level of the position based on the applicant’s work experience, education, skill level, and all other appropriate factors, and based on business needs.

Salary Plan/Grade:

• Contract Specialist I: B16 ($40,198 - $61,130/yearly)
• Contract Specialist II: B18 ($45,521 - $71,055/yearly)
• Contract Specialist III: B20 ($51,158 - $81,351/yearly)
• Contract Specialist IV: B22 ($57,614 - $93,138/yearly)
• Contract Specialist V: B24 ($65,104 - $106,634/yearly)

Benefits And Perks

• Retirement Plans
• Alternative and/or Flexible Work Schedules
• Paid Leave and Holidays
• Health Premiums paid at 100% for Full-Time Employees
• On-the-Job Training
• Tuition Assistance Program
• Holistic Wellness Program with Leave Incentives
• Career Development and Advancement Opportunities
• Family-Friendly Policies and Programs

In 2024, TxDOT was recognized as a Best Place for Working Parents, and many of our offices statewide are also designated as Texas Mother-Friendly Worksites. These recognitions reflect our dedication to supporting families and promoting a healthy work-life balance.

Job

• General Servs/Contracts/Purch

Schedule

Full-time

Employee Status

Regular

Job Level

Non-Management

Job Posting

Sep 18, 2026, 9:03:36 AM

State Job Title/s

• Contract Specialist I
• Contract Specialist II
• Contract Specialist III
• Contract Specialist IV
• Contract Specialist V

Military Occupational Specialty (MOS)

TxDOT is committed to hiring veterans. To assist in determining whether your military experience may pertain to the minimum requirements for this position, Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) codes from each branch of the U.S. Armed Forces have been assigned to each state classification code/title where applicable. The MOS codes are grouped by occupational category.

Applicant Information

The Texas Department of Transportation is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

If requested, reasonable accommodations will be made for persons with disabilities for any part of the employment process in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Action of 1990.