Contract Specialist II

FALL CREEK FARM & NURSERY; Rusk (TX); On-site; USD 42,000 - 66,000; Full time

Job summary

Health & Human Services Commission (HHSC) seeks a Contract Specialist II to oversee complex procurement and contract management at Terrell State Hospital. The role involves working with CAPPS Financials and SCOR, ensuring policy compliance and timely contract delivery.

The position requires strong analytical and communication skills, attention to detail, and the ability to train others in contract lifecycle processes.

Qualifications

• Experience in procurement or contracting and related accounting practices.
• Knowledge of state and federal procurement rules and policies.
• Ability to develop clear contract specifications and monitor performance.

Responsibilities

• Writes Statements of Work and specifications for new contracts.
• Ensures compliance with contract terms, policies, and regulations.
• Monitors contractor performance and records outcomes in SCOR.
• Maintains contract records and manages documentation throughout the lifecycle.

Skills

Contracting knowledge

Negotiation

Policy compliance

Analytical thinking

Education

Bachelor's degree in business or related field

Tools

CAPPS Financials

SCOR

Job description

Posting ID21239-Posted09/10/2026-Health & Human Services Comm-Hospital Financial-Business and Financial Operations-Terrell State Hospital-Not Eligible for Telework-b. $3000 - $4999 per month

Join the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) and be part of a team committed to creating a positive impact in the lives of fellow Texans. At HHSC, your contributions matter, and we support you at each stage of your life and work journey. Our comprehensive benefits package includes 100% paid employee health insurance for full-time eligible employees, a defined benefit pension plan, generous time off benefits, numerous opportunities for career advancement and more. Explore more details on the Benefits of Working at HHS webpage .

Functional Title:Contract Specialist II
Job Title:Contract Specialist II
Agency:Health & Human Services Comm
Department:Hospital Financial
Posting Number:21239
Closing Date:09/24/2026
Posting Audience:Internal and External
Occupational Category:Business and Financial Operations
Salary Range:$3,793.41-$5,921.25
Pay Frequency:Monthly
Salary Group:TEXAS-B-18
Shift:Day
Additional Shift:None
Telework:Not Eligible for Telework
Travel:Up to 5%
Regular/Temporary:Regular
Full Time/Part Time:Full time
FLSA Exempt/Non-Exempt:Nonexempt
Facility Location:Terrell State Hospital
Job Location City:RUSK
Job Location Address:805 N DICKINSON DR
Other Locations:None
MOS Codes: 3006,3044,8640,310X,36A,36B,51C,60C0,62S0,63G0,63S0,64PX,651X,6C0X1,751X,FIN10,F&S,LS,LSS,SEI16,SK

Brief Job Description:

Can be housed at Rusk SH or Terrell SH

Under the general supervision of the HSCS Regional Contract Manager, performs complex journey level consultative contract services and technical assistance to administrative support departments and programs of the facility to accomplish the HSCS Facilities missions, including providing critical services to individuals and agency operations. Consults with State Office Business Management Contract Team. Collaborates with legal division as required and with procurement staff during the procurement/contracting process. Provides oversight to facility contract managers and subject matter experts (SMEs). Work includes gathering, analyzing & disseminating information for contract management requirements. Directly involved with CAPPS Financials and System of Contract Operation and Reporting (SCOR). Serves as Contract Administrator to provide guidance, assistance and support to all facility Contract Managers/SMEs, program staff involved in the contract process, governmental agencies, community organizations and/or to the general public. Work involves planning, developing, and implementing agency contract management requirements based on state law, procurement processes/procedures, and internal division policies and procedures. Provides quality control and oversight for contract activities, payment activities and contract close out. Trains others involved in the Contract Lifecycle process. Must comply with statutes, rules, and policies related to HHS programs and contracts. Works independently for the use of initiative and independent judgment.

Essential Job Functions (EJFs):

Attends work on a regular and predictable schedule in accordance with agency leave policy and performs other duties as assigned.

• Writing well-defined Statements of Work with input from stakeholders when involved in procuring new contracts; prepares specificaitons for requests for bids; ensuring requisitions are entered into CAPPS Financials to start the procurement process; receiving applicable approvals via routing processes; serves on evaluation teams;
• Ensuring all applicable state and federal rules and regulations, HHS and agency policy, and the terms and conditions of the contract are adhered to;
• Be well versed in contract terms, including its purpose, scope, requirements, deliverables, and milestones to ensure the contractor is held accountable for timely performance;
• Establishes specific, time-bound, performance measures and requirements to ensure contractor accountability when involved in procuring new contracts;
• Informed and involved throughout all stages of the contract lifecycle to ensure successful contract outcomes;
• Verify completion and validate data entry into SCOR Contract Detail sub-module from CAPPS (term dates, not to exceed amount, Vendor name, address and TIN), completes Baseline Risk Assessment in SCOR and uploads contract documents into the SCOR Contract History or Documents sub-module within 60 calendar days from contract effective date; Maintain official contract record including accurate and timely SCOR data entry and document uploads;
• Enters additional fields in SCOR: Division, Department, Section, Contract Manager, Lead Contact; adds Facility Code in "Other Subject Field" in front of description;
• Maintains thorough and up-to-date documentation as required in SCOR; uploads Executed Contract, Amendments, Risk Assessments, Contractor Performance Evaluations, Monitoring when applicable, and Contract Close-Out including Vendor Performance Tracking; Administers contract changes;
• Monitors contractor performance per assigned contracts or requests contractor performance documentation from CM/SMEs; enters results into SCOR; assists in the dispute resolution process; provides reports as needed.
• Reviews and/or records deliverable status into SCOR Deliverables sub-module when applicable;
• Elevates issues to management, State Office Business Management Contract Team, Legal and PCS-Contract Oversight whenever there is a deficiency with the contractor's performance, in a timely manner. (75%)

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs):

Knowledge of contracting and procurement regulations, of negotiating contracts, of developing contracts, of business administration and accounting principles and practices, and of policies and procedures of contract management. Must be able to manage and draft contracts per policy.

Requires a Certified Texas Contract Manager (CTCM) certification and meets the CEUs required to maintain certification.

Knowledge of local, state, and federal laws related to Procurement and Contract Management, to write and edit contract requirements and specifications; to communicate effectively; and to negotiate features of a contract. Knowledge of administration and management techniques; of statistical analysis processes; of budget processes; of training techniques; and of program management processes and techniques.

Skill in identifying measures or indicators of program performance and in operating computers and applicable software.

Ability to gather, assemble, correlate, and analyze facts; to devise solutions to problems; to prepare reports; to develop, evaluate, and interpret policies and procedures; to communicate effectively; and to train others.

Registrations, Licensure Requirements or Certifications:

Requires Certified Texas Contract Manager (CTCM) Certification within 12 months of employment.

Initial Screening Criteria:

Experience in procurement, contracting, or accounting. Experience with local government or state business operations is preferred.

Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with major course work in business management or field relevant to assignment preferred. Experience in procurement or contracting and education may be substituted for one another on a year for year basis.

Additional Information:

Applicants must pass a fingerprint criminal background check, pre-employment drug screen, and registry checks including the Client Abuse/Neglect Reporting System (CANRS), Nurse Aid, Medication Aide and Employee Misconduct, List of Excluded Individuals/Entities (LEIE). Males between the ages of 18-25 must be registered with the Selective Service.

All applicants must be at least 18 years of age to be considered for employment at a state-operated facility. Waco and Terrell Center for Youth applicants must be 21 years of age.

Flexibility in work hours may be required for this position. The position may be required to work overtime and/or extended hours.

Compliance with HHSC immunization policy and state hospital operating procedures related to immunizations is required. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, healthcare workers are considered to be at significant risk for acquiring or transmitting hepatitis B, measles, mumps, rubella, varicella (chicken pox), tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis (whooping cough), and influenza. All these diseases are vaccine preventable. As a result, state hospital policy requires employees be vaccinated according to their level of contact with individuals. In the event you choose to not be immunized for the influenza virus, you may be required to wear a mask and take other protective measures.

Active Duty, Military, Reservists, Guardsmen, and Veterans

Military occupation(s) that relate to the initial selection criteria and registration or licensure requirements for this position may include, but not limited to those listed in this posting. All active-duty military, reservists, guardsmen, and veterans are encouraged to apply if qualified to fill this position. For more information please see the Texas State Auditor’s Job Descriptions, Military Crosswalk and Military Crosswalk Guide at Texas State Auditor's Office - Job Descriptions .

ADA Accommodations:

In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), HHSC and DSHS agencies will provide reasonable accommodation during the hiring and selection process for qualified individuals with a disability. If you need assistance completing the on-line application, contact the HHS Employee Service Center at 1-888-894-4747. If you are contacted for an interview and need accommodation to participate in the interview process, please notify the person scheduling the interview.

Pre-Employment Checks and Work Eligibility:

Depending on the program area and position requirements, applicants selected for hire may be required to pass background and other due diligence checks.

HHSC uses E-Verify. You must bring your I-9 documentation with you on your first day of work. Download the I-9 Form

Telework Disclaimer:

This position may be eligible for telework. Please note, all HHS positions are subject to state and agency telework policies in addition to the discretion of the direct supervisor and business needs.