Contract Specialist (Project up to 36 months)

Oakland Housing Authority; Oakland (CA); On-site; USD 118,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Oakland Housing Authority is seeking a Contract Specialist to lead procurement for client departments and manage complex contracts through award and close-out. You will prepare solicitations, advise on contracting options, and coordinate with vendors and HUD regulations.

The role requires a bachelor's degree in business or public administration, plus four years of procurement experience and a California driver's license. Bilingual abilities are a plus.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in business or public administration with procurement emphasis.
• Four years of procurement experience involving contracts.
• California driver license with insurable record.

Responsibilities

• Spearheads procurement needs for assigned client departments and guides contracting approaches.
• Prepares solicitation packages ensuring HUD compliance.
• Monitors contractor performance and closes out contracts.
• Negotiates contracts and conducts cost analyses.
• Communicates effectively with staff, vendors, and government entities.

Skills

Procurement

Contract management

Negotiation

Budgeting

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in business/public administration

Job description

OAKLAND HOUSING AUTHORITY

CONTRACT SPECIALIST

(Project up to 36 months)

SALARY: $4,542.90 - $5,017.71 / Biweekly

$118,115.40 - $130,460.46 / Annually

CLOSING DATE AND TIME: Friday, October 2nd, 2026 at 8:59 pm PST

DEFINITION

Under the general direction of the Oakland Housing Authority (OHA) Director of Procurement, the Contract Specialist (CS) serves as the lead in managing procurement activities for assigned Client Departments. The CS performs complex, technical, and analytical work involving the development, administration, and oversight of contracts.

Contract Specialists will be responsible for understanding, managing, and developing solutions that address the technical, analytical, and administration elements of complex procurements, solicitations, contract negotiations, and awards related to the procurement of professional services, services in the trades, products, equipment, supplies, and in some case, complex construction, and modernization projects.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Spearheads and takes full responsibility for their assigned Client Departments procurement needs, by assisting them to organize, prioritize, implement, and realize needed, authorized, procurement activities; and
• Provides guidance and informs their assigned Client Departments regarding contracting approaches, methods, options, best practices, industry standards, the vendor pool, small and disadvantaged business, and choices at each step in the procurement process; and
• Serves as a consultant to senior and middle management staff in the interpretation of contracts and contracting policies, and procedures; and
• Prepares and issues solicitation packages for the purchase of goods and services, ensuring compliance with the Authority policies and procedures, and with established guidelines, rules, and regulations of the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD); and
• Prepares Board submittal packages and recommendations; and
• Makes Award Recommendations; and
• Monitors contractor performance and closes out files upon completion of contracts; and
• Assist and/or resolves contract related protests or disputes and claims; and
• Maintains accurate and current contract and relevant correspondence file system both in hardcopy and electronically and advises staff in advance of expiring contracts; and
• Prepares timely weekly reports and other correspondence related to contract and procurement activity, including expirations, disputes, resolutions, and any other concerns expressed by internal or external customers; and
• Maintains a high degree of confidentiality relative to work performed.
• Responsible for Contract Administration functions from Contract Award through Contract Close-out; and
• Coordinates and facilitates the activities of contract management including meetings with vendors on all contract administration related matters; and
• Ensures contracts are compliant with rules, regulations, policies, and procedures; and
• Leads and/or guides staff in the procurement process and best practices.
• Develops the Vendor Outreach Plan, compliance review of solicitation and checklist items; and
• Facilitates Pre-proposal meetings; and
• Develops Addendum Content; and
• Reviews proposals and facilitates process to assist with Evaluation Committee Discussion; and
• Reviews Conflict of Interest and Non-Disclosure Forms; and
• Negotiates Contracts; and
• Compliance Review on Procurement Packaging; and
• Conducts price analysis and assist with cost analysis preparation; and
• Attends CCGS weekly department meetings; and
• Interfaces with Client Department and Government Entities.

MARGINAL FUNCTIONS

• Execute special projects.
• Performs other related duties and responsibilities as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

A bachelor's degree in business or public administration or a related field, with a minor or emphasis in procurement;

Four years of highly responsible experience involving procurement, with an emphasis on the preparation, evaluation, and administration of contracts.

AND

Possession of a valid California driver's license and an insurable driving record.

Bilingual skills in ASL, Mandarin, Cantonese, Vietnamese and/or Spanish are a plus.

Equivalent combinations of education, training and experience will be considered.

KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITIES

KNOWLEDGE OF:

• Principles and practices of procurement of goods and services and construction-related contracting;
• Legislation governing the construction contracting process.
• Computer systems designed for tracking procurement activity.
• U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) rules and regulations as it pertains to the procurement.

ABILITY TO:

• Research costs of various commodities, analyze and provide a recommendation from data.
• Forecast potential future costs for commodities.
• Negotiate, evaluate, and implement large contracts, including construction contracts.
• Work under pressure with a high degree of responsibility and accountability.
• Effectively use computer-based data processing systems.
• Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.
• Establish and maintain effective professional working relationships with co-workers, management, partner agencies and the community.
• Lead or supervise staff.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION FOR APPLICANTS

Thank you for your interest in employment at the Oakland Housing Authority.

All applications and resumes will be carefully screened. Those applicants whose education and experience most closely match the requirements of the position will be invited to compete in the examination process. Candidates who compete successfully in this examination will have their names placed on a List of Qualifiers. An appointment will be made from the List. For some positions, an experience/training rating and/or written evaluation of candidates will be used in lieu of the oral examination. The names of the highest-ranking candidates will be placed on the List of Qualifiers, and the final selection will be made from this List. College degrees or units required for the position will be verified prior to final appointment. If this information cannot be verified for a candidate, the candidate's name will not be placed on the List of Qualifiers. All appointments are subject to the approval of the Executive Director.

All prospective employees must pass a physical examination and drug screening by an Authority-designated physician. A pre-employment criminal history background check will also be conducted for all positions. For positions requiring use of an Authority vehicle, candidates' driving records will be checked prior to appointment. To be eligible for appointment, each candidate must possess a valid California Class C driver's license and a driving record acceptable to the Authority's insurer. All prospective employees must also provide proof of American citizenship, or legal resident status and the legal right to work in the United States.

Prior to becoming permanent, new employees must successfully pass a probationary period.