Contracts Administrator

Ames Construction; United States; On-site; USD 80,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Discretionary bonus

ESOP participation

401k match

Health benefits

PTO

Job summary

Ames Construction, a long‑standing heavy civil contractor, is seeking a Contracts Administrator to manage project agreements, purchase orders, amendments, and related documents from award through closeout. The role ensures flow-down provisions and tracks compliance across multiple teams.

Ideal candidates have 3–7 years in subcontract or contract administration in heavy civil construction, with strong Excel and document-control skills and a collaborative mindset for cross‑functional work with

Qualifications

• 3-7 years of experience in subcontract administration, contract administration, procurement, project controls, or construction management, in heavy civil construction.
• Bachelor’s degree in Construction Management, Business Administration, Engineering, or equivalent relevant work experience.
• Working knowledge of construction contracts, project agreements, purchase orders, change orders, and owner flow-down requirements.
• Experience supporting heavy civil projects such as transportation, water/wastewater, dams, reservoirs, earthwork, underground utilities, structures, or public agency work preferred.
• Familiarity with subcontract scope review, change order management, back charges, claims support, cost control, and commitment tracking.
• Knowledge of lien releases, insurance requirements, bonding, subcontractor prequalification, prevailing wage, certified payroll, and construction compliance practices.
• Ability to identify and communicate contract risks related to scope gaps, indemnity, insurance, liquidated damages, safety, quality, and project-specific requirements.
• Strong organizational, document management, analytical, negotiation, and communication skills.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, especially Excel; experience with contract management, document control, or project accounting systems preferred.
• Ability to work collaboratively with Project Managers and Engineers, Estimators, Project Controls, Legal, Risk Management, Accounting, Procurement, and subcontractors.

Responsibilities

• Prepare, review, issue, and administer project agreements, purchase orders, amendments, and related contract documents from award through closeout.
• Ensure subcontract terms include required owner, agency, federal, state, project-specific, and company flow-down provisions.
• Identify and communicate subcontract risks related to scope gaps, indemnity, insurance, bonding, and compliance requirements.
• Maintain complete subcontract files, commitment records, insurance logs, change order logs, lien releases, compliance documentation, and closeout records.
• Track subcontractor deliverables, licenses, certifications, insurance, bonding, prevailing wage, certified payroll, DBE/SBE commitments, and other project compliance requirements.
• Process subcontract change orders, amendments, back charges, notices, and supporting documentation in coordination with project teams.
• Support subcontractor disputes, audits, and closeout negotiations by organizing records and preparing contract documentation.
• Coordinate with Project Managers and Engineers, Estimators, Project Controls, Legal, Risk Management, Accounting, Procurement, Safety, Quality, and subcontractors.
• Support document retention, project audits, and final closeout, including, lien releases, final payments, and other required closeout documents.

Skills

Organizational skills

Analytical thinking

Negotiation

Communication

Document management

Education

Bachelor's degree in Construction Management/Business Administration/Engineering

Tools

Microsoft Excel

Contract management software

Document control systems

Job description

Ames Construction has been building America for more than 60 years, and our people are the reason we continue to succeed. We are a full-service, heavy civil and industrial contractor building critical infrastructure, including highways, bridges, mines, dams, rail, and more. Our teams take on challenging projects that keep communities safe, supply chains moving, and the country connected. At Ames, we are Fueled by Family. That means we look out for one another, take pride in our work, and build strong relationships rooted in trust and respect. Guided by our core values of People, Team, Our Bond, Persistence, and Vision, we do what we say we will do, push through challenges, and deliver work we’re proud of. When you join Ames, you’re joining a company built for long-term success, where skilled people, strong teams, and disciplined execution come together to build careers and a better future.

Position Summary

The Contracts Administrator supports Ames’ heavy civil projects by managing project agreements, including subcontract, material, trucking, consulting, purchase order, change order, compliance, and closeout documentation. This role coordinates with project teams and key support groups to document requirements, identify potential risks early, and align obligations with project, owner, agency, and company requirements.

Essential Functions

• Prepare, review, issue, and administer project agreements, purchase orders, amendments, and related contract documents from award through closeout.
• Ensure subcontract terms include required owner, agency, federal, state, project-specific, and company flow-down provisions.
• Identify and communicate subcontract risks related to scope gaps, indemnity, insurance, bonding, and compliance requirements.
• Maintain complete subcontract files, commitment records, insurance logs, change order logs, lien releases, compliance documentation, and closeout records.
• Track subcontractor deliverables, licenses, certifications, insurance, bonding, prevailing wage, certified payroll, DBE/SBE commitments, and other project compliance requirements.
• Process subcontract change orders, amendments, back charges, notices, and supporting documentation in coordination with project teams.
• Support subcontractor disputes, audits, and closeout negotiations by organizing records and preparing contract documentation.
• Coordinate with Project Managers and Engineers, Estimators, Project Controls, Legal, Risk Management, Accounting, Procurement, Safety, Quality, and subcontractors.
• Support document retention, project audits, and final closeout, including, lien releases, final payments, and other required closeout documents.

Qualifications

• 3-7 years of experience in subcontract administration, contract administration, procurement, project controls, or construction management, in heavy civil construction.
• Bachelor’s degree in Construction Management, Business Administration, Engineering, or equivalent relevant work experience.
• Working knowledge of construction contracts, project agreements, purchase orders, change orders, and owner flow-down requirements.
• Experience supporting heavy civil projects such as transportation, water/wastewater, dams, reservoirs, earthwork, underground utilities, structures, or public agency work preferred.
• Familiarity with subcontract scope review, change order management, back charges, claims support, cost control, and commitment tracking.
• Knowledge of lien releases, insurance requirements, bonding, subcontractor prequalification, prevailing wage, certified payroll, and construction compliance practices.
• Ability to identify and communicate contract risks related to scope gaps, indemnity, insurance, liquidated damages, safety, quality, and project-specific requirements.
• Strong organizational, document management, analytical, negotiation, and communication skills.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, especially Excel; experience with contract management, document control, or project accounting systems preferred.
• Ability to work collaboratively with Project Managers and Engineers, Estimators, Project Controls, Legal, Risk Management, Accounting, Procurement, and subcontractors.

Key Competencies

• Attention to detail
• Project agreement administration
• Contract interpretation
• Risk and compliance awareness
• Document control and organization
• Change management support
• Analytical thinking and problem solving
• Communication and cross-functional coordination

Working Conditions

• Location - This position will work out of our Corona, CA Office.
• Travel - This role may be expected to travel to regional offices.
• Office environment - extensive sitting at desk and computer; some standing, bending at the waist, stooping and reaching required; ability to lift 5-20 pounds occasionally.

Total Rewards

People are the most important asset at Ames Construction. Base salary range is $80,000 - $110,000 a year, which varies depending on many factors, including experience, skills, and knowledge. This role is eligible for a discretionary bonus. Ames offers generous retirement benefits, including Employee Stock Option Plan (ESOP) participation and a 401k match. Ames' non-craft health benefits package is designed so that our team members flourish, with medical, dental, and vision (all at one low premium), voluntary benefits, company holidays, and paid time off. Please see the Benefits section of our Careers page for more information.

Ames Construction is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.

Ames Construction has been building America for more than 60 years, and the people who work here are the reason we continue to succeed. We are a full-service, heavy civil and industrial contractor building critical infrastructure, including highways, bridges, mines, dams, rail, and more. Our teams take on challenging projects that keep communities safe, supply chains moving, and the country connected. At Ames, we are Fueled by Family and Driven by Ownership. That means we look out for one another, take pride in what we build, and take responsibility for our actions, our results, and the long-term health of the company. Guided by our core values of People, Team, Our Bond, Persistence, and Vision, we do what we say we will do, push through challenges and deliver work we’re proud of. When you join Ames, you’re joining a company built for long-term success — where skilled people, strong teams, disciplined execution come together to build careers and a better future.

Ames Construction is an equal-opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.