Contracts Specialist Advanced

Wisconsin Department of Corrections; Fond du Lac (WI); Hybrid; USD 59,000 - 97,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Vacation time

Excellent health insurance

Pension plan

457 retirement plan

Well Wisconsin program

Employee Assistance Program

Public Service Loan Forgiveness

Job summary

Wisconsin Department of Corrections seeks a contract specialist to negotiate and administer multi-service vendor contracts for programs and services for Persons in Our Care. You will manage the full lifecycle, from needs gathering to implementation, monitoring, and auditing.

The role requires cross-divisional coordination with DMS and DAI, market research, policy recommendations, and strong vendor relations. Hybrid in-office/remote schedule up to 3 days/week; some travel may be required.

Qualifications

• Administrating and managing large multi-service level vendor contracts
• Identifying/resolving contractual performance issues and contract compliance
• Negotiating contract terms
• Performing project management related duties

Responsibilities

• Negotiate and administer multi-service level vendor contracts.
• Monitor vendor performance and contract compliance.
• Prepare and present reports, audits and status updates.
• Serve as primary contact between vendors and DMS/DAI.

Skills

Vendor contract management

Contract performance issue resolution

Contract negotiation

Project management

Job description

Position Summary

This position works with Department of Corrections (DOC) staff and vendors to negotiate and administer the multi-million-dollar contracts for programs related to services and commodities provided to Persons In Our Care. The position will be involved in the entire process from determining needed service for Persons in our Care, gathering information and data from within and other state procurements, utilizing policies and procedural guidelines to incorporate the services, and then implementation, monitoring, contract management, negotiations, issue resolution, vendor performance monitoring, reporting and auditing. The position serves as the Division contract expert and works in conjunction with the Division of Management Services (DMS) contract manager to resolve significant contractual violations and contract renewals. and serves as a liaison between the vendor and DMS as well as vendor and DAI. The position will be involved in analysis of services, policy recommendations, staff training and coordination of Department policies and procedures related to such contracts and services. The position conducts market research and make recommendations on innovative and creative new approaches related to the Persons in our Care service, and associated commodities and equipment. This position holds key responsibility for cross-divisional (DAI and DMS) communication, training, program implementation and coordination of contracts related to Persons in our Care services such as but not limited to telephone, tablet, video visitation, messaging, canteen, hobby, property, third party mail, shoe, clothing, textiles, food, etc. As the primary contact, this position is responsible for dispute resolutions and responding to external stakeholders regarding such contracts and policy.

Salary Information: This position is in pay schedule and range 07-03 with a annual salary of $58739 to $96907. Pay will be set in accordance with the Compensation Plan and Wisconsin Administrative Code in effect at the time of hire. A 12 month probationary period is required.

In addition to meaningful and rewarding work, we offer a competitive benefits package featuring:

• Substantial leave time including at least 3.5 weeks of vacation to start, 9 paid holidays, and ample accrued sick time that rolls over each year.
• Insurance: Excellent and affordable health, dental, vision, and life insurance.
• An exceptional pension plan including a lifetime retirement payment.
• An optional tax-advantaged 457 retirement savings plan.
• The Well Wisconsin Program helps participants set health and well-being goals, track progress, stay motivated, and earn incentives.
• Our Employee Assistance Program offers employees and their immediate family a variety of tools, resources, and professional consultation services to support their health, goals, and overall well-being.
• DOC is a qualifying employer for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program.
• Please click here for a summary of State of Wisconsin employment benefits or click here to explore employment benefits on the website.
• To help you understand what your benefit package would be worth, please see the Total Rewards Calculator here.

Job Details: Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States (i.e. a citizen or national of the U.S., a lawful permanent resident, or an alien authorized to work in the U.S. without DOC sponsorship) at the time of application. The Department of Corrections may conduct pre-employment drug screens. Any applicant who is offered employment in a position which requires a pre-employment drug screen must pass the screen as a contingency of employment. The Department of Corrections will conduct criminal background checks on applicants prior to selection. Upon hire, all new DOC employees are subject to fingerprinting. This position may have the flexibility of a hybrid in-office and remote work schedule up to 3 days/week. Final schedule will be determined upon hire. Shift: 7:30 AM – 4:00 PM Monday – Friday.

Qualifications: Minimally qualified applicants will have experience: Administrating and managing large multi-service level vendor contracts, Identifying/resolving contractual performance issues and contract compliance, Negotiating contract terms, Performing project management related duties.

• Administrating and managing large multi-service level vendor contracts
• Identifying/resolving contractual performance issues and contract compliance.
• Negotiating contract terms
• Performing project management related duties

In addition to the above, well qualified applicants will have training and/or experience: Applying state and federal laws, government procurement rules, and administrative polices to programs, Procuring and operating large service level commodities in areas such as: communication equipment, computer tablets, commissary, food production and clothing, etc., Performing financial related duties (i.e. purchasing, accounting, financial data collection, creating financial reports, accounts reconciliation, etc.), Maintaining working relationships with internal and external DOC stakeholders (e.g. staff, management, contracted vendors, etc.).

• Applying state and federal laws, government procurement rules, and administrative polices to programs.
• Procuring and operating large service level commodities in areas such as: communication equipment, computer tablets, commissary, food production and clothing, etc.
• Performing financial related duties (i.e. purchasing, accounting, financial data collection, creating financial reports, accounts reconciliation, etc.)
• Maintaining working relationships with internal and external DOC stakeholders (e.g. staff, management, contracted vendors, etc.)

The State of Wisconsin is an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action employer seeking a diverse and talented workforce. We provide reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities.

The State of Wisconsin offers a special program for qualified veterans with 30 % or greater service-connected disability. If you are a qualified veteran, please visit the Veterans Employment page for application instructions to be considered for the Veterans Non-Competitive Appointment program. Current State employees are not eligible for non-competitive appointment.

Deadline to Apply

Online application and materials must be submitted by 11:59 pm on September 23, 2026.

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