Food & Nutrition Contract Specialist
TSABAA
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Job summary
The Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA) Food & Nutrition Division is seeking a Contract Specialist II–IV to manage enrollment, maintenance, and amendments for contracts, ensuring compliance with USDA regulations and state standards.
You will develop, negotiate, and monitor contracts, review contractor billings, and provide guidance to program areas. Strong analytical, communication, and independent judgement are essential for success.
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s Degree; one year of work experience may substitute for one year of college.
- Work experience in procurement and with contract functions.
- Ability to obtain CTCM and CTCD within six months of hire.
- Knowledge of state procurement requirements and contracting processes.
Responsibilities
- Develop, negotiate, and process contracts and amendments for TDA F&N programs.
- Monitor contract performance, including service delivery and fiscal monitoring.
- Review contractor billings and resolve billing rejections or issues.
- Provide consultation and training to program areas regarding contracting needs.
Skills
Education
Tools
Job description
$5,600 – $6,200.00/MO. – B18/B20/B22
Contract Specialist II/III/IV–1980/1982/1984
Exempt
26-58132–1
Austin, TX
TDA does not offer telework, and all employees are required to be physically present for work.
The Food & Nutrition Contract Specialist will work in a multifaceted environment and may perform complex to highly complex contract management, including advanced contract management. You will be responsible for contract enrollment, maintenance, and monitoring. You will develop and process contracts and amendments for the Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA) Food & Nutrition (F&N) Division; monitor contract performance and administer the billing process for assigned contracts. You will work under general/limited/minimal supervision with moderate/considerable latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment.
You will be responsible for ensuring that rules and policies are well communicated with contractors. You will develop, negotiate, and process contracts and amendments for the Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA) Food & Nutrition (F&N) Division; monitor contract performance, including service delivery, fiscal monitoring, corrective actions, and investigating complaints relating to contract performance; interpret and clarify USDA regulations, standards, policies, and procedures to improve program operation and performance; review contractor billings and resolve billing rejections and/or issues.
You will be responsible for ensuring that rules and policies are well communicated with contractors. You will develop, negotiate, and process contracts and amendments for the Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA) Food & Nutrition (F&N) Division; monitor contract performance, including service delivery, fiscal monitoring, corrective actions, and investigating complaints relating to contract performance; interpret and clarify USDA regulations, standards, policies, and procedures to improve program operation and performance; review contractor billings and resolve billing rejections and/or issues. This position handles relatively complex contract applications, identifies training needs, assists with developing training materials, and provides training to contract or department staff to enhance performance and correct noncompliance issues. This position will also be involved in the division’s process improvement efforts and will carry out special assignments as required.
Assist the division in developing and managing requisitions, solicitations, contracts, renewals, extensions, and amendments; directing timeline development; assisting in the development of evaluation tools for bid responses.
Perform procurement-related activities which may include but are not limited to the receipts and creation of requisitions, administering the billing process by reviewing and analyzing invoices to ensure billing; reviewing and reconciling data for invoicing and liquidation of purchase orders/requisitions; and managing the payment process.
Prepare and maintain contract documents in accordance with the division policy and procedures. Assist in developing contract administration best-practice policies and procedures. Start, develop, process, and manage contracts, renewals, and amendments for TDA F&N programs.
Provide technical assistance and interpretation on contract and procurement-related technical questions of regulatory compliance with applicable state and federal procurement standards and related guidelines, policies, procedures, rules, and regulations pertaining to TDA F&N and Organizations.
Provide consultation and technical assistance to program areas regarding contracting needs and processes. Recommend contract resolution efforts regarding non-compliance issues and contractor concerns. Recommend communication with contractors verbally and in writing regarding extensions, renewals, and remedies associated with non-compliance.
Follow all TDA policies and procedures.
Perform other duties as assigned.
Participate in work groups to recommend changes to contract-related documents. Monitor legal and regulatory requirements pertaining to contracting. Handle routine reporting activities and special projects/tasks, internal/external to the unit as assigned.
Negotiate contracts, renewals, and amendments for TDA F&N programs.
Provide consultation and technical assistance to program areas regarding contracting needs and processes. Facilitate first-level contract resolution efforts regarding non-compliance issues and contractor concerns. Communicate with contractors verbally and in writing regarding extensions, renewals, and remedies associated with non-compliance.
Assist the division as needed in reviewing Organization submissions of Capital Expenditure Requests and Emergency/Sole Source Procurement Requests. Prepare and/or review formal follow-up correspondence as necessary to further explain or clarify procurement review findings, rebut responses to findings, request additional documentation required of Organizations, and transmit final reports.
Provide consultation and technical assistance to program areas regarding contracting needs and processes. Lead first-level contract resolution efforts regarding non-compliance issues and contractor concerns. Communicate with contractors verbally and in writing regarding extensions, renewals, and remedies associated with non-compliance.
Assist with developing and executing statewide procurement and contracting education, training workshops, and use of effective and efficient tools and resources.
Conduct training related to contract management processes and procedures and support the Business Management section with procurement and contract related reviews, to include Food Service Management Company (FSMC) Request for Proposals (RFPs) and Invitation for Bids (IFBs) as needed to assist with division workflow.
Bachelor’s Degree (one year of work experience related to the essential duties may substitute for one year of college).
Work experience in procurement and with contract functions.
Ability to obtain Certified Texas Contract Manager (CTCM) and Certified Texas Contract Developer (CTCD, formerly Certified Texas Procurement Manager – CTPM) within six (6) months of hire. Certifications must be kept current/valid throughout employment with the agency.
Bachelor’s Degree (one year of work experience related to the essential duties may substitute for one year of college).
Two (2) years’ work experience in procurement and with contract functions.
Ability to obtain Certified Texas Contract Manager (CTCM) and Certified Texas Contract Developer (CTCD, formerly Certified Texas Procurement Manager – CTPM) within six (6) months of hire. Certifications must be kept current/valid throughout employment with the agency.
Bachelor’s Degree (one year of work experience related to the essential duties may substitute for one year of college).
Four (4) years’ work experience in procurement and with contract functions.
Must obtain Certified Texas Contract Manager (CTCM) and Certified Texas Contract Developer (CTCD, formerly Certified Texas Procurement Manager – CTPM) within six (6) months of hire. Certifications must be kept current/valid throughout employment with the agency.
Bachelor’s Degree with major coursework in Business Administration or a related field.
Work experience with the Texas Centralized Accounting and Payroll/Personnel System (CAPPS).
Knowledge of state procurement and contract management requirements, regulations, and best practices; negotiating contracts; developing contracts; business administration and accounting principles and practices; and policies and procedures of contract management.
Skill in providing excellent customer service to internal and external customers; and the use of a computer and applicable software, including Microsoft Word and Excel.
Ability to evaluate contracts and recommend future status; to interpret policies, procedures, and regulations; to evaluate fiscal data for reasonableness, necessity, and conformity with contract requirements; to write and edit contract requirements and specifications; to negotiate features of a contract; and to communicate effectively
Ability to oversee and/or supervise the work of others.
Physical Requirements & Working Conditions: This position will work in a normal office work environment and may have exposure to dust and environmental allergens consistent with normal business activities and human contact. Mostly sedentary in nature but may involve walking; standing; pulling and pushing; kneeling, stooping, and bending; performing tasks requiring fine motor skills and coordination; and safely lifting and carrying items weighing up to 30 pounds. Must be able to work extended periods at a computer and may require working extended hours and some evenings and weekends, as needed. May involve travel (up to 15% of the work period), occasionally overnight.
- Retirement Plan
- Paid Group Health & Life Insurance for employees
- Paid Holidays
- Longevity Pay
- Vision
- Dependent Optional Life Insurance
- Voluntary AD&D Insurance
- Health & Dependent care flexible spending accounts
Only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted. A skills exercise may be conducted at the time of the interview.
Due to the high volume of applications, we do not accept telephone calls. If you submitted your application through the CAPPS Careers Section, you may check the status of your application by accessing your profile and selecting “My Job Applications”. Note: applicants who apply through Work In Texas, to be considered for the position, you must complete additional supplemental questions, optionally provide EEO information including how you heard about the job, and provide an electronic signature in CAPPS Careers.
If you are scheduled for an interview and require any reasonable accommodation in our interview process, please inform the hiring representative who calls you to schedule your interview or an HR representative at 512-463-7423. Whenever possible, please give the hiring or HR representative sufficient time to consider and respond to your request.
TDA complies with the provisions of the veterans and former foster child employment preference acts. Please contact our Human Resources-Veterans Liaison at (512) 463-7423 for assistance.
TDA is an equal employment opportunity (EEO) employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, age, genetic information, military status, or protected activity.
TDA participates in E-Verify and will provide the Social Security Administration and, if necessary, the Department of Homeland Security, with information from each new employee’s Form I-9 to confirm work authorization.
We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment Visa.
A criminal conviction records check is required for applicants who are selected for a position.
*A valid government-issued driver’s license, which is recognized by the Texas Department of Public Safety and in good standing, and an acceptable driving record are required. TDA will verify this information with the Texas Department of Public Safety. Applicants with a driver’s license not issued by the State of Texas should obtain and be prepared to provide a copy of their current driving record on or before their first day.
Upload an evaluation of your coursework if you have obtained a degree(s) from a school outside of the United States; otherwise, we cannot give you credit for your degree. Some organizations that provide evaluation services are:
Foreign Credential Services of America
1910 Justin Lane, Austin, TX 78757-2411
Phone: 512-459-8428
SpanTran: The Evaluation Company
2400 Augusta Drive, Suite 451 Houston, TX 77057
Phone: 713-266-8805
Global Credential Evaluators, Inc.
PO Box 9203 College Station, TX 77842
Phone: 512-528-0908
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