Supervisory Contract Specialist

DC Department of Human Resources; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 120,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Child and Family Services Agency (CFSA) seeks a Supervisory Contract Specialist (Contracts Manager) to oversee the contracts unit, ensuring compliant procurement processes and efficient operations. You will supervise contract specialists, coordinate with the ACCO, and drive improvements in contracting workflows.

Experience in procurement law, negotiation, and staff leadership is essential to manage complex procurements and ensure timely delivery of services and products for the District.

Qualifications

• Mastery knowledge of contracts and procurement methods.
• Advanced knowledge of procurement regulations and contracting requirements.
• Leadership and ability to supervise staff and coordinate with internal/external stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Oversee day-to-day operations of the CFSA contracts unit and ensure compliance with laws, regulations, and policies.
• Develop and modify unit work plans, assign tasks, and manage direct reports to meet objectives.
• Oversee procurement activities including supplier selection, price evaluation, and contract closeout.
• Direct negotiations, resolve deadlocks, and implement innovative solutions for contracting challenges.
• Monitor financial funding processes and the PASS/Contracts Database systems.

Job description

General Job Information

The Child and Family Services Agency (CFSA) is a cabinet-level agency within the District of Columbia government, committed to the safety, permanence, and well-being of children and families residing in the District of Columbia. Charged with protecting child victims and those at risk of abuse and neglect, CFSA fosters collaborations within its administrations to deliver exceptional family-focused services to the community and its residents.

General Job Information

The Child and Family Services Agency (CFSA) is a cabinet-level agency within the District of Columbia government, committed to the safety, permanence, and well-being of children and families residing in the District of Columbia. Charged with protecting child victims and those at risk of abuse and neglect, CFSA fosters collaborations within its administrations to deliver exceptional family-focused services to the community and its residents.

Job Summary

This position is located in the Contracts and Procurement Administration (CPA), Office of the Deputy Director for Administration (ODDA) of the Child and Family Services Agency (CFSA). The Supervisory Contract Specialist, internally known as Contracting Manager, overrides the daily operations of the Unit and supervises a team of Contract Specialists to ensure that the integrated contracts and procurement system is in order and the general and/or specialized contract programs are technically and administratively sound and in compliance with the existing laws, regulations, and policies. The incumbent works with the Agency Chief Contracting Officer (ACCO) to improve and/or update working procurement processes and flows to be consistent with the changing environment, trends, and best practices.

Duties And Responsibilities

The Supervisory Contract Specialist duties and responsibilities include:

• Provides leadership to the Unit to help design and implement compliance monitoring programs and plans to adequately meet District guidelines or requirements; identifies deficiencies and designs and implements remediation management activities as a result of audit findings.
• Oversees the development and implementation of the Unit’s operations and work plan consistent with its objectives and timelines, including developing and modifying strategies and work assignments of direct reports to meet changing requirements and/or priorities of the clients and the organization; and developing projects and priorities for the Unit based on the guidelines set by the ODDA.
• Works closely with the ACCO and the immediate reports in overseeing the day-to-day operation of the contracts function for the CFSA, to include the flow and direction of all transactions stemming from the procurement of supplies, services, and products using formal advertising or negotiation procedures; the evaluation of price proposals; and the administration and closeout of contracts; as well as other procurement activities that may have financial impact on the Agency.
• Assigns work to Unit members and provides detailed and specific instructions on work assignments. These assignments may include: "Cradle to Grave" procurement including but not limited to reviewing, evaluating, determining eligibility and suitability of services/commodities for procurement of complex and various services submitted by Contract Specialists in accordance with the established standards, policies, and procedures, preparation of draft solicitation documents such as Requests for Proposals (RFP), Competitive Sealed Bids (CSB), Sole Source (SS), and Negotiated Acquisitions that include, but are not limited to, summarizing the work to be performed, evaluation criteria, amendments, addendums, and modifications while participating in the negotiation of terms and conditions for Contracts.
• Directs the issuance of necessary contract modifications, negotiation of changes, and exercise or options. Resolves deadlocked negotiations. Develops innovative solutions for unique contracting challenges.
• Directs investigations of contractor claims including advising on critical contracts/agreements. Identifies and takes steps to eliminate bottlenecks impeding procurement actions from proceeding.
• Develops subcontracting and pricing arrangement and other similar considerations. Prepares and maintains current acquisition plans, appropriate milestone charts, and related schedules.
• Monitors and ensures the timely obligation of the financial funding process associated with all procurements/contracts. Oversees the overall operations of the Procurement Automated Support System (PASS) and the Contracts Database System.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Qualifications And Education

Relevant Master’s degree is highly preferred.

Six Years Of Directly Related Experience Is Highly Preferred

• Mastery knowledge of the various types of contracts and methods of procurement; advanced knowledge of selection factors to meet complex procurement requirements and negotiation techniques in order to supervise and provide guidance to immediate reports, advise internal clients, and effectively manage the operations of the Unit.
• Advanced knowledge of related procurement legislations, regulations, and contracting requirements which encompasses purchasing, procurement, and contracting, business and industry practices, sources of supply, cost factors, and requirements characteristics.
• Comprehensive knowledge of and ability to apply management principles, concepts, and techniques to effectively oversee, analyze, and evaluate the Unit’s operations and supervise a team of Contract Specialists.
• Excellent oral and writing skills sufficient to give instructions clearly and concisely; writes brief and concise reports; drafts solicitations and contracts; and present reports and recommendations.
• Ability to articulate concerns and/or position on extremely sensitive issues; ability to implement changes to provide for more effective, efficient, and economical operations.
• Ability to think critically; problem solve; and render excellent customer services.
• Demonstrated ability to manage and direct day-to-day operations and manage technical staff.
• Demonstrated ability to develop and manage staff; ability to effectively collaborate with internal and external stakeholders and provide excellent customer services.

Licensures and Certifications

Certification