Contract Specialist I

The City of Alexandria is located in northern Virginia and is bordered by the District of Columbia (Potomac River), Arlington and Fairfax counties. With a population of approximately 150,000 and a land area of 15.75 square miles, Alexandria is the seventh largest city in the Commonwealth of Virginia. Alexandria has a vibrant waterfront and is a unique and historic place to live and work. About one-quarter of the City's square miles have been designated as a national or local historic district. We proudly embrace our rich history and seize the endless opportunities that lie ahead. Overview The City of Alexandria’s Finance Department is looking for a sharp, collaborative and responsible Contract Specialist to join our team. As a member of the Purchasing Division, the Contract Specialist performs professional public procurement activities in a highly responsible environment, such as creating and maintaining solicitation, bid, and contract records as part of managing procurements through the City’s request for proposal (RFP) and invitation to bid (ITB) processes, as well as administering purchase requisitions, change orders, and sole source justifications. A significant aspect of this work involves use of the City’s enterprise resource planning (ERP) system, Munis. What You Should Bring Knowledge of public purchasing principles, methods, and procedures, including buying, inspection, storage, and shipping methods, and accounting practices as applied to procurement procedures. Knowledge of the laws, ordinances and other requirements governing the purchase of commodities and services, or the ability to readily acquire such knowledge. Knowledge of the various grades and qualities of a variety of materials, supplies, equipment, and services. Knowledge of different procurement methods (e.g. public/private partnerships, design-build processes, etc.) and the work of professional architecture and engineering firms. Skill with complex financial software systems (e.g. Munis, Oracle/PeopleSoft, etc.) as an end user. Ability to multi-task and work independently. Ability to make impartial, objective, and well-supported decisions. Ability to communicate clearly and effectively, both orally and in writing. The Opportunity – Examples of Work Design and format formal solicitations (e.g. RFPs, ITBs, RFQs, etc.) and develop purchasing strategies to maximize responses. Create and maintain bid records in the City’s bids database, part of the City’s ERP, Munis. Tabulate and analyze bids and proposals, determine lowest responsible bidder, refer to clients for review and award of contract. Create and maintain contract records in the City’s contract database, part of the City’s ERP, Munis. Collaborate with Budget Office staff on procurement matters related to the administration of the City’s capital improvement program (CIP). Collaborate with Accounting staff on procurement matters related to invoices, receiving reports, and fixed asset creation. Provide department fiscal and subject matter staff with advice and guidance on acquisition planning and associated procurement issues. Troubleshoot issues with purchase order and purchase order change order records in the City’s ERP, Munis. Manage the City’s surplus inventory, auctioning, and record-keeping. Perform other duties, as assigned. About The Department The City of Alexandria's Finance Department is a fast‑paced, diverse, and customer service focused operation that is responsible for the assessment, collection, and enforcement of all City taxes; the management of cash flow and investments; accounting for and reporting the City’s financial position; processing payroll; executing a fair and competitive procurement environment; assessing all real and personal property in the City; managing the City’s risk and safety programs; and managing the City’s pension plans. The Finance Department has seven divisions and in fiscal year 2026 is operating with a total budget of $16.1 million and 109 FTE positions. The goal of the Finance Department is to treat all employees, citizens, and business owners professionally, with fairness and compassion. Minimum & Additional Requirements A Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field. Preferred Qualifications Virginia Contracting Associate (VCA) or other similar certification. Experience utilizing a complex ERP system (e.g. Munis, Oracle/PeopleSoft, etc.) as a highly skilled end user. Experience drafting requests for proposal (RFPs), invitations to bid (ITBs), or other formal solicitation documents. Experience interacting with external vendors in a professional capacity. Experience using auctioning sites such as GovDeals. Notes This position requires the successful completion of pre‑employment background checks including but not limited to a criminal background check. The selection process for this position may include a phone or virtual interview and an in‑person interview. The starting salary range for this position is $54,726.10 to $73,306.48 based on qualifications and experience. The incumbent can eventually be awarded up to $96,304.52 (top of the grade), with tenure and job performance. The City of Alexandria is an Equal Opportunity Employer and values diversity in its workforce. All qualified candidates will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, marital status, personal appearance, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, family responsibilities, matriculation, political affiliation, genetic information, military status, or disability. #J-18808-Ljbffr