Contract Specialist Lead

Contract Administrator IV

This position is open only to Colorado state residents. Primary Physical Work Address 710 S. Ash Street, Denver, CO 80246 FLSA Status Exempt; position is not eligible for overtime compensation.

The Colorado Department of Early Childhood (CDEC) ensures the delivery of a comprehensive, community-informed, data-driven, high-quality, and equitable early childhood system that supports the care, education and well-being of all Colorado's young children, their families and early childhood professionals in all settings.

Description of Job

Class Code & Class Description: H1H4XX Contract Administrator IV This position is partially responsible for assigning tasks, monitoring progress and workflow, checking the product, scheduling work, and establishing work standards. This position may at times provide input into supervisory decisions made. In addition to work lead responsibilities, this position exists to provide oversight of contract development and implementation processes to satisfy Federal, State and Department requirements. Activities may include interpreting and developing contract language; identifying necessary supporting documentation to be provided by program staff or contractors; validation of information; and overall quality control. This position is responsible for managing all types of solicitation methodologies and executing contracts and procurements that result from those solicitations. This position reviews and analyzes requisitions for: State and Departmental pre-approvals; adherence to OIT processes; proper accounting coding; and draft specifications, scopes-of-work, and any other applicable contract terms and conditions. This position will advise program staff on actions needed to ensure contract compliance and risk mitigation or elimination.

• Drafts Department requested contracts, leases, contract modifications, or other legal documents to ensure legal sufficiency under applicable legal standards.
• Negotiates various contracts, leases, or other legal documents with contractors and drafts contracts that benefit the State and the taxpayers as a whole.
• Provide program staff consultation and guidance on contract development and implementation within the scope of the Office's activities.
• Provide customer service, training/orientation and guidance to contractors of CDEC to ensure contractors' compliance with State Fiscal and Procurement Rules, Federal Regulations and Guidelines and Generally Accepted Accounting Principles.
• Meet independently with contractors and internal staff to provide expertise in procurement and contracting.
• Guides, advises, and assists assigned program staff, regarding delegated purchasing authority processes and procedures.
• Provides assigned groups guidance on completing and obtain written sub-delegations, pre-approvals processes and procedures.
• Position is accountable and responsible for selecting the proper, legal vendor selection methodology and drafting, issuing, managing, and awarding the solicitation.
• Coordinate procurement activities with the accounts payable unit of the Controller's office to ensure timely payment of all invoices to vendors, and with budget to rectify coding error issues.
• Manage solicitations for assigned business unit(s) including analyzing program requests and selecting the proper award and drafting award documents, negotiating specifications, statements of work, cost, delivery terms, payment methodology, and legal terms and conditions, and obtaining proper insurance certificates from contractors.
• Compile supporting documentation and correspondence.
• Research inquiries, resolves discrepancies, and composes correspondence with supporting documentation.

Responsible for the effective management, maintenance, and optimization of the OnBase enterprise content management system.

• Configure and support the OnBase platform in conjunction with OIT to meet the CDEC's document management, workflow automation, and business process needs.
• Collaborates with stakeholders to understand requirements, implement solutions, and ensure the system's reliability and scalability.
• Prioritize and assign work, monitor services and products to ensure quality, timeliness, and quantity meet standards and deadlines for deliverables to meet work plan objectives.
• Implement methods, procedures, and processes to improve workflow and productivity.
• Develop plans for training and development, and provide training as needed.
• Provide feedback and coaching, monitor performance, and contribute to each assigned employee's annual performance plan and annual performance evaluation.
• Maintain oversight on project management plans.
• Review attendance, workplace behavior, communication and competencies with employee on a regular basis.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications, Substitutions, Conditions of Employment & Appeal Rights

Minimum Qualifications: Experience only Seven years of experience in contract management, procurement, or a related field Education and Experience Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration, Contract Management, Law, or a related field AND Three (3) years of experience in contract management, procurement, or a related field Please note: The required experience must be substantiated within the work experience section of your application and in the supplemental questions. Your resume will not be reviewed to determine if you meet the minimum qualifications; only the work experience section and supplemental questions of your application will be reviewed to determine this. "See Resume" statements on the application will not be accepted. In addition, part-time work will be prorated.

Substitutions: Additional appropriate experience will substitute for the degree requirement on a year-for-year basis. Additional appropriate education will substitute for the required experience on a year-for-year basis.

Preferred qualifications: State experience relevant to this position A master's degree in business administration, law, or a related field can be preferred to demonstrate advanced knowledge and skills. 5 plus years of experience in contract management or procurement, particularly in complex or high-value contracts. Demonstrated experience in leading cross-functional teams and driving project initiatives to completion. Proven track record of successful negotiations that have resulted in favorable contract terms and conditions.

Highly Desired: Strong analytical abilities to assess compliance issues, and financial implications effectively. Strong analytical skills to assess contracts, identify risks, and develop effective solutions to complex issues. Experience with contract management software or procurement systems, as well as proficiency in data analysis tools. In-depth understanding of federal, state, and local procurement regulations, as well as relevant industry standards. Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to present complex information clearly to various stakeholders. Experience in leading and managing teams, demonstrating the ability to mentor and guide team members effectively. Demonstrates the ability to collaborate effectively with colleagues, fostering a positive and supportive work environment while minimizing conflict and maintaining professionalism.

Conditions of Employment Applicants must pass a thorough background check prior to employment. Employees who have been disciplinary terminated, resigned in lieu of disciplinary termination, or negotiated their termination from the State of Colorado must disclose this information on the application.

Appeal Rights: If you receive notice that you have been eliminated from consideration for this position, you may file an appeal with the State Personnel Board or request a review by the State Personnel Director.

An appeal or review must be submitted on the official appeal form, signed by you or your representative. This form must be delivered to the State Personnel Board by email (View email address on click.appcast.io), postmarked in US Mail or hand delivered (1525 Sherman Street, 4th Floor, Denver CO 80203), or faxed View phone number on click.appcast.io) within ten (10) calendar days from your receipt of notice or acknowledgement of the department's action.

For more information about the appeals process, the official appeal form, and how to deliver it to the State Personnel Board; go to spb.colorado.gov; contact the State Personnel Board for assistance at View phone number on click.appcast.io; or refer to 4 Colorado Code of Regulations (CCR) 801-1, State Personnel Board Rules and Personnel Director's Administrative Procedures, Chapter 8, Resolution of Appeals and Disputes, at spb.colorado.gov under Rules.

Supplemental Information

How to Apply (PLEASE READ CAREFULLY)

Please note that ONLY your State of Colorado job application will be reviewed during the initial screening; if you submit a resume and cover letter, they will be reviewed in later stages of the selection process. Therefore, it is paramount that you clearly describe all your relevant experience on the application itself. Applications left blank or marked "SEE RESUME" will not be considered.

Complete Applications must include the following documents:

1. A complete CDEC Application for Announced Vacancy (please submit online using the green 'APPLY' button at the top of this announcement)
2. A complete Supplemental Questionnaire (The questionnaire is part of the online application. You will be prompted to answer them as you are completing your online application.)
3. If you are using education to qualify, a copy of your official or unofficial transcript showing that your degree has been conferred and the name of your school, or your NACES accreditation. Please submit this as an attachment to your online application.
4. If you are a veteran, a