Contract Specialist

Heart of Texas Behavioral Health Network is recruiting for a Contract Specialist. Are you an experienced Contract Specialist, ready for a unique opportunity and to be a part of a team committed to making a difference in individuals' lives? The Contracts Management Team plays a vital role in supporting the programs and diverse operations of the Heart of Texas Behavioral Health Network by managing contract processes across our entire agency. The Contract Specialist performs complex contract duties to include developing, analyzing, evaluating, reviewing, processing, ensuring applicable compliance, inspecting, implementing, and monitoring contracts and grants that are set up with federal, state, and local governmental entities as well as other organizations and private entities. Work will require working together as a team with the Contracts Management Team, Chief Executive Officer and senior leadership and extensive contact with governmental agencies and private entities. As a result of the duties of the position, the candidate must have knowledge of state procurement and contract management requirements, regulations and best practices. Examples of Work Performed (not all inclusive): Negotiate, develop and prepare leases, permits, contracts and other property agreements. Inspect properties with maintenance supervisor to ensure that they are safe and to determine need for maintenance or repairs. Work under limited supervision, with considerable latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment. Develop solicitations, contracts, and amendments by identifying provider resources, describing services to be rendered, evaluating information supplied by bidders, and negotiating contract specifications using State of Texas guidelines, rules, policies and laws. Monitor contract performance by examining billings, fiscal data, and eligibility determinations for compliance with terms of contract and policies. Monitor contractor requirements: license, certification, training, and insurance for compliance. Complete quarterly contract monitoring process to ensure contractor quality and compliance. Administer the billing process and eligibility monitoring functions for contract billings. Evaluate expenditure data and make projections to ensure appropriate use of funds. Review fiscal expenditure reports for completeness, appropriateness and accuracy. Serve as a liaison with contract providers to ensure participation is consistent with program, legal and fiscal requirements. Coordinate the risk assessment process for contract monitoring and planning. Coordinate with Procurement Manager to facilitate some of the more complex procurement‑related meetings such as kick‑off and pre‑proposal meetings, post‑award conferences, team briefings and evaluation scoring. Negotiate contracts, contract renewals, and amendments. Monitor legal and regulatory requirements pertaining to contracting. Develop bid evaluation scoring instruments. Recommend updates for solicitations, contract boilerplate language, and other contract related documents. Advise internal and external stakeholders on contract administration, policies and procedures. Provide input regarding the cancellation of contracts when deviations occur. Prepare specifications for requests for bids. Resolve audit exceptions by defining causes of errors and recommending appropriate dispositions. Assist with fleet management. Assist with procurement when necessary. Other duties, as assigned. Knowledge, Skills and Essential Functions: Skills and Abilities: 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. Experience developing contracts (Required); certification is (preferred) but not required. Experience in monitoring state contracts is preferred but not required. Skill in problem solving and in the use of a computer and applicable software. A team player attitude is required to succeed in a cross‑departmental team atmosphere. Enthusiasm to work in a cross‑functional position. Eagerness to learn new skills. Self‑motivated individual who strives for excellence. Highly organized, adept at prioritizing work, and demonstrate efficient time management. Ability to perform arithmetical computations such as add, subtract, multiply and divide. Ability to generate, read, interpret, and act as it relates to basic financial statements, national and state regulations, operational and maintenance, and organizational policy/procedures. 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 both verbal and written formats. Ability to maintain a good attendance record. Effectively prioritized workload. Meet short deadlines. Establish and maintain effective working relationships with internal and external stakeholders. Education, Training and Experience: Experience developing contracts (Required). Experience with state or local contracts preferred but not required. State Comptroller Certification in Contracts Management (CTCM) may be required within 6 months of start date. Salary: $55,000 without CTCM certification; $60,000 with CTCM certification Hours: Monday-Friday 8am-5pm #J-18808-Ljbffr Txppa