Contract Management Specialist

Contract Management Specialist 2Join the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets! Become an integral part of a team dedicated to fostering a competitive food and agriculture industry that benefits both producers and consumers alike. Cultivate your career in a dynamic environment that values innovation, sustainability, and community engagement. With a wide range of opportunities spanning from environmental science to economic development, you can find your niche in public service and grow both professionally and personally. Embrace the chance to join our team, and you'll not only reap a fulfilling career but also sow the seeds for a healthier, stronger New York.Position Information: The New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets is hiring a Contract Management Specialist 2 (CMS 2) in Albany, NY. The core responsibilities encompass comprehensive contract and procurement management, overseeing the entire lifecycle from the development of Requests for Proposals (RFPs) and bid proposals to the awarding of contracts, managing vendor performance, and processing payments. This role also involves serving as the primary internal expert and consultant on all technical contract matters, providing guidance to management and program divisions. A significant aspect is the supervision and development of staff within contract management, purchasing, and accounts payable units, including task delegation and performance evaluations. Furthermore, the position is responsible for developing, revising, and ensuring adherence to procurement policies, procedures, and state finance rules, alongside maintaining financial oversight by confirming proper fund appropriation, adequate competition, and compliance with payment laws and regulations. Regular reporting and analysis of contract specifications and transactions for executive staff are also key duties, as is directing and supervising the Department's Minority/Women-Owned Business Enterprise Program. The role also involves improving systems for procurement efficiency, vendor communication, and decision-making, and representing the Department on interagency workgroups to streamline procurement activities.The Contract Management Specialist 2 is a permanent office-based position conveniently situated at our headquarters, at 10B Airline Drive in Albany, NY. Our location offers easy access near the Albany International Airport and Wolf Road, with ample free parking available for all employees. This is a full-time role, requiring 37.5 hours per week, Monday through Friday. Opportunities for telecommuting may be available in accordance with the agency's Telecommuting Program Guidelines.Salary: The starting salary for the Contract Management Specialist 2 is $86,681/year, and the hiring salary for the PEF salary grade (SG) 23. The candidate appointed to the Contract Management Specialist 2, SG-23 level, will be eligible to participate in the New York State Performance Evaluation Program. Through this program, employees receive yearly performance evaluations. Performance advances are payable to PEF employees whose base annual salary is below the job rate for their current position and who were rated "Satisfactory" or its equivalent on their yearly performance evaluation. Performance advance payments are added to an employee's annual salary. Over time, yearly performance advances may lead to the SG-23 job rate salary of $ 109,650/ year!Benefits: This is a PEF-represented position that offers excellent benefits! Benefits include but are not limited to inexpensive Health Insurance options, free dental and vision coverage, NYS Pension Plan membership, and generous paid time off. Within the first year, you are eligible for 5 days of personal time, 13 vacation days, 13 sick days, and 13 paid holidays! As a New York State employee, you could potentially qualify to participate in the Federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF)! The PSLF Program forgives the remaining balance on your direct student loans after you have made 120 qualifying monthly payments under an accepted repayment plan and while working full-time for the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets or another eligible employer.Minimum Qualifications: Reassignment Qualifications: You must be a current Department of Agriculture and Markets employee and have one year of permanent, contingent-permanent, or 55 b/c service as a Contract Management Specialist 2, G-23; if you have less than one year, you must be reachable on the current eligible list for this location if one exists. 52.6 Transfer Qualifications to Contract Management Specialist 2: This position is designated administrative under Section 52.6 of the Civil Service Law and may be filled by administrative transfer under that section. Source titles from which transfer may be made must be designated administrative and be within two salary grades or one M-grade of the target title. 70.1 Transfer Qualifications to Contract Management Specialist, G-23: Applicants may be appointed to this position permanently if they have: one year of permanent, competitive service in a title designated as appropriate for transfer under Section 70.1 of the Civil Service Law. Such titles include but are not limited to Associate Budgeting Analyst, G-23 or Office Services Manager, G-23. Non-Competitive Promotion: If there are three or fewer interested and qualified promotion candidates, the agency may at its discretion nominate a qualified employee for a non-competitive promotion under the provisions of Section 52.7 of the Civil Service Law. Non-Competitive Promotion Minimum Qualifications: One year of permanent, contingent-permanent, or 55 b/c service as a Contract Management Specialist 1, G-18. Provisional Appointment: If there is no appropriate eligible list of at least three people willing to accept permanent appointment for this geographic location, the Department may nominate a qualified person for a provisional appointment under the provisions of Section 65 of the Civil Service Law. Provisional Appointment Minimum Qualifications: One year of permanent competitive or 55-b/55-c service as a Contract Management Specialist 1, G-18. Candidates appointed provisionally must take the next scheduled Civil Service examination for this title, and your score must be reachable on the resulting eligible list before you can be permanently appointed. Candidates who do not pass the examination or achieve a reachable score may not be retained as a Contract Management Specialist 2, SG-23. Reinstatement Under Rule 5.4: Applicants may be appointed to this position permanently if they were previous permanent New York State employees who resigned their positions may be reinstated to their former positions, or to positions to which they were eligible for transfer or reassignment without further examination. Employees separated from their positions may be reinstated within one year of the date of their separation. Employees separated from their positions who have also been separated from state service for more than one year may be reinstated upon approval by the state Civil Service Commission.How to Apply: Candidates that are eligible and interested in being considered for appointment to this opportunity must apply by: July 16, 2026. Within this online application please upload your resume, transcript, and cover letter. If you have any questions, please contact Deborah Leo in Human Resources at View phone number on click.appcast.io or View email address on click.appcast.io . The Department is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All people with disabilities are encouraged to apply. We are committed to providing equal employment opportunity, and reasonable accommodation and/or modifications as necessary, for qualified persons with disabilities. If you are in need of a reasonable accommodation, please visit: .