Contracts Specialist I

Contract Specialist I (NS)

The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) is one of the largest, most complex agencies in the state, and has approximately 17,000 employees. It is responsible for ensuring the health, safety, and well-being of all North Carolinians, providing human service needs for special populations including individuals who are deaf, blind, developmentally disabled, and mentally ill, and helping poor North Carolinians achieve economic independence.

This position serves as the contract manager and contract and procurement subject matter expert for the Division of Services for the Deaf & Hard of Hearing. This position provides leadership, guidance, and technical assistance to develop and maintain best practices in the contracting process to comply with department, state, and federal requirements. This includes the purchasing of highly complex specialized equipment and services for consumers. The position requires close collaboration with department and state staff, including programmatic subject matter experts, financial monitors, fiscal and budget staff, contracts and procurement management, and internal and external auditors. This position is located in Raleigh, North Carolina and has a flexible work schedule.

Duties and responsibilities include:

• Ensure contracts are developed, established, implemented, coordinated and executed in accordance with applicable federal, state, department and division policies, procedures and protocols; this includes amendments, renewals and change orders.
• Communicate effectively to end users and vendors on contract/purchasing procedures, terms and conditions, disputes, periodic contract reviews and other management areas as required;
• Identify potential risks and recommend appropriate approaches and/or solutions to mitigate risk;
• Develop and maintain internal procedures and protocols;
• Initiate and manage encumbrances in North Carolina Financial System (NCFS) for contracts; manage Department contract database system (Open Windows) for division contracts; manage state databases for division contracts;
• This position is responsible for maintaining contractual agreements related to facilities, i.e., leased office space and janitorial, agency specific contracts. This includes developing specifications for bid solicitations, evaluation of bid proposals, award certification and vendor performance reviews.
• Responsible for the creation and development of RFQ/IFB/RFP/RFA/bids/agreements for the Division goods and services
• Serve as the lead contact for the division regarding contracting processes with the Office of Internal Audit and the Office of the State Auditor; coordinate response and any corrective action.

The Knowledge Skills and Abilities/ Management Preferences are not required. Applicants who possess the following skills are preferred.

• Experience communicating to others (both internal and external) complex federal and state laws, regulations, and policy regarding contracts and procurement for goods and services.
• Experience with RFQ/IFB/RFP/RFA/bids/agreement formulation, development, creation, evaluation, and utilization
• Experience maintaining records and to prepare reports on tabulations from these records.
• Experience resolving complex problems and the ability to read, interpret and make recommendations based on federal, state, and departmental laws and regulations.
• Working knowledge of procurement processes and systems.

Minimum Education and Experience Bachelor's degree in business or related area from an appropriately accredited institution and two years of progressive procurement or contract administration experience; or equivalent combination of education and experience. Necessary Special Requirements Completion of the North Carolina Contract Management Certification Program within one year of hire into the position.

Compensation & Benefits: The State of North Carolina offers excellent comprehensive benefits. Employees can participate in health insurance options, standard and supplemental retirement plans, and the NCFlex program (numerous high-quality, low-cost benefits on a pre-tax basis). Employees also receive paid vacation, sick, and community service leave. In addition, paid parental leave is available to eligible employees.

The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) is an Equal Opportunity Employer that embraces an Employment First philosophy, which consists of complying with all federal laws, state laws, and Executive Orders. We are committed to reviewing requests for reasonable accommodation at any time during the hiring process or while on the job. For more information about DHHS:

DHHS uses the Merit-Based Recruitment and Selection Plan to fill positions subject to the State Human Resources Act with the most qualified individuals. Hiring salary will be based on relevant qualifications, internal equity, and budgetary considerations pertinent to the advertised position.

In accordance with the Governor's Executive Order 303, our agency supports second-chance employment for individuals who were previously incarcerated or justice-involved. We invite all potential applicants to apply for positions for which they may be qualified.

Application Process Be sure to complete the application in its entirety. Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of completing this application.

• Information should be provided in the appropriate areas, to include the following: Education, including high school and all degrees obtained, Work Experience, and Certificates & Licenses. It is critical to our screening and salary determination process that applications contain comprehensive candidate information.
• Applicants may be subject to a criminal background check. All candidates selected for positions considered "Positions of Trust" will be subject to a criminal background check.
• Due to the volume of applications received, we are unable to provide information regarding the status of your application over the phone. To check the status of your application, please log in to your account. Upon the closing date, applications are "Under Review" and will be screened by Human Resources for qualified applicants. The hiring process may take several weeks.
• Degrees must be received from appropriately accredited institutions. Transcripts and degree evaluations may be uploaded with your application. The State of North Carolina/Office of State Human Resources uses the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) as a referral resource for applicants who need to have their credentials certified as equivalent.
• For a list of organizations that perform this specialized service, please visit the NACES membership website at

Degree/College Credit Verification Degrees must be received from appropriately accredited institutions. Transcripts, degree evaluations and cover letters may be uploaded with your application.

Veterans' and National Guard Preference Applicants seeking Veteran's Preference must attach a DD-214 Member-4 Form (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty) to their applications. Applicants seeking National Guard Preference must attach an NGB 23A (RPAS), along with the state application, if they are a current member of the NC National Guard in good standing. Applicants who are former members of either the NC Army National Guard or the NC Air National Guard, with honorable discharge and six years of creditable service, must attach a copy of the DD 256 or NGB 22, along with the state application.

ADA Accommodations Consistent with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (PWFA), DHHS is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, DHHS will ensure that people with disabilities, or known limitations covered by the PWFA, are provided with reasonable accommodation. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, please contact the person indicated below.

CONTACT INFORMATION: If there are any questions about this posting, please contact Talent Acquisition at View email address on click.appcast.io. Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of completing this application.

EEO Statement The State of North Carolina is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer and dedicated to providing employees with a work environment free from all forms of unlawful employment discrimination, harassment, or retaliation. The state provides reasonable accommodation to employees and applicants with disabilities; known limitations related to pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions; and for religious beliefs, observances, and practices.

Recruiter: Tonya Lofton McLamb