Contract Specialist V

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Our Mission

The mission of the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement, as a regulatory State agency, is to establish and enforce standards to ensure that the people of Texas are served by highly trained and ethical law enforcement, corrections, and telecommunications personnel.

Our Finance Division

TCOLE's Finance Division manages the agency's fiscal operations with precision and accountability. The team oversees budget planning, financial reporting, procurement, and contract management while ensuring compliance with state regulations. Through meticulous financial stewardship, our Finance Division provides the foundation that enables TCOLE to support law enforcement excellence and maintain transparency in the allocation of resources across Texas.

Who We’re Looking For

The Texas Commission on Law Enforcement (TCOLE) is seeking a Contract Specialist V to join the Finance Division located at 6330 E HWY 290, Suite 200, Austin, TX.

The Contract Specialist V performs highly advanced (senior-level) purchasing and contract management work. They are responsible for contract management and development; evaluates a broad range of contracts and serves as a technical expert, overseeing and performing work on a variety of contracts, including complex contracts. They work under minimal supervision, with extensive latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment.

The salary range is $70,000 – 85,000.00. The Job Class for this position is 1986 and salary group is B24.

Examples of Work Performed

Develops, manages, and monitors complex procurements and contracts, including conducting needs assessments, preparing specifications, and negotiating terms.

Creates and maintains solicitation documents, templates, scoring instruments, and purchasing documentation while ensuring compliance with legal and regulatory requirements.

Evaluates purchasing documentation, tracks budgets, reviews invoices, and monitors the complete purchasing cycle for compliance and fiscal responsibility.

Coordinates procurement-related activities including meetings, pre-proposal conferences, team briefings, evaluation scorings, risk assessments, and post-award meetings.

Develops contract administration policies and procedures while monitoring legal and regulatory requirements.

Advises internal and external stakeholders on contract administration, policies, and procedures.

Identifies and cultivates vendor relationships, including with Historically Underutilized Businesses (HUBs).

Recommend updates for solicitations, contract language, and other contract related documents.

Resolve audit exceptions by defining causes of errors and recommending appropriate dispositions

Perform quality control reviews to ensure compliance with legal and regulatory requirements.

Conduct needs assessments to determine requirements for the purchase of goods or services.

Monitors purchases and contract performance by examining billings, financial data, and documentation for compliance with rules, regulations, laws, and terms of contracts.

Serves as a liaison to ensure consistent program, legal and financial requirements.

Supports finance department functions; may act as backup purchaser.

Other duties as assigned.

Travel up to 10% of the time

Occasional lifting or carrying by dolly of heavy items (up to 50 lbs.)

Qualifications

Required Education and Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in business administration, financial management or related field.
• Must obtain certification as a Certified Texas Contract Manager (CTCM) or Certified Texas Contract Developer (CTCD) within six (6) months of employment.
• Must obtain both Certified Texas Contract Manager (CTCM) or Certified Texas Contract Developer (CTCD) within twelve (12) months of employment. At least four (4) years of experience in procurement or contract management.
• Education and experience can be substituted for each other on a year-for-year basis.

Required Skills, Knowledge, and Abilities:

• Knowledge of state procurement and contract management requirements, regulations, and best practices, including Comptroller Texas Administrative Rules (TAC) and Texas Government Codes (TGC);contract monitoring, purchasing methods, procedures, sources, pricing factors, market conditions, and business administration principles necessary for complex contract development and management;state purchasing policies, vendor relationship management, and compliance requirements for public sector contracting.
• Skill in using computers and applicable software including Microsoft Office suite (Access, Excel, Word), CAPPS, and other automated procurement systems or databases; evaluating contracts, interpreting policies, analyzing fiscal data, writing specifications, negotiating contract terms, and maintaining comprehensive record-keeping systems; technical capabilities in procurement document development, bid evaluation, and contract administration.
• Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing with internal and external stakeholders; to plan and prioritize work, pay attention to details, prepare timely reports, work effectively as part of a team, and establish productive working relationships; to problem-solving, exercise sound judgment when making recommendations, and capacity to assemble information into logical order while maintaining focus on organizational goals and compliance requirements; maintain required trainings and certifications and pursuing relevant continuing education opportunities.

Preferred Education and Experience:

• Currently certified as a Certified Texas Contract Manager (CTCM) and/ or Certified Texas Contract Developer (CTCD).
• Texas State purchasing/contract development experience.
• Knowledge of state procurement and contract management.
• Experience with the Centralized Accounting Payroll/Personnel System (CAPPS) Customer Contracts and Purchasing/ eProcurement modules

All positions with TCOLE are security sensitive. Applicants are subject to an in-depth background investigation including criminal history, employment history and references, military, education, and personal references. Employment is contingent upon the verification of credentials and/or other information required.

Why work at TCOLE?

Working for the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement (TCOLE) empowers you to make an impact on public safety while engaging in continuous learning within a supportive environment. You'll play a crucial role in upholding high law enforcement standards, collaborating with local agencies, and enhancing the well-being of Texans. As a Texas State employee, you will have access to our comprehensive benefit programs including:

• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance plans with several types of coverage to state employees and their eligible family members
• 12 - 16 days of annual paid holidays
• At least  eight hours of paid vacation and up to eight hours of paid sick leave  each month for full-time employees
• Retirement options with the State of Texas Retirement that provide flexibility and security
• Health and Wellness programs including wellness leave, fitness and weight management programs, and personalized wellness tools
• TCOLE is a qualifying organization for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program
• The Discount Purchase Program provides access to an online marketplace offering discount on a wide range of products and services

Equal Opportunity Employer – TCOLE is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, or protected veteran status.

ADA - In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), TCOLE will provide reasonable accommodation during the hiring and selection process for qualified individuals with a disability. If you need assistance completing the online application, contact the Human Resources Department at 512-936-0831. If you are contacted for an interview and need accommodation to participate in the interview process, please notify the person scheduling the interview.

Military Occupational Specialty Codes – Military Specialty Codes that correspond to this job posting include 3006, 3044, 8640, 310X, 36A, 36B, 51C, 60C0, 62S0, 63G0, 63S0, 64PX, 651X, 6C0X1, 751X, FIN10, LS, LSS, SEI16, SK, F&S. More information can be found at:

https://hr.sao.texas.gov/Compensation/MilitaryCrosswalk/MOSC_PropertyManagementandProcurement.pdf

Veterans Preference – Veterans, surviving spouses, and orphans of veterans may qualify for preference under Texas Government Code Chapter 657 Applicants who wish to claim Veterans preferencemust provide official documentation at the time of application to verify eligibility.

Benefits – For new hires and rehires, health insurance is available the 1st of the following month after a 60-day waiting period. More information about benefits is available at https://ers.texas.gov/benefits-at-a-glance