Contract Specialist (Austin)

WHO WE ARE:
Texas Workforce Commission connects people with careers across the state. While we are based in Austin on the north lawn of the Texas State Capitol, we have offices statewide. We're a Family Friendly Certified Workplace with great work-life balance, competitive salaries, extensive opportunities for training and development, and fantastic benefits. This position is located at 1117 Trinity St, Austin, TX, in the Grants Administration department.

TWC is not considering applications from individuals who require sponsorship for an employment visa, including those with H1B visas or those currently on student or postgraduate visas. You must be a Texas resident to work for the Texas Workforce Commission or willing to relocate to Texas.

WHO YOU ARE:
We strive to ensure that acquisitions of program services are conducted with the best outcome for the State in mind. You share our department mission to ensure that the Request for Application (RFA) and grant award processes are ethical, impartial, transparent, and professional. As the Contract Specialist, you will need to be able to proofread and edit grants documents for completeness, appropriateness, and accuracy. This role requires you to be detail-oriented, able to communicate effectively, work independently, and work closely with cross-functional teams. You must have a secure, dedicated workspace with a reliable broadband internet connection, ability to maintain a reliable consistent work schedule, and be available for meetings and group collaboration via Microsoft Teams and other applications.

WHAT YOU WILL DO:
The Contract Specialist II-III performs complex to highly complex (senior- level) contract management work. Works under general to limited supervision, with moderate to considerable latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment.

YOU WILL BE TRUSTED TO:
-Develop, edit, and process agency grant awards and amendments.
-Analyze daily reports to identify possible project slippage and issues.
-Assist with developing or revising grant standards and process workflow.
-Inform management of significant grant development issues and provides recommendations for action.
-Assist in processing Request for Applications (RFAs).
-Participate in procurement planning, tracking, and administration tasks.
-Effectively and professionally communicate with other TWC staff and the public to provide, exchange or verify information and answer queries. Facilitate team and other grant-related meetings.
-Perform other job-related duties as assigned.

YOU QUALIFY WITH:
-Contract Specialist II: Two years of full-time experience in contract development, management, evaluation, monitoring, or training of contract
providers or customers; or in the delivery of workforce development services which included contract development, management, evaluation, monitoring, or training of contract providers or customers.
-Contract Specialist III: Three years of full-time experience in contract development, management, evaluation, monitoring, or training of contract providers or customers; or in the delivery of workforce development services which included contract development, management,
evaluation, monitoring, or training of contract providers or customers.
-Both Levels: Relevant academic credits may be applied toward experience qualifications for this position.

YOU ARE A GREAT FIT WITH:
-Certification as a Certified Texas Contract Developer (CTCD) or Certified Texas Contract Manager (CTCM).
-Strong Microsoft Word and Excel skills.
-Strong communication and organization skills with attention to detail.
-Experience in technical writing and grant development.
-Experience in facilitation, customer service, and data analysis.
-Experience in collaboration with other teams, departments, or agencies.
-Experience in establishing and maintaining cooperative and constructive work relationships.
-Knowledge of SharePoint, Microsoft Project, and Teams.

YOU GAIN:
- A Family Friendly Certified Workplace
- Competitive starting salary: $4,450.50 - $5,000.00/month
- Defined Retirement Benefit Plan
- Optional 401(k) and 457 accounts
- Medical Insurance
- Paid time off, including time for vacation, sick and family care leave
- Additional benefits for active employees can be found at https://www.ers.texas.gov/Active-Employees/Health-Benefits.

VETERANS:
Use your military skills to qualify for this position or other jobs! Go to www.texasskillstowork.com to translate your military work experience and training courses into civilian job terms, qualifications, and skill sets. Also, you can compare this position to military occupations (MOS) at the Texas State Auditor's Office by pasting this link into your browser: https://hr.sao.texas.gov/Compensation/MilitaryCrosswalk/MOSC_PropertyManagementandProcurement.pdf.

HOW TO APPLY:
To be considered, please complete a State of Texas Application for Employment and apply online at www.workintexas.com or on Taleo (Job Search). TWC is not considering applications from individuals who require sponsorship for an employment visa, including those with H1B visas or those currently on student or postgraduate visas. In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification document form upon hire. A position utilizing this classification will be designated as security sensitive according to the Texas Labor Code, Section 301.042.