Contract Specialist

This position will be responsible for monitoring contractor progress and performance, delivery, acceptance, reporting, compliance with specifications, and payment approvals for child welfare contracts, while adhering to applicable law and administrative rules. This position will work on a cross-functional team, which includes contract specialists, policy, finance, legal, and operations staff. This position will also coordinate monitoring duties across programmatic, fiscal, and organizational monitoring.

Responsibilities:

Duties of this position include:

• Conducting contract monitoring, including analysis of contractor fiscal and administrative performance through desk audits or on-site reviews, adherence to contract requirements and timelines, gathering and interpreting data, overseeing improvement plans, and reporting results.
• Interpreting and communicating contractual requirements and laws/regulations affecting delivery of child welfare services.
• Acting as a liaison between contractors and state personnel, including program policy staff and leadership. Communicates information between the parties and actively works to identify and resolve issues.
• Performing contracting activities, including issuing, or assisting with competitive procurement activities, contract negotiations, managing contracting documentation, approving claims in accordance with contract terms, and contract close-out activities.
• Participating in reviewing, making recommendations, and assisting with updating HHS contracting processes.
• Participating in reviewing, making recommendations, and assisting with updating programmatic policies related to contract performance or fiscal procedures.

Requirements:

• Detail Oriented
• Minimum education and experience: High School Diploma or GED with at least two years of contract development or fiscal claims processing or contract monitoring experience
• Competent in Microsoft Office 

The successful candidate will thrive in a fast-paced environment, juggling multiple work demands with competing priorities

Benefits

Working for the State of Iowa comes with its perks. In addition to a competitive salary, you'll enjoy a

comprehensive benefits package designed to support your well-being and professional growth:

• Health, Dental, and Vision Coverage: Health and dental insurance packages to keep you and

your family healthy at a low cost with outstanding coverage!

• Paid Time Off: Take time to recharge with paid time off, including vacation (96 hours/year to

begin, increasing with years of service), sick leave (144 hours/year), and paid holidays (9

days/year).

• Retirement Plans: Participate in retirement plans such as IPERS (employees contribute 6.29%

and the State of Iowa contributes 9.44%) as well as our Retirement Investors Club (RIC),

Employer Sponsored Retirement Plan (the State of Iowa matches dollar for dollar up to

$75/month).

• Flexible Spending Accounts: Take advantage of flexible spending accounts for medical and

dependent care expenses.

• Insurance Coverage: Benefit from life insurance and free long-term disability insurance for added peace of mind.
• Employee Assistance Program: Access resources and support through our Employee

Assistance Program for personal and professional challenges.

• Employee Discount Programs: Enjoy discounts on a variety of goods and services through our

employee discount programs. 

For additional information on benefits click here.

Click here to see how we compare with other employers or offers by using our Total Compensation Calculator.

Background Checks

Applicants will be required to complete a background check to be considered for this position. 

The State of Iowa is an EEO/AA Employer

HHS values those with "lived experience" and encourages adults who were fostered as youth, foster parents, and/or parents who were in the DHS system to apply. Minorities, women, persons with disabilities and veterans are encouraged to apply (Hearing and Speech Impaired - Relay Iowa 1-800-735-2942 TDD).

Our agency uses E-Verify to confirm the employment eligibility of all newly hired employees. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, please visit www.dhs.gov/E-Verify.

Graduation from high school, or G.E.D., and eight years of full-time work experience in the procurement of technical, standardized, expendable, and non-expendable items, or in services procurement and contract administration, including the review of ongoing compliance with contract requirements and terms;

OR

graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with a bachelor's degree in business or public administration, accounting or economics and four years of the required experience;

OR

an equivalent combination of education and experience substituting one year of education (30 semester hours or one year) for each year of the required experience;

OR

graduate course work from an accredited college or university in business or public administration, accounting, or economics, may be substituted to a maximum substitution of one year (30 semester hours or one year) of the required experience;

OR

employees with current continuous experience in the state executive branch that includes experience equal to eighteen months as a Purchasing Agent 2.

For additional information, please click on this link to view the job description.