Senior Contract Specialist

Gatehouse Administration Center Summary Leads a full range of divisionwide contract administration and procurement activities; advises on and facilitates the purchase of goods and services for FCPS in accordance with School Board and federal, state, and county rules and regulations. Qualifications ### **Required** * Bachelor's degree. * Three (3\) years of experience in public sector proposal analysis and procurement. + Advanced degree(s) beyond the minimum degree requirement in a relevant field may be considered for some experience. * Knowledge of federal, state, and local jurisdiction contract and procurement regulations (such as the Virginia Public Procurement Act (VPPA), and guidelines, specifically in governmental purchasing. * Knowledge of the principles, practices, and methods of procurement. * Knowledge of supply, market, and price trends. * Ability to prepare technical specifications and review, analyze, and evaluate bids and proposals. * Critical thinker with decision\-making skills and high standards of detail accuracy. * Ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships with school\-based administrators, central office staff, and the vendor community. * Proficiency in the use of technology, data compilation, analysis, and reporting. * Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing. * Ability to exercise tact, good judgment, and initiative. * Ability to work effectively under pressure. ### **Preferred** * Experience in project management professional certification, mediation, or negotiation. * Certification by a nationally recognized public procurement or contracting certification (e.g. CPPB, CPPO, CPCM). Major Duties/Essential Functions * Exercises leadership in contracts management, which includes the collaborative development of requirements, planning, documentation, and oversight of assigned projects. * Manages procurement planning discussions with department leads. * Prepares specifications, requirements, terms \& conditions for competitive invitation for bid (IFB) solicitations and competitive requests for proposal (RFP) documents. * Conducts and facilitates pre\-bid discussions, pre\-proposal conferences, and evaluation teams while reviewing for recurring complex or unique procurement requirements and ensuring conformity of understanding with bid documents. * Leads and manages complex contract negotiations that include license agreements, warranty, lease/purchase agreements. * Develops negotiation strategies that ensure understanding between parties and smooths administration to align with business initiatives. * Interprets complex guidelines and policies and negotiates difficult contract changes with vendors. * Coordinates resources required to oversee comprehensive, multi\-year contracts from development through completion. * Performs and evaluates spend and cost analysis as required for determination of contract value, including annual value as required for contract administration and market research comparison for cost reasonableness. * Ensures compliance with sole\-source contract policies and alignment with sole source approvals. * Recommends contract awards to procurement leadership and prepares award recommendations. * Leads and facilitates discussions among groups and individuals to reach consensus, resolve conflicts, or influence outcomes on matters of significance. * Debriefs unsuccessful vendors on the strengths and weaknesses of their proposal. * Provides districtwide guidance and advises schools, regions, departments, and vendors, on contract administration functions and status: contract kick\-off, modification, monitoring, and close\-out. * Communicates effectively and engages employees at all levels of the organization in the facilitation and implementation of the contract process. * Assists in formulating purchasing forecasts and budgets. * Identifies operational challenges and provides solutions for best\-in\-class service. * Acts as a primary point person or liaison outside the department regarding a specific program or set of services, and presents information and recommendations to staff, senior management, or School Board. * Mentors staff on procurement\-related procedures and policies. * Performs related duties as required or assigned. Work Environment/Physical Requirements This job operates in a professional office environment and has a noise level of mostly low to moderate. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, filing cabinets, and fax machines. Salary Range $84,512 \- $146,688 Salary Grade \[Salary Information] Unified Scale\-Schedule B/Grade 004\-FEU\-OP Office Procurement Contract Length 260\-Day Contract Pay Frequency Monthly Percent Full\-Time Full Time Job Type Finance/Accounting Open Until Filled Yes Re\-Adv. Position No **Senior Contract Specialist \| Fairfax County Public Schools** ===============================================================