Contract Management Specialst

Would you like to be part of an amazing team that helps Arizonans thrive At the Department of Economic Security (DES) we strengthen individuals families and communities for a better quality of life. DES is looking for individuals who are committed to service community and teamwork. To learn more about DES please visit ; or click on the link here to view Our DES video. Come Join the DES Team!

Department of Economic Security Division of Aging and Adult Services seeks an experienced and highly motivated individual to join our team as a Contract Management Specialist.

The Contract Management Specialist manages all post-award administration of contracts grants and Intergovernmental or Interagency Agreements while assisting with upfront development activities like scope of work creation contract execution and setup. This role primarily serves to administer contracts coordinate closely with division program teams provide targeted training and technical assistance to contractors and manage statewide onsite or virtual compliance -state travel is required.

This position may offer the ability to work remotely within Arizona based upon the departments business needs and continual meeting of expected performance measures.

The State of Arizona strives for a work culture that affords employees flexibility autonomy and trust. Across our many agencies boards and commissions many State employees participate in the States Remote Work Program and are able to work remotely in their homes in offices and in hoteling spaces. All work including remote work should be performed within Arizona unless an exception is properly authorized in advance.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

Contract Management and Administration - Collaborate with the DES Office of Procurement and division program teams throughout the contract lifecycle to develop execute and coordinate contract/grant documents and DSAs. This includes processing amendments (such as extensions scope of work revisions and reimbursement ceiling adjustments) and drafting formal correspondence like Demands for Assurance and Letters of Concern.
Contract compliance reviews (CCR) - Coordinate and conduct statewide on-site and virtual Contract Compliance Reviews (CCRs) to ensure contractor adherence to federal state grant and Department regulations. Aggregate and analyze CCR data to identify compliance trends report contractual concerns and deliver targeted contractor training and technical assistance.
Research contract provisions historical documentation and compliance requirements to provide accurate interpretations and resolve inquiries from program teams and contractors.
Concurrently track and maintain all fully executed agreementsincluding required contractor background checks annual risk assessments and insurance within the appropriate files and visual management tools.
Partner with program and fiscal staff to manage contractor non-compliance by tracking Corrective Improvement Plans (CIPs) and coordinating direct resolutions. This includes ensuring timely CIP responses from contractors verifying full issue resolution and completing annual contractor risk assessments that incorporate these historical CIP outcomes.

Knowledge of:
State procurement code DES and Division-specific contract policies RFP/RFGA processes Uniform/Special Terms and Conditions and contractor background check and DSA requirements.
Contracting policies and procedures specific to contract administration Contract Compliance Reviews (CCRs) and sub-recipient risk assessments.
Basic principles of budget coordination and invoice compliance tracking.
Continuous improvement methodologies Lean principles or standard work formulation.

Skills in:
Oral and written communication
Prioritizing workload problem identification and resolution conflict resolution and time management.
Establishing building and maintaining professional relationships with division program teams community partners tribal representatives and governmental agency staff.

Ability to:
Write clear concise and accurate reports and formal correspondence (e.g. Demands for Assurance Letters of Concern).
Effectively efficiently and concurrently manage multiple varied tasks in a fast-paced time-sensitive work environment.
Plan organize coordinate and prioritize activities to best meet department needs.

The ideal candidate for this position will have:

Bachelors degree in business or public administration management finance or another related field and 1 year of contract management or contract compliance experience which includes preparing professional level documents and analyzing numerical/financial data; OR
3 years of contract management or contract compliance experience which includes preparing professional level documents and analyzing numerical/financial data.

In-state travel /may be required. Drivers License Requirements. Any employee operating a motor vehicle on State business must possess and retain a current valid class-appropriate drivers license complete all required training and successfully pass all necessary drivers license record checks. The license must be current unexpired and neither revoked nor suspended. Employees who drive on state business are subject to drivers license record checks must maintain acceptable driving records and must complete all required driver training. An employee who operates a personally owned vehicle on state business shall maintain the statutorily required liability insurance (see Arizona Administrative Code (A.A.C.) R.11).
Successfully pass background and reference checks; employment is contingent upon completion of the above-mentioned process and the agencys ability to reasonably accommodate any restrictions.
All newly hired State employees are subject to and must successfully complete the Electronic Employment Eligibility Verification Program (E-Verify).

The Arizona Department of Economic Security offers a comprehensive benefits package to include:

Affordable medical dental life and short-term disability insurance plans
Participation in the Arizona State Retirement System (ASRS) and long-term disability plans
10 paid holidays per year
Paid vacation and sick time
Paid Parental Leave-Up to 12 weeks per year paid leave for newborn or newly-placed foster/adopted child.
Deferred compensation plan
Wellness plans
Tuition Reimbursement
Stipend Opportunities
Infant at Work Program
Rideshare and Public Transit Subsidy
Career Advancement & Employee Development Opportunities

By providing the option of a full-time or part-time remote work schedule employees enjoy improved work/life balance report higher job satisfaction and are more productive. Remote work is a management option and not an employee entitlement or right. An agency may terminate a remote work agreement at its discretion.

Learn more about the Paid Parental Leave programhere. For a complete list of benefits provided by The State of Arizona please visit our benefits page

State employees are required to participate in the Arizona State Retirement System (ASRS) the State sponsored retirement contribution plan and the Long-Term Disability (LTD) program after a 27-week waiting period. The ASRS defined benefit plan provides for life-long income upon retirement. You will also have the option to participate in a voluntary deferred compensation program to take advantage of tax-deferred retirement investments.

On or shortly after your first day of work you will be provided with additional information about the available insurance plans enrollment instructions submission deadlines and effective dates.

For questions about this career opportunity please call Brenda Vega at or email

The State of Arizona is an Equal Opportunity/Reasonable Accommodation Employer. Persons with a disability may request a reasonable accommodation such as a sign language interpreter or an alternative format by contacting Brenda Vega at or email Requests should be made as early as possible to allow time to arrange the accommodation.