Contract Specialist

Under the general supervision of the Finance Director the Contract Specialist is responsible for managing the full lifecycle of contracts for the City of Independence from creation review approval compliance and execution. This position ensures that all contracts comply with applicable laws regulations and organizational policies. The Contract Specialist serves as a key liaison between internal departments vendors and other stakeholders to ensure clarity transparency and accountability throughout the contracting FUNCTIONSThe Contract Specialist role may perform some or all of the following duties including additional duties as DutiesManage contract process from initiation through closeout including drafting review approval execution and renewal accurate contract records track expiration dates and facilitate timely renewals amendments or and implement processes tools and reporting systems to improve contract lifecycle management and departmental guidance and training to staff on contract management best practices and policy in continuous improvement initiatives to enhance efficiency transparency and accountability in contract a wide range of contracts including professional services construction maintenance and intergovernmental with internal departments to ensure contracts receive appropriate legal financial and operational review prior to and maintain contract management systems templates and tracking tools for efficiency and guidance and training to staff on post-award contracting procedures compliance requirements and best in preparation of reports analyses and recommendations for management and governing bodies related to contract status compliance and budget risk management by identifying potential legal financial or operational risks within contracts and recommending mitigation QUALIFICATIONS Education and Experience:Bachelors Degree in Business Administration Public Administration Finance Legal Studies or related field; ANDTwo (2) to four (4) years of experience in contract administration procurement or a related function with a preference for public sector experience; OREquivalent combination of education and experienceKnowledge Skills and Abilities Required:Knowledge of contract of procurement practices. Knowledge of public sector budget practices. Knowledge of negotiation practices. Skilled in effective oral and written communication. Skilled in contract negotiations. Skilled in preparing and presenting information to internal staff and external in utilizing contract management software. Skilled in multitasking and prioritizing multiple tasks. Ability to communicate complex information clearly both orally and in writing to a variety of audiences. Ability to perform work accurately completely and in a timely manner. Ability to build relationships and collaborate with individuals both internally and externally. Special Requirements and/or Qualifications:Must complete required NIMS training within first six months of hire. This is online training that will be provided upon Environment:Work is performed in a typical office environment. While performing the essential functions of this job the employee is frequently required to walk sit use repetition of hands and fingers ability to reach with hands and arms talk and hear. Mental application utilizes memory for details verbal instructions complex thinking and creative problem solving. Equal Employment Opportunity Statement The City of Independence is an Equal Opportunity Employer and it is our policy to provide equal opportunity to all people without regard to race color religion national origin ancestry marital status veteran status age disability pregnancy genetic information citizenship status sex sexual orientation gender identity or any other legally protected category. The City of Independence is a background screening drug-free City of Independence provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities. If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation in order to apply for a job please submit your request to Disclaimer: The above statements describe the general nature level and type of work performed by the incumbent(s) assigned to this classification. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities demands and skills required of personnel so classified. Job descriptions are not intended to and do not imply or create any employment compensation or contract rights to any person or persons. Management reserves the right in coordination with the governing union (if applicable) to add delete or modify any and/or all provisions of this description at any time as needed without notice. This job description supersedes earlier versions.