Contracts Specialist Senior (Project-Permanent)

Introduction

Are you interested in administering contracts? How about serving as a resource for the development of contract processes and procedures? If these job duties interest you, read on to find out more about an opening in the North Central Region of Wisconsin!

The WI Department of Transportation (WisDOT), Division of Transportation System Development (DTSD) is seeking an interested and qualified individual to fill a Contracts Specialist Senior project-permanent position in the North Central Region!

This full-time project-permanent position can be headquartered in Wisconsin Rapids or Rhinelander, Wisconsin.

WisDOT is a great place to work! In addition to meaningful and rewarding work, we offer a competitive benefits package featuring:

• Substantial leave time including at least 3.5 weeks of paid leave time to start, 9 paid holidays, and 130 hours of sick time that roll over each year.
• Excellent and affordable health, vision, and dental benefits (health plan options start at just $42/month for single plans and $104/month for family plans after two months of employment)
• A casual office atmosphere, flexible work schedules, and telework options depending on the position’s requirements
• An exceptional pension plan with employer match and lifetime retirement payment, plus an optional tax advantaged 457 retirement savings plan
• Well Wisconsin Wellness Program
• A free and confidential employee assistance program that offers employees and their immediate family dependents a variety of tools, resources, and professional consultation services to support their health, goals, and overall well-being
• Use the Total Rewards Calculator to see the total value of our competitive benefits package!
• In addition to our generous employee benefits, we strive for inclusivity and celebrate different religious holidays and cultural observances and provide flexibility for utilizing paid time off for such celebrations. For more information on WisDOT you can visit our website.

The Wisconsin Department of Transportation is an organization dedicated to creating transportation solutions through innovation and exceptional service. We are committed to fostering an environment rooted in Integrity, Diversity, Excellence, and Accountability.  View our website to learn more about how we apply these values in our work.

Every day, WisDOT’s Division of Transportation System Development plays the leading role in the upkeep and improvement of nearly 12,000 miles of state highways and bridges used by millions of people. You’ll find that behind every barrel is a dedicated team from a wide array of backgrounds including engineering, planning, environmental services, public outreach, real estate, finance and many more. It can be a challenging job, but we think you’ll find it’s an awfully rewarding one, too.

We’re looking for detail-oriented critical thinkers to help deliver a quality program to build, improve and maintain transportation infrastructure throughout the state. We encourage anyone at any point in any career to take a look at WisDOT opportunities and give some thought to how your skills and resume line up. Having a good attitude, a willingness to learn and a passion for creating lasting, impactful work will go a long way here. It’s a big system with lots of opportunity and responsibilities.

Are you up for it? At WisDOT, you can Build the Future – NOW.

Position Summary
This position is responsible for assisting with the consultant contract development and administration of the region’s complex transportation program through coordination with other contract specialists, project leaders, project managers, functional leads, and supervisors within all region functional areas. This position reviews contracts to ensure compliance with state and federal policy, laws, and regulations and provides consultation, training, and expertise to region staff and management on contracting processes. This position is responsible for assisting with construction contract administration efforts within the region improvement programs.

For state highway projects, this position has the primary contract specialist duties on all region projects from project resourcing through project closeout, beginning where planning contract specialist duties end, and ending when all project contracts have been closed.  These duties include contract development, assisting with the contract administration process, using Masterworks; monitoring progress of contracts and submittals; assisting with consultant selections; assisting with coordination and management of contract negotiations; assisting with the review of Contract Administration and Reporting System (CARS) invoices; evaluating, managing, and coordinating budgetary considerations; and assisting with databases.

For local program construction projects, this position has the primary contract specialist duties for projects for the entire life of the contract. These duties include the contract budgeting, reviewing contracts, and routing contracts for approval.

For construction contracts, this position has the primary contract specialist duties for contract administration efforts. These duties include administration of contracts using AASHTO Ware Project (AWP), assisting with developing and distributing formal written contract authorizations and communications with contractors, assisting with the region’s construction finals process, and assisting with organizing the annual construction workshop.

To view the full position description, please reach out to Allie Strullmyer at allison.strullmyer@dot.wi.gov.

Salary Information
This position is in schedule-range 07-04 with an annual salary of $49,920 – $64,480, plus excellent benefits. A twelve month probationary period is required. Pay for current state employees will be set in accordance with the Wisconsin State Compensation Plan.

Job Details
Wisconsin residency is required for project positions.

The project/permanent position has been authorized until May 2029. Project/permanent positions are eligible for all benefits (including paid time off) as well as civil service status. After successful completion of the 12 month probationary period (if applicable), employees in these positions will attain permanent status and will be eligible to transfer to other permanent positions similar to other permanent employees in state service. This allows employees to be considered for other similar positions when the project position approaches its expiration date.

WisDOT does not sponsor work visas.  Any appointment made will be contingent on the applicant being able to prove valid status to work in the United States. WisDOT is not an E-verify employer.

Prior to any appointments for position(s) filled from this announcement, candidates may be subject to a comprehensive criminal background check which may include FBI fingerprinting.

This position offers a hybridized work schedule. The position will be headquartered at and required to work from the DTSD North Central Region office building in Wisconsin Rapids or Rhinelander, Wisconsin at least two days per week. All employees working a hybrid work schedule are still expected to telework from within the state of Wisconsin. This topic will be discussed more at the time of the interview.

Qualifications
Qualified applicants will have experience with all of the following:

• Reviewing or managing contracts or invoices.
  • Experience may include reviewing contracts/invoices, applying contract provisions, ensuring conformance to contract/invoice requirements, etc.
• Performing financial related duties or analyzing financial data.
  • Experience may include purchasing, accounting, finance, financial data collection, creating financial reports, accounts reconciliation, accounts payable, budgeting, etc.
• Providing customer service by interpreting technical documents for partners.

How To Apply
Apply online! To apply, click “Apply for Job” to start the application process.  Then, you will access your existing account or to create a new account if you don’t have an account. Once you are logged in, click “Apply for Job.” Follow the steps outlined in the application process and submit your application.

Your application materials are very important parts of your application and are used during our evaluation process to determine your qualifications as they relate to the job. For instructions on how to develop and what should be included in these materials, click here. For more information on the basics of the selection process and how the State of WI ensures fair and equitable treatment of all applicants, click here. The vast majority of applicants are able to outline their background and experience in their resume in 1-3 pages. Any resumes submitted with more than 10 pages will not be considered after page 10. If this job posting requires a letter of qualifications, the same limit applies.

Permanent classified state employees who are eligible for consideration (transfer or voluntary demotion) should complete the application process as described above by the stated deadline.

Submitted materials will be evaluated by a panel of job experts and the most qualified applicants will be invited to participate in the next step of the selection process. Questions related to the job and how to apply can be directed to Allie Strullmyer at allison.strullmyer@dot.wi.gov or (608) 267-7946. For general wisc.jobs user information and technical assistance, please see the wisc.jobs Frequently Asked Questions page.

Deadline to Apply
The deadline to apply is Sunday, June 29th at 11:59pm CST.