IT Contract Specialist V

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Functional Title: IT Contract Specialist V 
Job Title: Contract Specialist V 
Agency: Health & Human Services Comm 
Department: Contract Mgmt & Oversight DSHS 
Posting Number: 6946 
Closing Date: 07/22/2025 
Posting Audience: Internal and External 
Occupational Category: Business and Financial Operations 
Salary Group: TEXAS-B-24 
Salary Range: $5,425.33 - $7,155.75 
Shift: Day 
Additional Shift:  
Telework:  
Travel: Up to 15% 
Regular/Temporary: Regular 
Full Time/Part Time: Full time 
FLSA Exempt/Non-Exempt: Nonexempt 
Facility Location:  
Job Location City: AUSTIN 
Job Location Address: 4601 W GUADALUPE ST 
Other Locations:  
MOS Codes: 3006,3044,8640,310X,36A,36B,51C,60C0,62S0,63G0,63S0,64PX,651X,6C0X1,751X,FIN10,LS,LSS,SEI16,SK,F&S 
 
 
 

Brief Job Description:

The IT Contract Specialist V is a senior-level position responsible for managing moderately complex IT contracts from development through closeout in accordance with Information Technology Contract Management policies. This role ensures contractor accountability, maintains compliance with state and agency requirements, and supports the agency’s mission by securing and managing IT services that are critical to operations. The position requires advanced communication skills to convey complex information to diverse stakeholders and plays a key role in ensuring the integrity, efficiency, and compliance of IT contracts.

Essential Job Functions:

1. Contract Oversight & Lifecycle Management (50%)

• Serve as the primary point of contact for communication with contractors and agency stakeholders on all assigned contracts.
• Support agency business needs during the acquisition phase by serving as a contracting subject matter expert.
• Maintain expert knowledge of contract terms, purpose, scope, requirements, deliverables, milestones, and expenditures.
• Establish and implement monitoring plans, including risk assessments, monitoring reports, deliverable tracking, and performance evaluations.
• Ensure contractor accountability through scheduled monitoring and enforcement of performance standards.
• Exercise appropriate remedies for performance deficiencies and escalate issues to System Contracting or Procurement as needed.
• Monitor contract expenditures using agency accounting systems and reports.
• Verify invoice accuracy and authorize payments in accordance with contract terms.
• Manage and document contract changes through the amendment process.
• Oversee timely completion of services and deliverables prior to contract expiration.
• Perform contract closeout procedures within 90 days of expiration, including submission of vendor performance reports and compliance with record retention requirements.
• Respond promptly and constructively to findings from contract quality reviews.
• Prepare vendor screening checklists using statewide systems.
• Coordinate Historically Underutilized Businesses (HUB) reporting for assigned contracts.

2. Contract Record Management & Compliance (30%)

• Maintain accurate and up-to-date contract records in SCOR (contract system of record) and CAPPS Financials (financial system of record).
• Complete thorough reviews of contract documentation within 10 days of the contract’s effective date.
• Upload and maintain all required documents in the appropriate SCOR sub-modules.
• Track and record deliverable status and lifecycle events such as inception, amendments, and closure.
• Ensure compliance with agency documentation standards, record retention policies, and applicable laws and regulations.
• Respond to audit inquiries and ensure documentation supports contract decisions and actions.
• Contribute to the continuous improvement of the department’s process knowledgebases.
• Maintain contract metadata reference resources to support consistency and accuracy across contract records.

3. Risk Management (10%)

• Promote best practices in contract management to mitigate risk throughout the contract lifecycle.
• Complete initial risk assessments within 60 days of contract start and update them regularly.
• Monitor and reassess risk throughout the life of the contract.
• Escalate matters requiring supervisory or legal input when appropriate.
• Consult with System Contracting and legal counsel to address legal or compliance concerns.

4. Communication & Stakeholder Engagement (10%)

• Maintain proactive and professional communication with all stakeholders to support contract success.
• Lead post-award contractor conferences to ensure mutual understanding of performance and administrative expectations.
• Utilize advanced communication skills to convey complex contract information to diverse audiences.

Licensure, Certification or Registration required:

Certified Texas Contract Manager (CTCM) and Certified Texas Contract Developer (CTCD) or the ability to obtain within 12 months of employment.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities required:

• Advance knowledge of negotiation strategies and techniques, of contract administration and cost monitoring for large scope or high-dollar value contracts; of systems and procedures used to evaluate vendor’s performance; and of local, state, and federal laws and regulations relevant to the administration of state funds.

• Skill in handling multiple projects, manage competing priorities, and meeting tight deadlines.

• Skill in conflict resolution and contract negotiations.

• Skill in communicating effectively both verbally and in writing.

• Ability to gather, assemble, and correlate data.

• Ability to exercise sound judgment in making critical decisions to analyze complex information and develop plans.

• Ability to interpret complex data.

• Ability to interpret and apply policies, procedures, and regulations.

• Ability to evaluate material data for reasonableness, necessity, and conformity with contract requirements.

Initial Screening Criteria
3 years’ experience in contract management. Experience in Information Technology contracts preferred.

Additional Information
• Selected candidates must be legally authorized to work in the U.S. without sponsorship.  

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Active Duty, Military, Reservists, Guardsmen, and Veterans:

Military occupation(s) that relate to the initial selection criteria and registration or licensure requirements for this position may include, but not limited to those listed in this posting. All active-duty military, reservists, guardsmen, and veterans are encouraged to apply if qualified to fill this position. For more information please see the Texas State Auditor’s Job Descriptions, Military Crosswalk and Military Crosswalk Guide at Texas State Auditor's Office - Job Descriptions.

ADA Accommodations:

In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), HHSC and DSHS agencies will provide reasonable accommodation during the hiring and selection process for qualified individuals with a disability. If you need assistance completing the on-line application, contact the HHS Employee Service Center at 1-888-894-4747. If you are contacted for an interview and need accommodation to participate in the interview process, please notify the person scheduling the interview.

Pre-Employment Checks and Work Eligibility:

Depending on the program area and position requirements, applicants selected for hire may be required to pass background and other due diligence checks.

HHSC uses E-Verify. You must bring your I-9 documentation with you on your first day of work. Download the I-9 Form

Telework Disclaimer:

This position may be eligible for telework.  Please note, all HHS positions are subject to state and agency telework policies in addition to the discretion of the direct supervisor and business needs.