This position is only open to Colorado state residents.

Note: This posting may fill more than one vacancy.

Thank you for your interest in working for the State of Colorado. Join us and find meaningful work in public service to our state and its residents, helping to make Colorado a great place to live and work in. Please watch the short video below for tips on applying.

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What Happens After You Apply

Colorado for All Philosophy: Colorado for All means working toward a Colorado where everyone has the opportunity to succeed. It means we support the basic human rights of our neighbors regardless of gender, race, ethnicity, religion, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, citizenship status, education level, disability, socio-economic status, or any other visible or invisible identity.

The Department of Personnel & Administration (DPA) is the foundation for dependable state government, leading with responsiveness, integrity, and teamwork. We provide services to other government agencies and all Coloradans by taking bold initiative toward a government with engaged employees, innovative solutions, and constructive partnerships.

DPA provides a wide range of programs and services, from custodial & maintenance to financial and human resources support, which assist other state agencies in fulfilling their missions. At DPA, there are countless opportunities to contribute to meaningful work that supports and serves the people of Colorado. The wide variety of positions in DPA allow individuals to learn about state operations and provide for long-term career growth.

If your goal is to build a career that makes a difference and build greater public confidence in good government, consider joining the dedicated people of the State of Colorado; it's a chance to combine your expertise with public service. Our professionals strive to support state government and the residents of Colorado. Customer service is a key component for every position in state government as is the focus on ideas and ways to redesign the delivery of services in making state government more.

Good Government Starts Here!

Why We Want You:

We want your expertise, positive energy, drive to succeed, and love of this great state as we work to elevate the expectations Coloradans have of their government.

What You'll Get From Us:

In return for the skilled work you do, DPA provides a competitive compensation and benefits package to accompany employment opportunities. Please see the Benefits Overview video for details on the benefits offered to employees.

This position advises the State Controller, Chief Procurement Officer, Agencies and Institutions of Higher Education regarding state contracts, interprets statutes to include the Procurement Code and Rules and OSC Fiscal Rules and Policies. This position makes recommendations for changes to the contract-related statutes, rules and policies, including drafting State contracting policies and processes. This position drafts and revises model State contracts and grants templates, assists Agencies and IHEs with drafting agency specific contracts and templates.

This position requires strong leadership skills and manages and oversees all of the work of the Central Contracts Unit and the four (4) central contracts specialists within the unit, including, without limitation, providing guidance on out-of-the-ordinary contract issues, helping resolve inter-agency disputes and disagreements on contract requirements, , and managing all personnel-related issues of the unit such as performing annual performance appraisals, conducting the hiring and termination process for employees, and resolving employment-related issues and concerns. As a member of the SPCO management team, this position also works cooperatively with the Chief Procurement Officer and other SPCO management staff to provide office-wide support and personnel development opportunities to staff.

This position assists the State Controller in the delegation process for state contracts. This includes drafting delegation letters, tracking delegates, making recommendations regarding approving, denying, modifying, or revoking delegations at specific Agencies or IHEs, providing delegation training and creating and refining processes and procedures related to delegation.

A summary of the duties and responsibilities will include, but are not limited to, the following:

Statewide Contract Direction:

• In consultation with the Chief Procurement Officer and State Controller, provide oversight of contracting for all agencies and IHEs under the procurement code and fiscal rules.
• Oversee staff who review and approve all contracts for Agencies and IHEs. This position is a management position and is not expected to review contracts on a day-to-day basis.
• Develop and maintain model State contracts and grant templates and ensure they meet accessibility and other state requirements.
• Determine when to seek assistance from the State Controller, Risk Management, or Office of the Attorney General in performing state contract review and approval.
• Serve as an escalation point to assist staff in providing advice to departments on contract-related issues, including appropriate contract types, complex requirements, payment structures, encumbrance issues, and signature requirements.
• Implement technology and procedures to improve statewide contracting.

Management of Central Contracts Unit:

• Manage staff to ensure alignment of departmental activities with organizational goals, including supporting strong customer service from the unit and the view of the unit as statewide experts in contracts.
• Manage unit workflow to ensure efficient processing of contracts, fiscal rule waiver requests, statutory violations approvals, procurement appeals, and consulting requests, including managing feedback from customers on the approval process and maintaining efficient internal tracking and workload management procedures. Be flexible to changing assignments and priorities in workflow and communicate those changes to CCU staff.
• Support SPCO staff with special projects, including accessibility, workgroups established for specific purposes and assignments using the CCU's skills for SPCO and Office of the State Controller projects outside of the normal contract process.
• Coach and develop CCU staff to help them with achieving their personal career goals and to enhance the effectiveness of their performance.
• Lead the hiring and onboarding process for new CCU staff.
• Manage performance issues, including developing informal plans for correcting improper work behavior or building better work-related skills, and developing formal Performance Improvement Plans when necessary.
• Manage the separation process for CCU staff who are leaving the unit.
• Proactively prevent personnel issues and employee disputes, and resolve personnel issues and disputes as they arise.

Review Statute, Rule and Policy:

• In consultation with the State Controller and Chief Procurement Officer, review and update statewide contract-related policies as requested when circumstances, rules or statutes change to ensure continued compliance with statutes and rules.
• Create internal procedures and processes related to contract review and approval.
• Make recommendations for updates to Fiscal Rules and related policies.
• Serve as an escalation point for staff who review agency and IHE violations of C.R.S. 24-30-202 for contracts and purchase orders and research the circumstances around the violation to determine if those purchases should be ratified.
• Provide input on legislative fiscal notes as requested
• Assist with implementation of new legislation or rules affecting state contracts
• Assist with open records requests as requested.
  
  

Delegation and Monitoring:

• Oversee delegation and monitoring of State Controller contract signature authority.
• Provide delegation training, including delegation refresher training.
• Maintain delegation-related records.

*A Human Resources Analyst will only review the work experience/job duties sections of the online job application to determine whether you meet the minimum qualifications for the position for which you are applying. Cover letters and resumes WILL NOT be accepted in lieu of the official State of Colorado online application, but may be attached. Applicants must meet the minimum qualifications to continue in the selection process for this position. Work experience and qualifications must be specifically documented on your online application. Do not use "see resume" or "see attached" statements on your application. Resumes will not be reviewed for minimum qualification screening. If it is determined that you meet the minimum qualifications, your application will also be used as part of the comparative analysis process to identify a top group for further consideration.

Skills-Based Hiring This position is advertised in line with the Governor’s executive order (Executive Order 2022 015) (Download PDF reader) focused on skills-based hiring practices that focuses on the knowledge, skills, and abilities specific to the job and aligns the hiring process accordingly. Skills-based hiring reduces potential barriers for applicants and allows for reduced bias in the hiring process by providing a direct description of skills that are unique to the duties assigned to the position with a recognition that the applicant may have developed these skills through education, training or past experiences.

Residency Requirement:
This posting is only open to residents of the State of Colorado at the time of submitting your application.

Class Code & Classification Description:

H1H6XX

CONTRACT ADMINISTRATOR VI

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Experience Only:

At least nine (9) years of experience in contract development, contract negotiation, and contract management which must include at least one (1) year of supervisor experience. There is no substitution for the one (1) year of supervisor experience.

OR

Education and Experience:

A combination of related education and/or relevant experience in contract development, contract negotiation, and contract management which must include at least one (1) year of supervisor experience equal to at least nine (9) years.

The exceptional candidate will possess the proven ability or accomplishment in the following preferred qualifications:

• Previous State Service related to the work assigned to the position

• A Juris Doctorate degree

• Policy and contract template drafting experience

• Ability to interpret and explain policies and procedures

• Highly organized

• Experience in public purchasing

• Knowledge of the Colorado Fiscal Rules, Procurement Code and Procurement Rules

• Experience with Colorado Operations Resource Engine (State's financial system) and Contract Management System (CMS)

Conditions of Employment:

• A pre-employment criminal background check will be conducted as part of the selection process.

Comparative Analysis Process
The comparative analysis process for this position may consist of a structured application review, an online assessment or other structured assessment step.

Appeal Rights:

An applicant who has been removed from an employment list or removed from consideration during the selection process may request a review by the State Personnel Director.

As an applicant directly affected by the results of the selection or comparative analysis process, you may file a written appeal with the State Personnel Director.

Review of the completed, signed and submitted appeal will be timely on the basis of written material submitted by you, using the official appeal form signed by you or your representative. This form must be completed and delivered to the State Personnel Board by email at dpa_state.personnelboard@state.co.us within ten (10) calendar days from your receipt of notice or acknowledgment of the Department’s action.

For further information on the Board Rules, you can refer to 4 Colorado Code of Regulations (CCR) 801-1, State Personnel Board Rules and Personnel Director's Administrative Procedures, Chapter 8, Resolution of Appeals and Disputes, at spb.colorado.gov/board-rules.

Employment Philosophy: The State of Colorado strives to build and maintain workplaces that value and respect all Coloradans. We are building a Colorado for All through a commitment to equal opportunity and hiring based on merit and fitness. The State is committed to non-discriminatory practices in hiring, employment, and advancement opportunities.

Accommodations: The Department of Personnel & Administration is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, our agency will assist individuals who have a disability with any reasonable accommodation requests related to employment, including completing the application process, interviewing, completing any pre-employment testing, participating in the employee selection process, and/or to perform essential job functions where the requested accommodation does not impose an undue hardship. If you have a disability and require reasonable accommodation to ensure you have a positive experience applying or interviewing for this position, please direct your inquiries to our ADAAA Coordinator, Heather Siegal heather.siegal@state.co.us