Principal Contract Administrator

The Metropolitan Council's Regional Administration Division is accepting applications for a Principal Contract Administrator within the Procurement Department.

We are the Metropolitan Council, the regional government for the seven-county Twin Cities metropolitan area. We plan 20 years ahead for the future of the metropolitan area and provide regional parks and trails, transportation, wastewater, and housing services. More information about us on our website.

We are committed to hiring and supporting a diverse workforce that reflects the communities we serve.

The Procurement Department supports internal Council units in purchasing the goods and services necessary to conduct Council business. In carrying out this purpose, the department complies with Council policies and procedures, as well as the laws of federal, state, and local governments, and the requirements of grants the Council receives.

How your work would contribute to our organization and the Twin Cities region:

The Principal Contract Administrator will be responsible for supporting contract management by being a subject matter expert in procurement policy, procedure, training, standardization through template and work instruction development/updates. Additionally, the Principal Contract Administrator will provide support to project managers by instilling contract administration principles and oversight, compliance monitoring and reviews, reporting, special projects as assigned, and updating the Procurement Manual for Council staff to reference as a tool for their contracts. This position will create consistent workflows and documentation standards for policy updates/creation and training materials that takes into consideration practices by other divisions, changes in the law, and emerging best practices from peer agencies.

This position may be asked to administer solicitations on an as needed basis.

This position may require the ability and willingness to travel to multiple locations in the seven (7) county metropolitan area, some of which may not be accessible by public transportation.

• Develop or improve solicitation templates and planning support.
• Update the Council's Procurement Manual.
• Periodically review Procurement Manual for usability ensuring staff can use it, not just reference it.
• Incorporate lessons learned for audits, protests, and contract issues into Procurement Manual updates.
• Add practical "how-to" work instruction guidance alongside policy summaries (cradle to grave workflows, decision trees).
• Conduct scheduled reviews of all procurement policies for relevance, compliance, and clarity.
• Develop new policies and procedures as needed.
• Create and update training materials and make them available to Council employees including role-based training (Project Managers vs. Procurement vs. Finance vs. Information Services, etc.)
• Track attendance and completion of Procurement trainings and report out total number of attendees.
• Expand Contract Compliance Review Program (CCRP) for Council-wide application and reviews.
• Provide guidance on navigating policy and compliance requirements.
• Develop and maintain change logs for policy/procedure updates as well as training updates.
• Establish a "Procurement University" of trainings and training materials; work with LOD to develop webinars as required.
• Participate in audits and prepare Procurement responses as well as after action updates for compliance.
• Conduct solicitations on an as needed basis; work with project managers to understand contract needs and provide information on procurement procedures required to comply with Council policy, procedures, and laws.
• Review contracts for compliance with terms, conditions, pricing, laws, rules, and procedures; identify potential contract breaches and risks and take corrective or mitigating actions as necessary.
• Perform market research.
• Review vendor price increase requests and make recommendations to project managers.
• Coordinate and work cross-functionally with Council Contract Negotiators, Office of the General Council, Information Services, Risk Management, and Office of Equal Opportunity.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Education/Experience
Any of the following combinations of completed education (in business, finance, public administration, or a closely related field) and experience (in contract administration):

• Bachelor's degree or higher with five (5) years of experience.
• Associate degree with seven (7) years of experience.
• High school diploma/GED with nine (9) years of experience.

• Experience working with Federal Transit Administration (FTA) funded contacts.
• Contract management or procurement experience with a government entity or in a large complex private company where regulations were applicable.
• Experience working with federal or state regulations.
• Knowledge and experience with risk mitigation.
• Experience developing and administering procurement solicitations, including Invitations for Bids (IFBs), Requests for Proposals (RFPs), and Requests for Quotes (RFQs); drafting scopes of work; facilitating pre-proposal meetings; coordinating evaluation panels; developing evaluation criteria; reviewing cost/price analyses and Independent Cost Estimates (ICE); managing solicitation timelines, addenda, vendor communications, and protests.
• Certification as a Professional Public Buyer (CPPB), Public Procurement Officer (CPPO) or Purchasing Manager (CPM), or National Institute Government Procurement-Certified Procurement Professional (NIGP-CPP), or Project Manager Development Program (PMDP).

• Demonstrate a working command of the Council's procurement framework, including applicable policies (FM 14 series), statutory requirements (Minn. Stat. 471.345), and any relevant federal standards (e.g., FTA requirements).
• Strong process and policy skills. The individual should be able to assess existing procedures, identify gaps between policy and practice, and implement practical improvements whether through updated guidance, templates, or new procedures. This includes contributing meaningfully to updates of the Procurement Manual and related materials.
• The person in this role should also demonstrate the ability to develop and deliver clear, usable training and guidance for staff at varying levels of experience. This includes translating complex procurement requirements into straightforward instruction.
• Ability to navigate core systems and workflows (e.g., contract log database, routing/approval processes), and ensuring documentation is accurate, complete, and audit ready.
• Demonstrate sound judgment, strong communication skills, and the ability to work effectively across divisions providing consistent and practical guidance in compliance with applicable laws, rules, policies, and procedures.
• Ability to utilize Microsoft Word and Excel, Electronic Calendar, Internet, and market research tools, e.g. Procurement IQ.
• Ability to read, analyze, and interpret government regulations. Ability to write reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals. Ability to effectively prepare and present information and respond to questions from diverse groups of customers or clients.
• Ability to work under high-pressure situations with all levels of the organization while adhering to procurement policies and procedures.
• Skilled in project management and the ability to lead teams and communicate effectively both written and orally.
• Organizational and multi-tasking skills.
• Skilled in dealing with others, both inside and outside of the department. Interactions with others generally require influencing, instructing, and negotiating with individuals to gain their understanding, cooperation, and action.

• We offer the opportunity to make a difference and positively influence the Twin Cities metropolitan area.
• We encourage and support staff in contributing to a dynamic work culture that improves the Council's ability to serve the region.
• We encourage and support staff in bringing the full range of experiences and identities that define them to the workplace.
• We encourage our employees to develop their skills through on-site training and tuition reimbursement.
• We provide a competitive salary, excellent benefits, and a good work/life balance.

More about why you should join us!

Union/Grade: AFSCME/Grade I
FLSA Status: Exempt
Safety Sensitive: No
Full Salary Range: $46.06 - $74.71 hourly / $95,805 - $155,397 annually
Anticipated Starting Salary Range: $50.48 - $60.10 hourly / $105,000 - $125,000 annually (based on education and years of experience).

Disclaimer:
The responsibilities listed are typical of the position included in the job classification; however, not all duties are necessarily performed by each specific position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential duties of the position. Regular attendance is an essential responsibility.

What steps the recruitment process involves:
1. We review your minimum qualifications.
2. We rate your education and experience.
3. We conduct a structured panel interview.
4. We conduct a selection interview.

Once you have successfully completed the steps above, then:

If you are new to the Metropolitan Council, you must pass a drug test (safety sensitive positions only), and a background check which verifies education, employment, and criminal history. A driving record check and/or physical may be conducted if applicable to the job. If you have a criminal conviction, you do not automatically fail. The Metropolitan Council considers felony, gross misdemeanor convictions on a case-by-case basis, based on whether they are related to the job and whether the candidate has demonstrated adequate rehabilitation.

If you are already an employee of the Metropolitan Council, you must pass a criminal background check if the job you're applying for is safety sensitive, is a supervisory or management job, is in the Finance, Information Services, Audit, or Human Resources departments, or has access to financial records, files/databases, cash, vouchers or transit fare cards. A driving record check and/or physical may be conducted if applicable to the position.

IMPORTANT: If you make a false statement or withhold information, you may be barred from job consideration.

The Metropolitan Council is an Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action, and veteran-friendly employer. The Council is committed to a workforce that reflects the diversity of the region and strongly encourages persons of color, members of the LGBTQ community, individuals with disabilities, women, and veterans to apply.

If you have a disability that requires accommodation during the selection process, please email HR-OCCHealth@metc.state.mn.us.