PRINCIPAL CONTRACT ADMINISTRATOR

Metro’s mission is to provide a world-class transportation system that enhances the quality of life for all who live, work, and play within LA County.

Description

Performs complex work in support of contract administration activities for Metro's acquisition of goods and services.

Recruitment Timelines : Interviews are projected to be scheduled for the week of May 4th, 2026 . These dates are subject to change. We encourage you to monitor your governmentjobs.com profile and emails for the latest updates.

Examples of Duties

• Leads the planning, development, and execution, including reviews and comments, on Request for Proposals (RFPs) and Invitation for Bids (IFBs), as necessary
• Meets with internal and external clients to anticipate requirements
• Establishes evaluation criteria
• Prepares packages for advertising, printing, and distribution
• Conducts pre-bid and pre-proposal meetings to answer questions and set schedules
• Receives bids and proposals, acts as chairperson on bid/proposal evaluation team, and makes awards recommendations and formalizes awards
• Prepares various contract award letters and notices
• Responds to bid and proposal award protests
• Participates in initial contractor and consultant conferences
• Conducts negotiations as necessary
• Completes final draft of contracts
• Responsible for contract management activities after award
• Liaises with Metro's vendors and internal clients
• Maintains all records associated with an acquisition
• Supports Metro's diverse and economically disadvantaged programs, as well as other initiatives as assigned
• Reviews and approves invoices and payments
• Negotiates and approves change orders, task orders, contract work orders, and contract modifications
• Coordinates escrow agreements
• Attends progress meetings to review contract issues, set payment schedules, and make adjustments to contract administration
• Monitors contract compliance
• Assists in developing claim strategies designed to minimize damage assessment and effect on schedules
• Arranges and participates in final inspection and prepares closeout documents
• Prepares monthly status reports, summaries, and other correspondence
• Briefs management on assigned projects and give oral presentations as applicable
• Provides guidance and assistance to lower-level employees
• Communicates and implements safety rules, policies, and procedures in support of the agency's safety vision and goals; and maintains accountability for the safety performance of all assigned employees
  
  

Minimum Qualifications

May be required to perform other related job duties

Required

A combination of education and/or experience that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the essential functions of the position. Additional experience, as outlined below, may be substituted for required education on a year-for-year basis. A typical combination includes:

Education

• Bachelor's Degree in Economics, Business, Public Administration, or a related field; Master's Degree in a related field preferred
  
  

Experience

• Five years of relevant experience performing complex contract administration work; some positions in this class may require specialized experience in area of assignment
  
  

Certifications/Licenses/Special Requirements

• A valid California Class C Driver License or the ability to utilize an alternative method of transportation when needed to carry out job-related essential functions
• Professional certification from National Contract Management Association (NCMA), American Production and Inventory Control Society (APICS), Institute for Supply Management (ISM), or equivalent preferred
  
  

Preferred Qualifications

Preferred Qualifications (PQs) are used to identify relevant knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs) as determined by business necessity. These criteria are considered preferred qualifications and are not intended to serve as minimum requirements for the position. PQs will help support selection decisions throughout the recruitment. In addition, applicants who possess these PQs will not automatically be selected.

The Following Are The Preferred Qualifications

• Experience performing full lifecycle complex contract administration duties for the acquisition of goods and professional services.
• Experience performing proposal evaluations, conducting complex cost and/or price analyses.
• Experience leading major negotiations for contract awards and modifications.
• Experience identifying and resolving complex contract issues with applicable local, state, and federal laws, rules, regulations, and policies governing public procurement and complex contract administration processes.
  
  

Essential Knowledge

Knowledge of (defined as a learned body of information that is required for and applied in the performance of job tasks)

• Theories, principles, and practices of public procurement, supply chain management, contract administration and/or practice of public agencies
• Applicable local, state, and federal laws, rules, regulations and policies pertaining to public procurement
• Financial and mathematical analysis, and statistical research
• Theories, principles and practices of project management
• Principles of supervision
• Applicable business software applications
  
  

Skill in (defined as the proficient manual, verbal, or mental utilization of data, people, or things)

• Performing complex contract administration and management work
• Planning, organizing, and coordinating the work of an integrated project team to perform contract administration functions
• Interviewing and evaluating contract proposal respondents
• Acquiring and analyzing information and resources, identifying problems, and making decisions in support of Metro's goals
• Exercising sound judgment and creativity in making decisions
• Determining strategies to achieve goals
• Influencing, mediating, and negotiating
• Communicating effectively both orally and in writing
• Interacting professionally with various levels of Metro employees and outside representatives
  
  

Ability to (defined as a present competence to perform an observable behavior or produce an observable result)

• Serve as liaison across the organization to enhance, improve, and develop policies and procedures
• Think and act independently
• Meet tight time constraints
• Handle highly confidential material
• Represent Metro before the public
• Prepare comprehensive reports, contracts, specifications, correspondence, RFPs, and IFBs
• Perform cost analysis
• Understand, interpret, and apply laws, rules, regulations, policies, procedures, contracts, and budgets
• Overseeing, training, and motivating assigned staff
• Travel to offsite locations
• Read, write, speak, and understand English
  
  

Special Conditions

The physical demands described are representative of those that must be met by the employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Metro provides reasonable accommodation to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Working Conditions

• Typical office situation
• Close exposure to computer monitors and video screen
  
  

Physical Effort Required

• Sitting at a desk or table
• Operate a telephone or other telecommunications device and communicate through the medium
• Type and use a keyboard and mouse to perform necessary computer-based functions
• Communicating through speech in the English language required
  
  

(SA)

Metro is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, ancestry, national origin, gender, marital status, sexual orientation, religion, age, veteran status, or disability. Learn more about Metro’s Equal Employment Opportunity Program . Metro does not deny participation in the application process to anyone with prior justice system involvement, in line with Fair Chance hiring practices.

Selection Procedure

Applicants who best meet job-related qualifications will be invited to participate in the examination process that may consist of any combination of written, performance, or oral appraisal to further evaluate job-related experience, knowledge, skills and abilities.

Application Procedure

To apply, visit Metro's website at www.metro.net and complete an online Employment Application.

Computers are available to complete online Employment Applications at the following Metro locations:

METRO Headquarters, Employment Office

One Gateway Plaza

Los Angeles, CA 90012

Open: Monday through Friday, 8am-4pm

(Closed Sat & Sun)

Metro Talent Hub

8501 S. Evermont Place

Los Angeles, CA 90044

Open: Monday through Friday, 9am-5pm

(Closed Sat & Sun)

East Los Angeles Customer Center

4501 B Whittier Blvd

Los Angeles, CA 90022

Open: Tuesday through Saturday, 10am to 6pm

(Closed Sun & Mon)

Wilshire/Vermont Customer Center

3183 Wilshire Blvd, Ste 174

Los Angeles, CA 90010

Open: Monday through Friday, 10am-6pm

(Closed Sat & Sun)

Rosa Parks Customer Center

Willowbrook/Rosa Parks Station

11720 Wilmington Ave

Los Angeles, CA 90059

Open: Monday through Friday, 6am to 6:30pm

(Closed Sat & Sun)

Telephone: (213) 922-6217 or persons with hearing or speech impairments can use California Relay Service 711 to contact Metro.

All completed online Employment Applications must be received by 5:00 p.m. on the closing date. Late applications will not be considered.

• Open to the public and all Metro employees
  
  

This job bulletin is not to be construed as an exhaustive list of duties, responsibilities, or requirements. Employees may be required to perform other related job duties.