Contracts Specialist - Oakland - AC Transit

Description

Salary : $114, $136,464.00 Annually
Location : Downtown Oakland, CA
Job Type: Regular Full Time
Job Number:
Department: Finance
Division: Contract Administration
Opening Date: 03/03/2026
Closing Date: 3/24/2026 11:59 PM Pacific
Summary
AC Transit is actively recruiting for the position of Contracts Specialist in the Procurement Department. Under direction, this position, provides professional-level, analytical, and technical support for the District's comprehensive contracts administration programs and activities; oversees contract life cycle from formulation through the award, compliance, renewal and close out. This is the experienced-level within the Contracts Specialist series. Incumbents at this level are expected to work independently on routine to significantly complex contracts and have the responsibility for issuing, reviewing bids, preparing contracts, and award documentation.
This is an excellent opportunity to work for the largest bus agency in California. In addition to working with some of the best in the business, AC Transit also has an excellent benefits package that includes pension, medical, dental and vision coverage, flexible spending and a 457 savings plan.
Representative Functions

• Facilitates the negotiation, execution, and administration of contracts and agreements ensuring that all contract terms and documents are compliant according to procedures and regulations mandated by the District, the Federal Transit Administration (FTA), and/or other agencies.
• Leads pre-proposal conferences with Project Managers and/or assigned staff; analyzes Statement of Work (SOW) and project plans; assists in defining products and service specifications and determining contract parameters including cost of contract, creation of performance-based criteria including performance periods and deliverables.
• Determines appropriate solicitation process and develops or guides the development of Requests for Proposals (RFPs), Invitations to Bid (ITB), Requests for Quotations (RFQs) and Requests for Information (RFI).
• Leads bids/proposal evaluation meetings and conducts vendor interviews; evaluates bids, proposals, qualifications, and quotations for conformance to specifications and suitability for required use; recommends for selection the bid most economically sufficient.
• Drafts, evaluates, and reviews contract terms and conditions for products and services to ensure the protection of the District's interests.
• Reviews and provides input to Board Staff Reports requesting approval to initiate solicitation process or inform of contract award.
• Administers on-going contracts to ensure adherence to contract terms and provisions; monitors execution of contracts to ensure that contractual terms are met; identifies non-compliance with contractual terms and advises project managers regarding issues; formulates and implements appropriate solutions.
• Utilizes automated procurement and accounting systems to review and approve invoices for professional services.
• Negotiates settlement of contract disputes; coordinates resolution of protest claims in conjunction with management and General Counsel.
• Prepares routine to significantly complex contract amendments, revisions, terminations, and close-outs.
• Conducts routine to complex cost-price and total cost of ownership analysis and identifies potential cost savings.
• Assists management in implementing purchasing and payment policy and procedural changes.
• Prepares, edits, distributes, and posts a variety of reports, correspondence, and mandatory filings, including pre-and post-award documentation; maintains logs, records, and documentation for all contracts and projects in accordance with FTA regulations; distributes executed contracts to appropriate District personnel; edits and reviews the conformance of work prepared by staff.
• Stays abreast of new trends, technologies, and innovations in areas of procurement and contracts; monitors changes in federal, state, and local regulations, analyzes impact, and recommends and implements policy and procedural changes after approval.
• Researches emerging products and enhancements and their applicability to District needs.
• May provide training to lower-level staff in work methods and procedures.
• Performs related duties as required.

Minimum Qualifications
Education: Equivalent to a bachelor's degree from an accredited four-year college or university in business or public administration or related field. Additional years of experience may be substituted for education on a year-for-year basis.
Experience: Three (3) yearsof recent, verifiable, professional-level experience in contract and procurement administration activities or two (2) years at a level equivalent to the District's classification of Assistant Contracts Specialist. Additional education, such as a graduate degree in one of the above disciplines from an accredited college or university, may be substituted for experience on a year-for-year basis.
Special Requirements: Must be willing to: (1) work outside regular business hours as required and (2) travel between the various District facilities.
Additional Information
Physical Requirements:Must maintain the physical condition necessary to: (1) perform tasks in an office setting operating a personal computer, keyboards, and other peripheral equipment and (2) possess physical mobility, with or without assistance, in order to direct or conduct field studies, and attend external meetings and events.
THIS POSITION IS A UNION POSITION, REPRESENTED BY AFSCME
The Selection Process: The Human Resources department must receive a completed online application by the filling date. If this recruitment is "Continuous," it may be closed at any time without notice. Applications will be screened for job related qualifications, and those candidates who best meeting the qualifications listed on this Job Announcement will be invited to participate in an examination process that may include written, oral and/or performance segments. Current District employees must have satisfactory attendance and performance records. Finalists will be placed on an Eligibility List. When filling vacancies, the Human Resources Department will refer the top candidates to the hiring department for final screening and recommendation.
Benefits: The transit professionals who call AC Transit home represent the rich cultural diversity of the Bay Area. For more than 60 years, we have been an equal opportunity employer honoring religion, ethnic background, national origin, gender, gender expression, genetic information, disabilities, age, and veteran status. We are not only an inclusive employer but also offer a comprehensive benefits package rooted in choice, flexibility, and affordability. Most Benefits are effective the first of the month following your hire date. Employees and eligible dependents have access to the following benefits*:

• Medical - Choice of two Health Maintenance Organizations (HMOs): Kaiser Permanente and Health Net. $10.00 office visit co-pays; $5.00 - $35.00 prescription co-pays.
• Dental - MetLife Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) $50 annual deductible per person/$150 per family; $3,000 per person annual maximum; preventative care covered at 100%; basic and major care covered at 90%; $4,000 lifetime maximum orthodontia covered at 50%.
• Vision - Vision Service Plan - $10.00 copay; eligible for an exam, lenses, frames or contact lenses every 12 months - based on the last date of service. $200 frame allowance or $120 allowance for contact lenses.
• Employer paid Basic Life Insurance
• Employee paid Voluntary Term Life Insurance
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) for Health Care, Dependent Care, Parking, Transit
• AC Transit contributes up to $50.00/month towards an employee's FSA Transit costs
• Free AC Transit Bus Pass
• Federal Credit Union
• Vacation and Sick Leave or Personal Time Off
• Ten (10) paid holidays; 2 paid floating holidays; 1 paid birthday holiday
• Tuition Reimbursement - up to $2500 per fiscal year on approved courses
• Wellness Program

*AC Transit benefits are negotiated and subject to change based on collective bargaining agreements.
Pension: All AC Transit employees participate in a lifetime defined benefit pension. All employees hired on or after January 1, 2020, may be in the District's Tier II pension plan covered by the Public Employees' Pension Reform Act of 2013 (PEPRA). As such, he/she may be required to contribute a small portion of annual income towards the cost of his/hers District pension.
ADA Compliant and Drug Free Workplace: The Human Resources Department will make reasonable efforts in the recruitment/examination process to accommodate applicants with disabilities. If you have a need for an accommodation, please call Human Resources at
The Alameda Contra Costa Transit District has established the goal of a 100 percent drug and alcohol-free workplace. Applicants will be required to undergo drug and alcohol testing prior to employment and those in safety sensitive positions will be subject to further drug and alcohol testing through their period of employment, including random drug and alcohol testing.
In accordance with federal requirements, all job applicants selected for appointments in a safety sensitive position are subject to pre-employment drug and alcohol testing. A final job applicant will be tested for five prohibited drugs: Cocaine, PCP, Amphetamines, Marijuana and Opiates. During employment, employees holding safety sensitive positions are subject to random, reasonable suspicion, post-accident, return-to-duty, and follow-up drug and alcohol testing. Additionally, in the event of an absence of more than 90 days from a safety sensitive position, pre-employment drug testing will be performed. Equal Opportunity Employer
PEPRA: All employees hired on or after January 1, 2020, will be in the District's Tier II pension plan covered by the Public Employees' Pension Reform Act of 2013 (PEPRA). As such, he/she may be required to contribute 7% or more of annual income towards the cost of his/hers District pension.
Medical, dental, orthodontic, vision, and prescription insurance coverage for employees and qualified dependents; plus regular retirement pension with a five (5) year vesting. Depending on length of service, up to six (6) weeks of vacation and up to twelve (12) days of sick leave per year. Holidays: eleven (11) per year. Free transportation on AC Transit system. Group Life Insurance.
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How many years of experience do you have in contract and procurement administration activities?

• 0-3 years
• 3-5 years
• 5 or more years