CONTRACTS ADMINISTRATOR

JOB ANNOUNCEMENT

CONTRACTS ADMINISTRATOR

DEPARTMENT OF WATER

Number of Positions: 1

(Additional vacancies possible pending budget approval)

Starting Salary: $133,836; Grade: X-43

Applications for this position will be accepted until 11:59pm DST on Monday, July 6, 2026.

Under direction, manages and directs the development, processing and administration of procurement and contract management functions for a major City department, and performs related duties as required

This class title has been designated as a multi-tiered title. Positions allocated to this title code are assigned to large City departments and have been designated as such on the Senior Manager Salary Plan.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES

* Implements procurement and delegate agency contracting policies and procedures

* Assigns and reviews the work of staff to ensure compliance with standards and procedures established by the Department of Procurement Services (DPS)

* Directs research and development of end user requirements and specifications for Requests for Proposals (RFPs) and bids to be advertised

* Directs staff in working with department managers to draft contract specifications, compile contract documents and negotiate terms and conditions with vendors, when applicable

* Negotiates or drafts contracts for professional services evaluation committees

* Drafts evaluation criteria for RFP evaluation committees

* Serves as a voting member of evaluation committees for department specific and citywide RFPs

* Oversees the negotiation and monitoring of disadvantaged, minority and women owned business enterprise (DBE/MBE/WBE) programs

* Supervises staff responsible for the preparation, processing and compiling of delegate agency contracts

* Maintains a contract database to manage the expiration and renewal of contracts in a timely manner to avoid service interruption to the department

* Reviews completed contract packages for appropriateness, completeness and conformance to established policies and standards and forwards to oversight departments for approval

* Directs the review of bids submitted by vendors and the selection of the lowest responsible bidder

* Confers with staff on the effectiveness of contract terms and conditions, renegotiates requested changes with vendors and prepares contract amendments

* Represents the department on contracts, provides justification for non-competitive bid requests and attends Non-Competitive Review Board (NCRB) meetings

* Reviews, negotiates, and monitors contractual agreements to ensure the efficient acquisition of equipment, materials, products, and services for a department (e.g., non/construction, sewers, capital projects)

* Monitors vendor performance to ensure compliance with contract terms and conditions

* Resolves vendor compliance issues and escalates to appropriate parties when necessary

* Analyzes and evaluates bid specifications, tests, reports, and other relevant data

* Monitors contract award process

* Conducts research and benchmarking to identify contracting opportunities that will increase or improve department operating efficiencies

* Acts as a liaison to DPS, vendors and departments involved in the contract process to expedite or resolve problems

* Confers with the Law Department, Risk Management and DoIT to ensure that specifications and contracts are consistent with City and State statutes, ordinances and policies

* Oversees the maintenance of contract records and files

* Reports on the status of contracts and budgetary reports relative to contract spending

* Prepares financial status reports for capital improvement projects

* Prepares letters, memoranda and other correspondence or edits staff correspondence for submission to department executive staff

* Develops, coordinates, and finalizes complex contractual funding and financing arrangements

* Verifies the delivery and receipt of contracted products and services

* Monitors staff productivity levels to ensure continuity of services and commodities for department operations

* Attends and conducts pre-bid conferences, bid openings, delegate agency roundtables, and potential vendor site visits, as needed

Additional duties may be required for this position

Location: Jardine Water Purification Plant

1000 East Ohio Street

Hours/Days: 8:30 am - 4:30 pm, Monday - Friday

THIS POSITION IS EXEMPT FROM THE CAREER SERVICE.

Minimum Qualifications

* Nine (9) years of work experience in the development, negotiation, and administration of procurement contracts, OR

* Graduation from an accredited college with an Associate's degree, plus seven (7) years of work experience in the development, negotiation, and administration of procurement contracts, OR

* Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor's degree, plus five (5) years of work experience in the development, negotiation, and administration of procurement contracts, OR

* Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Master's degree or higher plus four (4) years of work experience in the development, negotiation, and administration of procurement contracts

NOTE: You must provide a copy of your transcripts/diploma at the time of processing, if applicable.

SELECTION REQUIREMENTS

This position requires an applicant to successfully complete an interview with a writing exercise. The interviewed candidate(s) possessing the qualifications best suited to fulfill the responsibilities of the position based on the written and oral assessment, will be selected.

APPLICATION EVALUATION: Initial evaluation will be based on information provided on the application and the documents submitted. Department of Human Resource staff will review applications after the final posting date. Staff will follow any and all required Employment/Hiring Plan provisions, federal, state and local laws, and Collective Bargaining Agreements when applicable. Staff will apply hiring preferences as required by the municipal code. Placement on an eligibility list is not an offer or guarantee of an interview nor employment with the City of Chicago.

COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY: To further our commitment to hiring applicants with diverse experience the City of Chicago has adopted the following ordinances 2-74-020 and 2-74-075. The ordinances provide a preference to applicants who meet minimum qualifications and who are veterans of the Armed Forces, and/or residents of Socio-Economically Disadvantaged Areas (SEDA) and/or Chicago Public School (CPS) high school graduates to be referred to departments for consideration. These hiring preferences do not apply to bidders, as Collective Bargaining Agreements define the hiring process for bidders. For positions covered by a collective bargaining agreement, bidders will be considered before external candidates. To learn more about our hiring practices click here.

For Information on our employees benefits please visit our benefits website at:

https://www.chicago.gov/city/en/depts/fin/benefits-office.html

For Information on our salary and title structure visit our classifications website at:

https://www.chicago.gov/content/dam/city/depts/dhr/supp_info/JobClassification/2025_Classification_and_Pay_Plan.pdf

ALL REFERENCES TO POLITICAL SPONSORSHIP OR RECOMMENDATION MUST BE OMITTED FROM ALL APPLICATION MATERIALS SUBMITTED FOR CITY EMPLOYMENT.

The City of Chicago is an Equal Employment Opportunity, Military Friendly, and Fair Chance Employer.

City of Chicago

Brandon Johnson, Mayor