Contract Administrator



Contract Administrator

Salary

$79,788.80 - $94,244.80 Annually

Location

P7250

Job Type

Full-time

Job Number

REQ00611

Division

Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board

Department

Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board

Opening Date

11/08/2021

Closing Date

12/6/2021 4:30 PM Central

Summary

Established in 1883, the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board (MPRB) oversees a renowned urban park system spanning 6,809 acres of parkland and water. Featured among its 180 park properties are 55 miles of parkways, 102 miles of Grand Rounds biking and walking paths, 22 lakes, 12 formal gardens, 7 golf courses and 49 recreation centers. The MPRB is proud to provide services, programs and activities that meet the park and recreation needs of diverse communities and ensure race equity, gender inclusion and universal access.  Altogether, MPRB properties receive about 23 million visitors annually, and employs approximately 570 full-time and 1,400 part-time and seasonal employees. 
 
Park it here for an exciting career by joining the #1 urban park system in the United States as recognized by the Trust for Public Land in 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, and 2020.

SUMMARY: 
The Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board's Finance Department is accepting applications for a dynamic Contract Administrator, who will be responsible to provide oversight and management of the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board’s (MPRB) vendor contracts. Serve as the procurement liaison and technical resource on contract procurement policies, procedures, and processes to ensure compliance by MPRB staff and the safeguarding of MPRB assets.  Supports the broader efforts of all MPRB functions that are consistent with the organization’s mission, values, goals, and comprehensive plan. Exhibit an appreciation and respect for a diverse environment, inclusive of many social, economic, cultural, and ethnic backgrounds.

What You'll Do

  • Responsible to act as the subject matter expert for procurement laws, policies, and procedures for the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board.
  • Assist with development, implementation, and review of procurement policies and procedures and existing procurement forms to improve efficiencies, increase compliance, and remain consistent with state law or city requirements.
  • Develop and deliver procurement training to improve MPRB staff knowledge and compliance with procurement policies and procedures.
  • Assist MPRB staff with development of proposals or specifications for products and services being procured; participate in proposal reviews and vendor demonstrations to assist departments with the selection of vendors; and assist MPRB staff with the drafting of vendor contracts.
  • Proactively identify opportunities to improve processes, utilize existing contracts, and otherwise improve MPRB’s ability to deliver quality work. Identify potential weaknesses or liabilities in contract documents prior to bidding and/or contract award and help mitigate and minimize weaknesses and reduce liabilities prior to bidding and/or contract award.
  • Analyze MPRB spending and recommend changes to improve efficiencies in procurement or identify areas to leverage cost savings.
  • Assist Accounting Manager to issue, monitor and reconcile procurement card usage of the MPRB.
  • Assist MPRB in identifying and addressing the park and recreation needs of underserved and under-represented communities.

What To Bring

Need to Have: 

  • Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in Management, Finance, Business Administration, Public Administration, or closely related field.
  • Progressively responsible work experience in vendor/contract management, complex purchasing agreements/processing and project management: at least three (3) years.
  • Work experience training/instructing on financial processes: at least three (3) years.
  • A combination of education and experience equivalent to seven (7) years of experience in a similar position as listed in the essential duties may be considered.
Nice to Have: 
  • Public sector work experience.
Skills Crucial to Success in This Role: 
  • Knowledge of theories, process and procedures governing contract law and management.
  • Knowledge of principles, practices, processes related to competitive procurement practices.
  • Pertinent federal, state, county and city laws, codes, ordinances, and regulations.
  • Ability to plan, organize, coordinate multi-disciplinary work efforts.
  • Ability to research best practices or seek outside learning opportunities to ensure knowledge of procurement is maintained at the highest level.
  • Effectively utilize current technology to perform work tasks, including, but not limited to, word processing, spreadsheets, database management software, the Internet.
  • Evaluate programs, activities, and services to ensure they are meeting planned objectives using best practices
  • Outstanding customer service principles and practices and standards for a diverse customer base. 
FLSA Status: Exempt 
Union Status: Non-Represented

Additional Information

View a full list of qualifications and job description
Learn more about Veteran’s Preference
 
Selection Process:
To apply for this full-time civil service position, applicants must complete an online application with supplemental questions at www.minneapolisparks.org/jobs.  Late applications will be rejected.

What steps the selection process involves:

  • We review your minimum qualifications.
  • We rate your training and experience based on application materials and supplemental questions (30%).
  • We conduct a structured panel interview (oral exam) (70%).
  • We calculate your civil service score based on the above components and place you on the eligible list if all testing components are passed (passing score for each component and as an overall score is 70.00 or above).  Eligible list will expire in three (3) months.
  • We refer the top finalists to the hiring manager for an interview.
  • References, including verification of employment and work performance, may be considered. 
  • We conduct a background check.  Upon receiving a conditional offer of employment, the applicant will be asked to sign an informed consent allowing the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board to obtain their criminal history in connection with the positions sought. View the MPRB Background Check Policy at https://www.minneapolisparks.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Background-Check-Policy.pdf
Please note that HR reserves the right to limit the number of people invited to successive testing events.
The MPRB is a tobacco-free workplace and park system.
The MPRB is an Equal Opportunity Employer. 

BENEFITS SUMMARY
For full-time benefited positions, the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board offers a competitive wage and benefits package including health care, dental, life and disability insurance as well as retirement and survivor benefits. Benefits are administered by the City of Minneapolis. We pride ourselves on a comprehensive benefits program that supports employees' health and financial well-being.


Programs, resources, and benefit eligibility varies based on position, average hours worked, location and length of service. For detailed benefits information, please visit the benefits page

INSURANCE
Health insurance
Eligibility for benefits begins the first of the month following employment date. The MPRB offers eligible employees one plan design with a choice of six provider networks, allowing you to select the best option for you. Available plans include Medica Choice Passport, Medica Elect, VantagePlus with Medica, Park Nicollet First with Medica, Ridgeview Community Network powered by Medica, and Clear Value with Medica.

Enhanced mental health services
MPRB employees and their family members covered by MPRB’s medical plan will each have access to up to 20 visits for mental health services covered at 100%. The enhanced mental health benefits will include the first 10 office visits, including evaluations and diagnostic and treatment services, and 10 intensive outpatient program visits per year per person with an in-network or out-of-network provider at no charge. After the 20 visits, regular plan benefits and coverage will apply. 
Employees Assistance Program
All MPRB employees – whether covered or not by the MPRB’s employee medical plan – have access to the employee assistance program, which provides confidential services to help employees and their family members deal with a wide array of issues. Employees can speak virtually or in-person with an EAP representative.
Dental insurance
The MPRB offers dental insurance through Delta Dental of Minnesota and pays 100% of the monthly premium for eligible employees.
Long-term disability (LTD) insurance

The MPRB offers long-term disability insurance, which helps to replace income for employees who are unable to work as a result of illness or injury, and pays 100% of the monthly premium for eligible employees.

BENEFITS
Paid time off
Our generous leave package includes vacation, paid sick leave, and 12 paid holidays plus 1 floating holiday per year, which gives employees the opportunity to enhance their quality of life outside work. Amounts and accrual rates are based on years of experience and collective bargaining agreements.
Paid Parental Leave
MPRB 
employees are eligible for up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave in the event of a birth or placement for adoption of a child.
Retirement
MPRB employees earn a pension and may choose to participate in additional retirement savings programs.

  • Pension: The MPRB participates in the Public Employees Retirement Association (PERA). Employees and the MPRB both contribute a percentage of your pay to fund future benefits.
  • Deferred compensation: Employees may choose to participate in pre-tax or after-tax savings plans through the Minnesota State Retirement System (MSRS).
Transportation
Eligible employees may choose to participate in the Metropass transportation program. The Metropass program allows eligible employees to enroll in a pass for unlimited bus or light rail rides at a discounted price.


LEARNING AND DEVELOPMENT
Tuition Reimbursement
The Tuition Reimbursement Program allows employees who take courses for credit and approved in advance which have a direct relationship to their job or which provide advancement opportunities within the MPRB, to request tuition reimbursement upon successful completion of coursework and proof of payment. This program is only available for reimbursement of tuition for course credit at accredited educational institutions. Eligible employees can receive up to $5,250 in reimbursement each calendar year.
Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program
The MPRB is a qualifying employer in the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program.  The PSLF Program forgives the remaining balance on your Direct Loans after you have made 120 qualifying monthly payments under a qualifying repayment plan while working full-time for a qualifying employer.

OTHER PERKS
Employees can also take advantage of optional life insurance, flexible spending accounts, technology discounts, employee discounts, and more. For more information, please visit the benefits page.

01
Following are a series of supplemental questions to assess your job-related experience and qualifications. The information on the application and your responses to the following supplemental questions will be used in a competitive evaluation of qualifications and will be used to determine your civil service score and placement on the eligible list. Therefore, all applicants are encouraged to be complete and thorough in their answers. The employment history and education detailed in your general online application must validate/support your responses to the supplemental questions. If your responses cannot be validated, you will not proceed to the next step of the selection process. A resume may be submitted, but it will not substitute for the general online application or supplemental questions; responses such as "see resume," "see application," or a separate attachment with responses to supplemental questions will not be considered.
  • I acknowledge that I have read and understand the above information and instructions.
02
Please indicate the highest level of education achieved.
  • High School Diploma or equivalent
  • Associate's degree
  • Bachelor's degree
  • Master's or Post-Graduate degree
  • I do not have a degree
03
Please indicate your major/area of study for the degree you received. If you do not have a degree, enter "N/A."
04
How many years of progressively responsible work experience in vendor/contract management, complex purchasing agreements/processing and project management do you have?
  • Less than 1 year
  • 1 year but less than 2 years
  • 2 years but less than 3 years
  • 3 or more years
  • I do not have this experience
05
How many years of experience do you have in training/instructing on financial processes?
  • Less than 1 year
  • 1 year but less than 2 years
  • 2 years but less than 3 years
  • 3 or more years
  • I do not have this experience
06
If you do not have a Bachelor's degree, please explain the education and experience equivalent to seven (7) years of experience in a similar position as listed in the essential duties you wish us to consider. If this does not apply to you, please enter N/A.
07
Do you have experience working for a government agency in a similar role?
  • Yes, government experience IN a similar role
  • Yes, government experience NOT IN a similar role
  • I do not have this experience
08
Tell us about your experience listed in question #7. Please indicate the organization(s) where you gained the experience, title, and a description of your role/responsibilities. If you do not have this experience, enter N/A.
09
Describe your experience with assisting in the development, implementation, and review of procurement policies and procedures. If you do not have this experience, enter N/A.
10
Describe your experience in developing and delivering procurement training to improve staff knowledge and compliance with procurement policies and procedures. If you do not have this experience, enter N/A.
11
Describe a time when you proactively identified an opportunity to improve a process and deliver quality work. If you do not have this experience, enter N/A.
12
Describe your experience interpreting and applying purchasing agreements or contract requirements, regulations, policies, and procedures. If you do not have this experience, enter N/A.
13
Which of the following best describes your level of proficiency using a personal computer and common office software?
  • ENTRY LEVEL: A person with this level of skills has the ability to open, create, save and modify documents in Word, send and receive email in Outlook and create spreadsheets in Excel. Format documents for printing, comfortable using the printer menu to preview documents. Has ability to change the font, the margins, insert or delete pages and use the built-in spellchecker and grammar check
  • BASIC: A person with this level of skills is able to use basic formatting, editing, printing functions, and understands the document page setup. Has the ability to enter and correct data, modify a workbook, format a worksheet, and use printing functions. Understands the different database concepts and structures and is familiar with data validation and is able to create a simple presentation in PowerPoint, run it, and print it.
  • INTERMEDIATE: A person with this level of skills is able to customize toolbars, import and insert graphs, embed Excel data, and elaborate reports. Understands the concepts of databases and is able to work with charts and to use the list management capabilities of Excel. Able to use complex query techniques, create efficient forms and reports, and create Macros to automate these forms. Makes interactive presentations by using hyperlinks and action buttons.
  • ADVANCED: A person with this level of skills is able to produce very large, complex formal documents that require a table of contents, footnotes, endnotes, bookmarks, and other special elements; a wide range of graphic effects and use advanced techniques for analyzing and manipulating data. Has full mastery of Macro commands and skills to tie the objects together into a cohesive system by using Macros and Visual Basic for Applications code. Makes interactive presentations by using hyperlinks and action buttons.
  • I do not have this experience

Required Question

Agency
Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board
Address
2117 West River Rd

Minneapolis, Minnesota, 55411
Phone
(612) 434-5892