Responsible for the preparation, negotiation, and administration of contracts in support of the Generation, Transmission, and other administrative areas for the acquisition of routine and non-routine goods and services, including the administration of the contract bidding process through final contract completion and document closeout. Provide guidance, advice and assistance, as required, for contract and company personnel in the Procurement Functional Area. Receive and evaluate proposals. Assures contracts are in final form for Tri-State execution and secure required bonds and insurance certificates.

Note: There is one position available, and this position will be filled at one of four job grade levels: Contract Administrator I, job grade NB17, Contract Administrator II, job grade NB19, Contract Administrator III, job grade NB20 or Senior Contract Administrator, job grade NB21. This decision will be based on the qualifications and experience of the selected candidate and Tri-State business needs at the time of hire.

Tri-State recognizes the value of a highly engaged and committed workforce and provides an excellent benefits program that includes: Medical Insurance, Dental Insurance, Vision Insurance, Flexible Work Schedules including compressed work week and telecommuting opportunities to work remotely up to 50%, Health Savings Account (HSA), Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA), Tuition Reimbursement, Life Insurance, Retirement Option, Long Term Disability (LTD), Short Term Disability (STD), Employee Assistant Program (EAP) and Paid Leave Benefits.

Senior Contract Administrator

Hiring Salary Range: $88,000-$111,000

Contract Administrator III

Hiring Salary Range: $80,000-$101,000

Contract Administrator II

Hiring Salary Range: $73,000-$91,000

Contract Administrator I

Hiring Salary Range: $60,000-$75,000

Actual compensation offer to candidate may vary outside of the posted hiring salary range based upon work experience, education and/or skill level.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Provide guidance, as required, for contract personnel in the Procurement Functional Area.
• Provide contractual advice and assistance to company personnel in developing specifications.
• Conduct the preparation of contract documents for high and low risk acquisition of goods and services across various enterprise categories including but not limited to construction, repair, leases, consulting and software (i.e. SaaS or other license agreements) contracts.

Prepare contract documents for the acquisition of requested services to include:

• Prepare proposed contract terms and conditions, incorporate technical specifications, and produce final bid documents resulting in timely award and execution of the contract.
• Assist in administering the bidder qualification process and establish list of pre-qualified bidders.
• Familiar with the acquisition for IT and Renewable services.

Conduct end to end oversight of sourcing processes to include:

• Establish bid schedule and evaluation methodology with requesting organizations.
• Prepare and issue Request for Proposals, Request for Information or Proof of Concepts.
• Receive and answer bidders' questions.
• Conduct pre-bid conference and contract negotiations.
• Prepare and issue addenda to bid documents as necessary.

Receive and evaluate proposals, to include:

• Document date and time of receipt.
• Conduct bid openings.
• Review proposals for compliance with contract requirements.
• Lead negotiations on contract changes.
• Prepare bid tabulation and analysis for final review and execution by Tri-State.
• Assure proposed contract documents are in final form for Tri-State execution and secure required bonds and insurance certificates.
• Store contract proposals and files.

Assist Tri-State personnel in administering contracts, to include:

• Review invoices for compliance with contract terms when applicable.
• Review and explain contract commercial requirements to Tri-State personnel and contractors to ensure contracts are administered effectively.
• Participate in negotiations on contract changes.

Coordinate the preparation and processing of contract change orders and amendments, to include:

• Review impact of changes on the original contract.
• Draft and/or review change orders and amendments.
• Coordinate required approvals and execution of the documents.
• Notify Tri-State personnel of changes, as required.
• Coordinate and monitor approval of executed contracts and amendments.

Prepare and process contract closeout documents, to include:

• Coordinate Tri-State and contractor approval and execution of the documents.
• Coordinate final payment to contractors, as required.
• Develop and implement contracting procedures to insure contract documents and contract administration procedures comply with company requirements and accepted procurement policies.
• Exercise sound business judgment and resourcefulness in applying relevant contracting policies, rules and regulations to fit specific transactions and circumstances.
• Adhere to and demonstrate compliance with appropriate electric utility industry regulatory requirements. Attain knowledge and remain knowledgeable of development in regulations, laws, standards and best practices applicable to the functional area including, but not limited to, Standards of Conduct, Environmental, Employment Law, NERC Reliability Standards and Safety. Must be familiar with, and comply with, all aspects of Corporate Policy C-54, Compliance.
• Demonstrate behavior consistent to Tri-State's culture embodied in the Cooperative principles and spirit and core values of technical competency, respect and dignity, accountability, integrity, trustworthiness, and servant leadership to empower or otherwise enable others to optimally perform their job responsibilities. Demonstrate and promote ethics and behaviors consistent with Tri-State's culture, Board policies, and business practices. Understand and fulfill the role and responsibility for all compliance programs within the company.
• Because Tri-State is an electric utility with continuous service obligations to its customers, regular, reliable, and predictable performance of the essential functions and responsibilities is an essential function of the job.
• Because Tri-State has an obligation to provide continuous, reliable electric service to its customers, the ability to work overtime at any time of the day or week is considered an essential function of the job.

OTHER DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Perform other related duties as assigned

SUCCESS FACTORS/JOB COMPETENCIES:

• Planning: ability to think ahead and plan within timelines and resources; develop scopes, plan and schedule work; set priorities and goals; anticipate and adjust for problems; evaluate workloads; measure and evaluate performance against established goals.
• Time management: ability to successfully plan and implement objectives within established timelines and work schedules.
• Ability to analyze problems and develop effective solutions at both strategic and functional levels.
• Demonstrate behavior consistent with values.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
• Strong team player: accomplishes tasks by working with others and being a good team player. Recognizes how his/her decisions may impact others; seeks input from others.
• Decision Making: ability to weigh options, consider alternatives and forecast outcomes and determine option which is best for the enterprise. Understand how to balance emotion with reason and make decisions that positively impact themselves, co-workers, their customers and stakeholders, and their organization. Ability to make decisions in difficult situations.
• Strong team player: accomplishes tasks by working with others and being a good team player. Recognizes how his/her decisions may impact others; seeks input from others.
• Computer proficiency in operating a personal computer and standard business office applications including Microsoft Office suite, Oracle, databases, and other related applications.
• Ability to work independently, with minimal direction as a highly motivated self-starter.

REQUIRED JOB QUALIFICATIONS

Education and Training

• Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Construction Management, Engineering or related area, or equivalent combination of experience and education.

Knowledge, Skills, and Ability:

• Working knowledge of contract law and contract administration.
• Extensive knowledge of contracting techniques and methods.
• Ability to work with detail and with high degree of accuracy.
• General knowledge of government regulations affecting electric utilities.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to direct and monitor the work of contract department personnel, as required
• Ability to maintain effective working relationships, both internal and external.
• Working knowledge of procurement and corporate software

Experience:

• Eight (8) years' experience in contract administration or procurement to include specification writing and/or construction management for transmission, generation, telecommunications or other utility related business.Note: The above requirements describe the experience and education qualifications for the Senior Contract Administrator. Those with less experience will be hired at the I, II or III job grade level.

Other:

• Willingness to travel as required. (Must possess a valid driver's license.)
• Must be able to demonstrate that he/she can perform all of the essential functions of the position.

PHYSICAL AND MENTAL DEMANDS: The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Physical demands: While performing the duties of this position, the incumbent is required to sit for long periods of time, occasionally stand, walk, stoop, bend, and reach above and below shoulder level. Incumbent is frequently required to use hands and fingers to handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls, talk and hear.

Mental demands: While performing the duties of this job, the incumbent is required to read, write, perform basic math, analyze data and reports, exercise judgment, develop plans, procedures and goals, and present information to others and work under pressure.

Work Environment: While performing the duties of this position, the incumbent is exposed to a moderate level of noise. Exposed to outdoor elements when traveling. Most duties are performed indoors, in an office environment and at a desk, operating office equipment.