Contracting Officer

Metra is America’s fourth busiest commuter rail system, providing essential transportation services to a community of over 9.4 million residents. As an organization of over 2,600 professionals, we are committed to safely and efficiently meeting the growing and changing transportation needs of the commuters and businesses we serve.

The final salary will depend on the candidate's qualifications. Those with 8 years or more of required experience can expect offers up to the midpoint of the salary range. Metra provides full pay ranges so candidates can consider their growth potential.

• Review and prepare complex contracts, specifications, and solicitation documents, including boilerplate specifications for construction and other goods and services for various projects.
• Ensure compliance with local, state, federal regulations, agency policies, and funding agency requirements.
• Research market conditions and products; perform value analysis to ensure cost‑effective and competitive pricing.
• Identify available vendor sources; recommend procurement strategies and delivery methods that maximize value.
• Recommend, negotiate, and approve specifications, scopes of work, pricing, and contract terms for goods and services.
• Provide assistance and guidance to junior level team members.
• Manage competitive procurements, including the bidding process; prepare and analyze sealed bids, proposals, requests for quotes, statements of qualifications, and contract creation.
• Administer and maintain contracts throughout the contract lifecycle, ensuring processes follow applicable laws and regulations.
• Monitor contractor performance, track project progress, and perform final close‑outs for delivery schedules, payment provisions, and other contract requirements.
• Review contracts, requisitions, and purchase orders to ensure they accurately reflect all relevant information for timely completion.
• Address contract issues, provide dispute resolutions, and maintain a safe work environment.
• Co‑ordinate team day‑to‑day activities, assign tasks and projects, and provide guidance and training, without formal supervisory responsibilities.
• Perform other related duties as assigned to meet the ongoing needs of the organization.

• Bachelor’s degree preferably in Business, Public Administration, Supply Chain, Materials Management, or Industrial Distribution, OR equivalent education and experience equal to four (4) years in procurement operations, contract administration or management, or as a senior buyer in a government, railroad, public transportation, or manufacturing industry.
• In addition to one, four (4) years of experience in procurement operations, materials management, contract administration or management, or as a senior buyer, preferably in a government, railroad, public transportation, or manufacturing industry.
• Strong knowledge of contract and procurement principles, practices, and procedures as they apply to the transit industry or public agencies.
• Strong knowledge of procurement processes including specification and proposal preparation, solicitation methodologies, and formulation of complex contract documents.
• Knowledge of local, state, and federal agencies such as the Federal Transit Administration (FTA), Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT), and Regional Transportation Authority (RTA) and the laws and regulations that govern public sector purchasing programs, contracts, and procurement activities.
• Proficiency in the use of Microsoft 365 (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) for document creation and tracking.
• Skill in the use of enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems, procurement and materials management programs, or solicitation and contract management applications.
• Strong written and verbal communication and interpersonal skills for negotiating, developing effective and cooperative working relationships with internal and external stakeholders and vendors, and customer service.
• Strong organizational and analytical skills and attention to detail for reviewing and preparing contract documents.
• Ability to use sound judgment, discretion, and initiative when making impartial and objective award recommendations and…