Assist. Contract Administrator

Assistant Contract Administrator

We are the Metropolitan Council, the regional government for the seven-county Twin Cities metropolitan area. We plan 30 years ahead for the future of the metropolitan area and provide regional transportation, wastewater, and housing services. Metro Transit Division is one of the country's largest transit systems, employs more than 3,000 people, and provides ridership through an integrated network of buses, light rail and commuter trains, as well as resources for those who carpool, van pool, walk or bike in the Twin Cities.

How would your work contribute to our organization and the Twin Cities region? The Assistant Contract Administrator supports the contract management team by assisting with the administration, tracking, and maintenance of contracts related to transit security and community-based outreach services. Working under the guidance of senior contract staff, this position helps ensure contracts remain compliant, well-documented, and effectively monitored.

What you would do in this job:

• Assists in the administration of contracts between the Council and its service providers, including maintaining accurate records and tracking key milestones and deadlines.
• Reviews and processes vendor insurance certificates, bonds, and related compliance documentation.
• Supports the drafting and review of contract amendments under the direction of senior staff.
• Tracks and documents vendor performance data; compiles reports and summarizes findings for review.
• Assists with invoice review and processing, verifying accuracy and compliance with contract terms.
• Responds to routine vendor and internal inquiries, escalating complex issues to senior staff.
• Supports the preparation of request for proposals (RFP) documents and bid specifications.
• Participates in field audits, data collection, and quality assurance activities as assigned.
• Assists in developing and maintaining contract management tracking tools and databases.
• Supports training coordination and documentation for project managers and business units.

What education and experience are required for this job (minimum qualifications):
Any of the following combinations of experience with progressively responsible administration experience in areas of administering vendor contracts, purchasing and project management experience, grants, or compliance.

• High school diploma/GED with six (6) years of experience
• Associate degree with four (4) years of experience
• Bachelor's degree with two (2) years of experience

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Knowledge of contract preparation and administration in the specific contract area.
• Knowledge of principles, practices, processes and laws related to general liability in the State of MN; federal, state and local laws and regulations pertaining competitive procurement practices.
• Strong attention to detail and ability to review documents for accuracy.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, particularly Excel and Word.
• Good verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively in a team environment.
• Ability to read, analyze and interpret professional journals, technical procedures and government regulations.
• Ability to write reports, business correspondence and procedure manuals.
• Ability to manage multiple tasks and meet deadlines.
• Ability to effectively prepare and present information and respond to questions from diverse groups of customers or clients.
• Ability to calculate figures in amounts such as discounts, interest and percentages.

What you can expect from us:

• We offer the opportunity to make a difference and positively influence the Twin Cities metropolitan area.
• We encourage our employees to develop their skills through on-site training and tuition reimbursement.
• We provide a competitive salary, excellent benefits and a good work/life balance.

Union:
Non Represented/Grade F FLSA Status:
Non-Exempt Safety Sensitive:
No

What your work environment would be:
You would perform your work in a standard office setting. Work may sometimes require travel between your primary work site and other sites.

What steps the recruitment process involves:

Once you have successfully completed the steps above, then:
If you are new to the Metropolitan Council, you must pass a drug test (safety sensitive positions only), and a background check which verifies education, employment, and criminal history. A driving record check and/or physical may be conducted if applicable to the job. If you have a criminal conviction, you do not automatically fail. The Metropolitan Council considers felony, gross misdemeanor and misdemeanor convictions on a case-by-case basis, based on whether they are related to the job and whether the candidate has demonstrated adequate rehabilitation.

If you are already an employee of the Metropolitan Council, you must pass a drug test (if moving from a non-safety sensitive…