Contract Negotiation Support Specialist (Program Technical Specialist)

Contract Negotiation Support Specialist (Program Technical Specialist)

Salary

See Position Description

Location

390 Robert St. N St. Paul, MN

Job Type

Full-Time

Job Number

2026-00413

Division

Regional Administration

Department

Procurement

Opening Date

11/06/2026

Closing Date

11/23/2026 11:59 PM Central

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

WHO WE ARE

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. More information about us on our website.

We are committed to supporting a diverse workforce that reflects the communities we serve.

The Procurement Department assists internal Council units to purchase goods and services needed to conduct Council business. In carrying out this purpose, the department complies with Council policies and procedures; laws of federal, state, and local governments; and requirements of grants the Council receives.

How your work would contribute to our organization and the Twin Cities region:

The Contract Negotiation Support Specialist (Program Technical Specialist) delivers advanced administrative and technical support to the Contract Negotiation team, ensuring the smooth execution of all contract-related activities. This role is responsible for contract document management, coordinating meeting logistics, facilitating communication with both internal and external partners, and preparing and routing contracts for approval and signing. The ideal candidate demonstrates meticulous attention to detail, strong multitasking skills, sound judgment when interpreting contract policies and procedures, and a high level of discretion with sensitive contract information. Additionally, this position requires resolving administrative issues, documenting internal procedures, and prioritizing tasks in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment. Flexibility, strong multitasking skills, and professionalism under pressure are essential to support the Contract Negotiation team.

Anticipated Starting Salary Range: $73,736 - $90,000

Full Salary Range: $70,117 - $113,797

• The starting salary will depend on the selected candidates experience, skills, education, and internal salary equity.

This position is eligible for a hybrid (both remote and onsite) telework arrangement. Candidates permanent residence must be in Minnesota or Wisconsin. This posting will establish a six-month eligibility list for current and future openings.

What you would do in this job

• Assist the contract negotiations team by preparing, organizing, and maintaining contract documents, tracking key deadlines, and ensuring compliance with relevant policies and procedures.
• Prepare and edit clear, professional communications related to contract negotiations for both internal distribution and external stakeholders, ensuring confidentiality and accuracy.
• Manage multiple Outlook calendars for the negotiations team, scheduling meetings with contract parties, legal counsel, and senior leadership to facilitate timely discussions and decision-making.
• Coordinate logistics for negotiation sessions, large team meetings, and stakeholder briefings, including room and technology setup. Prepare agendas, take detailed minutes, track action items, and follow up on commitments.
• Compile and analyze contractual data, prepare reports, updates, and presentations to inform team members and senior leadership about contract statuses, milestones, and risks.
• Assist in monitoring budget allocations related to contract development and negotiations. Prepare purchase requisitions and track approvals for contract-related expenditures.
• Develop, refine, and document administrative procedures related to contract workflows, ensuring consistency, transparency, and adherence to organizational standards.
• Serve as a liaison by fielding and responding to inquiries from internal departments, vendors, and external stakeholders regarding contract processes and statuses, handling sensitive information with discretion.
• Arrange travel and accommodations for team members participating in off-site negotiation meetings or conferences.
• Maintain and organize contract files, databases, and tracking systems for quick retrieval and audit readiness.
• Perform additional administrative or operational tasks assigned to support the effective functioning of the contract negotiations team and Procurement department.

What education and experience are required for this job (minimum qualifications)

Any of the following combinations of completed education (in business administration, public administration, legal studies, or a closely related field) and relevant experience (in contract administration support or a related function):

• Bachelors degree and one or more years of experience
• Associate degree and three or more years of experience
• High school diploma/GED and five or more years of experience

What additional skills and experience would be helpful in this job (desired qualifications):

• Experience supporting contract teams, legal, procurement, or public sector administrative teams.
• Experience working with Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Teams, and SharePoint.
• Experience supporting complex projects and multiple stakeholders.
• Professional administrative experience supporting senior-level executives and their staff.
• Experience interacting and working with all levels of internal and external customers and those with diverse backgrounds.
• Experience or familiarity with a contracts lifecycle.
• Experience fostering equity, diversity, and inclusion competency and understanding.

What knowledge, skills and abilities you should have within the first six months on the job:

• In-depth understanding of the teams contract negotiation process and organizational policies.
• Skill in organizing information, problem-solving, and maintaining accuracy under pressure.
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision.
• Capacity to maintain confidentiality and exercise sound judgement.
• Flexibility and professionalism in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment.

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.

More about why you should join us!

Additional information

Union/Grade: AFSCME / Grade E

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt

Safety Sensitive: No

Anticipated Starting Salary Range: $73,736 - $90,000

Full Salary Range: $70,117 - $113,797

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:

• We review your minimum qualifications.
• We rate your education and experience.
• We conduct a structured panel interview.
• We conduct a selection interview.

Once you have successfully completed the steps above, then:

If you are new to the Metropolitan Council, you must pass 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 criminal background check if the job youre applying for is safety sensitive, is a supervisory or management job, is in the Finance, Information Services, Audit, or Human Resources departments, or has access to financial records, files/databases, cash, vouchers or transit fare cards. A driving record check and/or physical may be conducted if applicable to the position.

IMPORTANT: If you make a false statement or withhold information, you may be barred from job consideration.

The Metropolitan Council is an Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action, and veteran-friendly employer. The Council is committed to a workforce that reflects the diversity of the region and strongly encourages persons of color, members of the LGBTQ community, individuals with disabilities, women, and veterans to apply.

If you have a disability that requires accommodation during the selection process, please email HR-OCCHealth@metc.state.mn.us.

We believe our employees are a key to our agencys success! In order to attract and retain high quality employees, the Council provides a highly competitive benefits package both in choice and coverage levels. Some highlights about our benefits are listed below:

• Guaranteed monthly retirement income through Minnesota State Retirement System pension fund
• Opportunity to save additional funds for retirement on a tax-deferred basis through a voluntary deferred compensation (457) plan
• Two or more medical plans from which to choose, with employer contribution towards premiums over 80%
• Dental insurance, life insurance and vision insurance

The following benefits are provided to all employees as part of working for the Council. You will have access to free:

• Well@Work clinic
• bus/rail pass valued at over $1200 per year
• parking at many job locations
• fitness centers at many job locations
• Employee Assistance Program
• extensive health and wellness programs and resources

01

Applicant Instructions: It is important that your application shows all relevant education and experience you possess. The supplemental questions listed below are to further evaluate your education and experience and to determine your eligibility for this position. Answer each question completely and please do not type "see resume." Otherwise, your application will be considered incomplete and you will not receive further consideration for this position. The experience you indicate in your responses should also be consistent with the Work History section of this application. If you attach a resume and/or cover letter to your application, it will be reviewed at the education and experience review step. I have read and understand the above instructions regarding my application and supplemental questions.

• Yes
• No

02

How did you first hear about this job opening?

• CareerForce Center
• Community Event/Organization
• Employee Referral
• Facebook
• Glassdoor
• Indeed
• Job Fair
• LinkedIn
• Metro Transit Bus Advertisement
• Twitter
• Website: governmentjobs.com
• Website: metrocouncil.org
• Website: metrotransit.org
• Website: minnesotajobnetwork.com
• Other

03

If you selected "other," please describe where you first heard about this job. If you selected "employee referral," please enter the employees first and last name, ID number (if known), and job title.

04

Please select the option below that reflects your completed education and experience level.

• Bachelors or higher degree in business administration, public administration, legal studies, or a closely related field AND one or more years of relevant experience in contract administration support or a related function
• Associate degree in business administration, public administration, legal studies, or a closely related field AND three or more years of relevant experience in contract administration support or a related function
• High school diploma/GED AND five or more years of relevant experience in contract administration support or a related function
• Some education in business administration, public administration, legal studies, or a closely related field AND/OR some relevant experience in contract administration support or a related function, but less than the education/experience combinations above
• None of the above

05

Please select the areas below with which you have work experience (select ALL that apply).

• Managing or organizing departmental work or project plans
• Managing multiple electronic calendars
• Writing and drafting reports and preparing presentations for meetings
• Managing travel arrangements and itineraries
• Composing correspondence not requiring the supervisors personal attention
• Coordinating large and complex meetings and programs, making complex scheduling arrangements under minimal direction
• Preparing agendas, taking meeting minutes, and tracking action items
• Monitoring budget allocations

06

Please describe your experience in contract administration support or a related function. Include duties performed, where the experience took place, and the duration. If you do not have this experience, type "N/A."

07

Please select the programs you have experience using (select ALL that apply).

• Word
• Excel
• PowerPoint
• Outlook
• SharePoint
• Teams

08

Of the programs selected in the question above, please describe tasks/projects you completed that demonstrate your level of competency with each system. If you do not have this experience, type "N/A."

09

Please select the areas below with which you have work experience (select ALL that apply).

• Experience supporting contract, legal, procurement, or public sector administrative teams
• Experience supporting complex projects and multiple stakeholders
• Professional administrative experience supporting senior-level executives and their staff
• Experience or familiarity with a contracts lifecycle

10

Please describe your experience with all areas selected in the question above. Include duties performed, where the experience took place, and the duration. If you do not have this experience, type "N/A."

11

Please describe your experience or efforts made to foster equity, diversity, and inclusion competency and understanding.

12

The Metropolitan Council recognizes that Artificial Intelligence (AI) and generative tools are increasingly used in application processes. While the Council permits the use of AI to assist in the preparation of application materials, all applicants must certify the following statement:

• I affirm that all information provided in my application including any uploaded documentation is true and accurate. I further affirm that I have personally reviewed, verified, and approved all content, including any content generated with the assistance of AI. I will provide all interview responses directly and in real-time without unauthorized assistance. I will not use AI avatars, external assistance in answering including computer-generated suggestions, or any recording and transcription tools during the interview process unless I have received prior approval from Human Resources for a disability-related reasonable accommodation.

Required Question

Employer Metropolitan Council

Address 390 Robert St. N.

St. Paul, Minnesota, 55101

Website https://metrocouncil.org