Senior Contract Administrator

Senior Contract Administrator - Public Agency Procurement

Employment type: Contract - Long-Term - 1 year + a 2nd year extension planned.
Start Date: Targeted by or before November 15, 2026

Location and work arrangement: On site at 600 South Main Street, Orange, CA 92868. Remote work is not available.

Schedule: Typically 40 hours per week, Monday–Friday, within 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. Pacific. Exact hours are set by the leader; part-time assignments may be considered by Client.

Client: Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA)
Employment type: Long-term contract; one year with a second-year extension planned.
Target start date: On or before November 15, 2026.
Location: Onsite at 600 South Main Street, Orange, CA 92868. Remote work is not available.
Schedule: Typically 40 hours per week, Monday–Friday, within 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. Pacific. Exact hours are determined by the assignment leader; part-time assignments may be considered.

Required experience: Eight or more years of relevant public-agency procurement and contract administration experience. Public-agency experience is mandatory.

Position overview

Under general direction, administer all phases of procurement for goods and services supporting a wide range of highly complex technology, construction, rolling stock, professional services, architectural, or engineering projects, including planning, budgeting, and procurement.

Confer with project managers to assess vendor performance and develop changes to contractual terms. Resolve highly complex contract performance issues, prepare Board-quality materials, and help OCTA advance time-sensitive procurements and maintain complete, audit-ready contract files.

Core competencies and representative duties

The following describes the general nature and level of work and is not an exhaustive list of responsibilities.

Displays High Integrity & Honesty
Takes personal responsibility and acts with honesty and consistency.

Has Technical and Professional Expertise
Has the technical skills, product knowledge, and professional skills to perform the work.

• Ensures contracts protect the agency’s interests and uphold policies and procedures.

• Evaluates bids, proposals, and quotations; conducts cost and price analysis; chairs evaluation committee meetings; conducts vendor interviews; and determines consultant/contractor selection recommendations.

• Leads negotiations and creates, prepares, and issues contracts and purchase orders for highly complex procurements.

• Confers with project managers to ensure contract compliance and conformance with applicable laws.

• Reviews and approves invoices for major projects. Oversees the review, documentation, and approval of claims and invoices submitted against contracts.

• Prepares or directs the preparation of periodic and special reports.

• Assists in providing training and mentoring to lower-level staff and recommends improvements to operating procedures and policies.

Customer & External Focus
Effectively represents the workgroup and influences others within the organization.

• Develops an understanding of internal customers’ budgeting needs and procedures.

• Provides procurement strategies for major projects.

• Reviews requisitions for funding availability and account-code accuracy.

Solves Problems & Analyzes Issues
Applies problem-analysis and problem-solving skills at both technical and interpersonal levels.

• Prepares complex contract amendments, revisions, terminations, and closeouts.

• Negotiates settlement of contract disputes.

• Analyzes, compiles, and prepares comprehensive summaries of procurement processes and results for presentation of awards, amendments, and other contract changes to executive management, the Board of Directors, and Board committees.

• Interprets and applies contracting principles, applicable laws, regulations, policies, and procedures.

Works in a Collaborative Manner with Others
Works collaboratively and helps resolve unproductive conflict.

• Assists project managers in developing scopes of work.

• Develops and issues Requests for Proposals for highly complex procurements and determines appropriate procurement methods.

• Confers with project managers to prepare presentation materials and conduct pre-proposal/bid conferences and site visits.

For this consultant assignment, duties are performed within authorized responsibilities and are subject to OCTA’s required substantive review and approvals. Final governmental decisions and commitments remain with authorized OCTA personnel.

Required qualifications

• Eight or more years of relevant experience in public-agency procurement and contract administration, including multimillion-dollar contracts and amendments. Private-sector purchasing experience alone does not meet this requirement.

• Any combination of education and experience equivalent to a bachelor’s degree in business administration, public administration, or a closely related field.

• Demonstrated independent administration of highly complex public-sector contracts and significant amendments or change orders.

• Strong practical knowledge of contract development, competitive solicitations, cost and price analysis, and negotiations.

• Working knowledge of applicable public procurement and funding requirements.

• Experience with capital projects, architectural and engineering services, public works, and professional-services procurement; exposure to construction, facilities, or planning assignments and awareness of prevailing-wage issues and escalation routes.

• Excellent business writing and professional judgment, including the ability to prepare Board-quality reports and procurement documents with minimal editing.

• Ability to manage multiple highly complex matters, maintain complete and audit-ready procurement files, and elevate risks with recommended next steps.

• Proficiency in preparing professional documents and Microsoft Excel workbooks, maintaining electronic records, and learning agency systems.

• Ability to work reliably at the assigned onsite location.

Preferred qualifications

• California public-agency or transit procurement experience and familiarity with Board-level approval processes.

• Direct buyer-side OpenGov experience.

• Experience supporting complex contract reviews, audit responses, or resolution of difficult supplier-performance matters.

• A relevant credential such as CPCM, CFCM, or CPPO. No certification is mandatory.

Working conditions

Work may be performed in a fast-paced, demanding office environment. Duties involve extensive computer use, repetitive motions, document review, and effective verbal and written communication. Reasonable accommodations are available to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions.

Research before interviewing

Please familiarize yourself with the following resources and be prepared to connect your public-agency procurement experience to OCTA’s work:

• Agency, programs, and projects: Review OCTA’s mission and use the Programs & Projects menu to explore relevant capital, maintenance, planning, and professional-services work.
  https://www.octa.net/

• Procurement opportunities and solicitation documents: Review publicly accessible opportunities and documents through OCTA’s OpenGov portal.
  https://procurement.opengov.com/portal/octa
  Official agency page linking to the portal: https://cammnet.octa.net/procurements/future/

• Board and committee materials: Find a procurement award or amendment report and study how it presents the recommendation, supporting facts, and fiscal impact.
  https://octa.legistar.com/Calendar.aspx

GoProcure/Metasys Technologies is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran status, disability, or any other status protected by applicable law.