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:
Division: Regional Administration
Department: Procurement
Opening Date: 11/06/2026
Closing Date: 11/23/2026 11:59 PM Central

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 candidate's experience, skills, education, and internal salary equity.

This position is eligible for a hybrid (both remote and onsite) telework arrangement. Candidate's 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):

• Bachelor's 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 contract's 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 team's 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.

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:

1. We review your minimum qualifications.
2. We rate your education and experience.
3. We conduct a structured panel interview.
4. We conduct a selection interview.

Once you have successfully completed the steps above, then:

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

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 employee's 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.

• Bachelor's 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 supervisor's 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 contract's lifecycle

10

Please describe your exper