Title: IT Contract Management Specialist
Sacramento, CA, US, 95819-4628
Minimum Pay Rate: $98,217.60
Maximum Pay Rate: $130,062.40
Civil Service Status: Civil Service
Apply by Date: 01/06/2025
Posting Type: Open
SMUD is seeking an Information Technology (IT) Contract Management Specialist who is an expert in the acquisition and management of IT hardware, software, and professional services and associated contracts. The primary focus of this position will be to facilitate the acquisition and management of IT hardware, software and services, support internal customer requirements related to IT procurements, and be the primary resource for assisting IT contract mangers with their roles and responsibilities including contract negotiations, interpretation, and vendor management.
Purpose
To perform technical and analytical functions for the hardware and software products and technical, professional and maintenance services to ensure SMUD receives maximum value for dollars expended.
Nature and Scope
Serves as a journey-level resource in a relevant professional discipline; works independently on projects of minor to moderate complexity; exercises independent judgment and discretion within established broad guidelines.
Duties and Responsibilities
- Performs procurement and contract administration of ware and software products and technical, professional and maintenance services for desktop, mobile, server, network and enterprise infrastructure by researching and developing IT requirements, technical specifications, costs and installation schedules; and collaborating with Information & Technology and other business technology work units, SMUD project teams and clients. To ensure the IT procurement process supports the needs of SMUD.
- Serves as a liaison with vendors by identifying, analyzing and recommending opportunities for cost and value options for IT hardware products, software licensing, technical, professional and maintenance services. To provide SMUD management with cost savings and/or process improvement strategies.
- Researches and analyzes emerging technology information and data. To develop and present recommendations to management and facilitate management decision-making related to technology planning and purchases.
- Facilitates the administration of purchase orders and contracts by monitoring purchase progress, milestones and payments; documenting vendor performance; resolving issues; and processing change orders. To ensure successful completion of purchase order and contract requirements.
- Resolves purchase order and contract issues by researching problems, exploring alternatives; and making necessary adjustments. To ensure SMUDs IT purchase orders and contracts meet the needs of SMUD.
- Supports SMUDs annual SMUD Computing Environment (DCE) Project for PC, laptop and printer rollouts by developing the project budget, technical specifications and delivery schedules; clarifying and evaluating vendor bid responses. To provide recommendations to management and assist in the resolution of problems that impact the DCE process.
- Assists in planning, reviewing and conducting work activities and researching required project information associated with department internal/external projects in accordance with established task objectives and schedule as outlined in the project plan/contract. To support the overall achievement and completion of department projects.
- Performs related duties as required.
Required Education
- High School diploma or equivalent
Required Experience Qualifications
- Three or more (3+) years of progressively responsible relevant work experience negotiating the procurement of computer products for distributed and centralized environments.
Knowledge Of
SMUD procurement policies and procedures; SMUD IT Equal Business Opportunity and Supplier Diversity Programs (EBOP, SEED/REBE) practices and procedures; methods and techniques for report preparation and writing; techniques and practices for negotiating; concepts for cost control and project scheduling; principles and practices for contract management; procedures and practices for over- seeing contractors/consultants work activities; procedures and practices for project budget management; characteristics and operational various organizational units; principles and practices of economic analyses of projects and programs; principles and practices of program evaluation; principles and practices of various analytical approaches; techniques and practices for cost benefit analyses; techniques and practices for problem research and resolution; techniques and practices related to negotiations and compromise; methods and techniques for record keeping; complex computer systems and resources, electronic records, database administration; concepts of network configuration and design; hardware components; software licensing practices; specifications of network equipment; upgrade components; operating systems; application software; developer and server software; terminology for hardware and software; safety policies, practices and procedures; standard operating procedures for modern office equipment including a computer and applicable software; English grammar, punctuation and vocabulary standards.
Skills To
Compile and prepare technical, statistical and/or analytical presentations; reconcile significant and/or controversial differences to bring interested parties to consensus; negotiate with internal and external management on projects; analyze complex issues and develop/ implement resolution alternatives; apply applicable laws, codes and regulations; develop creative ways to solve a problem; gather data from appropriate sources and identify relevant factors; identify the key elements that must be modified to achieve a goal; negotiate with external representatives on behalf of SMUD; prepare a business case to weigh the relative costs and benefits of a potential action; research, analyze and provide recommendations to achieve department objectives; weigh the relative costs and benefits of a potential action; schedule and prioritize own work assignments to meet expected time- frames; coordinate with vendors; utilize a personal computer and/or computer terminal, systems and software relevant to the job; communicate effectively orally and in writing internally/externally; establish and maintain effective working relationships internally/externally.
Desirable Education
- BS/BA degree from an accredited college or majoring in Computer Science, MIS, Business Administration, Data/ Telecommunications or related field or equivalent experience.
Desirable Qualifications
- Expert in procurement of IT software, hardware and services.
- Expert in IT contract and vendor management, contract negotiations and interpretation including: Serve as focal point for providing internal customer assistance for IT hardware, software, and service contract issues.
- Track contract renewal dates and collaborate on procurement actions with contract managers for renewal of services to ensure purchase orders are in place before contract expirations.
- Collaborate with technical staff and manufacturer representatives to determine the scope and requirements for each contract.
- Provide guidance to internal customers, anticipating and articulating longer-term implications of alternatives.
- Facilitate negotiation of contract terms regarding software maintenance and professional services.
- Identify opportunities to establish volume purchase contracts for IT hardware, software, and services to reduce costs and improve delivery time.
- Experience with software licensing
- Experience using SAP to create purchase requisitions and purchase orders
- Experience using ServiceNow workflow ticketing system
Physical Requirements
Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD) - Who We Are
As the nation's sixth-largest community-owned electric service provider, we're proud of our reputation as one of the best places to work in Sacramento. Our employees tell us in our engagement surveys they're "Happy, satisfied and engaged" which helps create a workplace that best serves our customers. Sacramento was named as the 2nd happiest place to work in America by Forbes Magazine. Lake Tahoe, San Francisco and the world-renowned Napa Valley are within easy driving distance of our locations.
Our Commitment to Diversity & Inclusion
SMUD celebrates diversity, and inspires an inclusive culture based on trust and respect to create belonging and connection among our employees, customers, and communities. By working together, we are powering positive, equitable opportunities for all. We aspire to be a workplace where you can be yourself, achieve your best, and thrive together.
An example of our commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging is when SMUD signed the California Equal Pay Pledge in 2020. This requires equal pay for employees who perform “substantially similar work,” when viewed as a composite of skill, effort, and responsibility at the time those employees started within that classification. As such, initial hiring salary range is not subject to negotiation and salaries will vary over time based on performance.
SMUD is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate in employment decisions on the basis of race, color, religion, gender (including pregnancy), national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, veteran status, or any other applicable legally protected characteristic. All employment decisions are made on the basis of individual qualifications, merit, and business needs and interests.
Why Sacramento, California?
The capitol of California, Sacramento is the state's sixth-largest city, and the 35th largest in the U.S. Local universities include California State University, University of the Pacific's McGeorge School of Law, and the University of California, Davis and several competitive community colleges. The UC Davis Medical Center, a world-renowned research hospital, is one of more than a dozen hospitals and shared services centers in the Sacramento region. Part of the agriculturally-rich Central Valley, Sacramento is at the forefront of the farm-to-fork food movement. Northern California is home to some of the country's top technology companies, including Google and LinkedIn, and a multitude of startups in many industries. Sacramento is home to the NBA Kings, the River Cats (AAA baseball), the Republic FC (soccer) and the San Francisco Giants, NBA Warriors and NFL 49er's aren't far away. Sacramento offers an affluent liberal arts community with Broadway, Mondavi Center, Crocker Museum and summer musical theater to name a few.
Hybrid Work
This position may be eligible for SMUD's hybrid (office/home) work employee benefit, the schedule of which will be determined by the successful candidate and the Hiring Manager. SMUD takes pride in powering the Sacramento region community where we live and work. We value the strong working relationships we develop with our colleagues. Our approach to hybrid work will continue to evolve. Please be aware that should SMUD’s business needs change, emergencies occur, or various other reasons arise, you may be required to report onsite on a part-time or full-time basis.