SENIOR CONTRACT SPECIALIST

The Senior Contract Specialist at HRA will manage compliance and performance monitoring for various housing assistance contracts. Key responsibilities include overseeing financial tasks, conducting contract procurement, performing risk assessments, and providing essential training to providers. This role also involves analyzing procurement workflows, budget utilization, and vendor compliance to ensure all activities meet applicable regulations and standards.

To qualify for the Senior Contract Specialist position at HPA, candidates are required to have a baccalaureate degree and four years of relevant professional experience in fields such as program evaluation or contract management. At least eighteen months of this experience must be within an administrative, managerial, or executive capacity. Alternatively, candidates with a high school diploma and six years of related experience can also apply.

The Senior Contract Specialist plays a crucial role in the Master Leasing Unit by ensuring that contracts align with the overall goal of providing long-term affordable housing solutions. This includes overseeing compliance, coaching team members, conducting site visits to assess risks, and implementing corrective action plans when necessary to enhance provider performance and service delivery.

Key skills for a Senior Contract Specialist in the HPA include strong analytical abilities, excellent communication skills, and proficiency in contract management and compliance. The role also demands leadership skills for coaching team members and the capacity to work well under pressure while maintaining adherence to regulations and procedures.

The work environment for a Senior Contract Specialist at the HRA is dynamic and collaborative, situated in New York City. The position offers opportunities for professional growth while working alongside passionate individuals committed to addressing homelessness and housing challenges. The agency promotes diversity and inclusivity, providing a supportive atmosphere for all employees.

When asked about your contract management experience, highlight specific examples where you overseen contracts from inception to completion. Discuss any challenges you encountered, how you ensured compliance, and the impact of your management on the overall success of the projects.

Detail your methods for staying informed about changing regulations, such as attending workshops and training sessions. Discuss tools or processes you use to monitor compliance, and provide examples of how you've handled compliance issues in the past.

Emphasize your approach to mentorship, such as providing constructive feedback, setting clear expectations, and creating an open environment for questions. Share examples of how your coaching has led to improved performance in past roles.

Describe your conflict-resolution process, focusing on communication, understanding the issues at hand, and working collaboratively to find solutions. Provide a specific situation where you successfully resolved a conflict and the outcome.

Share examples of how you've monitored performance metrics in previous roles. Talk about the tools you used for data analysis and how you reported findings to stakeholders, highlighting any significant improvements that resulted from your insights.

Discuss the steps you follow in risk assessments, such as identifying potential risks, evaluating their impact, and developing mitigation strategies. Illustrate your answer with a real-world example of a risk assessment you've completed and its outcome.

To answer this, review the NYC Procurement Policy Board Rules and relate specifically how they impact your work as a Senior Contract Specialist. Provide examples of how adherence to these rules has been essential in your previous contracts.

Explain your methods for ensuring communication among various departments, such as regular meetings, reports, and using collaborative tools. Share an example of a communication strategy that led to improved project outcomes.

When discussing vendor performance metrics, highlight aspects like service delivery timelines, compliance with contract terms, and overall satisfaction ratings from stakeholders. Explain how you have used these metrics to make informed decisions in your past roles.

Be sure to convey your passion for helping vulnerable communities. Share any personal experiences or professional reasons that inspire you to make a difference in homelessness prevention and how that aligns with your role as a Senior Contract Specialist.