Procurement and Contract Specialist

• Supporting department staff throughout the procurement process including the unit's management team, Contract Managers in various units, and other staff within the department's Administration & Finance Unit. This includes assembling information and documents, sharing information verbally or in writing, and advising on procurement and contracting related matters upon request.

• Recommending procurement and contracting methods and opportunities for continuous improvement. This may include recommending statewide contracts for use in the procurement process and using experience and data to recommend process, procedure, and system improvement opportunities.

• Completing financial transactions related to contracts, vendor records, and fixed assets in MMARS/MOSAIC.

• Supporting compliance activities including verifying vendor suspension and debarment status, vendor compliance with Supplier Diversity Office reporting, vendor compliance with Purchase of Service Pre-Qualification and Recertification requirements, and agency compliance with relevant Public Records Requests.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Strong business writing and oral communication skills. Ability to express thoughts concisely, clearly, and to develop ideas in logical sequence.

• Excellent customer service and teamwork skills. Ability to establish rapport and harmonious working relationships with others.

• General knowledge of state and federal public procurement and contracting requirements. Ability to understand, explain, and apply the laws, rules, regulations, policies, procedures, etc. governing public procurement.

• Ability to draw conclusions and make appropriate recommendations.

• Ability to prioritize, organize assigned tasks, manage multiple priorities, and work under pressure. Ability to adjust to new circumstances or challenging situations.

• Ability to demonstrate sound judgement, exercise discretion, and handle confidential information.

• Previous experience using state systems such as COMMBUYS, MMARS, Commonwealth Information Warehouse. Proficiency in Microsoft Office including Access, Excel, Word, and PowerPoint.

Agency Mission:

The Department of Transitional Assistance (DTA) is the state agency responsible for administering public assistance programs to low-income residents of the Commonwealth. DTA is committed to providing a high level of service to all those in need. The mission of the Department is to assist and empower low-income individuals and families to meet their basic needs, improve their quality of life, and achieve long term economic self-sufficiency. DTA serves one out of every seven people in Massachusetts - including working families, children, elders, and people with disabilities. Our services include food and nutritional assistance, economic assistance, and employment supports.

Learn more about our services and programs visit: www.mass.gov/dta

Pre-Offer:

A criminal background check will be completed on the recommended candidate as required by the regulations set forth by the Executive Office of Health and Human Services prior to the candidate being hired. For more information, please visit http://www.mass.gov/hhs/cori

Education, licensure and certifications will be verified in accordance with the Human Resources Division's Hiring Guidelines.

Education and license/certification information provided by the selected candidate(s) is subject to the Massachusetts Public Records Law and may be published on the Commonwealth's website.

If you require assistance with the application/interview process and would like to request an ADA accommodation, please click on the link and complete the ADA Reasonable Accommodation Online Request Form

For questions, please contact the Office of Human Resources at 1-800-510-4122 and select option #4

Qualifications

First consideration will be given to those applicants that apply within the first 14 days.

MINIMUM ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS: Applicants must have at least (A) four years of full-time, or equivalent part-time, professional, administrative or managerial experience in business administration, business management or public administration the major duties of which involved program management, program administration, program coordination, program planning and/or program analysis, and (B) of which at least one year must have been in a supervisory capacity, or (C) any equivalent combination of the required experience and the substitutions below.

Substitutions:

I. A Bachelor's degree with a major in business administration, business management or public administration may be substituted for a maximum of two years of the required (A) experience.

II. A Graduate degree with a major in business administration, business management or public administration may be substituted for a maximum of three years of the required (A) experience.

III. A Bachelor's or higher degree with a major other than in business administration, business management or public administration may be substituted for a maximum of one year of the required (A) experience.

Education toward such a degree will be prorated on the basis of the proportion of the requirements actually completed.

NOTE: No substitutions will be permitted for the required (B) experience.

Salary placement is determined by a combination of factors, including the candidate's years of directly related experience and education, and alignment with our internal compensation structure as set forth by the Human Resources Division's Hiring Guidelines. For all bargaining unit positions (non-management), compensation is subject to the salary provisions outlined in the applicable collective bargaining agreement and will apply to placement within the appropriate salary range.

Comprehensive Benefits

When you embark on a career with the Commonwealth, you are offered an outstanding suite of employee benefits that add to the overall value of your compensation package. We take pride in providing a work experience that supports you, your loved ones, and your future.

Want the specifics? Explore our Employee Benefits and Rewards!

An Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action Employer. Females, minorities, veterans, and persons with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply.

The Commonwealth is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, disability, national origin, veteran status, or any other basis covered by appropriate law. Research suggests that qualified women, Black, Indigenous, and Persons of Color (BIPOC) may self-select out of opportunities if they don't meet 100% of the job requirements. We encourage individuals who believe they have the skills necessary to thrive to apply for this role.

Client-provided location(s): Boston, MA

Job ID: Commonwealth_of_Massachusetts-250008D6

Employment Type: FULL_TIME

Posted: 2026-01-06T18:36:54