Job Description
The Iowa Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Division of Family Well-Being and Protection, Bureau of Early Intervention and Support is seeking a Contract Specialist (Job Classification: Program Planner 3) to join our team. The Department supports the achievement of positive results through service contracting by establishing and setting clear contract expectations and monitoring contract performance. This position will provide contract and fiscal support to early childhood and home visiting staff in the Early Intervention and Support work unit. As a Compliance Division employee, you will be part of a growing dynamic team. This position is located at the central office in the Lucas Building. A hybrid (3 days working from home and 2 days working in the office) work schedule is available after successfully completing the training period.
This position will be responsible for monitoring contractor fiscal and administrative performance of Early Intervention and Support programs, while adhering to applicable law and administrative rules. In addition, this position will be responsible for functions associated with federal IV‑E claiming. This position will work on a cross‑functional team, which includes contract specialists, policy, finance, legal, and operations staff. This position will also work closely with the Family Well‑Being and Protection division to coordinate monitoring duties across programmatic, fiscal, and organizational monitoring.
Duties of This Position
Conducting contract monitoring, including analysis of contractor fiscal and administrative performance through desk audits or on‑site reviews, adherence to contract requirements and timelines, gathering and interpreting data, overseeing improvement plans, and reporting results.
Interpreting and communicating contractual requirements and laws/regulations affecting delivery of home visiting and early childhood services.
Acting as a liaison between contractors and state personnel, including program policy staff and leadership. Communicates information between the parties and actively works to identify and resolve issues.
Performing contracting activities, including issuing, or assisting with competitive procurement activities, contract negotiations, managing contracting documentation, approving claims in accordance with contract terms, and contract close‑out activities.
Participating in reviewing, making recommendations, and assisting with updating HHS contracting processes.
Participating in reviewing, making recommendations, and assisting with updating programmatic policies related to contract performance or fiscal procedures.
Managing administrative and support functions associated with federal IV‑E claiming.
Requirements
Detail oriented.
Minimum education and experience: High School Diploma or GED with at least two years of contract development or fiscal claims processing or contract monitoring experience.
Competent in Microsoft Office.
The successful candidate will thrive in a fast‑paced environment, juggling multiple work demands with competing priorities.
Benefits
Health, Dental, and Vision Coverage.
Paid Time Off: 96 hours/year to begin, increasing with years of service; 144 hours/year sick leave; 9 days/year paid holidays.
Retirement Plans: IPERS, RIC, Employer Sponsored Retirement Plan.
Flexible Spending Accounts for medical and dependent care expenses.
Insurance Coverage: life insurance and free long‑term disability insurance.
Employee Assistance Program.
Employee Discount Programs.
Background Checks Applicants will be required to complete a background check to be considered for this position.
The State of Iowa is an EEO/AA Employer HHS values those with “lived experience” and encourages adults who were fostered as youth, foster parents, and/or parents who were in the DHS system to apply. Minorities, women, persons with disabilities, and veterans are encouraged to apply.
E-Verify and Right to Work The State of Iowa participates in E‑Verify and complies with the federal Right to Work laws.
Minimum Qualification Requirements Applicants must meet at least one of the following minimum requirements to qualify for positions in this job classification:
Seven years of full‑time work experience in the administration or operation/execution of a program.
One year of full‑time work experience in the administration or operation/execution of a program, and a total of four years of education and full‑time experience, where thirty semester hours of accredited college or university coursework in any field equals one year of full‑time experience; and a total of two years of graduate‑level education and full‑time experience, where twenty‑four semester hours of accredited graduate coursework equals one year of full‑time experience.
Graduation from an accredited school of law.
Current, continuous experience in the state executive branch that includes nine months of full‑time work as a Program Planner 2 or twenty‑seven months of full‑time work as a Program Planner 1.
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This position will be responsible for monitoring contractor fiscal and administrative performance of Early Intervention and Support programs, while adhering to applicable law and administrative rules. In addition, this position will be responsible for functions associated with federal IV‑E claiming. This position will work on a cross‑functional team, which includes contract specialists, policy, finance, legal, and operations staff. This position will also work closely with the Family Well‑Being and Protection division to coordinate monitoring duties across programmatic, fiscal, and organizational monitoring.
Duties of This Position
Conducting contract monitoring, including analysis of contractor fiscal and administrative performance through desk audits or on‑site reviews, adherence to contract requirements and timelines, gathering and interpreting data, overseeing improvement plans, and reporting results.
Interpreting and communicating contractual requirements and laws/regulations affecting delivery of home visiting and early childhood services.
Acting as a liaison between contractors and state personnel, including program policy staff and leadership. Communicates information between the parties and actively works to identify and resolve issues.
Performing contracting activities, including issuing, or assisting with competitive procurement activities, contract negotiations, managing contracting documentation, approving claims in accordance with contract terms, and contract close‑out activities.
Participating in reviewing, making recommendations, and assisting with updating HHS contracting processes.
Participating in reviewing, making recommendations, and assisting with updating programmatic policies related to contract performance or fiscal procedures.
Managing administrative and support functions associated with federal IV‑E claiming.
Requirements
Detail oriented.
Minimum education and experience: High School Diploma or GED with at least two years of contract development or fiscal claims processing or contract monitoring experience.
Competent in Microsoft Office.
The successful candidate will thrive in a fast‑paced environment, juggling multiple work demands with competing priorities.
Benefits
Health, Dental, and Vision Coverage.
Paid Time Off: 96 hours/year to begin, increasing with years of service; 144 hours/year sick leave; 9 days/year paid holidays.
Retirement Plans: IPERS, RIC, Employer Sponsored Retirement Plan.
Flexible Spending Accounts for medical and dependent care expenses.
Insurance Coverage: life insurance and free long‑term disability insurance.
Employee Assistance Program.
Employee Discount Programs.
Background Checks Applicants will be required to complete a background check to be considered for this position.
The State of Iowa is an EEO/AA Employer HHS values those with “lived experience” and encourages adults who were fostered as youth, foster parents, and/or parents who were in the DHS system to apply. Minorities, women, persons with disabilities, and veterans are encouraged to apply.
E-Verify and Right to Work The State of Iowa participates in E‑Verify and complies with the federal Right to Work laws.
Minimum Qualification Requirements Applicants must meet at least one of the following minimum requirements to qualify for positions in this job classification:
Seven years of full‑time work experience in the administration or operation/execution of a program.
One year of full‑time work experience in the administration or operation/execution of a program, and a total of four years of education and full‑time experience, where thirty semester hours of accredited college or university coursework in any field equals one year of full‑time experience; and a total of two years of graduate‑level education and full‑time experience, where twenty‑four semester hours of accredited graduate coursework equals one year of full‑time experience.
Graduation from an accredited school of law.
Current, continuous experience in the state executive branch that includes nine months of full‑time work as a Program Planner 2 or twenty‑seven months of full‑time work as a Program Planner 1.
#J-18808-Ljbffr