Contract Administrator

About the Positions

We’re seeking Contract Administrators to support large, complex heavy civil infrastructure programs, including highways, roads, bridges, transit (bus and rail), aviation (international airports), and water/wastewater projects delivered through both traditional and alternative delivery methods. These roles carry contracts and task orders through the full life cycle, from solicitation and proposal through award, administration, modification, and closeout, on transit and transportation capital programs. We are looking for people who know how to build a clean solicitation, who can work across a range of contract and agreement types, and who keep contract files defensible from the first draft to final payment.

This post is for future roles and not for a specific opportunity that is available right now. We accept applications and conduct interviews in advance of upcoming hiring needs. When a candidate is selected, their profile is activated in our talent pool for this specialty area. We notify our talent pool candidates first whenever we have a project need.

Responsibilities may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Support each assigned contract and task order through its full life cycle, from solicitation and proposal through award, administration, modification, and closeout, on transit and transportation capital programs.
• Develop and review solicitation packages, including requests for proposals, invitations for bid, requests for quotes, scopes of work, specifications, and evaluation criteria, for completeness and conformance with program and agency procurement requirements.
• Coordinate pre-proposal and pre-bid meetings, respond to bidder and proposer questions, and prepare addenda and amendments before proposals are due.
• Support proposal and bid evaluation, including coordinating selection committees, documenting evaluation results, and preparing award recommendations and approval packages for executive concurrence.
• Coordinate collection and verification of bonds, insurance certificates, and other documents needed to execute contracts and task orders and issue notice to proceed.
• Administer assigned contracts and task orders after award, including tracking deliverables, funding, periods of performance, option exercises, and compliance with contract terms.
• Evaluate change proposals, requests for equitable adjustment, and claims for merit, coordinate independent cost estimates and schedule analysis, and support negotiation and preparation of contract modification packages.
• Verify solicitations and contract actions against federal and agency procurement requirements, including FTA procurement rules, Buy America provisions, and DBE participation goals.
• Maintain contract files, correspondence, logs, and records in the program’s contract management system so every action is documented and audit-ready.
• Coordinate with project managers, legal, finance, risk, and compliance staff to resolve contract issues and keep procurement schedules on track.
• Support contract and task order closeout, including final acceptance, release of claims, final payment, and records retention.

Attributes

• Excellent written and verbal communication and interpersonal skills.
• Excellent multi-tasking and organizational skills.
• Collaborative mindset that fosters teamwork, trust, and positive relationships.
• Natural curiosity, problem-solving abilities, and a commitment to continuous improvement.
• Sound judgment and discretion when handling confidential procurement and negotiation information.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in business administration, engineering, construction management, or public administration, or related field, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• 5+ years of transit and transportation contract administration or procurement experience for large ( $500M), complex, heavy-civil infrastructure projects.
• Experience developing and administering requests for proposals, invitations for bid, requests for quotes, scopes of work, and specifications.
• Working knowledge of a range of contract and agreement types (e.g., firm fixed price, cost reimbursable, time and materials, indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity, task order, and intergovernmental agreements) and the solicitation methods used to award them.
• Experience administering task orders from proposal through closeout on multiple task order contracts.
• Experience with industry standard contract management, procurement, or ERP systems (e.g., Unifier, PeopleSoft, SAP Ariba, e-Builder, etc.).
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite/Office 365 (e.g., Outlook, Teams, Word, PowerPoint, etc.).

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in business administration, engineering, construction management, or public administration.
• Certified Professional Contract Manager (CPCM) or Certified Federal Contract Manager (CFCM) certification (National Contract Management Association), or Certified Public Procurement Officer (CPPO) certification (Universal Public Procurement Certification Council).
• Experience administering construction, professional services, and task order contracts on a transit or transportation capital program exceeding $1B in total value.
• Experience evaluating and negotiating change orders, requests for equitable adjustment, and claims on construction contracts exceeding $100M in value.
• Working knowledge of the federal procurement requirements that apply to federally funded transit and transportation programs, including FTA Circular 4220.1F, Buy America, Brooks Act qualifications-based selection, and DBE program requirements.
• Experience working in a public agency procurement environment, including agency procurement manuals, board approval thresholds, protest procedures, and public records requirements.
• Experience supporting an owner’s representative, program management, or construction management team on a public infrastructure program.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Power BI, Oracle Cloud Analytics, or other dashboard KPI reporting software.

Compensation Details

Expected Salary: $80k-$180k/year ($38-$87/hour). Luster provides the salary range that the company in good faith believes it might offer for this position based on the successful candidate’s level and years of experience, knowledge, skills, abilities, education, certifications, licenses, geographic location, etc. Luster reserves the right to ultimately pay more or less than the posted range depending on circumstances not related to any status protected by local, state, and/or federal law.

Just LOOK at the Benefits We Offer!

• Unlimited flexible time off
• Paid holidays
• Paid parental leave
• Health, dental, and vision insurance
• Flexible spending accounts (healthcare and dependent or elder care)
• Long-term disability insurance
• Short-term disability insurance
• Life insurance and accidental death and dismemberment
• 401(k) plan with guaranteed employer contribution
• Formal career planning and development program
• $2,500 annually toward professional development
• Wellness program with monthly wellness stipend
• Company cell phone or cell phone plan reimbursement
• Free personalized meal planning and nutrition support with a registered dietitian
• Free personal financial planning services
• Employee assistance program
• Employee discounts
• Employee referral bonus

Specific plan details and coverage for each benefit noted above will be provided upon offer.

If you wish to be considered for a position where there is not an active job posted, please search for our 'General Application' and apply.

Luster is committed to creating an inclusive work environment with a diverse workforce. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to criminal history, race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status. This employer participates in E-Verify. The employer will provide the Social Security Administration (SSA) and, if necessary, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) with information from each new employee's I-9 to confirm work authorization.

All positions may be subject to a background check and drug test once a conditional offer of employment is made for any convictions directly related to its duties and responsibilities, in accordance with all applicable local, state, and/or federal regulations.

This job description is meant to describe the general nature and level of work being performed; it is not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required for the position.

Luster does not accept unsolicited resumes from any third-party. In the absence of a signed agreement, Luster will not consider or agree to payment of any kind. Any unsolicited resumes presented to Luster personnel, including those submitted to Luster hiring managers, are deemed to be the property of Luster.

Please email hiring@luster.com for accommodations necessary to complete the application process.