Contracts Analyst

THE POSITION

SALARY:

Department Business Specialist I:$79,959.36 - $96,008.64 Annually 

Department Business Specialist II:$91,694.72 - $110,319.04 Annually
Bilingual allowance when applicable
 
 
We are accepting applications to fill one (1) full-time Contracts Analyst vacancy (The County classification title is Department Business Specialist I/II ) in Santa Barbara for the Behavioral Wellness Department’s Contracts branch. 
  
 THE POSITION:

Step into a dynamic role where your expertise in contracting and compliance makes an impact. As a Contracts Analyst, you’ll work closely with departments to research, draft, and negotiate contracts—ensuring alignment with federal and state laws and regulations. You’ll synthesize complex information, guide contracts through the full approval process, and bring clarity to the fine print. This position offers hybrid flexibility, making it an ideal opportunity for professionals who thrive on collaboration, detail, and strategic thinking. Department Business Specialist I/II is a professional-level, flexibly-staffed classification series.

• Department Business Specialist I is the entry level and may lead but would not typically supervise staff.
• Department Business Specialist II is the journey level and may be assigned supervisory responsibilities over other professional staff. Incumbents are expected to be knowledgeable in department business processes and at least one of the following: contract preparation and critical analysis; governmental fiscal record keeping – including budget, contract, and grant preparation and monitoring; or automated systems. 

PLEASE NOTE:  Candidates may be appointed at the Department Business Specialist I or Department Business Specialist II level, depending on the candidate's qualifications and needs of the department.
 
The Ideal candidate will have:

• Advanced degree in business administration, public administration, communication or political science
• Strong understanding of CA’s behavioral health systems (including regulations and funding streams from MHSA, Medi-Cal, CAlAIM, etc.) and the impact on contract development and provider compliance
• Proficiency in technical business systems (e.g., contract database, Workday, ServiceNow, SmartSheet, , Contract and Request for Proposal databases)
• Very strong interpersonal skills and client service focused
• Background in problem-solving, troubleshooting complex situations, and finding creative solutions
• Demonstrated ability to research and synthesize complex information
• Ability to embrace change and new information, and adapt behavior and work methods in response to new information, changing conditions, and unexpected obstacles
• Strong analytical and organizational skills
• Experience using a database to capture, streamline, and organize data
• Ability to prepare and write clear and concise documents 
• Demonstrated ability to develop and maintain sound working relationships with people of diverse backgrounds and personalities
• Demonstrated ability to work well independently and as a team player
• Demonstrated ability to deliver and execute on multiple projects simultaneously
• Ability to identify efficiencies to improve upon current processes
• Ability to remain professional with the utmost level of diplomacy and integrity

BENEFITS: For more information on County of Santa Barbara benefits click HERE. Additionally, applicants from other public sector employers may qualify for retirement reciprocity and time and service credit towards an advanced vacation accrual rate.

• Researches and analyzes rules, regulations, legislation, and procedures to determine their impact on departmental processes, reporting, and fiscal requirements; develops and recommends policies and procedures; and identifies and validates business process requirements, critical success factors, and fiscal, technological, and environmental constraints and assumptions.
   
• Research and draft contracts for new projects and renewals that provide critical direct services or provide administrative resources to support the goals of Behavioral Wellness. Write clear and descriptive exhibits that specify detailed requirements to meet county, state, and federal regulations and have a positive impact on the community we serve while incorporating standards, policies, and procedures; strong stewardship of public funds, designs, and improvement forms; and coordinate publication and dissemination of such material.
   
• Serves as liaison  and as a representative of private businesses, state and/or federal agencies, and other County departments to coordinate agreements for purchasing or services, for special projects, reports, or analysis, and to provide specified administrative services such as contract development and preparation for services and goods based on an analysis of program needs and available funding.

• Represents the department in the development of, contracts and service agreements; and gathers information for use in planning or management decisions.
   
• Participate in, coordinate, and lead drafting meetings, including presenting data to support collaboration with fiscal, QCM, program, and management teams in making informed operational and administrative decisions.
   
• May lead or supervise staff.

In order to be considered for this position, applicants must provide detailed information on their application to demonstrate how they meet the employment standards (minimum qualifications) listed below:

• Possession of a bachelor’s degree in business administration, public administration, political science, communications or related field; OR,
   
• Possession of an associate’s degree in business administration, public administration, political science, communications, or related field AND two (2) years of experience that would demonstrate basic knowledge (a) fiscal management, budgeting, grant preparation and monitoring, and contract management; (b) automated systems; or (c) Contracts Lifecycle Management (CLM) Systems ; OR,
   
• Four (4) years of experience that would demonstrate basic knowledge of (a) fiscal management, budgeting, grant preparation and monitoring, and contract management; (b) automated systems; or (c) Contracts Lifecycle Management (CLM) Systems ; OR,

• A combination of training, education, and/or experience that is equivalent to one of the employment standards listed above and that provides the required competencies.

For the full job classification description and competencies, click HERE.

APPLICATION & SELECTION PROCESS:

• Review applications and supplemental questionnaires to determine those applicants who meet the employment standards.
• Supplemental Questionnaire Ranking:  Candidates’ response to the required supplemental questionnaire will be evaluated and scored.  Candidates’ final score and rank on the employment list will be determined by their responses to the supplemental questionnaire. This process may be eliminated if there are fewer than 11 qualified candidates.

Candidates must receive a percentage score of at least 70 on the supplemental questionnaire to be placed on an employment list. An adjustment may be made to raw scores based on factors listed in Civil Service Rule 6. Those candidates who are successful in the selection process will have their names placed on the employment list for a minimum of three months. At the time the employment list is established, all candidates will receive an email notice of their score on the examination, rank on the employment list, and duration of the employment list.

VETERAN’S PREFERENCE POINTS: Veteran's preference credit is applicable for this recruitment (5 points for veterans, 10 points for disabled veterans). To be eligible for this credit, you must be applying for this position within five years from your most recent date of:  (1) honorable discharge from active military service; or, (2) discharge from a military or veterans' hospital where treatment and confinement were for a disability incurred during active military service; or, (3) completion of education or training funded by a Federal Educational Assistance Act.  No time limit exists for veterans with 30% or more disability.
 
To receive veteran's preference points, you must: (1) check the Veteran's Preference Points box on the employment application form, (2) submit a copy of your Form DD-214 to the Human Resources Department on or before the closing date, and (3) pass all phases of the examination process.  The preference points will be added to your final test score.

CONDITIONAL JOB OFFER: 

• Live Scan and Background Check: Once a conditional offer of employment has been made, the selected candidate's appointment is contingent upon successful completion of a Live Scan and background check which includes a conviction history check, and satisfactory reference checks. A Live Scan is electronic fingerprint scanning that is certified by the State Department of Justice. Further instructions about when and how to complete the Live Scan will be included in the offer letter. Appointee will be subject to a post-offer medical evaluation or examination.  
• The appointee must satisfactorily complete a one-year probationary period.

Recruiters will correspond with applicants by e-mail during each step in the recruitment process. Applicants are reminded to check spam filters continuously during the Recruitment & Selection Process steps listed above to ensure they do not miss required deadlines.
 
REASONABLE ACCOMODATIONS: The County of Santa Barbara is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to applicants. Qualified individuals with disabilities who need a reasonable accommodation during the application or selection process should contact the recruiter listed on the job posting. We require verification of needed accommodation from a professional source, such as a Medical Provider or a learning institution.

Disaster Service Worker: Pursuant to Governmental code section 3100, all employees with the County of Santa Barbara are declared to be disaster service workers subject to such disaster service. Activities as may be assigned to them by their superiors or by law.

STATEMENT OF COMMITMENT The County of Santa Barbara provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants and prohibits discrimination, harassment, and retaliation of any typewith regard to any characteristic or status protected by any federal law, state law, or Santa Barbara County ordinance. The County continues to be committed to a merit-based selection process and to eliminating barriers toattracting and retaining top qualified candidates. The County has a long-standing practice of providing a work environment that respects the dignity of individual employeesand values their contributions to our organization.

 
 APPLICATION AND SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONNAIRE DEADLINE: Monday May 5, 2025 at 4:59 PM PST; POST MARKS ARE NOT ACCEPTED.  Applications and job bulletins can be obtained 24 hours a day at www.sbcountyjobs.com.  
  
 Gabriela Huerta, Recruitment Analyst – ghuerta@sbcbwell.org

Salary : $79,959 - $96,009