| Location | San Diego, CA |
| Salary | $102,211.20–$123,115.20 Per Year |
Contract Specialist
Salary
$102,211.20 - $123,115.20 Annually
Location
City of San Diego, CA
Job Type
Permanent, Full Time
Job Number
SI-T11817-202611
Business Area
N/A - Multiple Departments
Opening Date
11/06/2026
Closing Date
11/16/2026 11:59 PM Pacific
JOB INFORMATION
See NOTES below for future wage increases and/or additional compensation opportunities.
APPLICANTS ARE ENCOURAGED TO APPLY TO THE FOLLOWING RELATED RECRUITMENT:
Contract Specialist positions open, negotiate, recommend contract award, administer and terminate various types of contracts including consulting, architectural and engineering projects, design, construction and construction management, and pre-purchased material and equipment contracts; assist in the preparation/distribution of Request for Qualifications (RFQ), Request for Information (RFI), Invitation to Bid (ITB), and/or Request for Proposal (RFP); assist in the preparation and dissemination of addenda; conduct pre-bid/pre-proposal meetings; review of bids/proposals and submittals for responsiveness; review bonding and insurances submittals; develop and maintain commercial terms and conditions of contracts; develop negotiation plans and strategies; prepare reports and correspondences; and perform other duties as assigned.
NOTES:
Employees in job classifications represented by Municipal Employees Association (MEA) are scheduled to receive the following general wage increases:
3.5% effective 7/1/27
2% effective 7/1/28
2% effective 1/1/29
Eligible benefitted employees originally hired on or after July 10, 2021, will be automatically enrolled in the San Diego City Employees Retirement System (SDCERS).
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS
You must meet the following requirements on the date you apply, unless otherwise indicated.
EDUCATION: Bachelors Degree or equivalent education (i.e., minimum completed units = 120 semester/180 quarter).
NOTE:
EXPERIENCE: Two years of full-time professional-level contract administration experience in architecture, engineering, and/or construction which MUST include at least TWO of the following:
NOTES:
LICENSE: A valid California Class C Driver License may be required at the time of hire.
HIGHLY DESIRABLES:
REQUIRED DOCUMENTS (MUST SUBMIT WITH APPLICATION):
Required documents should be attached electronically to your application. If you are unable to attach at the time of application submittal, you must submit them as soon as possible via fax: (619) 533-3337; or to the Employment Information Center: City of San Diego Personnel Department, 1200 Third Avenue - Suite 300, San Diego, CA 92101. Include your name and the title of the position for which you are applying.
SCREENING PROCESS
Please ensure all information is complete and accurate as the responses you provide on the supplemental questions will be reviewed using an automated evaluation system. If you are successful in this initial screening process, your application will be reviewed for applicable education, experience, and/or training to ensure all minimum requirements have been met. Successful candidates will be placed on a list which will be used to fill position vacancies during the next six months (180 days). For each vacancy, only those candidates with the most appropriate qualifications will be contacted by the hiring department for an interview.
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION
PRE-EMPLOYMENT REQUIREMENTS: Employment offers are conditional pending the results of all screening processes applicable to this position, which may include the following: confirmation of citizenship or legal right to work in the United States; completion of a pre-employment medical review and exam (which may include drug and alcohol testing); reference checks; and fingerprinting. Fingerprints will be submitted to the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the California Department of Justice for a conviction record report. Certain positions may require additional screening processes, which may include a polygraph examination and/or background investigation. All of these processes must be successfully completed before employment begins. A positive test for alcohol, cannabis/marijuana, illegal drugs, or inadequately explained prescription drugs, or misrepresentation, falsification, or omission of pertinent facts in any step of the screening or selection process, may be cause for disqualification or termination of employment. Nothing in this job posting constitutes an express or implied contract for employment with the City of San Diego. Candidates must notify the Personnel Department of any change in their name, mailing address, email address, or phone number, otherwise they may miss employment opportunities.
Assistant Engineer - Civil (Option Title: Contract Specialist)
Rev. 4 - November 6, 2026 (New Recruitment Date)
City employees may be eligible to participate in a benefit program including holidays, vacations, savings and retirement plans, health programs, and other benefits.
Eligible City employees initially hired or assuming office on or after July 10, 2021, with the exception of Police Recruits participating in the City's Police Academy, will participate in the City's Defined Benefit Plan administered by the San Diego City Employees' Retirement System (SDCERS).
Benefits may change due to employer-employee contract negotiations.
Flexible Benefits Plan Options for Employees Represented by Municipal Employees Associate (MEA) or review the Benefits Summary for MEA Employees.
01
I understand that failure to respond to the following questions in the spaces provided may result in the rejection of my application. In addition, I may miss out on employment opportunities. Résumés are NOT reviewed for assessing the minimum requirements, qualifications will be determined from the answers provided to the supplemental questions.
02
Are you a current or former City of San Diego government/municipal employee?
03
If you have previously worked or are currently working for the City of San Diego, please enter your PERNR.
04
The minimum age for this job is 18, unless you are 17 and a high school graduate. Do you meet the minimum age requirements for this job?
05
Are you meeting the education requirement with a Bachelors Degree or equivalent education (i.e., minimum completed units = 120 semester/180 quarter)? NOTE: Attach proof of degree/transcripts to your application.
06
Do you possess a Masters Degree in Public or Business Administration? NOTE: Attach proof of degree/transcripts to your application.
07
If you are using a combination of experience and education to qualify, which of the following best describes your level of education?
08
How many years of full-time professional-level experience do you have performing contract administration in architecture, engineering, and/or construction which includes at least two of the following: contract development, evaluation of bids and/or proposals, negotiation of contracts and contract changes, and administration of contract terms and conditions?
09
In which of the following areas do you have full-time professional-level contract administration experience?
10
In which of the following areas do you have full-time professional-level experience performing contract administration in architecture, engineering, and/or construction?
11
Describe your full-time professional-level contract administration experience in contract development. Specify from which employer the experience was gained, your title, level of responsibility, percent of time spent performing the duties and the total length of your experience. If you do not have any experience in this area, write "None."
12
Describe your full-time professional-level contract administration experience in the evaluation of bids and/or proposals. Specify from which employer the experience was gained, your title, level of responsibility, percent of time spent performing the duties and the total length of your experience. If you do not have any experience in this area, write "None."
13
Describe your full-time professional-level contract administration experience in the negotiation of contracts and contract changes. Specify from which employer the experience was gained, your title, level of responsibility, percent of time spent performing the duties and the total length of your experience. If you do not have any experience in this area, write "None."
14
Describe your full-time professional-level contract administration experience in the administration of contract terms and conditions. Specify from which employer the experience was gained, your title, level of responsibility, percent of time spent performing the duties and the total length of your experience. If you do not have any experience in this area, write "None."
15
Describe your experience in the following areas: a. Negotiating plans and strategies; b. identifying negotiation terms and developing negotiating schedules. For each area, specify from which employer the experience was gained, your title, level of responsibility, percent of time spent on each area and the total length of your experience. If you do not have any experience in a specific area, write "None."
16
Describe your experience making presentations to community groups, contractors, and others. Specify from which employer the experience was gained, your title, level of responsibility, percent of time spent performing the duties and the total length of your experience. If you do not have any experience in this area, write "None."
17
Describe your experience preparing reports/correspondence pertaining to contracts. Specify from which employer the experience was gained, your title, level of responsibility, percent of time spent performing the duties and the total length of your experience. If you do not have any experience in this area, write "None."
18
Describe your familiarity in each of the following areas: a. local, state or federal laws as they apply to contract acquisition practices; b. negotiating labor disputes and/or labor compliance in a government or public agency setting. For each area, specify from which employer the experience was gained, your title, level of responsibility, percent of time spent on each area and the total length of your experience. If you do not have any experience in a specific area, write "None."
19
Describe your knowledge and/or experience with architectural engineering and design contracting practices. Specify from which employer the experience was gained, your title, level of responsibility, percent of time spent on each area and the total length of your experience. If you do not have any experience, write "None."
20
List the computer programs which you are familiar with (e.g., Word, Excel, SAP, labor compliance software) and indicate your experience level (e.g., limited, moderate, extensive).
21
Describe your experience in professional-level contract administration experience in public works architecture and engineering contracts, and/or public works construction contracts. Specify from which employer the experience was gained, your title, level of responsibility, percent of time spent performing the duties, and the total length of your experience. If you do not have any experience in this area, write "None."
22
Describe any additional contract administration experience that has not been covered. Specify from which employer the experience was gained, your title, level of responsibility, percent of time spent performing the duties and the total length of your experience.
23
I understand that if I receive a conditional job offer, I will generally be required to provide proof of a valid drivers license within approximately two weeks of receiving the offer
Required Question
Employer City of San Diego
Address 1200 3rd Ave., Suite 300, MS 51P
San Diego, California, 92101
Phone (619) 236-6400
(619) 236-6358
Website http://www.sandiego.gov/empopp/