Contract Specialist Jobs in USA with Visa Sponsorship
Contract Specialists handle government procurement, vendor negotiations, and federal contracting compliance. Most positions require H-1B visa sponsorship since they're typically specialty occupations requiring business, finance, or related degrees. Defense contractors and federal agencies frequently sponsor international talent for these analytical roles. For detailed occupation requirements, see the O*NET profile.
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Get Access To All JobsAre you looking for an opportunity to drive continuous innovation, improve business processes, and deliver value-added programs? If so, we are looking for you!
The State of Connecticut Department of Administrative Services (DAS) Procurement Division is currently accepting applications for a Contract Specialist position to our contracting teams. The list of qualified candidates resulting from this recruitment will be valid for one year, and the DAS Procurement Division may use this list for future opportunities not yet identified.
WHAT WE CAN OFFER YOU
Visit our State Employee Benefits Overview page!
Professional growth and development opportunities
* A healthy work/life balance to all employees
POSITION HIGHLIGHTS
Monday - Friday
Full-time (40 hours per week)
First shift
Location: Hartford, CT
* Hybrid position (telework and in office)
THE ROLE
The Procurement Division is charged with the purchasing, leasing, and contracting for goods and services, including information technology and telecommunications products and services. The Contract Specialist will leverage knowledge of relevant industries and commodities including goods, services, information technology, and telecommunications as well as applicable contracting practices to develop and administer contracts that meet the needs of state agencies while promoting cost-effective and efficient contracting outcomes.
WHO WE ARE
We work with customers and team members to understand their needs and expectations. We promote learning, creativity, and improvement to meet those needs and adapt to an ever-changing environment. We value respect, integrity, excellence, diversity, and inclusion and seek team members who share those values.
Our mission at the DAS Procurement Division is to deliver value-added procurement programs and services by creating efficiencies, introducing smart technologies, and providing collaboration and strategic leadership, while acting with integrity. If you have the skills to support this mission and the goals of continuously improving customer service and business processes, fostering and sustaining a strong work environment and strong staff performance, and being accountable while strategically aligning our resources, then we encourage you to apply for this Contract Specialist position.
Selection Plan
FOR ASSISTANCE IN APPLYING:
Check out our Applicant Tips on How to Apply! Need more resources? Visit our Applicant Toolkit for additional support throughout the recruitment process.
BEFORE YOU APPLY:
Meet Minimum Qualifications: Ensure you meet the Minimum Qualifications listed on the job opening by the job closing date. You must specify your qualifications on your application. The minimum experience and training requirements listed must be met by the close date on the job opening, unless otherwise specified.
Educational Credits: List your earned credits and degrees from accredited institutions accurately on your application. To receive educational credits towards qualification, the institution must be accredited. If the institution of higher learning is located outside of the U.S., you are responsible for providing documentation from a recognized USA accrediting service which specializes in determining foreign education equivalencies to the contact listed below by the closing date listed on the job posting.
Resume Policy: Per Public Act 21-69, resumes are not accepted during the initial application process. As the recruitment process progresses, candidates may be required to submit additional documentation to support their qualification(s) for this position. This documentation may include: a cover letter, resume, transcripts, diplomas, performance reviews, attendance records, supervisory references, licensure, etc., at the request and discretion of the hiring agency.
Preferred Shift/Location: Select all location(s) and shift(s) you are willing to work on your application. Failure to do so may result in not being considered for vacancies in that specific location or shift.
Timely Submission: All application materials must be received by the job posting deadline. You will be unable to make revisions once you officially submit your application to the State. Late submissions are rarely accepted, with exceptions only for documented events that incapacitate individuals during the entire duration of the job posting. Request exceptions by emailing DAS.SHRM@ct.gov.
Salary Calculations: For current state employees, salary calculations are not necessarily comparable from one of the three branches of state government (i.e., Executive, Legislative, Judicial) to the other.
Note: The only way to apply to this posting is via the ‘Apply’ or ‘Apply Online’ buttons on the official State of Connecticut Online Employment Center job posting.
This employer may participate in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information to confirm work authorization.
AFTER YOU APPLY:
Some email providers may experience delays or issues delivering messages. To avoid missing important updates—such as referral questionnaires or interview scheduling links—please check your Personal Status Board regularly. For added convenience, you can also enable text (SMS) notifications. To do this, log in to your Personal Status Board and select “Update My Contact Information.”
Referral Questions: This posting may require completion of additional Referral Questions (RQs), which must be completed by the questionnaire’s expiration date. If requested, RQs can be accessed via an email sent to you after the job close date or by visiting your JobAps Personal Status Board (Certification Questionnaires section).
Prepare For An Interview: Interviews are limited to those whose experience and training are most aligned with the role. To prepare, review this helpful Interview Preparation Guide to make the best impression!
Stay connected! Log in daily to your JobAps Personal Status Board to track your status and check email (including spam/junk folders) for updates and tasks.
The immediate vacancy is listed above; however, applications to this recruitment may be used for future vacancies in this job class.
Note: This position will be filled in accordance with contractual language, reemployment, SEBAC, transfer, promotion and merit employment rules. Candidates who are offered and accept a position with the State of Connecticut are bound by the State Code of Ethics for Public Officials and State employees, available at www.ct.gov/ethics.
QUESTIONS? WE’RE HERE TO HELP:
Due to high volume, we are unable to confirm receipt or provide status updates directly. For recruitment updates, please check your Personal Status Board and review our Frequently Asked Questions. If you have additional questions about the recruitment process, reach out to Hayley Newhouse at hayley.newhouse@ct.gov.
Join the State of Connecticut and take your next career step with confidence!
PURPOSE OF JOB CLASS (NATURE OF WORK)
In the Department of Administrative Services this class is accountable for performing the most complex tasks as a contracting specialist in the procurement or administration of commodities, services or programs for statewide use with a major focus on contract preparation, negotiation and contract or project management as well as customer service outreach and development.
EXAMPLES OF DUTIES
Performs a variety of specialized procurement duties in the following areas:
PRODUCT AND SERVICE SPECIFICATION DEVELOPMENT:
Creates product and/or service standards and contract specifications for statewide products and services using industry and market knowledge, customer information, needs and strategies and examination and knowledge of industry best practices and experiences;
Prepares market analysis reports;
* Modifies state agency developed specifications to improve competitiveness and competition and assure fulfillment of customer requirements and expectations.
CONTRACTING-NEGOTIATIONS:
Analyzes and establishes pricing strategies resulting in most cost effective method of ownership in support of state’s business needs;
Negotiates contract terms and conditions;
Devises negotiating strategies with goals and alternate strategies;
Analyzes technical data;
Creates and designs complex term, master and prime vendor contracts requiring extensive customer and product knowledge and purchasing expertise (typically involving multiple product lines and commodities and very significant potential risk and exposure to the state);
Oversees Request for Proposal bidding process for large scale, highly complex negotiations and/or contracts involving large quantities and/or dollars;
Develops subjective evaluation and award criteria;
Ensures contractor fitness through review of vendor qualifications, labor and legal status and company principals;
* Creates unique and precedent setting contract language and assists in setting legal standards for protection of State’s rights.
CONTRACTING-ADMINISTRATION:
Coordinates contract development for all assigned commodities;
Seeks and incorporates customer feedback into contract design;
Consolidates contracts within commodity groups;
Assures a constant supply of goods and services;
Coordinates bidding, evaluation and awarding of large-scale procurements with significant impact on state agencies;
Coordinates vendor performance ensuring contractual compliance;
Assures fully satisfactory vendor performance by measuring customer satisfaction;
Develops and recommends remedial, probationary and disciplinary action;
Leads complaint analysis review and evaluation;
Educates customers and/or vendors on new and/or current purchasing procedures and guidelines;
* May lead multi-agency team activity involving product standards analysis and selection.
CONTRACTING-APPROVAL:
* Delegated authority to approve contracts valued up to $1 million based on extensive knowledge of statutes, business law and contracting expertise.
CUSTOMER SERVICE DELIVERY:
Identifies and implements improvements to customer service;
Ensures customer objectives are met or exceeded with highest quality service.
MARKETING:
Manages and promotes use of contracts to state agencies, municipalities, school systems and not-for-profit organizations;
Develops and conducts presentations regarding procurement process, contract utilization and advantages to state agencies and political subdivisions;
Promotes and develops use of small business Set Aside program to maximize opportunities for Connecticut small businesses in accordance with statutory requirements;
Meets with customers to update them on emerging technologies and products and/or services affecting their businesses;
Trains and advises customers on purchasing processes and procedures;
Represents Procurement Services at National Association of State Procurement Officials (NASPO) conferences, seminars and meetings;
Conducts internal and/or external trend analysis and forecasting studies regarding new technologies and products and identifies vendors and/or manufacturers product and service direction and strategy;
Identifies customer strategic and tactical business directions and influences business decisions;
* Markets vendor products and/or services and Procurement Services to state and/or municipal customer base and outside community.
PROJECTS:
* Participates on or leads major internal and/or external project teams.
PROBLEM SOLVING:
* Resolves difficult problems, providing solutions with minimal risk to state.
UTILIZATION OF TECHNOLOGY:
Identifies and/or develops system and/or process improvements within Procurement Services.
Performs related duties as required.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY
Considerable knowledge of
+ relevant state and federal laws, statutes and regulations;
+ procurement practices, procedures and supply chain management;
+ business law and its applicability to procurement, contracting and sales;
Knowledge of
+ and ability to utilize available technology including EDP systems for financial records, reports and analyses;
+ principles and techniques of customer service delivery;
Considerable
+ interpersonal skills;
+ oral and written communication skills;
+ negotiation skills;
Skills
+ problem solving skills;
+ marketing skills;
* Considerable ability to understand, analyze and evaluate financial records, methods and procedures including financial ratios and other mathematical formulas.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - GENERAL EXPERIENCE
Seven (7) years of experience in procurement work with emphasis on contract negotiation or customer service delivery.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - SPECIAL EXPERIENCE
One (1) year of the General Experience must have been at the professional level.
NOTE: For state employees this experience is interpreted at the level of a Contract Analyst.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - SUBSTITUTIONS ALLOWED
College training may be substituted for the General Experience on the basis of fifteen (15) semester hours equalling one-half (1/2) year of experience to a maximum of four (4) years for a Bachelor’s degree.
A Master’s degree in a related field may be substituted for one (1) additional year of the General Experience.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
Experience with procurement and contracting for goods, services, commodities, information technology or telecommunications products and services.
Experience with contract administration skills
Experience with project management skills
Experience prioritizing projects with competing deadlines
Experience with data analysis skills
Experience with Microsoft Suite, including Teams
Are you looking for an opportunity to drive continuous innovation, improve business processes, and deliver value-added programs? If so, we are looking for you!
The State of Connecticut Department of Administrative Services (DAS) Procurement Division is currently accepting applications for a Contract Specialist position to our contracting teams. The list of qualified candidates resulting from this recruitment will be valid for one year, and the DAS Procurement Division may use this list for future opportunities not yet identified.
WHAT WE CAN OFFER YOU
Visit our State Employee Benefits Overview page!
Professional growth and development opportunities
* A healthy work/life balance to all employees
POSITION HIGHLIGHTS
Monday - Friday
Full-time (40 hours per week)
First shift
Location: Hartford, CT
* Hybrid position (telework and in office)
THE ROLE
The Procurement Division is charged with the purchasing, leasing, and contracting for goods and services, including information technology and telecommunications products and services. The Contract Specialist will leverage knowledge of relevant industries and commodities including goods, services, information technology, and telecommunications as well as applicable contracting practices to develop and administer contracts that meet the needs of state agencies while promoting cost-effective and efficient contracting outcomes.
WHO WE ARE
We work with customers and team members to understand their needs and expectations. We promote learning, creativity, and improvement to meet those needs and adapt to an ever-changing environment. We value respect, integrity, excellence, diversity, and inclusion and seek team members who share those values.
Our mission at the DAS Procurement Division is to deliver value-added procurement programs and services by creating efficiencies, introducing smart technologies, and providing collaboration and strategic leadership, while acting with integrity. If you have the skills to support this mission and the goals of continuously improving customer service and business processes, fostering and sustaining a strong work environment and strong staff performance, and being accountable while strategically aligning our resources, then we encourage you to apply for this Contract Specialist position.
Selection Plan
FOR ASSISTANCE IN APPLYING:
Check out our Applicant Tips on How to Apply! Need more resources? Visit our Applicant Toolkit for additional support throughout the recruitment process.
BEFORE YOU APPLY:
Meet Minimum Qualifications: Ensure you meet the Minimum Qualifications listed on the job opening by the job closing date. You must specify your qualifications on your application. The minimum experience and training requirements listed must be met by the close date on the job opening, unless otherwise specified.
Educational Credits: List your earned credits and degrees from accredited institutions accurately on your application. To receive educational credits towards qualification, the institution must be accredited. If the institution of higher learning is located outside of the U.S., you are responsible for providing documentation from a recognized USA accrediting service which specializes in determining foreign education equivalencies to the contact listed below by the closing date listed on the job posting.
Resume Policy: Per Public Act 21-69, resumes are not accepted during the initial application process. As the recruitment process progresses, candidates may be required to submit additional documentation to support their qualification(s) for this position. This documentation may include: a cover letter, resume, transcripts, diplomas, performance reviews, attendance records, supervisory references, licensure, etc., at the request and discretion of the hiring agency.
Preferred Shift/Location: Select all location(s) and shift(s) you are willing to work on your application. Failure to do so may result in not being considered for vacancies in that specific location or shift.
Timely Submission: All application materials must be received by the job posting deadline. You will be unable to make revisions once you officially submit your application to the State. Late submissions are rarely accepted, with exceptions only for documented events that incapacitate individuals during the entire duration of the job posting. Request exceptions by emailing DAS.SHRM@ct.gov.
Salary Calculations: For current state employees, salary calculations are not necessarily comparable from one of the three branches of state government (i.e., Executive, Legislative, Judicial) to the other.
Note: The only way to apply to this posting is via the ‘Apply’ or ‘Apply Online’ buttons on the official State of Connecticut Online Employment Center job posting.
This employer may participate in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information to confirm work authorization.
AFTER YOU APPLY:
Some email providers may experience delays or issues delivering messages. To avoid missing important updates—such as referral questionnaires or interview scheduling links—please check your Personal Status Board regularly. For added convenience, you can also enable text (SMS) notifications. To do this, log in to your Personal Status Board and select “Update My Contact Information.”
Referral Questions: This posting may require completion of additional Referral Questions (RQs), which must be completed by the questionnaire’s expiration date. If requested, RQs can be accessed via an email sent to you after the job close date or by visiting your JobAps Personal Status Board (Certification Questionnaires section).
Prepare For An Interview: Interviews are limited to those whose experience and training are most aligned with the role. To prepare, review this helpful Interview Preparation Guide to make the best impression!
Stay connected! Log in daily to your JobAps Personal Status Board to track your status and check email (including spam/junk folders) for updates and tasks.
The immediate vacancy is listed above; however, applications to this recruitment may be used for future vacancies in this job class.
Note: This position will be filled in accordance with contractual language, reemployment, SEBAC, transfer, promotion and merit employment rules. Candidates who are offered and accept a position with the State of Connecticut are bound by the State Code of Ethics for Public Officials and State employees, available at www.ct.gov/ethics.
QUESTIONS? WE’RE HERE TO HELP:
Due to high volume, we are unable to confirm receipt or provide status updates directly. For recruitment updates, please check your Personal Status Board and review our Frequently Asked Questions. If you have additional questions about the recruitment process, reach out to Hayley Newhouse at hayley.newhouse@ct.gov.
Join the State of Connecticut and take your next career step with confidence!
PURPOSE OF JOB CLASS (NATURE OF WORK)
In the Department of Administrative Services this class is accountable for performing the most complex tasks as a contracting specialist in the procurement or administration of commodities, services or programs for statewide use with a major focus on contract preparation, negotiation and contract or project management as well as customer service outreach and development.
EXAMPLES OF DUTIES
Performs a variety of specialized procurement duties in the following areas:
PRODUCT AND SERVICE SPECIFICATION DEVELOPMENT:
Creates product and/or service standards and contract specifications for statewide products and services using industry and market knowledge, customer information, needs and strategies and examination and knowledge of industry best practices and experiences;
Prepares market analysis reports;
* Modifies state agency developed specifications to improve competitiveness and competition and assure fulfillment of customer requirements and expectations.
CONTRACTING-NEGOTIATIONS:
Analyzes and establishes pricing strategies resulting in most cost effective method of ownership in support of state’s business needs;
Negotiates contract terms and conditions;
Devises negotiating strategies with goals and alternate strategies;
Analyzes technical data;
Creates and designs complex term, master and prime vendor contracts requiring extensive customer and product knowledge and purchasing expertise (typically involving multiple product lines and commodities and very significant potential risk and exposure to the state);
Oversees Request for Proposal bidding process for large scale, highly complex negotiations and/or contracts involving large quantities and/or dollars;
Develops subjective evaluation and award criteria;
Ensures contractor fitness through review of vendor qualifications, labor and legal status and company principals;
* Creates unique and precedent setting contract language and assists in setting legal standards for protection of State’s rights.
CONTRACTING-ADMINISTRATION:
Coordinates contract development for all assigned commodities;
Seeks and incorporates customer feedback into contract design;
Consolidates contracts within commodity groups;
Assures a constant supply of goods and services;
Coordinates bidding, evaluation and awarding of large-scale procurements with significant impact on state agencies;
Coordinates vendor performance ensuring contractual compliance;
Assures fully satisfactory vendor performance by measuring customer satisfaction;
Develops and recommends remedial, probationary and disciplinary action;
Leads complaint analysis review and evaluation;
Educates customers and/or vendors on new and/or current purchasing procedures and guidelines;
* May lead multi-agency team activity involving product standards analysis and selection.
CONTRACTING-APPROVAL:
* Delegated authority to approve contracts valued up to $1 million based on extensive knowledge of statutes, business law and contracting expertise.
CUSTOMER SERVICE DELIVERY:
Identifies and implements improvements to customer service;
Ensures customer objectives are met or exceeded with highest quality service.
MARKETING:
Manages and promotes use of contracts to state agencies, municipalities, school systems and not-for-profit organizations;
Develops and conducts presentations regarding procurement process, contract utilization and advantages to state agencies and political subdivisions;
Promotes and develops use of small business Set Aside program to maximize opportunities for Connecticut small businesses in accordance with statutory requirements;
Meets with customers to update them on emerging technologies and products and/or services affecting their businesses;
Trains and advises customers on purchasing processes and procedures;
Represents Procurement Services at National Association of State Procurement Officials (NASPO) conferences, seminars and meetings;
Conducts internal and/or external trend analysis and forecasting studies regarding new technologies and products and identifies vendors and/or manufacturers product and service direction and strategy;
Identifies customer strategic and tactical business directions and influences business decisions;
* Markets vendor products and/or services and Procurement Services to state and/or municipal customer base and outside community.
PROJECTS:
* Participates on or leads major internal and/or external project teams.
PROBLEM SOLVING:
* Resolves difficult problems, providing solutions with minimal risk to state.
UTILIZATION OF TECHNOLOGY:
Identifies and/or develops system and/or process improvements within Procurement Services.
Performs related duties as required.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY
Considerable knowledge of
+ relevant state and federal laws, statutes and regulations;
+ procurement practices, procedures and supply chain management;
+ business law and its applicability to procurement, contracting and sales;
Knowledge of
+ and ability to utilize available technology including EDP systems for financial records, reports and analyses;
+ principles and techniques of customer service delivery;
Considerable
+ interpersonal skills;
+ oral and written communication skills;
+ negotiation skills;
Skills
+ problem solving skills;
+ marketing skills;
* Considerable ability to understand, analyze and evaluate financial records, methods and procedures including financial ratios and other mathematical formulas.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - GENERAL EXPERIENCE
Seven (7) years of experience in procurement work with emphasis on contract negotiation or customer service delivery.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - SPECIAL EXPERIENCE
One (1) year of the General Experience must have been at the professional level.
NOTE: For state employees this experience is interpreted at the level of a Contract Analyst.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - SUBSTITUTIONS ALLOWED
College training may be substituted for the General Experience on the basis of fifteen (15) semester hours equalling one-half (1/2) year of experience to a maximum of four (4) years for a Bachelor’s degree.
A Master’s degree in a related field may be substituted for one (1) additional year of the General Experience.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
Experience with procurement and contracting for goods, services, commodities, information technology or telecommunications products and services.
Experience with contract administration skills
Experience with project management skills
Experience prioritizing projects with competing deadlines
Experience with data analysis skills
Experience with Microsoft Suite, including Teams
See all 548+ Contract Specialist Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new Contract Specialist roles.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding Visa Sponsorship as a Contract Specialist
Target government contractors and defense firms
Major defense contractors like Lockheed Martin, Raytheon, and Booz Allen frequently sponsor Contract Specialists. They understand the visa process and have established immigration support systems.
Emphasize your analytical and compliance background
Contract Specialist roles require analyzing complex regulations, managing vendor relationships, and ensuring compliance. Highlight experience with procurement processes, contract analysis, or regulatory work.
Consider both private sector and government roles
While direct federal employment requires citizenship, many Contract Specialist positions are with private contractors supporting government agencies. These private roles can sponsor visas.
Prepare for security clearance discussions
Many Contract Specialist roles eventually require security clearances, which need citizenship. Be clear about your long-term immigration plans and willingness to pursue permanent residency.
Highlight relevant degree fields
Business administration, finance, economics, supply chain management, or related fields typically qualify. The specialty occupation requirement is usually straightforward for analytical procurement roles.
Research FAR and procurement regulations
Familiarity with Federal Acquisition Regulation demonstrates genuine interest. Many employers value candidates who understand government contracting fundamentals, even without direct experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do Contract Specialists qualify for H-1B sponsorship?
Yes, Contract Specialist positions typically qualify for H-1B visa sponsorship as specialty occupations. The role requires analytical skills, knowledge of procurement regulations, and usually a bachelor's degree in business, finance, or related fields. Government contractors regularly sponsor international professionals for these positions.
What degree do I need for Contract Specialist visa sponsorship?
Most Contract Specialist positions require a bachelor's degree in business administration, finance, economics, supply chain management, or related fields. Some employers accept equivalent experience, but the degree requirement helps establish the H-1B specialty occupation standard for visa purposes.
Can Contract Specialists work for the federal government on visas?
Direct federal employment typically requires U.S. citizenship, but many Contract Specialists work for private contractors supporting government agencies. These contractor positions can sponsor H-1B visas while you work on government projects and pursue permanent residency.
How to find Contract Specialist jobs with visa sponsorship?
To find Contract Specialist jobs with visa sponsorship, use Migrate Mate, which specializes in connecting international candidates with sponsoring employers. Focus on government contractors, defense companies, and federal agencies that frequently hire Contract Specialists and sponsor H-1B, L-1 visa, or O-1 visas. These organizations often have established processes for sponsoring qualified international professionals in procurement and contract management roles.
How does security clearance affect Contract Specialist sponsorship?
Many Contract Specialist roles eventually require security clearances, which need citizenship. However, employers often sponsor visas for positions that don't immediately require clearance, understanding that employees may pursue permanent residency. Some roles have unclassified tracks that don't require clearance.
Which companies sponsor Contract Specialists most frequently?
Major defense contractors like Lockheed Martin, Raytheon, General Dynamics, and consulting firms like Booz Allen Hamilton regularly sponsor Contract Specialists. These companies have established immigration processes and understand the value of international talent in procurement and compliance roles.
What is the prevailing wage requirement for sponsored Contract Specialist jobs?
U.S. employers sponsoring a visa must pay at least the prevailing wage, which is what workers in the same role, area, and experience level typically earn. The Department of Labor sets this rate to make sure companies aren't hiring foreign workers simply because they'd accept lower pay than a U.S. worker. It varies by job title, location, and experience. You can look up current prevailing wage rates for any occupation and location using the OFLC Wage Search page.