At the MBTA, we envision a thriving region enabled by a best-in-class transit system. Our mission is to serve the public by providing safe, reliable, and accessible transportation. MBTA’s Core Values are built around safety, service, equity, sustainability, and culture. Each employee that works for the MBTA performs their roles based on our vision, mission, and values. This includes attendance, participation, and contribution in local safety committee meetings as needed.
Job Summary
The Contract Administrator is responsible for the operational performance of paratransit contracts and
oversight of associated vendors. The Contract Administrator will monitor contract requirements and
specifications, ensuring adherence to performance standards and established KPIs.
Duties & Responsibilities
- Manages third-party service contracts by enforcing contract terms, ensures effective business processes, and works collaboratively with vendors and stakeholders to identify and execute on opportunities for service improvements and cost efficiencies.
- Meets with the managed providers on a regular basis to review progress, discusses problems, and evaluates service level performance.
- Maintains a clear scope of authority and reporting; and establishes procedures and timelines for making contract decisions, modifications, and amendments.
- Monitors and audits contract expenditures and invoices.
- Oversees provider performance management processes to ensure realization of contracted scope.
- Manages processes, ongoing audits, risk assessments and provider monitoring.
- Maintains a process of continuous review, feedback, and action.
- Performs periodic evaluation of current contracts to ensure key deliverables are achieved and contract life-cycle milestones are met.
- Ensures monthly and quarterly business reviews are held between MBTA and providers.
- Works with stakeholders to set SLAs and identify the critical data needed to effectively manage provider performance.
- Oversees consistent KPI/SLA reporting.
- Manages non-compliance KPI/SLA and contract issues to ensure contracts terms are met.
- Builds strong partnerships with functional teams to support paratransit and provider needs.
- Supports key stakeholders throughout the RFI and RFP processes, including bid comparison, analysis, negotiation, and selection.
- Assists in the review of federal and state requirements for providing public transportation to meet the needs of persons with disabilities.
- Perform all other duties and projects that may be assigned.
- No direct reports.
Minimum Requirements & Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution.
- Two (2) years of experience in Transit Service Delivery, Project Coordination, Contract Management, and/or Contract Administration.
- Advanced proficiency in the Microsoft Office suite, with emphasis on Excel and PowerPoint.
- Effective organizational, analytical, time management, interpersonal and multi-tasking skills.
- Excellent communication (oral and written) and presentation skills with ability to influence people at all levels of the organization, both vertically and horizontally.
- Ability to supervise and work effectively with a diverse workforce.
- Have excellent customer service skills and conflict resolution skills.
- Commitment to MBTA's diversity and inclusion goals.
- Applicants must have the ability to travel to locations throughout the MBTA's service area at any time of day. Modes of transportation are discretionary and the responsibility of the applicant i.e. Ride Share, Public Transportation, Arranged Drop-off Services etc.
- Ability to work a hybrid schedule that currently requires an in-office presence of 3-days a week.
Substitutions Include
- A High School Diploma or GED with an additional seven (7) years of directly related experience substitutes for the bachelor's degree requirement.
- An Associate's Degree from an accredited institution an additional three (3) years of directly related experience substitutes for the bachelor's degree requirement.
- A Master's Degree in a related subject substitutes for two (2) years of general experience.
- A nationally recognized certification, or statewide/professional certification in a related field substitutes for one year of experience.
Preferred Experience and Skills
- Experience with public procurement.
- Experience with project management.
Job Conditions:
- Ability to effectively read, comprehend, communicate, and respond to instructions, orders, signs, notices, inquiries, etc. in English.
- Be at least eighteen (18) years of age, except if participating in an approved high school internship / co-op program.
- Ability to commute to assigned work locations in the Boston, MA metro area, as required by the role.
- Ability to provide internal and external customers with courteous and professional experiences.
- Ability to work effectively, independently, and as part of a diverse workforce team (or supervise, if required).
- Ability to uphold the rights and interests of the MBTA while building and maintaining effective relationships with employees and co-workers.
- Ability to adhere to rules, regulations, collective bargaining agreements (if applicable), and policies of the MBTA, including the EEO, anti-discrimination, anti-harassment, and anti-retaliation policies.
- Have a satisfactory work record for the two (2) years immediately prior to the closing date of this posting (unless if current student or recent graduate), including overall employment, job performance, discipline, and safety records (infractions and/or offenses occurring after the closing of the posting and before the filling of a vacancy may preclude a candidate from consideration for selection).
- Ability to pass a Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) check, comprehensive background screening, and / or medical Clinic screening, potentially including a physical examination and drug and alcohol screenings.
- Ability to work all shifts and / or locations assigned, directed, or necessary for this position, including (for some transit / operations roles) up to twenty-four (24) hours per day, seven (7) days per week as necessary to accommodate severe weather conditions, emergencies, or any other circumstances that may potentially impact service or the safety of service.
- Intern / co-op staff must be enrolled full or part-time in an accredited educational program and maintain a cumulative GPA of at least 2.5 for the entire duration of the internship / co-op. Additionally, interns / co-ops must have valid work authorization and U.S. Social Security Number prior to starting their positions and throughout the duration of their program.
Disclaimers and Definitions:
- General Disclaimer: The statements contained in this job description are intended to describe a summary, general nature, and complexity of typical job functions and do not represent an exhaustive list of all duties, tasks, and responsibilities required of staff assigned to this position.
- Application Completion: It is each applicant’s responsibility to ensure application details are entered completely and correctly, including updated work and education histories (past and current). Incomplete applications may not be considered. Attachments do not substitute for application fields. Recruitment team does not have access to existing employee data / history.
- Application Deadlines: Applicants should apply as soon as possible, as the MBTA may stop considering applicants after a sufficiently large applicant pool is established.
- Work Environment: The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here-in are representative of those an employee may encounter while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations can be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions. See job description for role-specific requirements.
- Work Eligibility: Although the MBTA is an Equal Opportunity Employer, all employees must be legally authorized to work in the United States for any employer and on an unrestricted basis (the MBTA does not sponsor non-US citizens). However, if you have an unrestricted work authorization, or sponsored by a separate entity, you are welcome to apply for open positions. International students taking part in CPT / STEM / OPT programs through a university are eligible for internships and co-ops with the MBTA, but a valid work authorization and U.S. Social Security Number are required prior to starting work. In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to complete a Form I-9 to verify their identity and eligibility to work in the U.S.
- Interviews: Candidates should ensure they arrive on time, are prepared, can remain for the duration, and if remote, are in a quiet place without distraction, for the interview. Candidates who do not attend their interview without advance authorization, including an email confirmation of a rescheduled time/date from Human Resources, will be considered a no-show and disqualified from consideration for the position. Related to rescheduling, on a one-time basis, and due to something emergent, you may be allowed to reschedule the interview. In addition, Human Resources may require documentation supporting the request. However, should you need to reschedule, you will need to contact your Recruiter directly by email.
- Safety Sensitive Positions: Employees working in this classification will be subject to periodic physical examinations plus random drug and alcohol testing.
- On-call or 24/7 Positions: Employees working in this classification must be available to respond to page / text / call and report to work as determined by assigned department or the Authority.
- Essential / Emergency Staff: During declared "states of emergency," employees working in this classification are required to report to work for their assigned work hours or as directed by management.
- ADA Accommodations: The MBTA makes reasonable accommodations for applicants with disabilities. If you require an accommodation during this process, please contact the MBTA's ADA Unit at 617-222-5751 or hradaaa@mbta.com.
- Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion: The MBTA is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. For terms, descriptions, and definitions related to diversity, equity, inclusion, veteran status, and immediate family members that you may find on the application form, please visit mbta.com/careers-app-definitions.
- Intern / Co-Op / Fellow Benefits: Employees taking part in an internship, co-op, or fellowship at the MBTA are eligible to receive accrued paid sick leave as well as a monthly transportation pass, based on city from which the employee commutes to work, at no cost. However, no additional benefits are currently offered for interns, co-ops, or fellows.


