Construction / Owner's Representative: Principal Contract Administrator / Contract Administrator
New Today
Location : Minneapolis, MN
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Number: 2025-00196
Division: Metro Transit
Department: Engineering and Facilities Adm
Opening Date: 06/30/2025
Closing Date: 8/20/2025 11:59 PM Central
WHO WE ARE
Construction Management / Owner's Representative: Principal Contract Administrator / Contract Administrator
We are the Metropolitan Council, the regional government for the seven-county Twin Cities metropolitan area. We plan 30 years ahead for the future of the metropolitan area and provide regional transportation, wastewater, and housing services. More information about us on our website.
We are committed to supporting a diverse workforce that reflects the communities we serve.
Metro Transit is one of the country's largest transit systems, employs more than 3,000 people, and prior to Covid provided more than 80 million rides a year through an integrated network of buses, light rail and commuter trains, as well as resources for those who carpool, vanpool, walk or bike in the Twin Cities.
How your work would contribute to our organization and the Twin Cities region:
The Engineering and Construction team is currently hiring a Principal Contract Administrator or Contract Administrator. The positionmanages construction contracts for capital improvement projects and serves as Metro Transit's contact with the contractor. The objective of the position is to properly administer construction contracts ensuring that budget, quality, and schedule goals are achieved for the Council.
This posting will create an eligible list to fill current and future vacancies for up to 6 months.
What you would do in this job
- Identifies and resolves construction problems relating to site conditions, unanticipated conditions, or defective plans and specifications.
- Manages Change Orders, Proposal Requests, RFI's, Claims, field observations, etc. related to assigned construction projects.
- Negotiates change order pricing with the contractors on behalf of Metro Transit.
- Coordinates work between the contractors and Metro Transit to find mutually agreeable construction sequencing.
- Inspects and supervises inspection of the construction project to ensure compliance with plans and specifications.
- Works with project manager to gain understanding of the project needs.
- Performs other related duties as assigned.
What education and experience are required for this job (minimum qualifications)
We will fill the position in one of the following classifications, based on qualifications and the needs of the department:
Principal Contract Administrator (Non-Represented Grade I, Exempt, $93,704 - $152,069)
Any of the following combinations of experience in demonstrating progressively responsible project and construction management, and completed education in Construction Management, Architecture, Engineering or Civil Technology:
- High school diploma/GED with nine (9) years of experience.
- Associate degree with seven (7) years of experience.
- Bachelor's degree, or higher, with five (5) years of experience.
Contract Administrator (Non-Represented Grade G, Non-exempt, $80,142 - $130,062)
Any of the following combinations of experience in demonstrating progressively responsible project and construction management, and completed education in Construction Management, Architecture, Engineering or Civil Technology:
- High school diploma/GED with seven (7) years of experience.
- Associate degree with five (5) years of experience.
- Bachelor's degree, or higher, with three (3) years of experience.
Licensure
•Valid driver's license with an acceptable driving record.
What additional skills and experiences would be helpful in this job (desired qualifications)
- Experience in the construction of capital projects for transportation, industry or municipalities.
- Experience with building construction (Structural, Mechanical, Electrical, Architectural, Civil).
- Bachelor's degree from an accredited university or college in Construction Management, Architecture or Engineering.
- Experience with construction management software programs including e-Builder and MSProject.
- Demonstrated ability to promote and support an equitable, positive, and respectful work environment that values cultural diversity among all employees.
What knowledge, skills and abilities you should have within the first six months of the job:
- Knowledge of building construction (structural, mechanical, electrical, architectural, and civil)
- Knowledge of construction practices, methods, sequencing, drawings and specifications.
- Skilled in verbal and written communications.
- Skilled in team management techniques, principles and practices.
- Skilled in communication techniques to bring about agreement between divergent points of view.
- Skilled in using Microsoft Word, Excel, Power Point, Project or equivalent software packages.
- Ability to read, analyze and interpret common technical journals, financial reports and legal documents. Ability to respond to common inquiries or complaints from customers.
- Ability to effectively present information to top management, public groups or Council members.
- Ability to prepare construction cost estimates. Ability to interpret and apply advanced mathematical and quantitative methods and procedures typically acquired through advanced professional training.
- Promotes an equitable, positive and respectful work environment that values cultural and diversity among all employees.
What you can expect from us:
- We offer the opportunity to make a difference and positively influence the Twin Cities metropolitan area.
- We encourage our employees to develop their skills through on-site training and tuition reimbursement.
- We provide a competitive salary, excellent benefits and a good work/life balance.
Additional information
What your work environment would be:
This position will be based at both construction sites and in the office. This position will be exposed to moving parts, fumes, airborne particles, outdoor weather conditions and vibration. Confined space entry at industry and various facilities is required.
What steps the recruitment process involves:
You must qualify at each of the numbered steps below to be considered a final candidate for the job.
- We review your minimum qualifications.
- We rate your education and experience.
- We conduct a structured panel interview.
- We conduct a selection interview.
Once you have successfully completed the steps above, then:
If you are new to the Metropolitan Council, you must pass a drug test and a background check, which verifies education and employment, covers driving record and any criminal record. If you have a criminal conviction, you do not automatically fail. The Metropolitan Council considers felony, gross misdemeanor and misdemeanor convictions on a case-by-case basis, based on whether they are related to the job and whether the candidate has demonstrated adequate rehabilitation.
If you are already an employee of the Metropolitan Council, you must pass a criminal background check if the job you're applying for is safety sensitive, is a supervisory or management job, is in the Finance, Information Services or Human Resources departments, or has access to financial records, files/databases, cash, vouchers or transit fare cards.
IMPORTANT: If you make a false statement or withhold information, you may be barred from job consideration.
The Metropolitan Council is an Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action, and veteran-friendly employer. The Council is committed to a workforce that reflects the diversity of the region and strongly encourages persons of color, members of the LGBTQ community, individuals with disabilities, women, and veterans to apply.
If you have a disability that requires an accommodation during the selection process, please email .
We believe our employees are a key to our agency's success! In order to attract and retain high quality employees, the Council provides a highly competitive benefits package both in choice and coverage levels. Some highlights about our benefits are listed below:
- Guaranteed monthly retirement income through Minnesota State Retirement System pension fund
- Opportunity to save additional funds for retirement on a tax-deferred basis through a voluntary deferred compensation (457) plan
- Two or more medical plans from which to choose, with employer contribution towards premiums over 80%
- Dental insurance, life insurance and vision insurance
- Well@Work clinic
- bus/rail pass valued at over $1200 per year
- parking at many job locations
- fitness centers at many job locations
- Employee Assistance Program
- extensive health and wellness programs and resources
01
Applicant Instructions: The supplemental questions listed below are to further evaluate your education and experience and to determine your eligibility for this position. Answer each question completely and please do not type "see resume" otherwise your application will be considered incomplete, and you will not receive further consideration for this position. The experience you indicate in your responses should also be consistent with the Work History section of this application. If you attached a resume and/or cover letter to your application, it will be reviewed at the education and experience review step.I have read and understand the above instructions regarding supplemental questions.
- Yes
- No
02
How did you first hear about this job opening?
- CareerForce Center
- Community Event/Organization
- Employee Referral
- Glassdoor
- Indeed
- Job Fair
- Metro Transit Bus Advertisement
- Website: governmentjobs.com
- Website: metrocouncil.org
- Website: metrotransit.org
- Website: minnesotajobnetwork.com
- Other
03
If you selected 'Other', please describe where you first heard about this job. if you selected 'Employee Referral' please enter the employee's first and last name, ID number (if known), and job title.Type N/A if not applicable.
04
How many years of experience do you have in project and construction management?
- Nine (9) or more years
- Five (5) to less than nine (9) years
- Three (3) to less than five (5) years
- Less than three (3) years
- No experience
05
Please select all that your experiences align with. If you do not have this experience, please select none.
- Civil Construction
- Building Construction
- Rail Construction
- Other
- None
06
Please describe your experience as indicated in your answers for the questions #4 and #5. If you do not have this experience, please indicate N/A.
07
Describe your experience in the construction of capital projects for transportation, industry or municipalities. If you do not have experience, indicate N/A.
08
Describe your experience with construction management software programs including e-Builder and MSProject. If you do not have experience, indicate N/A.
09
This position requires collaboration with both internal and external customers. How would you build trust and relationships with people from a variety of backgrounds and cultures?
Required Question
- Location:
- Saint Paul
- Job Type:
- FullTime