Contracts & Work
What Are Contracts?
Contracts on Automate America are formal work agreements between professionals and customers. They define the scope, duration, compensation, and terms of your working relationship.
Contract Components
- Title & Description â What work needs to be done
- Skills Required â Technical requirements (Fanuc, Allen-Bradley, etc.)
- Location â Where the work takes place
- Duration â Expected length (weeks, months)
- Rate â Hourly or project-based compensation
- Terms â MSA and SSA documents
Finding Contracts (For Professionals)
The Feed is your main source for discovering available work:
Browsing the Feed
- Navigate to the Feed (home page)
- Scroll through available contract cards
- Click any card to view full details
- Use filters to narrow results
Using Filters
Refine your search with these filters:
- Location â State, city, or "Remote"
- Skills â Specific manufacturers or software
- Duration â Short-term, long-term, permanent
- Rate Range â Minimum/maximum hourly rate
- Contract Type â Standard, White Glove, Direct Hire
Pro Tip
Set your profile skills and location to receive personalized recommendations. The algorithm prioritizes contracts matching your expertise.
Posting Contracts (For Customers)
Customers can post contracts to attract qualified professionals:
How to Post
- Click the [+] button in the Feed
- Select Post Contract
- Fill in the contract details:
- Title and description
- Required skills
- Location and travel requirements
- Expected duration
- Rate range or budget
- Choose contract type (Standard or White Glove)
- Review and publish
Free to Post
Posting contracts is FREE. Optional boosting ($50/week) increases visibility in search results.
Contract Types Explained
Standard Contracts
"The Basics for Individuals and Organizations"
- You manage the relationship directly
- Lower service fees
- Self-service application review
- Direct communication with professionals
- Best for: Experienced customers who want control
White Glove Contracts
"For Customers Who Want Automate America to Bill Them and Pay the Professionals"
- Dedicated Account Manager support
- Automate America handles billing and payments
- Candidate screening and vetting
- Anonymous posting (company hidden until hire)
- Best for: New customers or those wanting hands-off management
Direct Hire
For permanent employment opportunities:
- Professional becomes your employee
- One-time success fee
- Free to post
Application Process
For Professionals: How to Apply
- Click on a contract card to view details
- Review all requirements carefully
- Click Apply Now
- Write a personalized message (optional but recommended)
- Confirm your application
Application Statuses
| Status | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Submitted | Application received, awaiting review |
| Under Review | Customer is reviewing your application |
| Shortlisted | You made their short list |
| Offer Extended | Contract offer ready for review |
| Accepted | Offer accepted, signing documents |
| Rejected | Position filled or requirements not met |
Offer and Acceptance Flow
Receiving an Offer
When a customer wants to hire you:
- You receive an offer notification
- Review the offer details:
- Confirmed hourly rate
- Start and end dates
- Per diem and travel details
- Any special requirements
- Choose to Accept, Negotiate, or Decline
Negotiating Terms
If the offer isn't quite right:
- Click Counter Offer or message the customer
- Specify what you'd like changed (rate, dates, etc.)
- Wait for their response
- Finalize when both parties agree
Accepting an Offer
- Click Accept Offer
- Review and sign the MSA (if first contract)
- Review and sign the SSA for this specific contract
- Both parties receive signed copies
- Contract is now active!
Contract Lifecycle
Every contract moves through these stages:
1. Draft
Customer creates the contract listing. Not yet visible to professionals.
2. Published
Contract is live in the Feed. Professionals can view and apply.
3. Under Review
Customer is reviewing applications and conducting interviews.
4. Offer Extended
Offers sent to selected candidates.
5. Active
Contract signed and work in progress. Timesheets being submitted.
6. Complete
Work finished, final timesheets approved, final payments processed.
7. Closed
Contract archived. Reviews may be exchanged.
Contract Extensions
Contracts can be extended by mutual agreement. Your Account Manager (White Glove) or the customer (Standard) will initiate the extension process with new terms.
Frequently Asked Questions
Standard contracts are "The Basics for Individuals and Organizations" â you manage the relationship directly with lower fees. White Glove contracts mean "Automate America Bills You and Pays the Professionals" â we handle billing, payments, and provide full support. Choose White Glove for hands-off management.
Typical timeline: 1-7 days for initial review, 1-3 days for shortlisting, and 1-5 days for offers. Total time from application to start can be 1-3 weeks depending on urgency. Some urgent contracts fill within days.
Yes! We encourage applying to multiple relevant positions. Free accounts have limited applications per month, while Premium accounts have unlimited. Track your applications in your Dashboard.
Review your SSA for termination terms. Generally, provide notice as specified (usually 2 weeks). Contact your Account Manager to discuss options. Ending contracts professionally protects your reputation on the platform.
Once the SSA is signed, rates are locked for that contract. You can negotiate different rates for extensions or new contracts. Always negotiate before signing if you're not satisfied with the offered rate.
You'll sign an MSA (Master Service Agreement) once â it covers your ongoing relationship with Automate America. For each contract, you'll sign an SSA (Supplemental Service Agreement) with specific project terms, rates, and dates.
Yes, posting contracts is completely FREE. You only pay if you choose to boost your listing ($50/week) for increased visibility. White Glove contracts have service fees built into the bill rate.
Questions about contracts?
Contact Support