Enterprise Contracts & Procurement Specialist 1

Description

Hours may fluctuate during legislative session and for special projects. Hybrid schedule available upon supervisors' approval.

The Department of Enterprise Services (DES) provides centralized business services to state government agencies; to other public entities such as cities, counties and tribes; and to Washington residents. DES’ mission is to strengthen the business of government for a sustainable and just future. Learn more about DES.  
 
About the Contracts & Procurement Department

The Contracts & Procurement division (C&P) of DES provides centralized procurement leadership, solutions, and services in support of all state agencies and other government entities’ operations.

About the Opportunity 
As an Enterprise Contracts & Procurement Specialist 1, you will perform journey-level procurement activities that support state enterprise operations and systems, as well as offer cost-effective procurement solutions and services to state agencies, colleges and universities, political subdivisions, and eligible non-profit corporations. You will work with business executives and department leaders and assist departments in strategically planning and executing their procurement activities. This position performs all the necessary steps to commit the State of Washington to the contractual agreements that have major statewide fiscal impact on multiple agencies and other government organizations.  Services provided by the ECPS 1 position ensure that C&P can effectively perform its mission of providing central procurement services and solutions to its customers. ECPS1 position is accountable for promoting and implementing state socio-economic and environmental procurement priorities and improving supplier inclusion across the state enterprise. 

This position works under the IT Professional Services team, and reports to the IT Technical Analyst. 

To view the full job description, please email the recruiter Rachel Vaughan rachel.vaughan@des.wa.gov.

Duties

Some of what you will enjoy doing:

• Conduct market research and analysis to make recommendations to internal and external stakeholders on the most effective state enterprise procurement strategy and methodology (competitive solicitation, competitive exemption options, etc.)
• Independently lead low risk state enterprise procurement activities based on C&P procedures. With oversight and support of a more senior team member and supervisor periodically conducts medium state enterprise procurement activities based on C&P procedures
• Facilitate customer and vendor meetings and listening sessions to collect input on the procurement strategy and technical specifications
• With guidance, develop and implement procurement strategy and compose procurement documents, technical specifications, and requirements that address competing customer priorities from multiple customer entities, promote supplier inclusion and environmental preferences, and comply with state laws, policies, and C&P procedures
• Conduct vendor outreach and host pre-bid conferences to provide direction to interested bidders
• Evaluate and analyze proposals to assess pricing, and compliance with procurement requirements, and priorities such as environmental goals, and supplier diversity. Coordinate product demonstrations and testing as applicable
• Prepare procurement summary, bidder rejection or complaint response letters, announcement of successful bidders, final agreement drafts or other similar procurement related documents for the supervisor’s review and approval in compliance with C&P procedures
• Maintain and upkeep procurement documents, file folders, and procurement system records (e.g., PCMS, ECMS, WEBS) to provide customers and other stakeholders accurate and timely information and reports related to C&P state enterprise activities
• Facilitate ongoing contract monitoring to ensure contractor’s compliance with contract requirements and pricing terms
• With guidance from the supervisor, interprets and enforces contract terms and facilitates dispute and price adjustment negotiations. As applicable, initiates corrective contract management actions and drafts amendments, cure, suspension and termination letters for review by the supervisor and/or appropriate signature authority
• Consult C&P customers on the potential procurement solutions that best meet their needs, comply with state laws and policies, and help advance the state socio-economic priorities

Qualifications

Required Qualifications
To meet the qualifications for this position, you must have a total of six (6) years of relevant experience and/or education
[OPTION 1]

• Relevant experience includes experience as a Contracts Assistant or other contracting professional with comparable exposure to procurement or contract administration that totals six (6) years or more

[OPTION 2]

• Relevant education includes business administration, public administration, supply chain management, or closely allied field totaling six (6) years or more

[OPTION 3]

• Combination of relevant experience and education that totals six (6) years

In addition to meeting with one of the above options, candidates must possess the additional required qualifications:

• Procurement Knowledge: Ability to conduct market research and analysis and adopt procurement strategy to changing market conditions and unique or competing customer needs. Knowledge of procurement techniques and contract drafting and negotiation principles. Ability to compose effective procurement documents, technical specifications, and evaluation criteria for performance-based contracts. Ability to interpret and enforce contract terms and specifications to manage contractor performance.
• Computer Skills: Ability to perform assigned work duties remotely.  Proficiency in Microsoft Office suite and ability to utilize teleconference tools to participate and lead virtual meetings. Proficiency with Adobe tools to draft, edit, and execute procurement documents in multiple formats. Ability to successfully adopt other modern office applications and electronic procurement systems (e.g., PCMS, ECMS, WEBS) to maintain procurement records in accordance with C&P procedures.
• Accountability and Flexibility: Ability to self-impose high standards for the quality and timeliness of work. Ability to independently manage assigned workload and adjust priorities as needed to meet C&P mission and goals. 
• Communication Skills: Ability to clearly convey complex information through a variety of formats in a manner that engages the audience and helps them understand the message. Ability to adopt the communication style depending on the audience and the situation. Ability to facilitate effective customer and vendor meetings that aid in procurement development, and contract management.
• Leadership and Collaboration: Commitment to promote agency mission and goals and ability to identify effective ways to meet these goals.  Ability to develop and sustain positive and productive relationships with customers and coworkers by using effective listening skills and collaborating on win-win solutions. 
• Critical Thinking: Ability to review information from different sources, frame any problems, and identify opportunities and solutions. Ability to make effective decisions based on the available facts, constraints, and probable risks and consequences.

AND
Diversity Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Competencies
Possess and demonstrate the following competencies: 

• Able to learn and understand the language and concepts of our DES DEI culture and commit to being a part of creating and maintaining a diverse, equitable, respectful and inclusive workplace
• Demonstrate a commitment to growth, learning and self-awareness when provided training and opportunities to participate in improving our work environment
• Participate and behave in a manner that creates trust and builds working relationships, promoting teamwork and collaboration in the work environment
• Demonstrate the understanding that all people are valued; contribute to an equitable, inclusive and respectful environment when working with members of the group, team, organization or community
• Commit to being an active participant in continually evaluating and improving strategies that promote equity and inclusion in our organization

Supplemental Information

How to apply: 
Interested? We would love to hear from you! Click “Apply” at the top of this page to start your application. You can save the application and come back to it, if needed. Be sure to complete the application fully to include a full work history and responses to the supplemental questions.
 
Please provide the following documents to be considered; failure to do so may result in you not being considered for the position:

• A letter of interest, describing how you meet the qualifications for this position as outlined in the job posting
• A current resume, detailing experience, and education
• A current list of at least three (3) professional references with current contact information (attached or available to provide at the time of interview)

Do not attach any documents that include photos or private information (social security number, year of birth, etc.)
Please Note: By submitting these materials, you are indicating that all information is true and correct. The state may verify information. Any untruthful or misleading information is cause for removal from the applicant pool or dismissal if employed. A resume will not be substitute for completing the “duties summary” section of the online application. Please do not refer to the resume for detail or your application may be disqualified. 

Background Check Notice: 
Prior to any new appointment into the Department of Enterprise Services, a background check including criminal record history will be conducted. Information from the background check will not necessarily preclude employment but will be considered in determining the applicant's suitability and competence to perform in the position.

Opportunity for All: 
The Department of Enterprise Services celebrates our differences and we are committed to a workplace that supports equal opportunity employment and inclusion regardless of race, religion, color, national origin, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity diversity, age, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with a disability, or other applicable legally protected characteristics. We will also consider qualified applicants with criminal histories, consistent with applicable federal, state and local laws.
 
You are welcome to include the name and pronoun you would like to be referred to in your materials, and we will honor this as you interact with our organization.
 
Contact Information:
For questions about this recruitment or to request a reasonable accommodation in the application process, contact Rachel Vaughan via email at jobs@des.wa.gov. Applicants who are deaf or hard of hearing may call through the Washington Relay Service by dialing 7-1-1 or 1-800-833-6388.

Follow DES on LinkedIn, Twitter and Facebook | Subscribe to DES job alerts