Procurement & Contracts Specialist I

THIS IS A NEW ASSEMBLED EXAMINATION. The eligible list resulting from this examination will cancel any existing list and may last approximately one year, but can be extended.

Applications must be in the possession of the Human Resource Services Department by 5:00 p.m. on the Last Day for Filing. Postmarks are not accepted. Applications will only be accepted on-line.

 

THE AGENCY

Alameda County General Services Agency (GSA) delivers a host of logistical support services to County agencies and partners from maintenance of facilities and County fleet to energy and environmental management services, capital project management, procurement services, and clean commute and recycling programs. The GSA Community strives not only to provide these services but to also facilitate collaborative and innovative approaches in its efforts.

 

While the GSA Community largely focuses on support services for Alameda County departments and other public agencies, the work has a direct impact on the communities. GSA builds structures such as libraries and youth centers that transform communities, provides opportunities for local businesses, and works towards ensuring that County work practices minimize negative impacts to the environment. GSA employees take great pride in their work and strive to provide the highest-quality service.

 

THE POSITION
Procurement & Contracts Specialist I is the entry-level class where incumbents receive on the job training and may promote to a journey level Procurement & Contracts Specialist II after one year if level of proficiency is determined to be at the journey-level. Positions in the class of Procurement & Contracts Specialists I are assigned categories and/or contracts of limited scope where work is subject to review while in progress and upon completion. Positions in the class of Procurement & Contracts Specialist II are expected to work independently and are assigned categories and/or contracts of more complexity and have the responsibility for composing and issuing bids, preparing contracts and/or purchase orders, and award documentation irrespective of dollar amount expended. Procurement & Contracts Specialist I or II may direct the work of a Procurement & Contracts Assistant.

For more detailed information about the classification, visit:  Procurement & Contracts Specialist I (#0172)

 

THE IDEAL CANDIDATE
Alameda County General Services Agency is searching for an energetic, organized, customer-oriented individual to perform a variety of purchasing duties. Successful candidates must possess basic knowledge of public sector purchasing practices and terminology, and have strong written and oral communication skills.  Additionally, successful candidates will possess the following attributes:

• Exceptional ability to take full advantage of computer software, including Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint and SharePoint, and has demonstrated resourcefulness in learning new information systems
• Superior prioritization and organizational skills to meet deadlines and to keep both electronic and hard copy files easily accessible
• Demonstrated ability to develop relationships with clients and co-workers to get the job done
• Can be trusted to provide accurate information
• Is able to navigate the internet and use other available resources to conduct research, gather data and perform analysis of the data to make cogent purchasing recommendations to clients
• Makes decisions based on thorough research and analysis while understanding political implications of those decisions
• Takes initiative to stay up-to-date on current events that affect public sector purchasing decisions

 

Either I

The equivalent of four years of full-time experience in the class of Procurement & Contracts Assistant in the Alameda County classified service.

Or II

The equivalent of three years full-time professional purchasing experience which included developing and preparing contracts, specifications and cost analysis.

Or III

Possession of a Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university.

NOTE: The Civil Service Commission may modify the above Minimum Qualifications in the announcement of an examination.

The most suitably qualified candidates will possess the following competencies:

Knowledge of:

• Laws of contract and sales as applied to purchasing transactions.
• Characteristics of the materials, supplies, and equipment used by large public agencies.
• Marketing principles and practices as they relate to large scale purchasing.
• Business practices.
• Organizational management and familiarity with the different kinds of materials, and services purchased by the County.
• Principles and practices of purchasing for a public agency.
• Practices and methods of purchasing by specification and competitive bidding.
• Technology procurements related to Information Systems, Telecommunications and modern office environments.
• Cost analysis methods.
• Computer skills such as Microsoft Word, Access, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, SharePoint and Internet searches
• Purchasing best practices.
• Additional knowledge in PeopleSoft Financials and Uniform Commercial Code is desirable.

Ability to:

• Conduct complex value/cost analysis and negotiate purchasing contracts.
• Prepare and/or analyze complicated (e.g. highly technical or unusual) product specifications and complex, substantive contracts and requisitions.
• Analyze past purchasing practices, methods and procedures and recommends new procedures.
• Accept increasing responsibility and demonstrate ability to develop on the job.
• Gather, analyze data and present in narrative report or spreadsheet format.
• Reason logically, draw valid conclusions, and make appropriate recommendations.
• Participate effectively in conferences and individual interviews and speak effectively in public.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with others and gain their respect and confidence.
• Prepare accurate and concise product specifications.
• Communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
• Work effectively with vendors, client departments, and the general public.
• Direct support staff.

THE EXAMINATION WILL CONSIST OF THE FOLLOWING STEPS:
1)  A review of the candidates' applications to verify possession of minimum qualifications.  Those candidates who possess the minimum requirements for the class will move on to the next step in the examination process.
2)  The performance examination will be qualifying only (pass/fail).  Those candidates who pass the performance examination will be invited to the final test component which is an oral interview.
3)  The oral interview will be weighted as 100% of the candidate's final examination score.  The oral examination may contain situational exercises.

CANDIDATES MUST ATTAIN A QUALIFYING RATING ON EACH PORTION OF THIS EXAMINATION.

We reserve the right to make changes to the announced examination components.

Alameda County utilizes a Civil Service Selection System founded on merit.  Such a system is competitive and based on broad recruitment efforts and equal opportunity for qualified applicants to test in an examination process designed to determine the qualifications, fitness and ability of competitors to perform duties of the vacant position.  Many of our recruitments are targeted and specific to the needs of a current vacant position, in which case, the eligible list may be exclusively used for that current vacant position.  Other recruitments may be more broadly used for both current and future vacancies, or for other alternate jobs with comparable scopes of work.

To learn more about our recruitment and selection process, please visit the “What You Need to Know” section of our website, www.acgov.org/hrs.

Applicants will be informed via email with reasonable notice in advance of any examination process which will require their attendance.  The following dates are tentative and subject to change based on the needs of the Agency:

 

TENTATIVE TIMELINE  

Deadline for Filing:	Monday, July 8, 2019, at 5:00 PM
Review for Minimum Qualifications:	Friday, July 19, 2019
Performance Examination:	August 8, 9, 12, 14, & 16, 2019
Oral Interviews*:	September 19 and 20, 2019

 *The combined oral examination/hiring interview, in addition to establishing an eligibility list, may serve as the final selection interview for vacancies in this classification.

Alameda County and the Human Resource Services Department will make reasonable efforts in the examination and/or selection process to accommodate qualified individuals with disabilities and/or medical conditions in accordance/compliance with the State Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA), Federal Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Alameda County’s Reasonable Accommodation Policy and applicable statutes.  To request an accommodation due to a disability/medical condition during this or other phases of the examination/selection process, please contact the assigned Human Resources Representative listed on the job announcement before the last date of filing.   Alameda County requires applicants to provide supporting documentation to substantiate a request for reasonable accommodation. In order to qualify for a reasonable accommodation, applicants must have a disability/medical condition pursuant to the ADA, FEHA and applicable statutes.

 

For more information regarding our Reasonable Accommodation procedures, please visit our website, www.acgov.org/hrs

 

Alameda County offers a comprehensive and competitive benefits package that affords wide-ranging health care options to meet the different needs of a diverse workforce and their families. We also sponsor many different employee discount, fitness and health screening programs focused on overall well being.  These benefits include but are not limited to*:

For your Health & Well-Being

• Medical – HMO & PPO Plans
• Dental – HMO & PPO Plans
• Vision or Vision Reimbursement
• Share the Savings
• Basic Life Insurance 
• Supplemental Life Insurance (with optional dependent coverage for eligible employees) 
• County Allowance Credit
• Flexible Spending Accounts - Health FSA, Dependent Care and Adoption Assistance
• Short-Term Disability Insurance
• Long-Term Disability Insurance
• Voluntary Benefits - Accident Insurance, Critical Illness, Hospital Indemnity and Legal Services
• Employee Assistance Program

For your Financial Future

• Retirement Plan - (Defined Benefit Pension Plan)
• Deferred Compensation Plan (457 Plan or Roth Plan)

For your Work/Life Balance

• 11 paid holidays
• Floating Holidays
• Vacation and sick leave accrual
• Vacation purchase program
• Catastrophic Sick Leave
• Employee Mortgage Loan Program
• Group Auto/Home Insurance
• Pet Insurance
• Commuter Benefits Program
• Guaranteed Ride Home
• Employee Wellness Program (e.g. At Work Fitness, Incentive Based Programs, Gym Membership Discounts)
• Employee Discount Program (e.g. theme parks, cell phone, etc.)
• Child Care Resources
• 1^st United Services Credit Union 

*Eligibility is determined by Alameda County and offerings may vary by collective bargaining agreement.  This provides a brief summary of the benefits offered and can be subject to change.

 

All notices related to County recruitments for which you have applied will be sent/delivered via email. Please add @acgov.org and alamedacountyHR@acgov.org as accepted addresses to any email blocking or spam filtering program you may use. If you do not do this, your email blocking or spam filtering program may block receipt of the notices regarding your application for recruitments. You are also strongly advised to regularly log into your County of Alameda online application account to check for notices that may have been sent to you. All email notices that will be sent to you will also be kept in your personal online application account. You will be able to view all of your notices in your online application account by clicking on the "My applications" button on the Current Job Openings page.

Please take the steps recommended above to ensure you do not miss any notices about a recruitment for which you have applied. The County of Alameda is not responsible for notices that are not read, received or accessed by any applicant for a County recruitment.

NOTE: All notices are generated through an automated email notification system. Replies to the email box alamedacountyHR@acgov.org are routed to an unmonitored mailbox. All notices are generated through an automated email notification system. Replies to the email box are routed to an unmonitored mailbox. If you have questions please go to our website at www.acgov.org/hrs. You may also contact the Human Resources Analyst listed on the job announcement for the recruitment for which you have applied.

 

Elaine Lemi | Human Resources Analyst
Human Resource Services, County of Alameda
(510) 272-6434 | elaine.lemi@acgov.org

 

Alameda County has a diverse workforce, that is representative of the communities we serve, and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer.  All aspects of employment are based on merit, competence, performance and business need. Alameda County does not discriminate in employment on the basis of, race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, retaliation, parental status, military service, or other non-merit factors protected under federal, state and local law. Alameda County celebrates diversity and is committed to creating an inclusive, and welcoming workplace environment.