Procurement Officer III

The State of Maryland is seeking Procurement professionals to fill senior-level, supervisory roles as a Procurement Officer III. 

This recruitment is for current and future vacancies statewide and those who qualify may be contacted by multiple agencies. When completing the application, please select all the locations you are willing to work.

Grade 20: $78,919 - $127,473/year

This recruitment will be used to fill current and future vacancies across the state of Maryland. When completing the application, select all the locations you are willing to work.

A Procurement Officer III is the supervisory level position as a procurement professional.  Procurement professionals are responsible for the purchase of equipment, services, construction, supplies, information technology and other needs which must be obtained through the competitive procurement process, a negotiated or other procurement process, or other procurement methods.  Procurement Officer IIIs provide agency procurement technical interpretation, instruction, guidance and assistance in accordance with State laws and regulations.  They also supervise lower-level Procurement Officers and may supervise clerical and support staff.

Examples of potential specific duties a Procurement Officer III may be required to perform include:  

· Performing expert reviews and analyzing specialized procurement issues;

· Contacting agency management to provide technical consultation services, training, guidance and recommendations to improved procurement-related operations;

· Identifying and recommending changes in operations to reduce agency contractual and financial risks;

· Reviewing, analyzing and approving procurement documents and submissions received from State agencies for compliance and adherence to State procurement or contract laws, regulations, policies, and procedures and for overall content clarity and sufficiency;

· Advising State agencies on proposed procurements and procurements that are not in compliance with State procurement or contract laws, regulations, policies, or procedures and providing guidance regarding required corrective action;

· Recommending approval for procurements requiring final approval by the Board of Public Works;

· Preparing or assisting with the preparation of agenda items for the Board of Public Works to formally request Board approval of proposed contracts;

· Providing guidance, instruction, audit, compliance review, and instruction to State agencies in all aspects of the procurement process including attending agency pre-bid or pre-proposal conferences, meeting with agency procurement staff to discuss results of procurement analyses, and conducting training and certification for agency procurement staff in State procurement laws, regulations, policies, and procedures;

· Determining basis for awards and evaluation criteria;

· Examining financial records to determine and maintain effective internal controls to insure the accuracy and reliability of procurement fiscal records and to protect fiscal resources from fraud and waste;

· Identifying performance standards and evaluating fiscal activities, records, and reports to determine if the information provides sound financial basis for making sound fiscal judgments;

· Identifying changes to be made to the structure of electronic procurement computer network system based on agency requirements;

· Conducting instructional activities in specialized training programs, such as in-service training for specialized professional procurement occupational groups;

· Performing other related duties.

Eight years of experience: four years of experience in ensuring appropriate and consistent enterprise-wide interpretation of and compliance with enterprise level procurement laws, regulations, policies and procedures and an additional four years of professional public sector procurement, or private sector contracting experience, which included activities such as soliciting, evaluating, negotiating and awarding contracts, advertising procurement opportunities, distributing specifications to vendors, coordinating bidder evaluation committees, conducting vendor debriefings, monitoring contract performance, eProcurement management, professionals certification or procurement business operations.

Notes:

1. Candidates may substitute one year of experience in ensuring appropriate and consistent enterprise-wide interpretation of and compliance with enterprise level procurement laws, regulations, policies and procedures for the additional four years of the required experience.

2. Candidates may substitute certification as a Certified Public Manager from the National Association of Purchasing Management; Certified Professional Contracts Manager from the National Contract Management Association; Certified Public Purchasing Officer or Certified Professional Public Buyer from the Universal Public Purchasing Certification Council (National Institute of Governmental Purchasing, Inc. or National Association of State Purchasing Officers) for the additional four years of the required experience.

3. Candidates for positions may substitute the possession of a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university and four years of experience in ensuring appropriate and consistent enterprise-wide interpretation of and compliance with enterprise level procurement laws, regulations, policies and procedures for the required experience of experience.

4. Candidates may substitute the possession of a Doctorate of Jurisprudence degree or a Master’s degree in Business Administration for six years of the required experience.

5. Candidates may substitute U.S. Armed Forces military service experience as a commissioned officer in Contracting, Industrial Management or logistics specialist classifications or administrative support specialty codes in the procurement or financial management fields of work on a year-for-year basis for the required experience.

Preference will be given to applicants who possess the following preferred qualification(s). Include clear and specific information on your application regarding your qualifications.

Relevant job experience with the US Federal Government and were separated from federal service on or after January 15th, 2025, or relevant job experience with the State of Maryland.

Your application will be reviewed by an HR analyst to determine if you meet the minimum qualifications for the position listed above. Please make sure that you provide complete and accurate information on your application showing all relevant experience and education.

After your application is reviewed, you will receive a notice to your online account of whether you meet the minimum qualifications. If you meet that threshold, your application will be forwarded to one or more State agencies with vacancies, and you may hear from them to begin an interview process.

STATE OF MARYLAND BENEFITS

Online applications are highly recommended. However, if you are unable to apply online, the paper application and supplemental questionnaire may be submitted to: Department of Budget and Management, Recruitment and Examination Division, 301 W. Preston St., Baltimore, MD 21201.

Paper application materials must be received in our office by the closing date for the recruitment. No postmarks will be accepted.

For questions regarding this recruitment, please contact the DBM Recruitment and Examination Division at Application.Help@maryland.gov or 410-767-4850, MD TTY Relay Service 1-800-735- 2258.

The State of Maryland is committed to diversity among its staff and recognizes that its continued success requires the highest commitment to obtaining and retaining a diverse staff that provides the best quality services to supporters and constituents. The State of Maryland is an equal opportunity employer and it is our policy to recruit, hire, train, promote and administer any and all personnel actions without regard to sex, race, age, color, creed, national origin, religion, economic status, sexual orientation, veteran status, gender identity or expression, ethnic identity or disability, or any other legally protected basis. The State of Maryland is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities in the hiring process and on the job, as required by applicable law. The State of Maryland will not tolerate any unlawful discrimination, and any such conduct is strictly prohibited.