Procurement Officer II

Maryland 529 is an independent State Agency responsible for administering three IRC Section 529 programs: (1) Maryland Senator Edward J Kasemeyer Prepaid College Trust, (2) Maryland Senator Edward J. Kasemeyer College Investment Plan, and (3) Maryland ABLE (Achieving a Better Life Experience) program. The Maryland Prepaid College Trust (MPCT) is a "defined benefit" type plan and the Maryland College Investment Plan (MCIP) is a "defined contribution" type plan, both of which are designed to provide ways for families to save for future college expenses and reduce reliance on future student loan debt. The agency also administers the State's 529A program through the ABLE Act designed for Americans living with disabilities. The agency is seeking to fill a Procurement Officer position. This position has the sole responsibility for directing, developing and managing all procurement functions.  This position will be responsible for the solicitation, evaluation, and negotiating and awarding contracts as well as maintaining and monitoring compliance with terms and conditions set forth in the contract.  This position will maintain compliance of all procurement activities for the agency in accordance with COMAR Title 21 State Procurement Regulations and the policies and procedures established by the State’s Department of Budget and Management, the Department of Information Technology, and the Department of General Services. 

18

217 E. Redwood Street, Ste.1350

Baltimore, MD  21202

This position serves as the sole procurement officer responsible for the direction, coordination and compliance of all procurement activities for the agency in accordance with COMAR Title 21 State Procurement Regulations and the policies and procedures established by the States Department of Budget and Management, the Department of Information Technology, and the Department of General Services. This position develops, writes and has primary responsibility of Request for Proposals (RFPs) for the agency. RFP topics can range from small procurements of office products to large complex investment contracts such as oversight of approximately $6.5 billion dollars in the College Savings Program and $12 million for the Maryland ABLE Program. In addition to writing and overseeing the Request for Proposals (RFP) process, this person is also the point person for contract monitoring and includes billing oversight of those contracts. Agency specific contracts and procurements would include the Maryland College Investment Plan, the ABLE program, the Maryland Prepaid Trust, actuarial services, audit services, marketing and advertising, and coordination with the State Treasurers office for all banking and custodial contracts. This position will also monitor and report out on any legislative changes for procurement and participate in legislative meetings (such as SPAG) or the Board of Public Works (BPW) advisory committee. This position will make recommendations to the Executive Director and when required, meet with and present to the MD529 Board. This position is responsible for developing internal procurement procedures, tracking all contracts, providing recommendations and advise to the management regarding major contract issues, and representing the agency at Senior Procurement Advisory Group and Governors Office of Minority Affairs procurement meetings. This position prepares and submits all procurement related reports such as Minority Business Enterprise reports and Preferred Provider reports to meet statutory and regulatory mandates pertaining to procurement functions, and serves as the agency appointed MBE Coordinator. This position manages all large and small procurements on behalf of the agency and requires use of the Advanced Purchasing and Inventory System (ADPICS) portion of the Financial Management Information Systems (FMIS) and utilization of eMaryland Marketplace Advantage to facilitate the procurement process.

Duties include, but are not limited to:

• review and analyze major contracts,
• develop, write and oversee the Request for Proposals (RFP) process for the Agency;
• purchase requisitions and determine the most appropriate procurement methods to use;
• determine the basis for awards and evaluation criteria;
• develop contract specifications; and
• evaluate contractor performance against terms and conditions of contracts and recommend corrective actions when necessary.

Education: A Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university.  

Experience: Three years of experience in contract management or procurement involving duties such as: soliciting, evaluating, negotiating and awarding contracts and ensuring compliance with governmental procurement laws, regulations and conditions.    

Notes:  

1. Candidates may substitute professional contract management or procurement experience on a year-for-year basis for the required education.  

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 required education.  

3. Candidates may substitute additional graduate education at an accredited college or university, at the rate of thirty credit hours for each year of the required experience.  

4. 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 and education.

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

At least 2 years of experience directing, coordinating and compliance oversight of procurement activities

Experience developing solicitation documents such as IFBs and RFPs.

Professional experience developing internal procurement procedures and tracking contracts.

Experience using ADPICs for both small and large procurements.

1.  Employees in this classification may be assigned duties which require the operation of a motor vehicle.  Employees assigned such duties will be required to possess a motor vehicle operator’s license valid in the State of Maryland.

2.  Employees in this classification who have not already done so must obtain and possess certification as a Procurement Professional Certification from the Maryland Department of General Services within one year of appointment.

Please make sure that you provide sufficient information on your application to show that you meet the qualifications for this recruitment. All information concerning your qualifications must be submitted by the closing date. We will not consider information submitted after this date. Successful candidates will be ranked as Best Qualified, Better Qualified, or Qualified and placed on the eligible (employment) list for at least one year.

For education obtained outside the U.S., a copy of the equivalent American education as determined by a foreign credential evaluation service must be provided prior to hire.

The assessment may consist of a rating of your education, training, and experience related to the requirements of the position. It is important that you provide complete and accurate information on your application. Please report all experience and education that is related to this position.

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 S. Hudson at 410-767-4910.

MD TTY Relay Service 1-800-735-2258.

We thank our Veterans for their service to our country.

People with disabilities and bilingual candidates are encouraged to apply.

As an equal opportunity employer, Maryland is committed to recruitment, retaining and promoting employees who are reflective of the State's diversity.