Procurement Officer III

This recruitment will be used to fill future statewide vacancies for the Procurement Officer III classification

20

Statewide

A Procurement Officer III is the supervisory level of professional work, for State agency positions, in the procurement of equipment, services, construction, supplies, information technology and other needs which must be obtained through the competitive procurement process, negotiated procurement process and other procurement methods. Employees in this classification provide agency procurement technical interpretation, instruction, guidance and assistance in accordance with State laws and regulations. Employees in this classification supervise lower-level Procurement Officers and may supervise clerical and support staff.

Employees in this classification receive general supervision from a Procurement Manager I or other designated administrator.  Employees in this classification at the State central procurement authority may require travel throughout Maryland to perform on-site procurement audits, training, monitoring, compliance reviews at State agencies.

Performs expert reviews and analyzes specialized procurement issues;

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

Identifies and recommends changes in operations to reduce agency contractual and financial risks;

Reviews, analyzes and approves 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;

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

Determines final approval for procurements under the Department of General Services authority;

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

Prepares or assists with the preparation of agenda items for the Board of Public Works to formally request Board approval of proposed contracts;

Provides 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;

Assists with and manages statewide contracts, including indefinite quantity contracts, after award;

Determines basis for awards and evaluation criteria;

May examine 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;

May identify performance standards and evaluates fiscal activities, records and reports to determine if the information provides sound financial basis for making sound fiscal judgments;

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

May install and customize applications software for the eProcurement system;

May configure network software and hardware to provide for efficient and effective network performance and data security;

May prepare and assemble technical documentation and user documentation for network software and hardware;

May monitor the performance of the network software and hardware through network management and diagnostic programs and utilities, adjusts the network for maximum efficiency, maintains and analyzes records of network activity;

May diagnose network software and hardware problems and makes repairs and adjustments or obtains service from software and hardware vendors and maintenance vendors;

May run backups of network data, archives data as required and develops and maintains disaster recovery plans;

May administer certification components of the DGS procurement manpower development and training activities;

May identify training objectives, curricula, review progress of coursework, approve the provision of training programs and requests for training activities;

May negotiate with external professional certification organizations and training resources to obtain State credentials, arrange for the provision of academic courses, and to coordinate development programs;

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

May provide advice and guidance to paraprofessional support staff;

Performs other related duties.

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

 

Experience: 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 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 professional contract management experience or professional procurement experience, on a year-for-year basis, for the required education.

4. Candidates may substitute a Doctorate of Jurisprudence (JD) degree or a Master’s degree in Business Administration for two 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 and education. 

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 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.