Purchasing Assistant

This recruitment is being given to fill one vacancy in the Purchasing and Support Services department and to establish a referral list to fill future vacancies. Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of an application. A completed application must be postmarked or received online by the final filing deadline.

NOTE: All correspondences relating to this recruitment will be delivered via e-mail. The e-mail account used will be the one provided on your employment application during time of submittal. Please be sure to check your e-mail often for updates. If you do not have an e-mail account on file, Human Resources will send you correspondences via US Mail.

About the Department:

Purchasing and Support Services provides procurement services for all San Joaquin County departments under a centralized County Purchasing Agent. The Purchasing Agent has the sole authority under the Government Code to purchase personal property, services, and rental of equipment for the County. More information about the Purchasing and Support Services department can be found by visiting our website at https://www.sjgov.org/department/pss/about

Mission Statement:

To ensure the most value for the taxpayer's dollars by providing consistent, high-qualify, and professional services that are timely, transparent, fair, and honest, while treating all parties with respect and dignity, and providing a high level of customer service.

• Assists in reviewing and analyzing requisitions from County departments for the purchase of supplies, materials, equipment, and services; confers with department customers regarding their procurement needs and learns to determine whether the items specified are best suited to meet those needs; learns to determine the most appropriate and economical method for the purchase of items and/or services.
• Learns to prepare purchase orders to selected vendors and to check purchase orders for accuracy and compliance with specifications when competed; confers with supervisor and department representatives on possible alternate items; learns to approve and sign purchase orders.
• Learns to prepare requests for bid, requests for proposals, and other types of bid invitations, learns to coordinate the solicitation of bids/proposals process and to conduct pre-bid, proposal, and other technical support meetings; learns to participate on evaluation panels for selection of contractors; consults as needed with the County Purchasing Agent, County Counsel, department heads, members of the Board of Supervisors, and others regarding the more complex or sensitive purchases.
• Learns to analyze bids and proposals and ensure compliance with standards and requirements; learns to write contracts and other purchasing documents; learns to obtain required support documents and submit for approval.  
• Confers with representatives of manufacturing and commercial firms regarding suitability, availability and prices of commodities; learns to negotiate cost, scope and purchasing standards; provides technical support and advice to contractors regarding San Joaquin County purchasing procedures.
• Conducts surveys; compiles statistics on the annual consumption of certain products; prepares reports; maintains files and records.

Education:  Graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor’s degree in public or business administration, political science, economics, or a related field.

Substitutions:  1) Possession of a valid certificate as a Certified Purchasing Manager (CPM) issued by the Institute of Supply Management, or a Certified Professional Public Buyer (CPPB) or Certified Public Procurement Officer (CPPO) issued by the Universal Public Procurement Certification Council (UPPCC), may be substituted for the above-required education; OR 2) purchasing experience that included reviewing requisitions, drafting  specifications and bids, analyzing bids, and working with vendors and operating departments, may be substituted for the above-required education on a year-for-year basis.

San Joaquin County is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Employer and is committed to providing equal employment to all without regard to age, ancestry, color, creed, marital status, medical condition, national origin, physical or mental disability, political affiliation or belief, pregnancy, race, religion, sex, or sexual orientation.  For more information go to www.sjgov.org/department/hr/eeo.

Accommodations for those covered by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA):

San Joaquin County complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act and, upon request, will consider reasonable accommodations to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions.

Employees hired into this classification are members of a bargaining unit which is represented by SEIU Local 1021. 

Educational Reimbursement Program:  Eligible employees may be reimbursed for career-related course work up to a maximum of $850 per fiscal year.  Eligible employees enrolled in an approved four (4) year College or University academic program may be reimbursed up to $800 per semester for a maximum of $1600 per fiscal year.

Parking Supplemental Downtown Stockton:  The County contributes up to $17 per pay period for employees who pay for parking and are assigned to work in the Downtown Core Area.

Part-Time Employee Benefits: Part-time employees who meet the appropriate eligibility criteria may receive health insurance benefits and step increases.

Applicants for part-time and temporary recruitments who meet the minimum qualifications are either referred to the hiring department for further selection or they may be required to take a written examination.  If a written examination is given, the top candidates may be referred to the hiring department for further selection.

Testing Accommodation:  Candidates who require testing accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) must call Human Resources Division at (209) 468-3370 prior to the examination date. 

Physical Exam:  Some classifications require physical examinations.  Final appointment cannot be made until the eligible has passed the physical examination.  The County pays for physical examinations administered in its medical facilities.

Pre-employment Drug Screening Exam:  Some classifications require a new employee successfully pass a pre-employment drug screen as a condition of employment.  Final appointment cannot be made until the eligible has passed the drug screen.  The County pays for the initial drug screen.

Employment of Relatives: Applicants who are relatives of employees in a department within the 3rd degree of relationship, (parent, child, grandparent, grandchild or sibling) either by blood or marriage, may not be appointed, promoted, transferred into or within the department when:

• They are related to the Appointing Authority, or

• The employment would result in one of them supervising the work of the other

Department Heads may establish additional limitations on the hiring of relatives by departmental rule.

Proof of Eligibility:  If you are offered a job, you will be required to provide proof of U.S. citizenship or other documents that establish your eligibility to be employed in the U.S.

Apply Online:       

www.sjgov.org/department/hr

By mail or in person:  

San Joaquin County Human Resources

44 N. San Joaquin Street Suite 330

Stockton, CA 95202                                  

Office hours:               
Monday – Friday 8:00 am to 5:00 pm; excluding holidays.

Phone:  (209) 468-3370 

Job Line:

For current employment opportunities please call our 24-hour job line at (209) 468-3377. 

When a final filing date is indicated, applications must be filed with the Human Resources Division before 5:00 p.m. or postmarked by the final filing date. Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of an application. Applications sent through county inter-office mail, which are not received by the final filing date, will not be accepted. (The County assumes no responsibility for mailed applications which are not received by the Human Resources Division).  

San Joaquin County Substance Abuse Policy: San Joaquin County has adopted a Substance Abuse Policy in compliance with the Federal Drug Free Workplace Act of 1988. This policy is enforced by all San Joaquin County Departments and applies to all San Joaquin County employees.

Equal Opportunity Employer:  San Joaquin County is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Employer and is committed to providing equal employment to all without regard to age, ancestry, color, creed, marital status, medical condition, national origin, physical or mental disability, political affiliation or belief, pregnancy, race, religion, sex, or sexual orientation.  For more information go to www.sjgov.org/department/hr/eeo.