Principal Purchasing and Contracting Specialist
Full-Time Principal Purchasing and Contracting Specialist at Ramsey County
Available Openings: 1
Industry: Government
Pay Type: Salary
Compensation: $70,209.40 - $104,085.93 Annually
Education Level: Bachelor's Degree
E-Verify: Yes

The current vacancy is in the Finance Department.  The eligibility list created by this vacancy may be used to hire other vacancies in the department or County.

Administer complex, county-wide purchasing and contracting functions including the intake, competitive solicitation, and contract creation related to a wide variety of supplies, equipment, materials, construction, labor services, and professional and expenditure grant services in accordance with federal regulations, state statues, county administrative code, policies, procedures, and budget; evaluate work completed by procurement staff, audit department and contractor performance for compliance and direct corrective action; develop, analyze and administer various metrics and programs; and to perform other duties as assigned.
 
This position differs from the Senior Purchasing and Contracting Specialist in that employees at this level in the Purchasing and Contracting Specialist job series have the responsibility to act on behalf of the Purchasing and Contracting Manager in his/her absence, evaluate work of purchasing and contracting staff, and train and mentor projects staff on process and procedure. Employees at this level manage the more critical and complex county-wide purchases and have a higher degree of work that involves analysis and interpretation of federal regulations, state statutes and policy. This position could reside on one of three teams: Purchasing and Contracting Coordination, Purchasing and Contracting Management, or Contract Administration.

Flexible Workplace
This position is identified under the designation of ‘flex work eligible’, meaning that the employee can formally opt to be in-office full-time or work a flex schedule in which at least two-days per week are performed in office and other days can be performed in a remote-first environment. Regardless of selection, the position carries expectations regarding on-site responsibilities and will require schedule flexibility beyond the minimum expectations set forth in the county’s flexible workplace policy. To view Ramsey County’s Flexible Workplace policy, go to: Flexible Workplace policy.
 
If an internal candidate is selected, salary will be set in accordance with the personnel rules (i.e., promotion, transfer, or voluntary reduction).
 
To view or print a copy of the complete Ramsey County job (class) description for this position, go to: Job Descriptions. Once at this page, you can browse the alphabetical list or search for a job description.

Responsibilities

Examples of Work Performed

Act on behalf of the Purchasing and Contracting Manager in their absence. 
Evaluate the work of purchasing and contracting staff by reviewing complex solicitations and contracts to ensure compliance, train and mentor staff on process and procedures.
Analyze, interpret, and communicate procurement federal regulations, state statutes, county policies and procedures, and State of Minnesota Auditor’s reports; implement changes to ensure compliance.
Conduct complex competitive solicitations, assist with the intake process, analyze the marketplace; develop complex and comprehensive solicitations including writing the scope or specifications, develop appropriate evaluation and pricing matrices, advertise and release solicitations, conduct pre-solicitation response conferences and solicitation openings, analyze solicitation responses for conformance with requirements, compliance, established intent and reasonableness, and allow ability of fiscal costs, and service delivery methodologies; develop quote/bid tabs; direct department representatives regarding response evaluation; determine awarded contractor; manage the solicitation award process; attest that the direct purchase or competitive solicitation is in compliance with all county policies and procedures, federal regulations and state statute.
Conduct contract preparation for complex purchases for supplies, equipment, materials, construction, labor services, and professional and expenditure grant services including: contract creation that is in compliance with the direct purchase or competitive solicitation and awarded contractor’s response; obtain necessary contract documents, such as bonds and insurance requirements; validate the accuracy and compliance of documents; and attest that the contract is in compliance with all county policies and procedures, federal regulations and state statutes.  
Maintain official purchasing and contracting files which are subject to state audit and public data practices requests; answer questions from auditors related to procurements for which they are responsible; develop correspondence, such as responses to public data practices requests from the public and other county employees.
Analyze and recommend changes and/or improvements to purchasing and contracting policies and procedures, templates and forms, solicitation, and contract language.
Conduct contract administration. Analyze and direct problem resolution between departments and contractors related to performance issues, warranty, pricing, quality, non-compliance with contract requirements, or any other solicitation or contract related issue; administer contract price changes, alterations, terminations, extensions and renewals, negotiations, and amendments in accordance with contract provisions.
Proactively analyze department contract usage, purchasing and contracting needs, and marketplace availability to develop direct purchase or competitive solicitations and resulting contracts or contract renewals that support continuation of business needs; conduct cost benefit analysis, life cycle costing and commodity standardization studies; evaluate and recommend ways to leverage purchasing and contracting county-wide.
Audit departments and contractors for compliance with procurement federal regulations, state statutes, and county policies and procedures and report findings.
Coordinate intergovernmental agency cooperative purchasing solicitations and contracts; analyze existing and new procurement master contracts such as purchasing off other federal, state, and cooperative contracts.
Engages with community as needed throughout the purchasing and contracting process.
Assist in implementation and provide recommendations for configuration and functionality used in the county’s accounting or purchasing and contracting system; participate in system testing as needed. 
Develop and analyze procurement metrics and reports.
Develop and implement training programs for county staff.

 (The work assigned to a position in this classification may not include all possible tasks in this work and does not limit the assignment of any additional tasks in this classification.  Regular attendance according to the position’s management approved work schedule is required.)


ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications

Education:  Bachelor’s degree in Public Administration, Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, Business Management, Accounting or closely related field.
 
Experience:  Four or more years of complex professional-level procurement experience, two of which must be in the public sector.
 
Substitution:  Equivalent combination of education and experience to total 8 years.

Exam/Screening Process Information

The examination process will consist of the following section with each section weighted as indicated:
 

  • Training and Experience Rating = 100% 

The examination for Principal Purchasing and Contracting Specialist will consist of a training and experience rating, comprised of the questions in the attached supplemental questionnaire. Not all applicants who meet the minimum qualifications will pass the training and experience rating.  The rating on this supplemental questionnaire will depend on your answers to the questions – do not mark “see resume” or “see work history” as a response. Please answer all your questions clearly and completely.  Failure to respond could affect your score and final rank on this examination.
 
Eligible List:  The names of all applicants who filed a properly completed application and passed the examination/screening process shall be placed on the eligible list for an employment opportunity as a Principal Purchasing and Contracting Specialist. This list will be certified to the appointing authority which may use this list to conduct interviews to fill a vacancy. Candidates will remain on the list for 3 months or until hired, whichever occurs first. A notice will be sent to applicants at the time the eligible list is posted, informing them that the list has been posted and their rank on the list.

Veteran's Preference:  This is a classified position requiring an open, competitive selection process.  Veteran's Preference points will be applied after a candidate passes the examination process.  Applicants who are eligible for veteran's preference should update their veteran's DD214, and other supporting documents, and submit them as an attachment at the time of application.
 
Criminal Background Checks:  All employment offers are conditioned upon the applicant passing a criminal background check. Convictions are not an automatic bar to employment. Each case is considered on its individual merits and the type of work sought. However, making false statements or withholding information will cause you to be barred from employment, or removed from employment.
 
E-Verify Participation:  Ramsey County participates in the federal E-Verify program. This means that Ramsey County will provide the Social Security Administration (SSA) and, if necessary, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), with information from each new employee's Form I-9 to confirm work authorization. If the Government cannot confirm that you are authorized to work, Ramsey County is required to give you written instructions and an opportunity to contact DHS and/or the SSA before taking adverse action against you, including terminating your employment. Employers may not use E-Verify to pre-screen job applicants and may not limit or influence the choice of documents you present for use on the Form I-9.
 
Equal Opportunity Employer:  Ramsey County provides equal access to employment, programs, and services without regard to race, color, creed, religion, age, sex (except when sex is a Bona Fide Occupational Qualification), disability, familial or marital status, sexual orientation or gender identity, public assistance status, place of residence, political affiliation, or national origin.
 
Ramsey County is deeply committed to advancing racial equity and promoting diversity and inclusion within all areas of its workforce. The county strives being equitable, inclusive, transparent, respectful, and impactful in how we serve and engage with residents, as well as Ramsey County employees. Advancing racial equity ensures all people who need access to opportunities and services we provide, will receive them. Racial equity is achieved when race can no longer be used to predict life outcomes, and outcomes for all are improved.
 
To print a paper application for this posting click Paper Application (Download PDF reader). You will need to print this posting AND answer the supplemental questions associated with this exam and submit them with your completed paper application.
 
For further information regarding this posting, please contact Megan.Simmons@co.ramsey.mn.us

Ramsey County

Contact: Megan Simmons
Phone 651-266-2700
121 7th Place East
Saint Paul, MN 55101
US
Transit: On bus line, On the Green Line