Design and Construction Procurement Specialist

City of Cambridge; Cambridge (MA); On-site; USD 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Cambridge is seeking a Design & Construction Procurement Specialist to provide administrative and procurement support for construction projects and energy‑efficient procurements. The role reviews change orders, maintains in‑progress records, and advances procurements aligned with the Municipal Facilities Improvement Plan and Massachusetts procurement law.

Based in the Cambridge Purchasing Department, you will coordinate advertising, bidding, contracting, and DCAMM evaluation forms

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required.
• Experience with public-sector finance and purchasing protocols, including familiarity with state procurement laws.
• MCPPO designation and sustainable procurement experience preferred.
• Equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered.

Responsibilities

• Support advertising, bidding, contracting, and administrative functions for City construction procurements.
• Collaborate with on-call design consultant firms and administer firm contracting processes.
• Assist project manager with procurements to improve energy efficiency of City facilities.
• Develop policies for sustainable procurement practices and track DCAMM forms.

Skills

Communication skills

Detail-oriented

Microsoft Word

Excel

PeopleSoft

Procurement systems

Project management systems

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

PeopleSoft Financials

Job description

The Design & Construction Procurement Specialist provides administrative and procurement support that spans City construction projects and energy-efficient, sustainable procurements. The role also reviews change orders, maintains construction-in-progress records, and advances procurements aligned with the Municipal Facilities Improvement Plan and G.L. c.25A. Based in the Cambridge Purchasing Department and working under the direction of the Assistant Purchasing Agent for Design & Construction, the position administers house doctor and designer selection processes and manages advertising, bidding, contracting, and Division of Capital Asset Management and Maintenance (DCAMM) evaluation forms.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS AND DUTIES:

• The essential functions or duties listed below are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to the position.
• Support all advertising, bidding, contracting, and administrative functions for the City’s construction procurements.
• Collaborate with on-call design consultant firms and administer the firm contracting process at the direction of the Assistant Purchasing Agent for Design & Construction.
• Collaborate with the project manager to keep plans on schedule and to assist with G.L. c. 25A procurements aimed at improving the energy efficiency of City facilities.
• Collaborate with Purchasing staff to develop policies and procedures governing the use of sustainable materials within the City’s procurement processes.
• Serve as primary support to the Assistant Purchasing Agent for Design and Construction, providing advertising, bidding, contract, and administrative support for the City's construction procurements.
• Administer the on-call design consultant firm and designer selection processes under the supervision of the Assistant Purchasing Agent for Design and Construction.
• Maintain and submit designer and construction evaluation forms as required by the DCAMM, and assist the Purchasing Agent in requesting contractor DCAMM files prior to contract award.
• Review and support the vetting of requests for change orders and contract amendments to ensure they are appropriate, well supported, and compliant with Massachusetts public bidding laws.
• Create and maintain Construction in Progress information as part of the City's asset management controls.
• Assist departments with energy-efficient procurements pursuant to G.L. c. 25A, specifically through work on the City's Municipal Facilities Improvement Plan.
• Collaborate with the Purchasing Agent to investigate and implement City purchasing policies to promote sustainable procurement practices.
• Work with the Office of Equity and Inclusion to provide required contractor information and track project status in the OEI MBE approval process.
• Perform related duties as required.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Education/Experience

• A bachelor's degree is required.
• Experience with public-sector finance and purchasing protocols and procedures, including familiarity with Massachusetts construction bid laws and M.G.L. c. 25A procurement requirements.
• MCPPO designation, public-sector sustainable procurement experience, and experience with PeopleSoft Financials are preferred.
• An equivalent combination of education, training, and experience may be considered.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Demonstrated knowledge of Massachusetts public construction procurement requirements, including M.G.L. c. 149, c. 30/30B, designer selection requirements, and DCAMM policies and procedures.
• Familiarity with energy-efficient and sustainable procurement frameworks, including M.G.L. c. 25A, environmentally preferable purchasing standards, and life-cycle cost analysis.
• Strong interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills, with the ability to work cooperatively with diverse agencies, groups, vendors, and stakeholders.
• Strong organizational, multitasking, proofreading, and detail-oriented skills.
• Skill in coordinating procurement processes, including drafting specifications, advertising, bid openings, evaluations, awards, and contract execution.
• Ability to review and analyze change orders, cost proposals, and contractor evaluations for accuracy, compliance, and fiscal impact.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Word, Excel, spreadsheets, databases, and procurement or project management systems used to track projects, deadlines, and reporting requirements.
• Ability to work and interact effectively with individuals and groups across diverse identities, cultures, backgrounds, and ideologies.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED:

Works under the general supervision of the Assistant Purchasing Agent for Design & Construction, receiving guidance on priorities and policy interpretation while exercising independent judgment in daily procurement activities; work is reviewed for accuracy, timeliness, and compliance with City procedures and applicable procurement statutes.

SUPERVISION EXERCISED:

No formal supervisory responsibilities; may provide functional guidance and training to departmental staff, interns, or temporary employees involved in procurement and construction administration.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

Work is performed in a general office environment with air conditioning and fluorescent lighting, where noise levels may be elevated due to frequent telephone calls and interactions with Department staff and vendors, and includes the regular use of standard office equipment such as telephones, personal computers, printers, copiers, and fax machines. The position may be required to respond to or support off‑hour emergency situations.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit; frequently use hands to type, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls; reach with hands and arms; have the ability to adjust focus; and lift and/or move up to 20 pounds.

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS:

Please upload the following documents to complete your application:

• Resume

The City of Cambridge's workforce, like the community it serves, is diverse. Applicants must have the ability to work and interact effectively with individuals and groups with a variety of identities, cultures, backgrounds, and ideologies.