Procurement Associate (OTS Statewide Operations Associate 1-4)

State of Louisiana; Baton Rouge (LA); On-site; USD 42,000 - 64,000; Full time

Job summary

The State of Louisiana, Division of Administration/Office of Technology Services, seeks a statewide operations associate to manage IT procurement activities, reporting, and workflow coordination in a centralized purchasing role. The incumbent will liaise with DOA agencies and the Office of State Procurement to ensure compliant acquisitions.

This role emphasizes understanding Louisiana Procurement Laws, budgets, and IT products, with opportunities for advancement within the OTS operations team.

Qualifications

• Two years of experience in information technology
• Six years of full-time work experience in any field
• An associate’s degree in information technology or accounting
• A bachelor’s degree

Responsibilities

• Creating advanced purchase orders, reporting and assisting in section workflows
• Vendor negotiations on price and obtaining approvals under state procurement guidelines
• Reviewing IT funding, budgets, contracts, hardware and software maintenance and services
• Coordinating IT acquisitions and guiding lower-level personnel in statewide IT purchases

Education

Associate’s degree in information technology or accounting

Bachelor’s degree

Job description

The Division of Administration/Office of Technology Services has a vacancy. This position is located in the Operations section. Req.225499

The Office of Technology Services aims to be a responsible partner in delivering innovative, effective, and reliable solutions that support and enhance the IT functions within Executive Branch Departments. The Office of Technology Services will work to increase the return on the State’s investment in technology by promoting smart decision-making, solving problems intelligently, increasing the rate of project success, and fostering a skilled and professional staff.

This position is a purchasing liaison to the Division of Administration (DOA), consolidated state agencies, and the Office of State Procurement on behalf of OTS. The incumbent works closely with the OTS Agency Relationship Managers providing input to assist in making decisions into strategies for procuring goods and services. This position is responsible for performing functions in the areas of reporting, financing and procurement of IT hardware, software, complete solutions and services for major programs and systems development within the DOA and consolidated state agencies.

The Division of Administration is the state government’s management arm and the hub of its financial operations. Division offices perform a wide variety of activities including the following:

• Overseeing the state’s capital construction program
• Working to provide state and federal grants for community development
• Development of the state budget
• Providing technology services
• Giving agencies guidance in the state purchasing and contracting process as they seek goods and services
• Administering a program that provides federal funds to help Louisiana residents recover from a series of devastating hurricanes

The official job specifications for this role, as defined by the State Civil Service, can be found here.

Requirements

• Two years of experience in information technology; OR
• Six years of full-time work experience in any field; OR
• An associate’s degree in information technology or accounting; OR
• A bachelor’s degree.

EXPERIENCE SUBSTITUTION

Every 30 semester hours earned from an accredited college or university will be credited as one year of experience towards the six years of full-time work experience in any field. The maximum substitution allowed is 120 semester hours which substitutes for a maximum of four years of experience in any field.

NOTE

A certification in an approved area may be substituted for the education and/or experience requirements at the time of hire or promotion, provided the appointment is made from a Certificate of Eligibles.

Job Duties

• Responsible for creating advanced PO's, reporting, helping create procedures for section work flows, vendor negotiations on price, and obtaining approvals, according to the Louisiana State Laws, Rules and Regulations and IT Procurement Guidelines. Prepares and maintains reports detailing fiscal year expenditures, including forecasting for future fiscal years. Verifies budget transactions, current balances and allocation of budgeted funds. Prepares detailed reports for VPM with information on IT funding, budget, contracts, hardware maintenance, software maintenance, and services throughout the fiscal year.
• This position serves to assist in supporting statewide information technology operations functions as a lead associate to lower lever positions in the Vendor and Provider Management area. Coordinates complex IT acquisitions and/or other operational needs with vendors and guides lower-level personnel as needed. This position is a purchasing liaison to the Division of Administration (DOA), consolidated state agencies, and the Office of State Procurement on behalf of OTS. Works closely with OTS Agency Relationship Managers providing input to assist in making decisions into strategies for procuring goods and services. Reviews the creation and modification of technical purchase orders and shopping carts to ensure compliance with applicable policies and procedures. Guides lower-level personnel in interpreting policy and procedures as relevant to statewide information technology purchases.
• Responsible for having knowledge of the Louisiana Procurement Laws, Rules and Regulations, and the IT Procurement Guidelines and policy's. Advanced understanding of business operations, technical products and/or OTS services in order to provide lead associate support related to operational functions for the Office of Technology Services.
• Other duties as needed and/or directed by the State CIO or his designee.

Position-Specific Details

Appointment Type: This vacancy will be filled by a new hire or by promotion of a current permanent status classified employee.

Career Progression: This vacancy participates in a career progression group and may be filled from this recruitment as an OTS Statewide Operations Associate 1, 2, 3, or 4.

Louisiana is a "State as a Model Employer" for People with Disabilities.

For further information about this posting, please contact:

Erica R. Gay

HR Specialist

Division of Administration/Office of Human Resources

Email: [e-mail]