Procurement Specialist Senior

Arizona State Government; Chicago (IL); Remote; Full time

Job summary

The Arizona State Government is seeking a skilled Procurement Specialist Senior. This role involves contract negotiation, overseeing proposals, and developing scopes of work within the Department of Child Safety. Successful candidates will have strong analytical skills and the ability to manage complex contracts while maintaining compliance with state regulations.

Benefits

Affordable medical, dental, and life insurance

10 paid holidays per year

Vacation time accrued at 4 hours bi-weekly for the first 3 years

Deferred compensation plan

Wellness plans

Qualifications

• Knowledge of state laws, rules and regulations.
• Experience in contract negotiation and management.
• Strong analytical and communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Develops contractual terms and oversees bid proposals.
• Prepares, coordinates, and monitors contract scopes of work.
• Conducts public meetings with vendors to seek input.

Skills

Negotiation

Communication

Interpersonal Relationships

Contract Administration

Analytical Skills

Education

Undergraduate degree in data science, public or business administration, social work or related field

Experience in procurement or contract management

Job description

DEPARTMENT OF CHILD SAFETY

The Arizona Department of child Safety (DCS) is a social and human services agency whose mission is to successfully partner with families, caregivers, and the community to strengthen families, ensure safety, and achieve permanency for all Arizona’s children through prevention, services, and support.

Procurement Specialist Senior

Job Location:

SUPPORT SERVICES
3003 N Central Ave Phoenix, AZ 85012

Posting Details:

Salary: $34.3750 HRLY/$71.500.00 Salary

Grade: 22

Closing Date:

Job Summary:

Under the direction of the Procurement Manager of the General Services Unit and as delegated by the Agency Chief Procurement Officer or designee, this position exercises considerable independence and discretionary judgment within policies and procedures established for the work system, performs as a lead specialist, decides the appropriate contracting method, and evaluates the risks associated with the contract. In addition, this position writes specialized requirements, develops scopes of work, negotiates contract and leasing language, performs cost or price analysis, and approves or rejects changes. This position may also write guidelines, standard work and train staff, or act as project coordinator or facilitator for significant procurements and agreements. This position will also serve as a liaison to Field Leadership on service contract training, communication, and changes.

This position may offer the ability to work remotely, within Arizona, based upon the department's business needs and continual meeting of expected performance measures.

The State of Arizona strives for a work culture that affords employees flexibility, autonomy, and trust. Across our many agencies, boards, and commissions, many State employees participate in the State’s Remote Work Program and are able to work remotely in their homes, in offices, and in hoteling spaces. All work, including remote work, should be performed within Arizona unless an exception is properly authorized in advance.

Job Duties:

• Develops contractual terms and conditions. Oversees bid proposals and actively negotiates human services and
  non-human services contractual agreements with suppliers. Prepares award documents for signature. Conducts post award and contract administration activities such as post-award meetings. This position will serve as a
  focal point in implementation of new service contracts.
  
• Prepare, coordinate, and monitor contract scopes of work, specialized contracts, and agreements to include direct contracts, Intergovernmental Agreements (IGAs), interagency Service Agreements (ISAs), Memorandum of Understanding (MOUs), etc. Generates accurate contract amendments and/or release/task orders as needed based on service levels and programmatic needs or changes.
  
• Provides guidance and assistance to program work units in the interpretation of a contract, vendor performance
  requirements and the development of scopes of work. Assist as the contracts liaison to Field Leadership to train and conduct outreach on service contract issues.
  
• Uploads contract documents, certificates of insurance, amendments and correspondence into the State's eProcurement system Arizona Procurement Portal (APP).
  
• Conducts public meetings with vendors and with stakeholders to seek input and industry knowledge for goods and services used by the department.
  
• Serve as key contact to internal and external customers, stakeholders and business partners by providing provide procurement and contract technical assistance, to include training, mentoring and other forms of support. Conduct outreach activities to seek input, feedback and/or knowledge for good and services used by and for the Department.
  
• Other duties as assigned as related to the position.
  
  

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities (KSAs):

Knowledge of:

• State laws, rules and regulations as they pertain to program operations, activities, contractual agreements and procurement practices
  
• Public contracts
  
• State procurement code
  
• Business practices in both public and private industry
  
• Policies and procedures established for the work unit including administrative procedures and protocol

Skills in:

• Applying and interpreting federal and state laws, rules, and regulations as they pertain to program operations/activities
  
• Applying program policy and contract requirements to contracted provider activities
  
• Utilizing computerized products, such as Excel and Access, for analysis and work management and using computer software systems to increase efficiency and accuracy
  
• Verbal and written communication which includes compromise and tact in programmatic and fiscal evaluation
• Establishing and maintaining positive interpersonal relationships as applied to interaction with contract and governmental agency representatives
  
• Conducting training and technical assistance
  
• Assessing programmatic requirements to actual service delivery

Ability to:

• Apply and research state and federal accounting, audit, contract and procurement authoritative literature
  
• Professionally and respectfully communicate findings, contractual requirements, non-compliance to providers, and internal and external stakeholders
  
• Develop excellent interpersonal relationships with internal and external stakeholders
  
• Be organized, efficient, and have the ability to analyze current policies, terms and services to accomplish goals
  
• Read and interpret statutes, rules, policies and procedures
  

Selective Preference(s):

Undergraduate degree in data science, public or business administration, social work or other related field or three years experience in a state social services agency (including training and administrative experience) in the field of audit or fidelity monitoring, computer science, procurement, contract management, or statistical analysis.

Pre-Employment Requirements:

Must be able to secure and maintain clearance from DCS Central Registry.

This position requires driving or the use of a vehicle as an essential function of the job to conduct State business, then the following requirements apply:Driver’s License Requirements.

All newly hired State employees are subject to and must successfully complete the Electronic Employment Eligibility Verification Program (E-Verify).

Benefits:

The State of Arizona provides an excellent comprehensive benefits package including:

• Affordable medical, dental, life, and short-term disability insurance plans
  
• Top-ranked retirement and long-term disability plans
  
• 10 paid holidays per year
  
• Vacation time accrued at 4.00 hours bi-weekly for the first 3 years
  
• Sick time accrued at 3.70 hours bi-weekly
  
• Deferred compensation plan
  
• Wellness plans
  

By providing the option of a full-time or part-time remote work schedule, employees enjoy improved work/life balance, report higher job satisfaction, and are more productive. Remote work is a management option and not an employee entitlement or right. An agency may terminate a remote work agreement at its discretion.

Learn more about the Paid Parental Leave pilot programhere. For a complete list of benefits provided by The State of Arizona, please visit our benefits page

Retirement:

Positions in this classification participate in the Arizona State Retirement System (ASRS). Enrollment eligibility will become effective after 27 weeks of employment.

Contact Us:

Persons with a disability may request a reasonable accommodation such as a sign language interpreter or an alternative format by contacting 602-255-3141 or by email [e-mail]. Requests should be made as early as possible to allow time to arrange the accommodation. Should you have any further questions regarding the interview process you can reach out to a member of our recruitment team at 602-255-2903 or by email [e-mail]. The State of Arizona is an Equal Opportunity/Reasonable Accommodation Employer.