Purchaser IV – V (Wildlife Division Purchaser)

Kate on Conservation; Texas; On-site; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid time off

Group insurance

Retirement and pension

Job summary

Texas Parks and Wildlife Department is seeking a senior Purchaser (Purchaser IV/V) to manage complex public procurement. You will develop specifications, prepare procurement documents, and oversee records while following statewide guidelines.

Position requires CTCD/CTCM certifications for the relevant level and strong negotiation skills. The role involves coordination with the Purchasing and Contracting Team and requires experience with CAPPS and open market processes, along with a Bachelor’s

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Business or Public Administration or related field.
• Three years of public purchasing experience for Purchaser IV; four years for Purchaser V, with increasing responsibility.
• Experience writing solicitations and specifications for moderately complex procurements.
• Licensure: CTCD/CTCM certifications for Purchaser IV/ V as applicable.

Responsibilities

• Plan, organize, and coordinate purchasing activities for commodities and services.
• Prepare procurement documents and solicitations.
• Maintain detailed records of items purchased, received, prepared, and issued.
• Ensure compliance with Texas procurement guidelines and agency procedures.

Skills

Purchasing

Procurement

Contract management

Negotiation

Analytical skills

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Business or Public Administration

Tools

CAPPS

MS Word

MS Excel

Open Market processes

Job description

Job DescriptionTPWD Mission

To manage and conserve the natural and cultural resources of Texas and to provide hunting, fishing and outdoor recreation opportunities for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations.

Hiring contact: Danielle D. Bates, 737-393-5466, [e-mail]

Physical work address: Statewide; office will be at an existing TPWD office location.

General Description

Under direction of the Purchasing and Contracting Team Lead, this position is responsible for highly complex (Purchaser IV) or advanced (Purchaser V) senior-level purchasing and procurement work. Work involves planning, organizing, coordinating, and preparing specifications for purchasing commodities and services; preparing procurement documents; and overseeing the maintenance of detailed records of items purchased, received, prepared, and issued. Complies with all statewide procurement guidelines administered by the Texas Comptroller’s office. Works under limited (Purchaser IV) or minimal (Purchaser V) supervision with considerable latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment. Performs additional duties as assigned. Complies with all Agency, Division and Branch rules, regulations and procedures.

Minimum Qualifications

Education: Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor’s degree and major course work in business or public administration or related field.

Experience — Purchaser IV: Three years of experience in public purchasing and procurement of goods and services; one year of experience in developing and processing moderately complex solicitations and specifications. Experience may have occurred concurrently.

Experience — Purchaser V: Four years of experience in public purchasing and procurement of goods and services at a State of Texas agency; two years of experience in moderately complex solicitations and specification writing; work experience using the Centralized Accounting and Payroll/Personnel System (CAPPS). Experience may have occurred concurrently.

Licensure — Purchaser IV: Must possess or be able to obtain within six months of employment a Certified Texas Contract Developer (CTCD) issued by the Texas Comptroller Office of Public Accounts, and must possess or be able to obtain a Certified Texas Contract Manager (CTCM) issued by the Texas Comptroller Office of Public Accounts. Retention of position is contingent on maintaining required license and certification.

Licensure — Purchaser V: Must possess a Certified Texas Contract Developer (CTCD) and a Certified Texas Contract Manager (CTCM), both issued by the Texas Comptroller Office of Public Accounts. Retention of position is contingent on maintaining required license and certification.

Acceptable Substitutions

One additional year of directly relevant experience in public purchasing and procurement of goods and services may substitute for thirty semester hours of the required education, up to a maximum substitution of 120 semester hours.

Preferred Qualifications

Education: Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor’s degree in Business or Public Administration or a closely related field.

Experience: Three years of experience in public sector contracts or procurement; experience using statewide Term Contracts, TXMAS contracts, Open Market processes, the CMBL, and familiarity with the Texas statewide purchasing system; experience managing government credit card accounts; experience with State of Texas policies and procedures related to purchasing and contracting; experience purchasing and/or contracting goods and services at a Texas state agency, college or university, or local unit of government; and experience in CAPPS Financial. Purchaser IV: three years of experience developing and processing moderately complex solicitations and specifications. Purchaser V: four years of experience developing and processing moderately complex solicitations and specifications.

Licensure: Current Certified Texas Contract Developer (CTCD) certification issued by the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Knowledge — Purchaser IV: Purchasing and procurement methods and procedures, state procurement principles and practices; State contracting, purchasing and procurement policies and procedures as published in the Texas Procurement Manual and Texas Contract Management Guide; laws governing state purchasing and contracting regulations; developing specifications, solicitations, negotiating and awarding contracts; applicable local, state or federal rules, regulations and policies, as well as related legislative and legal practices and procedures relating to procurement and contract administration; office practices and general administrative procedures; record keeping and records management; commodities, services and supply sources.

Knowledge — Purchaser V: All Purchaser IV knowledge, plus pertinent governmental practices related to public procurement and contracting; Federal grant programs that support the activities of TPWD Wildlife Division; and economic and accounting principles and practices.

Skills — Purchaser IV: Using MS Word, Excel and Outlook; effective verbal and written communication; using personal computers; providing quality customer service in a courteous and professional manner; effectively managing daily workload responsibilities to timely meet division and agency goals; establishing and maintaining effective work relationships with co-workers and work-related contacts; writing, editing and report writing techniques; record keeping, records management and accurate data entry into relational databases or spreadsheets; meeting deadlines; training others; handling multiple projects simultaneously; and planning, assigning and/or reviewing the work of others.

Skills — Purchaser V: All Purchaser IV skills, plus effectively interacting with staff at all levels of the department and other state agencies and organizations; interpreting and applying local, state and federal laws, rules and regulations.

Abilities — Purchaser IV: Evaluate bids; evaluate fiscal data for reasonableness, necessity and conformity with contract requirements; negotiate features of a contract; convey information clearly and concisely; analyze data and use ad-hoc database query tools; maintain flexibility and work with frequent interruptions and multiple changing priorities; effectively manage a fast-paced work environment without compromising accuracy; act in the best interests of the agency, maintain confidentiality and continually strive to improve self and job performance; prepare complex written correspondence, reports, studies, forms and documents; exercise sound judgment when making critical decisions; analyze complex information and develop plans to address identified issues; effectively demonstrate negotiation and facilitation skills; demonstrate a high level of integrity, strong work ethic and commitment to meeting deadlines; maintain strict confidentiality; work as a member of a team; work under stressful conditions; perform manual labor, including lifting supplies and materials up to 15 lbs.; conduct work activities in accordance with TPWD safety program; and work under limited supervision, with considerable latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment.

Abilities — Purchaser V: All Purchaser IV abilities, plus prepare concise reports and briefings; evaluate policies and procedures; work independently with little or no supervision; provide guidance and assistance to wildlife purchasers and/or field staff; and work under minimal supervision, with considerable latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment.

Working Conditions

• Work 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday.
• Work on holidays, weekends and hours other than 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. as necessary.
• Work overtime as necessary.
• Perform manual labor, including lifting supplies and materials up to 15 lbs.
• May be required to operate a State vehicle.
• Travel 10%, with possible overnight stays.
• Non-smoking environment in State buildings and vehicles.

Benefits

Texas Parks and Wildlife offers generous paid time off, group insurance, retirement and pension, and frequent training and staff development opportunities. Other benefits include longevity pay, merit pay, deferred compensation, flexible benefit plans, 401K/457 retirement plans, direct deposit, staggered work hours, Employee Assistance Program and a Return-to-Work Program. For new employees or rehires, health insurance is available on the first of the month following a 60-day waiting period.

Military Employment Preference

Applicants claiming military employment preference under the State of Texas must attach the required documentation when submitting their application. Required documentation may include: for a veteran, DD214 showing honorable discharge or Statement of Service for transitioning service members who have not reached their separation date; for a surviving spouse of a veteran who has not remarried, marriage certificate and DD Form 1300 or appropriate documentation; for an orphan of a veteran killed while on active duty, birth certificate and DD Form 1300 or appropriate documentation; for a spouse of a member of the US Armed Forces or Texas National Guard serving on active duty, marriage certificate and a copy of the spouse’s active-duty military orders; or for a spouse of a veteran with a disability who is the primary household income, marriage certificate, veteran’s DD214 and VA Benefits Summary Letter showing disability rating. Documentation must be attached before military preference can be granted.

More information on military occupational specialty codes is available at https://www.onetonline.org/crosswalk/MOC/ and https://hr.sao.texas.gov/Compensation/MilitaryCrosswalk/MilitaryCrosswalkGuide.pdf.

TPWD is an equal opportunity employer.

Closing date: 2026-11-04.