Purchasing Agent - Contracts Branch

State of Colorado; Denver (CO); Hybrid; USD 59,000 - 95,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work arrangement

Health insurance

Wellness program

RETIREMENT - PERA benefits

Paid holidays

Tuition reimbursement

Credit Union of Colorado membership

Job summary

State of Colorado, Department of Public Safety, is seeking a Procurement Agent III to join the Executive Director’s Office, Administrative Services Office. This role focuses on implementing the agency’s Group II procurement delegation and providing guidance, training, and policy support to field, HQ, and support staff.

You will prepare solicitations, advise customers on procurement processes, ensure CORE and CMS compliance, and develop technical guidance documents and training materials while

Qualifications

• Six years of professional procurement experience or a Bachelor's degree with two years of procurement experience.
• Strong knowledge of procurement rules, CRS, and fiscal rules.
• Excellent customer service and discretion with confidential matters.
• Experience creating reports.
• Experience creating training materials.

Responsibilities

• Procurement program management and delegation implementation.
• Provide guidance and training on procurement practices and policies.
• Prepare solicitations and assist with CMS and CORE systems.
• Represent CDPS at meetings and develop guidance materials.
• Develop reports and training materials.

Skills

Procurement experience

Attention to detail

Customer service

Training materials

Education

Bachelor's degree

Job description

Department Information

This position is open only to current Colorado state residents.

An eligible list established with this recruitment may be used to fill other similar positions within the Colorado Department of Public Safety in the next 12 months.

Our Mission – Engaged employees working together to safeguard lives and to provide diverse public safety services to local communities.

Our Vision – Creating safer and more resilient communities across Colorado.

Our Core Values – Unity, Honor, Service

The State of Colorado strives to create a Colorado for All by building and maintaining workplaces that value and respect all Coloradans through a commitment to equal opportunity and hiring based on merit and fitness.

The State is dedicated to non-discriminatory practices in everything we do, including hiring, employment, and advancement opportunities.

At CDPS, our culture is driven by our commitment to creating a safer Colorado and guided by a public service focus. We strive to provide effective solutions and services to our fellow Coloradans. We model a culture of collaboration, innovation, and growth for our employees. We maintain a professional and inclusive workplace.

Careers With a Purpose

If you are passionate about public safety and public service, and are eager to dedicate your career to serving Coloradans, consider joining CDPS. Our team at CDPS consists of exceptional individuals and is an environment where you can challenge yourself and acquire new capabilities to build a rewarding and fulfilling career.

We are committed to providing public safety services to our communities including safety on our roads, preparing for and mitigating environmental disasters such as floods and wildland fires, disaster recovery, combating crime, promoting school safety, and victim services.

Classification And Salary

PURCHASING AGENT III

Anticipated Hiring Range: $4,955 - $5,191/month; $58,872 - $62,292/year

Full Salary Range: $4,955 - $7,927/month; $59,460 - $95,124/year

Benefits

• Medical and dental options are available for permanent employees and their dependents. We also offer short and long-term disability coverage, and life insurance that includes legal resources and discounts.
• Eligible employees receive Basic Life and AD&D insurance equal to their annual earnings subject to a minimum benefit of $50,000 and a maximum of $250,000. Basic Life and AD&D are provided by the State of Colorado at no cost to employees.
• The State of Colorado's Wellness Program, State of Health, is a no-cost, year-long program that supports an employee's health and wellness goals. This program offers personalized health coaching, skill groups and more. Participants can earn a $20 per month health insurance premium discount.
• Through BenefitHub, State of Colorado employees have access to discounts, promotions and special programs from hundreds of retailers, restaurants, travel and entertainment venues throughout Colorado and across the country.
• State contribution into a Health Savings Account when enrolled in a High Deductible Health Plan.
• Eligible employees have access to medical leave under the Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) and the State of Colorado Family and Medical Leave Insurance Program (FAMLI).
• Eligibility for hybrid or other flexible work arrangements based on the nature of the role.
• We offer excellent retirement benefits including mandatory PERA Defined Benefit Plan or PERA Defined Contribution Plan, plus optional 401K and 457 plans. For information on mandatory employee salary deferral (in lieu of contribution to Social Security), visit Colorado PERA for details.
• We provide generous time off including 11 paid holidays annually and accrued annual and sick leave and four annual wellness days.
• The Employee Assistance Program (C-SEAP) is available in every region of the state. It is our effort to support the well-being of employees and the workplace. EAPs provide short-term counseling, referrals and resources, as well as training and organizational development services.
• Tuition reimbursement and reduced college tuition at CSU Global and DeVry University.
• We offer Credit Union of Colorado membership eligibility.

To learn more about State of Colorado benefits, please visit State of Colorado benefits.

Description of Job

About The Work Unit

The Executive Director's Office (EDO) is the backbone of the Colorado Department of Public Safety, providing effective administrative and management services to the Department's operating divisions. The EDO includes the following:

• The Executive Director and Deputy Executive Director – Oversees strategic direction and operations for the department.
• Administrative Services Office - Provides division and department-level administrative and support functions encompassing accounting, purchasing and contracts, budget, logistics services (fleet, warehousing, material management and fabrication) and property services (property management, leasing, facilities maintenance, construction project management and insurance programs) to support the operations and programs of CDPS divisions.
• Human Resources Office - Supports recruitment, hiring, evaluation, benefits management, personnel actions, payroll and all other human resources functions.
• Compliance Office – Manages Departmental Policy, Risk Management, Workers Compensation Program, Workplace Investigations, Internal Auditing, Rulemaking, and ensures compliance with state and federal requirements and the State’s LESO 1033/1122 programs.
• Colorado Integrated Criminal Justice Information Systems – develops cost-effective information sharing services to provide access for criminal justice agencies while maintaining information security. CICJIS is a collaborative program designed to facilitate information sharing at key decision points in the criminal justice process. There are five participating CICJIS agencies: the Department of Corrections, Judicial, the Colorado District Attorney’s Council, the Division of Youth Corrections, and the Colorado Bureau of Investigation.
• Office of School Safety – assists local schools and communities to create safe and positive school climates for pre-k through higher education schools in Colorado.

The Administrative Services Office provides internal administrative support to the Divisions within CDPS and include the following sections:

• Chief Administrative Officer’s office
• Accounting Services and Commercial Cards led by the Controller
• Budget and Policy led by the Budget Director
• Purchasing and Contracts by the Purchasing Director
• Logistics Services Section led by the Logistics Director
• Property Services Section led by the Property Services Director

Work Environment

• Hybrid minimum two days onsite in the Lakewood office
• Work unit core business hours, Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. with some flexibility available

About The Job

This position works within the Executive Director’s Office, assigned to the Administrative Services Office (ASO) and is part of the Procurement Section of the ASO. This unit provides analysis and technical services necessary to conduct procurement and purchasing processes defined by state fiscal and procurement rules, including providing technical procurement advice, recommendations for implementing fiscal or procurement programs, and ensuring compliance with applicable procurement and fiscal rules, laws and guidelines.

This position exists to perform certain procurement and administrative purchasing functions critical to the agency’s operations. The position supports the mission objectives of the CDPS purchasing while maintaining compliance with established procurement rules, State and departmental fiscal rules, policies and procedures.

Key Responsibilities

Procurement Program Management

Assists the CDPS Director of Purchasing and Contracts with implementation and maintenance of the agency’s Group II procurement delegation and authority. Serves as a resource to provide guidance and training for field, headquarters, and support staff regarding procurement practices, policies and rules. Serves as a key advisor to the divisions on policy issues and as the liaison with the state and department regarding purchasing issues, procedures and policies. Examines, evaluates, and creates appropriate systems to integrate all CDPS procurement functions. Prepares all necessary documentation to support the purchasing operation including necessary solicitations (i.e., Requests for Proposals, Documented Quotes, Invitations for Bid); and utilizes the State’s automated systems. Serves as a CDPS purchasing agent for departmental needs. Applies working knowledge of Colorado Revised Statutes (CRS), procurement code, and fiscal rules for the procurement of goods and services. Accesses the Colorado Operations Resource Engine (CORE) to ensure purchase order compliance and sound fiscal management/control. Ensures compliance with Contract Management System (CMS) requirements.

Provides technical guidance in the preparation, implementation and review of solicitations for CDPS. Coordinates and disseminates information to advise internal customers on proper solicitation procedural requirements to ensure that state and fiscal rules and procurement policy requirements are met. Researches and confers with CDPS staff to evaluate solicitation specification and performance criteria. Assist customers and vendors by providing guidance and objective feedback on solicitations and services.

Procurement Policy Management, Guidance and Training

Assists the CDPS Director of Purchasing and Contracts with the implementation and maintenance of the agency’s Group II procurement delegation and authority. Serves as a resource to provide guidance and training for field, headquarters, and support staff regarding procurement practices, policies and rules. Serves as a key advisor to the divisions on policy issues and as the liaison with the state and department regarding purchasing issues, procedures and policies. Examines, evaluates, and creates appropriate systems to integrate all CDPS procurement functions. Prepares all necessary documentation to support the purchasing operation including necessary solicitations (i.e., Requests for Proposals, Documented Quotes, Invitations for Bid); and utilizes the State’s automated systems. Serves as a CDPS purchasing agent for departmental needs. Applies working knowledge of Colorado Revised Statutes (CRS), procurement code, and fiscal rules for the procurement of goods and services. Accesses the Colorado Operations Resource Engine (CORE) to ensure purchase order compliance and sound fiscal management/control. Ensures compliance with Contract Management System (CMS) requirements.

Facilitates the communication of the CDPS solicitation policies by training and advising staff regarding the development and implementation of appropriate business practices. Represents CDPS at meetings with public officials, government officials and other parties as required regarding issues as determined necessary. Provides procurement program management for special projects as assigned. Develops technical guidance documents such as Excel spreadsheets, policy handouts, and training PowerPoint programs.

Minimum Qualifications, Substitutions, Conditions Of Employment & Appeal Rights

Note, to be considered for this position, you must meet one of the following options for consideration.

Experience

• Six (6) years of professional procurement experience. This experience must be clearly documented on your application and in the supplemental questions.

OR Education And Experience, Knowledge, Skills

• Bachelor’s degree and two (2) years of professional procurement experience.

Preferred Qualifications And Competencies

• Must possess a high level of accuracy and attention to detail and have a strong knowledge
• Must be able to accurately interpret and coach others on simple to complex rules and regulations
• Must have excellent customer service skills and sensitivity and discretion with respect to confidential matters
• Experience in creating, maintaining, and producing reports.
• Experience creating training materials.