PURCHASING AGENT I - 55000818

State of Florida; Tallahassee (FL); On-site; USD 43,000 - 55,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

State retirement

Paid holidays

Job summary

Florida Department of Transportation seeks a PURCHASING AGENT I to manage procurement and contracting for commodities and services, ensuring fair pricing and open competition. The role supports state-wide contracting and requires handling bid thresholds, ITBs, and IT proposals (RFPs) through MFMP.

Anticipated salary around $48,000 with extensive benefits; located in Tallahassee at the Procurement Office. The candidate will collaborate across departments and ensure policy compliance in all

Qualifications

• Two (2) years of professional or nonprofessional experience and one (1) year of professional purchasing experience involving competitive procurements.
• Associate’s Degree from an accredited college or university can substitute for Two (2) years of the required experience.
• Knowledge of laws, rules, procedures and practices governing procurement of contractual services and commodities.

Responsibilities

• Manage procurement and contracting to obtain quality commodities/services at a fair price with open competition and equitable awards.
• Acquire commodities and contractual services under bid thresholds through informal quotes, ITB, RFP, MFMP and other sources.
• Coordinate with project managers, legal, comptroller and vendors; prepare supplements, amendments and renewals of contracts.

Skills

Communication

Computer skills

Documentation review

Problem solving

Electronic procurement systems

Procurement planning

Independent work

Relationship building

Verbal and written communication

Education

Associate degree

Tools

MFMP

ITB/RFP processes

Job description

Total Compensation Estimator Tool

Requisition No: 881811

Agency: Department of Transportation

Working Title: PURCHASING AGENT I - 55000818

Pay Plan: Career Service

Position Number: 55000818

Salary: $42,725.49 - $55,291.81

Posting Closing Date: 08/28/2026

Job Posting Description

920 / PROCUREMENT OFFICE

OPEN COMPETITIVE

PENDING CLASSIFICATION UPDATE

CAREER SERVICE

FULL-TIME

CONTACT PERSON: SHERILL JOHNSON

CONTACT PHONE NUMBER: 850.414.4381

CONTACT EMAIL ADDRESS: [e-mail]

HIRING SALARY RANGE: $42,725.49 - $55,291.81 annual range

Join FDOT and be part of the team that works as one to improve safety, enhance mobility and inspire innovation in the Florida transportation system.

To ensure honesty and transparency, all applicants must provide their own work. Unless explicitly requested, the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools to assist with qualifying questions, work samples, or interviews is strictly prohibited, and any breach of this requirement will lead to the applicant being removed from consideration.

Candidates must be United States (U.S.) citizens or lawfully authorized alien workers. Visa sponsorship is not available.

Our Mission

The mission of the Florida Department of Transportation is to provide a safe statewide transportation system that promotes the efficient movement of people and goods, supports the state’s economic competitiveness, prioritizes Florida’s environment and natural resources, and preserves the quality of life and connectedness of the state’s communities.

Our Vision

As a OneFDOT team, we serve the people of Florida by providing a transportation network that is well planned, supports economic growth, and has the goal of being congestion and fatality free.

The Work You Will Do

Purchasing Agent I (Pending Reclassification) / Commodities and Contractual Services Unit/ Procurement Office.

This position will manage the procurement/contracting process to ensure quality commodities/services are obtained at a fair price, with open competition, equitable awards and is accomplished in accordance with law, rule, and applicable Department of Transportation (DOT) policy, procedure, and practice. Additionally, this position is responsible for ensuring that modifications to complex contracts are within the terms, conditions, and intent of the original agreement and solicitation.

The Difference You Will Make

Through cooperation, coordination and collaboration among the OneFDOT team, you will be contributing to a strong and empowering culture of TRREC: Trust, Relationships, Respect, Empowerment, and Communication.

How You Will Grow

FDOT encourages our team members to grow through engagement, empowerment, training, and professional development. Through our agency’s learning management system, you have access to hundreds of computer-based training and instructor-led courses.

Where You Will Work

Florida Department of Transportation

Procurement Office

605 Suwannee Street

Tallahassee, Florida 32399

Anticipated Annual Salary

$48,000.00

Your Specific Responsibilities

This position is located in the Commodities and Contractual Services unit, involved in the procurement of and contracting for contractual services and commodities acquired for Central Office and Statewide as needed. This position manages the procurement/contracting process to ensure quality commodities/services are obtained at a fair price with open competition, equitable awards and is accomplished in accordance with law, rule, and applicable Department of Transportation (DOT) policy, procedure, and practice. Additionally, this position is responsible for ensuring that modifications to complex contracts are within the terms, conditions, and intent of the original agreement and solicitation.

Acquire commodities and contractual services under bid threshold through informal quote, proposal, and single source processes through the state’s eProcurement system MyFloridaMarketPlace (MFMP). Process acquisitions from Prison Rehabilitative Industries and Diversified Enterprises (PRIDE), RESPECT, Department of Transportation (DOT) agency term contract, Department of Management Services (DMS) State and Alternate contracts, discretionary, and exempt sources of any cost. Acquire commodities and contractual services with simple Invitation to Bid (ITB) and Request for Proposal (RFP) processes.

Seek approval from appropriate DOT representative or contractor as specified by policy, procedure and practice. Analyze procurement requests, reviews specifications/scopes, provide instruction to project managers, coordinate critical events, review and evaluate quotes/proposals and issue purchase orders and written agreements.

Conduct informal training sessions for Central Office project and cost center managers and consultant/contractor/vendors to improve understanding of the Department’s procurement process. Provide contract maintenance. Prepare and manage supplements, amendments, time extensions, change orders, and renewal of contracts and maintain files in a well-organized fashion. Coordinate with project managers, the legal office, comptroller and consultant/contractor/vendor as appropriate to provide timely action to existing contracts. Review contracts for validity of pending action and follow through with timely and appropriate action.

Provides administrative support through telephone and receptionist backup, reviews and approves purchase requisitions, verify encumbrances, distribute contract documents, input bid/proposal documents in Vendor Information Portal for advertisement, maintain files, distribute bid/proposal solicitations, conduct and assist with bid openings and create bid tabulations. Enter and maintain required information/documentation in the Florida Accountability Contract Tracking System (FACTS).

Compile and provide tracking/production data as requested in various forms and maintain procurement files. Obtain competitive quotes/proposals as requested, either by telephone or in writing.

The Successful Candidate will have the following required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Knowledge Of

• Laws, rules, procedures and practices governing the procurement of contractual services and commodities.

Skills In

• The use of computer based spreadsheets, internet, databases and word processing applications
• Reviewing documents for accuracy and completeness
• Problem-solving techniques

Ability To

• Utilize electronic procurement systems
• Plan, develop and coordinate the procurement of non-complex projects for contractual services and/or commodities
• Work independently, plan, organize and prioritize assignments
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships
• Communicate effectively and appropriately both verbally and in writing

Minimum Qualifications

Two (2) years of professional or nonprofessional experience and one (1) year of professional purchasing experience involving competitive procurements. An Associate’s Degree from an accredited college or university can substitute for Two (2) years of the required experience.

The State’s total compensation package for employees features a highly competitive set of employee benefits including:

• Health insurance (over 90% employer paid)
• $25,000 life insurance policy (100% employer paid)
• Dental, vision and supplemental insurances
• State of Florida retirement package
• 10 paid holidays a year
• Generous vacation and sick leave
• Career advancement opportunities
• Tuition waiver for public college courses
• A variety of training opportunities
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

For additional benefit information available to State of Florida employees, visit: https://www.mybenefits.myflorida.com/

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

You will be required to provide your Social Security Number to conduct required verifications. Male applicants born on or after October 1, 1962, will not be eligible for hire or promotion in the Career Service, or appointment in the Selected Exempt Service (SES) or Senior Management Service (SMS), unless they are registered with the Selective Service System (SSS) before their 26th birthday, or have a Letter of Registration Exemption from the SSS.

THE FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION VALUES THE SERVICE VETERANS AND THEIR FAMILY MEMBERS HAVE GIVEN TO OUR COUNTRY AND SUPPORTS THE HIRING OF RETURNING SERVICE MEMBERS AND MILITARY SPOUSES.

If you are a preference-eligible applicant who receives notice of a hiring decision and believe that you were not afforded employment preference in accordance with applicable Florida law and regulation, you may file a written complaint within 60 calendar days from the date you receive the notice, requesting an investigation to the Florida Department of Veterans’ Affairs, Division of Benefits and Assistance, 9500 Bay Pines Boulevard, Room 214, St. Petersburg, Florida 33708.

THE FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION VALUES AND SUPPORTS EMPLOYMENT OF INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES. QUALIFIED INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES ARE ENCOURAGED TO APPLY.

In accordance with Section 110.112, Florida Statutes, and the Florida Department of Transportation’s Individuals with Disabilities Affirmitive Action Plan, the agency is committed to ensuring affirmative action and equal employment opportunity for qualified individuals with disabilities. Upon request and as appropriate, reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities may be provided. Please contact the Florida Department of Transportation’s Human Resources Office at [phone] for assistance.

Candidates requiring a reasonable accommodation, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act, must notify the agency hiring authority and/or People First Service Center (1-866-663-4735). Notification to the hiring authority must be made in advance to allow sufficient time to provide the accommodation.

The State of Florida supports a Drug-Free workplace. All employees are subject to reasonable suspicion drug testing in accordance with Section 112.0455, F.S., Drug-Free Workplace Act.

VETERANS’ PREFERENCE.

Pursuant to Chapter 295, Florida Statutes, candidates eligible for Veterans’ Preference will receive preference in employment for Career Service vacancies and are encouraged to apply. Certain service members may be eligible to receive waivers for postsecondary educational requirements. Candidates claiming Veterans’ Preference must attach supporting documentation with each submission that includes character of service (for example, DD Form 214 Member Copy #4) along with any other documentation as required by Rule 55A-7, Florida Administrative Code. Veterans’ Preference documentation requirements are available by clicking here . All documentation is due by the close of the vacancy announcement.