SPECIFICATION WRITER

Onondaga County Health Department; New York (NY); On-site; USD 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

A local government agency based in New York seeks a skilled professional for technical specification writing, focusing on preparing detailed guidelines for equipment and materials. Responsibilities include drafting specifications, reviewing purchase requisitions, and analyzing market trends. Applicants should have a Bachelor's degree and relevant experience in specification writing or a related field. Strong analytical skills and the ability to communicate effectively with vendors are essential. The role promises a collaborative environment with opportunities for professional development.

Qualifications

• Ability to draft and revise competitive specifications.
• Experience reading and applying technical documents.
• Skills in analyzing market conditions and pricing.

Responsibilities

• Prepare detailed specifications for equipment and supplies.
• Analyze market conditions and pricing trends.
• Review purchase requisitions and place orders.

Skills

Specification writing

Vendor relations

Research skills

Market analysis

Education

Bachelor's degree

Professional level experience

Job description

This is journey level technical work involving the preparation of detailed specifications for a wide variety of equipment, materials and supplies purchased by units of local government. Under the general supervision of a department head or deputy, an employee in this class researches trade publications, technical bulletins, trade practices, specifications of the Federal Bureau of Standards and other similar sources to prepare specifications which include such details as physical composition, quality, quantity and terms of delivery of items. Independent judgment is exercised to prepare specifications, subject to the guidelines of proper specification writing and written or oral directions from the supervisor. An employee in this class may supervise clerical or purchasing employees in the mechanical preparation of related documents or in gathering pertinent descriptive information pertaining to articles to be purchased. Does related work as required.

TYPICAL WORK ACTIVITIES

• Drafts original or revises existing standard competitive specifications for a wide variety of articles, such as liquid and solid fuels, office furniture and supplies, electrical and mechanical equipment and supplies, road building materials, mounted and unmounted power equipment, uniforms and clothing, food, hospital supplies, hardware, paint, and building construction materials, equipment and tools.
• Assembles current data in reference to aforementioned articles from trade publications, technical bulletins, Federal Bureau of Standards, and other similar sources and applies data to general specifications which govern purchases of articles.
• May analyze drawings to ensure that articles so described conform to specifications.
• May examine physically samples of items to determine compliance with specifications.
• Reviews purchase requisitions for items which require competitive bidding, by checking descriptions, dimensions, model or serial numbers, and so on in order to determine the accuracy of said requisitions.
• Places verbal and written orders with vendors for supplies, materials and equipment after receiving requisitions from operating departments. Verbal orders entail phone or personal contact with supplier outlining verbally the type and quantity of commodity needed. Written orders entail completing a purchase order with aforementioned information.
• Consults requesting department to adjust discrepancies in purchase requisitions and queries department personnel to identify the article desired, and may furnish guidance on substitute articles if commodities are out of stock or insufficient for requesting department's needs.
• Analyzes market conditions by researching current technical publications and practices to determine favorable pricing trends.
• Interviews, corresponds with, and consults vendors, contractors, and business representatives regarding the specifications, pricing, or acquisition of articles to draft proper specification documents.
• As assigned in the City of Syracuse, prepares specifications for items of supply and services as called for in public works contracts.

FULL PERFORMANCE KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS, ABILITIES AND PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS

Thorough knowledge of the principles and practices of specifications writing, inclusive of typical documents, contracts and forms as well as bidding and purchasing practices.

Good knowledge of properties, uses, costs, and standards of business, commercial, industrial and construction materials, equipment, supplies.

Good knowledge of technical resources and information used in specification writing.

Ability to read, understand, and apply written texts which describe specifications of business, commercial, industrial, and construction materials, equipment and supplies.

Ability to read, understand, and apply technical directions, diagrams, and charts which describe specifications of business, commercial, industrial, and construction materials, equipment, and supplies.

Ability to deal effectively with vendors, contractors, and business representatives.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Promotion:

One (1) year of permanent competitive class status in the title of Buyer II or Two (2) years of permanent competitive class status in the title of Buyer I.

A. Graduation from a regionally accredited college or university or one accredited by the New York State Board of Regents to grant degrees with a baccalaureate degree, and two (2) years of professional level work experience, or its part‑time equivalent, in specification writing or a closely related field; or,

B. Six (6) years of paraprofessional or professional level work experience, or its part-time equivalent, two (2) years of which must have been in a professional level capacity in specification writing or a closely related field; or,

C. An equivalent combination of training and experience as defined by the limits of (A) and (B).