SUPERVISING PROCUREMENT CONTRACT SPECIALIST

County of Orange; Santa Ana (CA); On-site; USD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

County of Orange seeks a Supervising Procurement Contract Specialist to oversee procurement operations, supervise staff, conduct training, and provide contract support across complex solicitations and agreements.

The role reviews RFPs/IFBs/RFQs, drafts evaluations, addresses vendor protests, and ensures compliance with County policies in awarding and managing contracts. A DPA Certification must be obtained within 12 months.

Qualifications

• Extensive knowledge of public or private contract and procurement practices.
• Familiarity with RFPs, IFBs, RFQs and contract types.
• Ability to interpret laws, regulations and policies governing procurement.

Responsibilities

• Oversee procurement operations and supervise staff across contracts.
• Provide procurement and contract support, training, and guidance.
• Review complex solicitations and related documents for compliance.
• Address vendor protests and respond to formal requests with documented reasoning.

Skills

Public procurement knowledge

Contract management

Leadership & supervision

Training & development

Policy interpretation

Job description

SUPERVISING PROCUREMENT CONTRACT SPECIALIST

Salary may be negotiable within the range listed above, based on position requirements and successful candidate's qualifications, subject to appropriate authorization.

OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

This recruitment will establish an open eligible list that will be used to fill current and future Supervising Procurement Contract Specialist positions. The eligible list established may also be used to fill positions in similar and/or lower classifications throughout the County of Orange.

DEADLINE TO APPLY

This recruitment will be open for a minimum of five (5) business days and will remain open until Friday, October 9, 2026, at 11:59pm (PST). Qualified applicants are encouraged to apply immediately.

THE OPPORTUNITY

The Supervising Procurement Contract Specialist position requires a highly motivated professional who will be responsible for overseeing procurement operations and providing guidance across a variety of contract-related functions. Key responsibilities include supervising staff, conducting training, offering procurement and contract support, preparing evaluations, and initiating actions necessary to implement decisions and recommendations. This role also involves reviewing complex solicitations, contracts, and related documents to ensure compliance and effectiveness.

The Supervising Procurement Contract Specialist plays a vital role in addressing complaints and vendor protests, assisting staff with drafting responses to formal requests. The incumbent is expected to manage a standard procurement workload while also performing and supporting the most complex tasks within the unit. Additionally, the Supervising Procurement Contract Specialist will be responsible for interpreting and applying County and departmental policies, procedures, and regulations that govern all aspects of procurement, including the awarding and management of contracts.

Click here for more information about the County of Orange. Click here for more information about the Procurement Office.

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS AND CORE COMPETENCIES

The ideal candidate will possess over four (4) years of knowledge and direct experience in public or private contract and/or procurement policies and practices. In addition to the minimum qualifications, the successful candidate will possess extensive experience and knowledge in the following core competencies:

Technical Knowledge | Technical Experience

• Knowledge and experience in public or private sector procurement and/or contracting processes, contract negotiations, and contract management.
• Demonstrating knowledge and direct experience in the principles, ethics, and practices of procurement and/or contracts as well as general knowledge of applicable general laws and Government Codes.
• Ability to manage complex procurements and/or contracts, such as Request for Proposals (RFP), Invitation for Bids (IFB), and Request for Qualifications (RFQ) to acquire professional services, consultant services, management information systems, including alternate delivery methods and various contract types that result from procuring these services.
• Conducting complex value analysis and writing precise product specifications/scope of work.
• Knowledge of general market conditions and pricing through various information resources.
• Knowledge of the Department of Industrial Relations, Prevailing Wage, Payment and Performance Bonds and/or other related requirements.

Analytical Skills | Problem Solving

• Ability to manage vendor performance and investigate and resolve sensitive or unusual issues or complaints.
• Demonstrating extensive experience and knowledge in the interpretation and analysis of legislative data, laws, rules, regulations and policies pertinent to procurement and contracts and carrying out their enforcement.
• Determining the appropriate methods of solicitations and contract type based on the various customer/stakeholders needs.

Leadership l Supervision

• Making well-informed and objective decisions by understanding the impact and implications on organizational goals.
• Working independently and managing time wisely to effectively prioritize multiple competing tasks.
• Building and managing positive, forward-focused, customer-oriented work environments.
• Utilizing sound judgment and diplomacy in dealing with difficult and sensitive situations.
• Managing performance of staff with differing skill levels and styles in a manner that inspires continual improvement.

Verbal Communication | Written Communication

• Possessing effective communication skills verbally and in writing in both formal and informal settings with various customers and stakeholders at all levels
• Possessing experience communicating technical and complex information in a clear, easy to understand manner.
• Using modern technology to access and circulate information.
• Ability to communicate with various audiences including persons outside of the department, vendors, staff, members of the executive management team, attorneys and political officials.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENT

The Supervising Procurement Contract Specialist will need to obtain a DPA Certification through the County of Orange's County Procurement Office within twelve (12) months of hire.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Click here for information on the minimum qualifications, physical, mental, environmental and working conditions for the Supervising Procurement Contract Specialist classification.

NOTE: Foreign degrees require an evaluation of U.S. equivalency by an agency that is a member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (N.A.C.E.S.).

RECRUITMENT PROCESS

Human Resource Services (HRS) will screen all application materials to identify qualified applicants. After screening, qualified applicants will be referred to the next step and notified of all further procedures applicable to their status in the competition.

Application Screening (Refer/Non-Refer)

Applications and supplemental responses will be screened for qualifications that are highly desirable and most needed to successfully perform the duties of this job. Only those applicants that meet the qualifications as listed in the job bulletin will be referred to the next step.

Structured Oral Interview | SOI (Weighted 100%)

The Structured Oral Interview is a timed assessment. Applicants will provide answers to job-related questions, which will be rated by a panel of subject matter experts using standardized evaluation criteria. Only the most qualified candidates will move advance to the next step in the recruitment process or will be placed on the eligible list.

Eligible List

Once the assessment has been completed, HRS will establish an eligible list of candidates. Candidates placed on the eligible list may be referred to a selection interview to be considered for present and future vacancies.

Veterans Employment Preference

The County is committed to providing a mechanism to give preferential consideration in the employment process to veterans and their eligible spouses and will provide eligible participants the opportunity to receive interviews in the selection process for employment and paid internship openings. Please click here to review the policy.

REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION

The County of Orange is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities. Individuals who require a reasonable accommodation during the application or selection process should notify the recruiter listed on the job posting as soon as possible. Documentation supporting the accommodation request may be required.

EMAIL NOTIFICATION

Email is the primary form of notification during the recruitment process. Please ensure your correct email address is included in our application and use only one email account. NOTE: User accounts are established for one person only and should not be shared with another person. Multiple applications with multiple users may jeopardize your status in the recruitment process for any positions for which you apply. Candidates will be notified regarding their status as the recruitment proceeds via email through the GovernmentJobs.com site. Please check your email folders, including spam/junk folders, and/or accept emails ending with "governmentjobs.com" and "ocgov.com." If your email address should change, please update your profile at www.governmentjobs.com.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:

Click here for additional Frequently Asked Questions.

For specific information pertaining to this recruitment, please contact Michelle Kozai at [e-mail] or [phone].

Orange County, as an equal employment opportunity employer, encourages applicants from diverse backgrounds to apply.