Purchasing Assistant

The State of Connecticut Military Department is a unique dual-status agency, having both federal and state missions.  The Military Department is committed to conducting military operations in an environmentally-friendly manner and will continue to perform its mission while looking for new ways to reduce pollution-generating activities and to preserve and enhance all of its valuable training lands.  

We are recruiting for a full-time Purchasing Assistant.  This position is located in Hartford, CT, with work hours of 8:00am - 4:30pm, Monday - Friday.

In order to be considered for this job opening, you must be a current State of CT employee of the Military Department, who has permanent state status*, and meet the Minimum Qualifications as listed on the job opening.  You must specify your qualifications on your application. 

*For employees in the classified service, permanent status is obtained after successful completion of a working test period.  For employees in the unclassified service, permanent status is obtained after serving in a position for at least six months (full-time or full-time equivalent).

All applicants must include a resume within the "Resume Tab" of their application with their submission.  Please Note: You will be unable to make revisions once you submit your application for this posting to the JobAps system.

Applicants invited to interview may be required to submit additional documentation, which supports their qualification(s) for this position.  These documents may include:  performance reviews, supervisory references, college transcripts, licensure, etc., at the discretion of the hiring agency.

Should you have questions pertaining to this recruitment, please contact Anthony Lewis at anthony.lewis@ct.gov or (860) 548-3248.

Please Note:  In addition to the checking of references and of facts stated in the application, a thorough Federal background investigation of each candidate may be made before individuals are certified for permanent appointment.

In the Department of Administrative Services, Procurement Division or other state agency this class is accountable for independently processing routine purchase requests while assisting in the overall preparation and processing of purchase requisitions for equipment, services and materials.

DEPARTMENT OF ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES, PROCUREMENT DIVISION: Reviews routine agency purchase requests to ensure accuracy, completeness and compliance with existing specifications and proper purchasing procedures; determines need for and obtains clarification or additional information from agencies; coordinates solicitation and return of bid proposals by determining type of bid based on cost (open or advertised), selecting vendors from bidders lists to receive proposals, determining opening dates for bids and ensuring proper turn-around time and typing all required materials in proper format; tabulates bids according to vendors, prices, products offered, delivery dates, etc.; in routine cases or under supervision, reviews bid proposals for accuracy, completeness and compliance with existing specifications and proper purchasing procedures; in routine cases or under supervision determines contract awards; serves as liaison to vendors and agency personnel regarding routine questions and problems, e.g. proper purchasing procedures, specification requirements, etc.; interviews vendors in absence of supervisor in order to receive product information, explains state purchasing procedures or provides information on commodities purchased by the state; maintains and updates vendor lists; assists in identification and review of product trends; prepares and/or types reports and correspondence; may coordinate preparation and issuance of pre-itemized purchase requisitions; may solicit oral bids; may monitor expiration dates of term contracts and prepare extensions; may revise less complex purchase specifications; performs related duties as required.

STATE AGENCY: Reviews all internal purchase requests for accuracy, completeness and conformance to specifications; determines if requested material is under contract or should be purchased by bid; prepares routine purchase requisitions; reviews bid proposals for accuracy, completeness and compliance with existing specifications and proper purchasing procedures; prepares and processes commitment documents, e.g. purchase orders, lease agreements, rental agreements and personal service contracts by determining required information and procedures; selects vendors and obtains quotes as required; reviews quotes for conformance to specifications and other pre-established criteria; assists in recommending contract awards; serves as liaison to vendors and state Bureau of Business Services; prepares reports and issues correspondence as required; may handle routine vendor problems and/or inquiries; may type and file purchasing related documents; may interview salesmen and vendors in absence of supervisor; may maintain minimum and maximum stock levels, update stock catalog or plan stock purchases; performs related duties as required.

Knowledge of state purchasing procedures and regulations; knowledge of office systems and procedures; some knowledge of purchasing principles and procedures for large organizations; some knowledge of inventory control procedures; interpersonal skills; oral and written communication skills.

Four (4) years of clerical work involving purchasing or procurement.

Two (2) years of the General Experience must have been at a technical or complex clerical level. For state employees this is defined as at the level of Office Assistant or Financial Clerk.

College training may be substituted for the General Experience on the basis of fifteen (15) semester hours equalling six (6) months' experience to a maximum of two (2) years.

Preference will be given to applicants with the following experience/training:

• Proven knowledge of state purchasing procedures and regulations
• Proven knowledge of purchasing principles and procedures for large organizations

Persons having responsibility for supervising or observing the behavior of inmates or custodial clients will be required to possess a high school diploma or General Educational Development (G.E.D.) certification by the time of permanent appointment.

AN AFFIRMATIVE ACTION/EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

The State of Connecticut is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and strongly encourages the applications of women, minorities, and persons with disabilities.