Procurement Specialist

The primary responsibilities are to procure a high quantity of goods and services up to $200,000 for equipment, services, supplies and information technology items. The procurement methods utilized for purchasing activities are either sole source, competitive or negotiated awards. This is done through direct bid solicitations; credit card purchases or processing sole source procurement requests. Incumbent will evaluate, negotiate and award contracts according to State Procurement laws, procedures and regulations and maintain contracts ensuring compliance with the terms and conditions; conduct Invitation for Bids (IFB) and Request for Proposals (RFP) solicitations and issues contracts after awards; provide guidance and support to agency personnel as required; coordinate activities involving procuring commodities and services for divisions in accordance with required State procurement guidelines. Other duties include processing requisitions in the Advanced Purchasing and Inventory System (ADPICS) of the State's Financial Management Information System (FMIS) and updating vendor information in FMIS; monitoring and processing assigned statewide commodity/service contracts; and performing departmental administrative tasks.

Candidates must possess excellent interpersonal, written and oral communication skills; knowledge of government procurement laws, regulations, and policies. Experience with the ADPICS portion of FMIS; ability to review procurement contracts for compliance; handle multiple, concurrent and high priority tasks in a timely manner; experience with conducting pre-proposal conferences; and must be detailed oriented. Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, Google Mail and/or other relevant software is required..

Experience: Six years of experience, two years of experience in contract management or procurement involving duties such as: soliciting, evaluating, negotiating and awarding contracts and ensuring compliance with governmental procurement laws, regulations and conditions and an additional four years of professional contract management experience or professional procurement experience.

Notes:

1) Candidates may substitute certification as a Certified Public Manager from the National Association of Purchasing Management; Certified Professional Contracts Manager from the National Contract Management Association; Certified Public Purchasing Officer or Certified Professional Public Buyer from the Universal Public Purchasing Certification Council (National Institute of Governmental Purchasing, Inc. or National Association of State Purchasing Officers) for the additional four years of the required experience. 

2) Candidates may substitute the possession of a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university and two years of experience of experience in contract management or procurement involving duties such as: soliciting, evaluating, negotiating and awarding contracts and ensuring compliance with governmental procurement laws, regulations and conditions for the required experience. 

3) Candidates may substitute additional graduate education at an accredited college or university, at the rate of thirty credit hours for the required experience. 

4) Candidates may substitute U.S. Armed Forces military service experience as a commissioned officer in Contracting, Industrial Management or logistics specialist classifications or administrative support specialty codes in the procurement or financial management fields of work on a year-for-year basis for the required experience.

Preference will be given to applicants who possess the following preferred qualification(s). Include clear and specific information on your application regarding your qualifications.

1) Experience with the ADPICS portion of FMIS.

2) Knowledge of and experience in state government procurement laws, regulations, and policies.

3) Ability to conduct pre-proposal conferences.

4) Experience in reviewing procurement contracts for compliance with State laws and regulations.

Contractual employees who work for an agency covered under the State Employee and Retiree Health and Welfare Benefits Program, have a current employment contract and work 30 or more hours a week (or on average 130 hours per month) may be eligible for subsidized health benefits coverage for themselves and their dependents. As a contractual employee, you will be responsible for paying 25% of the premiums for your medical and prescription coverage, including any eligible dependents you have enrolled. The State of Maryland will subsidize the remaining 75% of the cost for these benefits. You can also elect to enroll in dental coverage, accidental death and dismemberment insurance, and life insurance, but will be responsible to pay the full premium for these benefits.

Leave may be granted to a contractual employee at a rate of one hour for every 30 hours worked, not to exceed 40 hours per calendar year.