Deputy Purchasing Agent

This is a examination is being given to fill one (1) vacancy, Part-Time, in the Purchasing and Support Services.

Deputy Purchasing Agent is the journey-level class in the professional purchasing series.  An employee in this class is responsible for performing a wide range of volume purchasing functions such as review of requisitions, preparation of bid and proposal invitations, communication with vendor representatives, and development of County operating orders. 

Department:           Purchasing and Support Services

Location:                Administration Building, 44 North San Joaquin Street, Fifth Floor, Suite 540, Stockton, CA 95202          

Website:                 Purchasing and Support Services 

Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of an application. A completed application must be postmarked or received online by the final filing deadline.  

NOTE: All correspondences relating to this recruitment will be delivered via e-mail. The e-mail account used will be the one provided on your employment application during time of submittal. Please be sure to check your e-mail often for updates. If you do not have an e-mail account on file, Human Resources will send you correspondences via US Mail.

• Receives, reviews and analyzes requisitions from County departments for the purchase of supplies, materials, equipment and services; confers with department customers regarding their procurement needs and whether the items specified are best suited to meet those needs; determines the most appropriate and economical procurement method for the purchase of items and/or services.  

• Prepares purchase orders to selected vendors; checks purchase orders for accuracy and compliance with specifications when completed; confers with department representative on possible alternate items; approves and signs purchase orders.

• Prepares drafts of requests for bid, requests for proposals, and other types of bid invitations, and coordinates all related activities with the requesting department; coordinates the solicitation of bids/proposals; conducts pre-bid, proposal, and other technical support meetings; participates on evaluation panels for selection of contractors; consults as needed with the County Purchasing Agent, County Counsel, department heads, members of the Board of Supervisors, and others regarding the more complex or sensitive purchases.

• Analyzes bids and proposals and ensures compliance with standards and requirements; writes contracts and other purchasing documents; obtains required support documents and submits for approval.

• Confers with representatives of manufacturing and commercial firms regarding suitability, availability and prices of commodities; negotiates cost, scope and purchasing standards; provides technical support and advice to contractors regarding San Joaquin County purchasing procedures.

• Conducts surveys; compiles statistics on annual consumption of certain products; prepares reports; maintains files and records.

• Researches, analyzes, interprets and explains federal, state and local laws, regulations and policies and their impact on assigned functions; recommends process adjustments to management when needed. 

• Assists in the development and establishment of office procedures and forms.

• Provides training to departmental employees regarding the purchasing process; may assist in training less experienced workers in the Purchasing department; may supervise clerical or technical purchasing support staff; may act for a superior in his/her absence.

The principles, practices, and techniques used in the volume purchasing of a wide variety of commodities; the various grades and qualities of commodities commonly purchased, their source of supply, and price trends; methods employed in the preparation of specifications, analysis of bids, and related purchasing research; accounting; business law; excise and sales tax laws as they apply to the purchasing of commodities; business office practices and procedures.

Applicants for part-time and temporary recruitments who meet the minimum qualifications are either referred to the hiring department for further selection or they may be required to take a written examination.  If a written examination is given, the top candidates may be referred to the hiring department for further selection.

Testing Accommodation:  Candidates who require testing accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) must call Human Resources Division at (209) 468-3370 prior to the examination date. 

Physical Exam:  Some classifications require physical examinations.  Final appointment cannot be made until the eligible has passed the physical examination.  The County pays for physical examinations administered in its medical facilities.

Pre-employment Drug Screening Exam:  Some classifications require a new employee successfully pass a pre-employment drug screen as a condition of employment.  Final appointment cannot be made until the eligible has passed the drug screen.  The County pays for the initial drug screen.

Employment of Relatives: Applicants who are relatives of employees in a department within the 3rd degree of relationship, (parent, child, grandparent, grandchild or sibling) either by blood or marriage, may not be appointed, promoted, transferred into or within the department when:

• They are related to the Appointing Authority, or

• The employment would result in one of them supervising the work of the other

Department Heads may establish additional limitations on the hiring of relatives by departmental rule.

Proof of Eligibility:  If you are offered a job, you will be required to provide proof of U.S. citizenship or other documents that establish your eligibility to be employed in the U.S.

Apply Online:       

www.sjgov.org/department/hr

By mail or in person:  

San Joaquin County Human Resources

44 N. San Joaquin Street Suite 330

Stockton, Ca 95202                                  

Office hours:               
Monday – Friday 8:00 am to 5:00 pm; excluding holidays.

Phone:  (209) 468-3370 

Job Line:

For current employment opportunities please call our 24-hour job line at (209) 468-3377. 

When a final filing date is indicated, applications must be filed with the Human Resources Division before 5:00 p.m. or postmarked by the final filing date. Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of an application. Applications sent through county inter-office mail, which are not received by the final filing date, will not be accepted. (The County assumes no responsibility for mailed applications which are not received by the Human Resources Division).  

San Joaquin County Substance Abuse Policy: San Joaquin County has adopted a Substance Abuse Policy in compliance with the Federal Drug Free Workplace Act of 1988. This policy is enforced by all San Joaquin County Departments and applies to all San Joaquin County employees.

Equal Opportunity Employer:  San Joaquin County is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Employer and is committed to providing equal employment to all without regard to age, ancestry, color, creed, marital status, medical condition, national origin, physical or mental disability, political affiliation or belief, pregnancy, race, religion, sex, or sexual orientation.  For more information go to www.sjgov.org/department/hr/eeo.