Procurement and Specifications Specialist II

Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation•Honolulu, HI

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation (HART) is the public transit authority responsible for planning and constructing Skyline, Honolulu’s rail transit system. It is the first fully automated, driverless urban light metro system in the United States and represents the largest public infrastructure project in the history of Hawaii. The Procurement and Specifications Specialist II is assigned to HART’s Procurement and Contracts Section as an advanced trainee. In this role, you will apply foundational knowledge of governmental procurement practices to develop specifications, prepare solicitations, and support purchasing activities for commodities, services, concessions, professional services, and construction projects that are generally not highly technical or of great complexity. As you gain experience, you will take on more advanced or difficult assignments with increasing independence while working closely with senior procurement staff.

Requirements

A combination of education and experience substantially equivalent to graduation from an accredited college or university with major work in business or public administration, marketing, economics, or a related field and six months of technical experience in centralized purchasing and standards and specifications development activities.
Basic principles of economics, supply and demand, purchasing, and specifications development; common types of commodities and services and sources of supply; interviewing techniques; research principles, techniques and methods; report writing.
Evaluate the quality and suitability of commodities and services; prepare, review, and revise commodity and service specifications for informal purchases; evaluate market conditions and price trends; establish and maintain good working relationships with vendors, technical consultants, and operating agencies; prepare clear and concise written reports.
Candidates must meet the health and physical condition standards deemed necessary and proper for performance of the duties.
Candidates must be able to reliably commute or relocate to Honolulu by first day of employment.

Responsibilities

Draft specifications for routine, non‑complex procurements and, under closer supervision, assist in drafting specifications for higher‑value or more technical commodities, services, concessions, professional services, and construction.
Prepare bid documents for non-complex, advertised procurements; analyze bid results, recommend awards, and prepare written justifications when needed.
Issue purchase orders to successful bidders and respond to questions or complaints from unsuccessful bidders in a professional and timely manner.
Assist with vendor performance issues by gathering facts when vendors fail to deliver or miss deadlines and recommending appropriate actions, including whether liquidated damages may be waived.
Conduct informal and emergency procurements for certain low‑cost commodities and services, including soliciting quotes by phone and issuing purchase order numbers.
Collaborate with other Procurement and Specifications Specialists to develop specifications and share specialized knowledge for formal advertised bids.
Research and identify potential suppliers, interview vendors to assess reliability and qualifications, and evaluate the quality of goods and services delivered.
Review product catalogs, brochures, and technical publications to stay current on new commodities, services, and purchasing and marketing techniques.
Provide clear information and guidance to HART staff, consultants, vendors, and the public on purchasing procedures, including applicable laws, rules, regulations, and internal policies.
Perform other related duties as assigned.

Benefits

Medical, prescription drug, vision, dental, and life insurance plans
Generous vacation and sick leave, earning up to 21 days per year
13 paid holidays annually (14 days during election year)
Retirement plan contributions through the Employees' Retirement System (ERS)
Deferred compensation options to invest pre-tax income for retirement
Flexible spending accounts for health and dependent care expenses
Pre-tax transportation benefits, including TheBus and vanpool options
Access to confidential counseling services through the Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
Additional perks include training opportunities and employer-funded Holo Card for eligible employees to use on public transit
Eligible for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program, supporting employees dedicated to public service.