PROCUREMENT ASSISTANT II / Emergency Appointment Fire

County of Los Angeles•Los Angeles, CA

About The Position

The Los Angeles County Department of Public Works is hiring Procurement Assistant II staff to support the County’s response to windstorms and wildfires, including the Palisades and Eaton Fires. Under the emergency order, qualified applicants may be hired for an initial period of up to 90 days, with the possibility of permanent County employment. During this initial period, the appointing department will assess work performance; candidates who pass may be considered for permanent appointment. The role supports departmental purchasing operations and compliance. It involves analyzing purchasing policies and workflows, helping staff resolve purchasing and LACES system issues, preparing procurement reports, reviewing requests and agreements, supporting LACES operations and training, and assisting users with vendor and supply needs. The position also represents Public Works in vendor outreach and prepares purchasing analyses and recommendations for management.

Requirements

One year of procurement experience at the level of Procurement Assistant I.
A valid California Class C Driver License or the ability to use an alternative method of transportation when needed to carry out job-related essential functions.

Responsibilities

Analyze departmental purchasing policies, procedures, and operations; identify issues and recommend improvements to increase efficiency and ensure compliance with County purchasing regulations.
Lead the Procurement Help Desk, independently research and resolve purchasing issues, troubleshoot LACES errors, and provide technical assistance and guidance to departmental staff and management.
Develop and analyze procurement reports using LACES, Cognos, and other programs, including reports on buyer productivity, vendor rotation, purchasing trends, consumption studies, small business participation, and audits.
Review and evaluate purchasing requests, Master Agreements, procurement specifications, and purchasing procedures for compliance; identify discrepancies and recommend corrective actions.
Evaluate purchasing processes and workflows and recommend solutions to improve efficiency and processing timelines.
Support the implementation and ongoing operation of LACES by identifying and documenting system issues and recommending functionality improvements.
Develop training materials and provide ongoing LACES training to departmental employees, supervisors, and managers on data entry, receiving, approval functions, and purchasing procedures.
Research potential vendors, coordinate vendor outreach, obtain pricing and delivery information, and help departmental users locate materials, equipment, and services, including discontinued or short-supply items.
Represent Public Works as a vendor liaison at outreach events and explain County purchasing procedures, vendor requirements, and opportunities to do business with Public Works.
Prepare purchasing summaries, analytical reports, and recommendations to support procurement planning, operational improvements, and compliance reviews.