Procurement Contract Specialist

County of Orange • Santa Ana, CA

15h • Onsite

About The Position

The Procurement Contract Specialist will be responsible for processing highly complex solicitations and contracts for various types of commodities and service contracts including those for professional services, human services, architect-engineer, and construction services. Within their role, the Procurement Contract Specialist must be able to interpret and follow applicable laws, statutes, and County policies for conducting solicitations, negotiating contracts, administering contracts, and obtaining the appropriate levels of approval from County Counsel, Risk Management, and the Orange County Board of Supervisors. This role contributes to the County’s broader mission of ensuring transparent, ethical, and value-driven procurement practices. The Procurement Contract Specialist serves as a strategic partner to departments, helping deliver efficient, compliant, and customer-focused contracting solutions that advance the County’s operational goals.

Requirements

• Possession of a California Class C Driver License is Required.
• Deputized as a Deputy Purchasing Agent within twelve months of employment.
• Certain assignments or departments may require a more extensive background investigation as a condition of employment.
• Candidates must successfully clear this process to the satisfaction of the hiring agency prior to their start date.
• All employment offers for these positions are contingent upon the successful completion of the required background investigation.
• Foreign degrees require an evaluation of U.S. equivalency by an agency that is a member of the National Association of Credential Services (N.A.C.E.S.).

Nice To Haves

• Two (2) years or more of knowledge and direct experience in public or private contract and/or procurement policies and practices.
• Extensive experience and knowledge in the following core competencies: Technical Knowledge | Technical Skills Knowledge of the procurement process, establishment of contracts, effective negotiation methods, and contract management and oversight.
• Determining the appropriate methods of solicitations and contract type based on the various customer/stakeholder needs.
• Conducting complex solicitations, negotiating contracts, contract administration, and obtaining the appropriate levels of approval.
• Understanding of ethics, principles, and practices of professional procurement and government contracting interpreting multiple policies and making appropriate recommendations in adherence to relevant procurement or contract policies.
• Providing training and guidance to entry level procurement/contracts staff.
• Leveraging procurement technologies, data, and reporting tools to support informed and timely decision-making.
• Demonstrating commitment to continuous improvement, process streamlining, and innovation aligned with County procurement standards.
• Interpersonal Skills Utilizing tact, diplomacy, and confidentiality in dealing with difficult and sensitive situations.
• Working effectively as part of a team to tackle and resolve issues; providing creative solutions to problems that achieve program and project objectives.
• Building effective, positive working relationships with internal and external stakeholders, County elected officials, and staff while fostering partnerships that promote Countywide procurement consistency, best practices, and the successful achievement of departmental goals.
• Adhering to high ethical standards in all interactions with relevant parties.
• Analytical Skills | Problem Solving Integrating new ideas and contemporary approaches into problem-solving, data gathering, analyzing, and applying information skillfully.
• Identifying, evaluating, and resolving issues as they arise, using decision-making abilities and technical expertise.
• Developing solutions, proposing solutions, achieving measurable results, and implementing best business practices.
• Researching complaints and addressing with vendors, agencies and/or internal customers diplomatically.
• Verbal Communication | Written Communication Demonstrating excellent written communication skills for gathering, evaluating, and preparing well-organized reports, correspondences, and other written documents using proper English grammar, spelling, and punctuation.
• Demonstrating excellent oral communication skills to interact, communicate, and function under stressful situations.
• Utilizing various management information systems and automation tools to maintain and access information and electronic communications via desktop computer systems and computer networks.
• Communicating effectively with various levels of the organization, including staff, supervisors, and upper-level management.

Responsibilities

• Reviewing procurement requisitions/expediters for accuracy and determining Contract Type, Solicitation Method and payment method
• Analyzing technical and complex contract specifications and scopes of work and assisting department requesters with refinement of these documents
• Developing solicitation documents including Requests for Proposals (RFP), Invitation for Bids (IFB), and Statement of Qualifications (RFQ), and administering a paper or fully electronic solicitation process which includes but is not limited to, conducting pre-bid/pre-proposal conferences, reviewing IFB/RFP responses, facilitating RFP evaluation process, preparing bid recaps/scoresheets
• Negotiating contract terms with vendors, County Counsel and Risk Management
• Working with County Counsel and Risk Management to obtain review and approve contract language and non-standard terms and conditions
• Reviewing, refining and approving Sole Source request forms
• Providing pertinent procurement information for ASR when Board approval is required
• Mediating disputes/performance issues with contractor and department
• Developing contract amendments

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed