Procurement Specialist III

City of Austin•Austin, TX

4d•$72,220 - $90,280•Hybrid

About The Position

Austin Financial Services (AFS) serves residents, vendors, and City departments and acts as a steward of public resources. The Procurement Specialist III works within the Emergency Procurement and Programs Team under limited supervision and within delegated procurement authority, providing procurement services to assigned department customers. The position performs formal and informal source selection and contract formation, contract monitoring and administration, category management, occasional buying, and technical and advisory support. The position maintains contingency contracts and the City’s emergency contract lists so they are ready for use during departmental, local, state, or federal emergency declarations. It monitors Emergency Operations Center resources to support rapid procurement response when activated. The role also supports procurement program activities by helping develop reports, guides, templates, training, and documentation, and collaborates with stakeholders on initiatives to strengthen procurement operations across the organization. The regular schedule is Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Telework may be available after an initial training period; eligible staff must work in the office at least 40% of their scheduled work week. Schedules may change based on business needs. The position is based at Town Lake Center in Austin, Texas, and may involve travel to multiple work locations when necessary.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university and four years of experience in a related field; alternatively, four years of applicable work experience may substitute for the minimum education requirement.
Knowledge of public purchasing practices and techniques; applicable procurement statutes, ordinances, and codes; accounting and budgeting as related to purchasing transactions; contract law, terms, and conditions; and contract category management.
Skill in buying procedures, purchase orders, delivery orders, procurement cards, informal and formal source selection including price competition, contract negotiation and formation, contract management and administration, computer applications, automated purchasing systems, communication, judgment, tact, diplomacy, and relationship-building.
Ability to develop and lead cross-functional teams and resolve contract disputes.
Ability to perform the essential functions of the position with or without reasonable accommodation.
None of the listed licenses or certifications are required.

Nice To Haves

Graduate degree in a related field may substitute for up to two years of required experience.
Experience with public-sector procurement and contract management.
Experience negotiating nonstandard or custom contract provisions for specialized or time-sensitive procurement needs.
Experience communicating complex and time-sensitive information effectively with departments and organizational stakeholders.
Experience gathering, analyzing, and using data to support program process improvements and reporting.
Ability to travel to more than one work location.

Responsibilities

Conduct informal source selections, including Requests for Quotations, and issue purchase orders and single-transaction contracts below the State’s formal threshold.
Participate in cooperative contracts and lead them when authorized.
Conduct formal solicitations above the formal threshold, including Invitations for Bids, Requests for Proposals, and Requests for Qualifications.
Conduct solicitations for Citywide, revenue-generating, and concessions contracts, as well as construction and construction-related professional services.
Monitor delivery orders, purchase orders, and single-transaction contracts; monitor contract compliance for project contracts and term master agreements; and administer assigned contracts.
Provide advisory and technical support to department customers, current and prospective contractors, and members of the public on procurement processes and related topics.
Manage assigned categories of similar or related contracts; maintain product, service, contractual, and market expertise; develop and execute strategic category plans; and report on category-plan performance.
Provide occasional buying services, including procurement-card purchases, delivery orders for noncompetitive releases under existing master agreements, and purchase orders for noncompetitive purchases below the State’s informal threshold.
Maintain contingency contracts and the City’s emergency contract lists for use during emergency declarations.
Monitor Emergency Operations Center resources to support rapid procurement response when the Center is activated.
Assist with developing reports, guides, templates, training, and documentation for procurement programs.
Collaborate with stakeholders and contribute to initiatives that strengthen procurement operations.
May act in a lead role on assigned projects or programs.