Procurement Specialist

Community Transit • Everett, WA

9d • $82,304 - $123,456 • Hybrid

About The Position

As a Procurement & SBE/DBE Specialist, this position works under Management and with project teams to procure, establish, and administer contracts for commodities, professional services, information technology, construction, capital equipment, rolling stock, vehicle parts, and supplies. The role promotes and manages Small Business Enterprise (SBE) and Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) programs, vendor outreach, and compliance, and provides procurement advice to agency managers and staff.

The specialist plans and manages public procurements and contracts, advises assigned business areas, leads procurement project teams, and supports agency-wide procurement programs. The position also promotes SBE/DBE participation through vendor and agency education, workshops, liaison work, and program compliance activities. It supports audits and public disclosure requirements for procurement records.

Work is performed in an office environment using office equipment and technology. Hybrid telework may be available at management discretion and may not be available for this position. The work may require movement within and between office buildings, completion of tasks in noisy environments, and occasional lifting and carrying of materials weighing up to 10 pounds.

Requirements

• At least 2 years of experience procuring goods and services.
• At least 2 years of experience in contract negotiations and/or administration.
• At least 1 year of experience facilitating teams and working with committees.
• An equivalent combination of education and experience that enables successful performance of the job duties is accepted.
• Knowledge of procurement and contract laws.
• Knowledge of procurement and project management planning techniques and risk assessments.
• Knowledge of general finance, business ethics, policies, and practices.
• Knowledge of contract negotiation, management, and administration.
• Knowledge of procurement techniques for capital equipment, professional services, technology, and construction.
• Ability to foster an inclusive workplace consistent with Community Transit’s core values, inspire team commitment and trust, promote cooperation, and demonstrate courtesy, sensitivity, and respect.
• Ability to think critically, identify strengths and weaknesses, and consider alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
• Ability to identify and meet internal customer needs and provide excellent customer service, including researching, compiling, and interpreting information and making recommendations.
• Ability to train and instruct adult learners and professionals by interpreting policies and procedures and explaining or resolving questions about them.
• Ability to manage multiple tasks and adjust effectively to changing priorities.
• Ability to facilitate groups of diverse internal and external stakeholders and use emotional intelligence to navigate complex group dynamics.
• Professional experience using PC-based software, such as MS Office, email, financial software/ERP, and scheduling applications.
• Basic project management skills.
• Ability to independently prepare solicitation documents, scopes of work, correspondence, and memoranda.

Nice To Haves

• Degree in business administration, procurement, purchasing, supply chain, public administration, economics, or a related field.
• Professional certification in contracting, procurement, supply chain management, and/or project management.
• Experience with the Federal Transit Administration, transit industry, public procurement, or the public sector.
• Experience with PeopleSoft Financials or another ERP and supply chain management system.
• Knowledge of public procurement planning techniques, risk assessments, and best practices, as well as general finance and business ethics, policy, and practices.
• Knowledge of SBE/DBE policy, programs, and compliance.

Responsibilities

• Craft and manage public procurements, including Quotes, RFIs, RFPs, RFQs, and ITBs; write and collaborate on specifications; facilitate public conferences and bid openings; create addenda; promote competition; and improve the vendor database.
• Determine responsiveness and responsibility; manage and lead evaluations and interviews; perform cost and price analyses; plan and conduct negotiations; and carry out contract awards, administration, and closeout.
• Create legal documents and consult with Management before referring documents to legal counsel for review when needed; research unusual or hard-to-find goods and services; and maintain documentation.
• Advise assigned areas on procurement processes and alternative public works methods, including intents and affidavits, bonds, retainage, and milestones; provide advice on risk evaluation, life-cycle analysis, cost estimation, price analysis, market research, best value, protests, and planning.
• Support development of project budget proposal requests and the Transit Development Plan.
• Lead project teams and develop and manage procurement project plans and schedules; research and apply contract law and federal, state, and local procurement laws and regulations; ensure procurement program compliance; resolve procurement and contract problems; and maintain confidentiality during procurement.
• Represent the agency at interagency and inter-jurisdictional groups, committees, and forums, and present procurement-related information to community groups and the public.
• Work with vendors to reduce costs, errors, and inefficiencies; conduct vendor debriefings; resolve questions about contract terms and scope; investigate contract breaches; and recommend actions such as cure or termination.
• Manage procurement projects and act as project manager for, or provide support to, agency-wide procurement programs; advise and make recommendations on procurement issues, policies, and procedures.
• Promote SBE/DBE participation and development by educating and training vendors and agency management about contracting, doing business with Community Transit, state certification, and contracting opportunities; encourage SBE/DBE participation in procurements; and facilitate workshops and events.
• Liaise with other agencies to establish procurement partnerships for contracting and SBE/DBE programs; perform SBE/DBE policy activities such as CUF reviews, shortfall analysis, DBE triennial goal setting, semi-annual Uniform Reports, and Prompt Payment.
• Support or complete audit and regulatory compliance tasks for procurement records, including public disclosure requests, and collaborate with auditors on annual and triennial audits.
• Perform other duties of a similar nature or level.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, vision, basic life, and disability insurance coverage for employees and their families.
• Participation in the Public Employees Retirement System (PERS).
• Option to enroll in the agency’s deferred compensation plan.
• Washington Paid Sick Leave.
• Accrual of 24 days (192 hours) of paid time off in the first year.
• Ten paid holidays throughout the calendar year.

What This Job Offers

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