Senior Contracting Officer (Procurement & Contract Specialist 3)

State of Oregon • Salem, OR

9d • $71,856 - $110,292 • Hybrid

About The Position

The Oregon Department of Justice is currently seeking to hire a highly organized and detail-oriented individual as a Senior Contracting Officer (Procurement & Contract Specialist 3 (PSR3) with a deep and broad knowledge and understanding of local, state and federal government procurement systems to join the Administrative Services Division, Operations Section. Our PCS3 will serve as the Senior Contracting Officer to the procurement unit in the ASD division. Not only will this role review requests and prepare the appropriate procurement methods and document(s) in accordance with applicable federal and state laws, but it will also interpret federal and state statutes, Oregon Administrative Rules, guidelines, and requirements, and provide advice and direction to all levels of agency staff for entering into various contracts and agreements with public entities and private businesses or individuals, and serve as a mentor the other Procurement & Contract Specialists on the team.
The Operations Section where this role will be located provides support to the agency for its purchasing and contracts of goods and services, facilities management, publications support, supply/property services, and mail services. DOJ, its divisions, sections, and units pride themselves in creating workplaces that are diverse, equitable, and inclusive. We are also an agency that supports remote work and hybrid work arrangements. As the Senior Contracting Officer, there is an expectation to work in office, however, the individual that is hired into this position will have the opportunity to be able to work from home each week. Autonomy is supported while also being offered opportunities to work in dedicated teams or partnerships across the agency. Our agency supports a healthy work/life balance and shows genuine care and respect for team members, their families, as well as their external partners. We harness a continuous desire for learning and encourage each employee to optimize their creativity, and growth in their professional and personal life.

Requirements

• Five years procurement and contract experience related to the position such as developing and administering standard contracts, agreements, or solicitations.
• A bachelor’s degree and two years of professional-level procurement and contract experience related to the position.
• Any combination of experience and education equivalent to five years of procurement and contract experience related to the position.
• This position is required to acquire and maintain the DAS Oregon Procurement Intermediate Certification (OPIC) and be required to continue further certification and training with the State Procurement programs as required by the statewide procurement training policy and DOJ. If OPIC has not been acquired, the position must start to obtain this certification within 12 months of hire date.
• The position is required to also have the Oregon Procurement Basic Certification within six months of starting the position.

Nice To Haves

• Experience with planning, negotiating, procuring, administering and closing a procurement lifecycle.
• Strong knowledge and application of public procurement principles, ethics, laws, rules, policies, regulations, and guidelines, for local, state, and federal, strong knowledge and understanding of Oregon procurement rules is desired.
• Experience meeting and conferring with management, customers/end-users, and contract providers to resolve problems and coordinate services.
• Experience ensuring accuracy in statements, spreadsheets, invoices, purchase orders, quotes, etc.
• Experience and knowledge of using OregonBuys, or a similar e-procurement system.
• Experience in document management systems, MS Suite softwares, and Smartsheet.
• Ability to communicate at all levels of the organization effectively and professionally, and with stakeholders outside the organization.
• Experience collaborating, troubleshooting, and finding solutions to operational needs in a team environment.
• Experience delivering guidance to staff, management, customers, or the public.
• Having emotional intelligence and the ability to be creative, accepting diverse perspectives and at the same time effectively negotiating to create a win-win situation.
• Being sensitive and knowledgeable about where taxpayer’s money is going on state procurement and upholding the citizen’s trust.
• Ability to plan and perform assignments with minimal supervision.
• A positive attitude and ability to thrive in a customer-centric environment is a MUST have!

Responsibilities

• Provides input to the DPO and other Program personnel in planning, coordinating, contracting, and procurement.
• Procures goods and services within agency policy and statutory authority utilizing Request For Proposals (Competitive Sealed Proposals), Requests for Information, Requests For Quotes, Invitations to Bid, Intergovernmental Agreements, and Interagency Agreements.
• Develops contracts by translating agency need requests & requirements into written contracts, bid terms and conditions.
• Documents changes in requirements during the contracting process and prepares addenda to bids.
• Assures procurement and contracting processes comply with legal and statutory requirements.
• Evaluates bids or proposals for compliance with requirements, organizes and leads bid evaluation sessions with customers and tabulates and interprets results and makes contract awards.
• Negotiate or assist with negotiation of contract and agreements for costs and services and carry out the life cycle of contract management.
• Develop contracts that contain a variety of different and complex elements including terms and conditions specific to the Department of Justice with multiple funding sources (GF, OF, and FF; grant funds, etc.). These requirements can include legislative, federal program, or grant specific requirements.
• Collaborates with other state agencies to develop interagency agreements and procurement contracts. Negotiate, draft, and maintain agreements for data exchanges.
• Negotiates and drafts/reviews agreements with state agencies for fee for services.
• Drafts cooperative agreements with counties and District Attorneys.
• Exercises delegation of authority/sub-delegation from DAS Procurement Services and DOJ DPO to conduct solicitation, award a contract, execute a contract, amend the contact, and conduct contract administration activities.
• Interprets funding guidelines, regulations, and policies, and proper oversight responsibility; incorporate into the development of agreements.
• Conducts frequent phone, virtual, in-person, or written communications with Assistant Attorneys General to seek advice and consult for legal review or legal sufficiency sign-off as required by policy, procedure, or law.
• Makes recommendations to management on changes to agency directives and/or procedures as needed.
• Assists agency staff with translating program requirements into contract terms and bid specifications.
• Provide input to Operations team and provide technical expertise to agency staff regarding planning, contracting, and procurement.
• Develop and maintain a database for tracking all agency contracts, agreements, their amendments, and status. Generate reports on contracts for management and provide information to respond to public records requests.
• Consult with Department of Administrative Services and Department of Justice on compliance and legal issues arising from purchasing and contract activities.
• Provide advice and training to DOJ Management and staff on laws and procedures related to all aspects of public purchasing and contracting.
• Research, identify, develop, and prepare internal procedures in order to coordinate with federal and state statutory requirements.
• Attend and participate in external stakeholder meetings, multi-agency committees, and procurement forums.
• Other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Vacation, sick leave, 11 paid holidays a year, and special days off.
• Excellent medical, dental, and vision benefits.
• Pension and retirement programs.
• Advancement opportunity.
• Endless peer and management support, and representation by the Service Employees International Union (SEIU).

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior