Purchasing Specialist II

Northern Wasco County PUD is seeking an experienced Purchasing Specialist II to join our Purchasing team. This full-time, exempt position offers a Monday-Thursday, 4/10 work schedule.

This hybrid eligible position requires a minimum of two in-office days a week, with additional on-site presence as necessary. 

Under the direction of the Purchasing Manager, the Purchasing Specialist II is responsible for supporting the District's procurement and contracting activities while ensuring compliance with District purchasing policies, administrative regulations, and applicable procurement requirements. The position reviews and prioritizes purchasing requests, conducts intermediate solicitations, creates purchase orders, maintains procurement records, and provides guidance to District staff on purchasing procedures.

SUMMARY OF BENEFITS: We are proud to offer a comprehensive and very competitive benefits package including but not limited to:

• Generous PTO Accruals
• 11 Paid Holidays
• 100% employer paid premium for Medical/Rx/Dental for individual and/or family coverage
• 100% employer paid premium for vision coverage for individual and/or family coverage
• 100% employer paid Basic Life Insurance 2X annual salary
• 401(k) 7.5% base + 7.5% match = 15% total possible employer contribution
• 457(b) 
• 100% employer paid Short Term Disability and Long Term Disability
• HRA VEBA employee funded
• Wellness Incentive to HRA VEBA employer funded
• 100% Paid Business Travel Insurance
• Voluntary benefits

GENERAL ACCOUNTABILITIES AND ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Ensure policies and procedures are followed throughout the procurement process.
• Reviews purchasing requests and creates purchase orders (POs).
• Collaborates cross-departmentally on upcoming purchase needs, timeframes and requirements. Considers external and internal influences which may affect the timely purchasing of goods and/or services.
• Drafts contracts, requests for proposals (RFPs) and other solicitation documents. Coordinates with Purchasing Manager and legal counsel, if necessary to ensure appropriate terms and conditions and other legal clauses for individual contracts are appropriate. Coordinates and reviews scopes of work and project requirements.
• Works collaboratively with all departments and vendors on contract changes resolving concerns and ensuring contracts are adequately funded.
• Determines compliance for special procurements and other exempt purchases in accordance with applicable policies and procedures.

• Prepares and presents reports for management on procurement data. Researches and identifies procurement trends, issues and practices and timely information the purchasing manager.
  

• Provides training and support to departments on purchasing practices and procedures and use of the PUD’s electronic procurement system.
• Assists with reviewing open purchases orders to determine if they should be closed out.
• Supports the projects managers and the process with risk management guidance, recommendations and negotiation.
• Demonstrates cultural competency through respectful, inclusive work habits and through the valuing and welcoming of cultural differences in all position responsibilities.
• Supports the District’s mission to serve our customers and foster a safe and positive work environment by personally exhibiting behavior that aligns with the District’s Core Values & Beliefs.
• Must perform the duties of this position in a safe and efficient manner and follow all safety regulations and protocols.
• Other duties as assigned.

Secondary Functions:

• Participate in cross-departmental process improvement initiatives.
• All PUD employees are expected to work outside of normal business hours when required during emergency restoration activities and to accomplish other special projects.

Skills/Knowledge/Abilities:
PLEASE NOTE: This position requires the use of various tools/equipment that are related to performing the essential functions of this job.

• Knowledge of public sector procurement principles and practices, competitive bidding requirements and exceptions including alternative contracting methodologies.
• Ability to interpret and apply public sector procurement law and regulations.
• Knowledge of applicable Federal, State, and local laws, rules, regulations, codes, and statutes.
• Working knowledge of principles and procedures associated with public procurement records and retention.
• Working knowledge of governmental accounting practices and processes, including but not limited to procurement requirements related to Federal and State funds and grants.
• Knowledge and ability to identify and prepare various types of purchase orders. Apply proper coding of items being purchased and include additional and specific terms and conditions for specific orders.
• Ability to determine if purchase is a capital or operating & maintenance expenditure that is budgeted.
• Understanding of principles and practices of effective negotiation.
• Knowledge of Internet research techniques and methods to use on-line bidding and procurement systems.
• Create expenditure models to identify purchasing trends.
• Understand and follow policies and procedures related to purchasing materials, supplies, equipment, and services.
• Working knowledge of computer applications related to work, including automated purchasing systems, word processing and spreadsheet software.
• Ability to provide a high level of customer service to public and District staff, in person and over the telephone.
• Ability to teach and explain policies, procedures, and practices of purchasing processes to all staff with varying levels of purchasing experience.
• Possess technical writing and proofreading skills, including the ability to draft contract language.
• Possess critical thinking and analytical skills using logic and reason to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions and approaches to problems.
• Reviews pending issues and related information/documentation to evaluate options and implement solutions.
• Ability to establish and effectively demonstrate productive time management of own workload amongst competing priorities.
• Ability to use tact, initiative, prudence, and independent judgment.
• Possess strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Possess interpersonal skills and attention to detail.
• Understands the importance and possess the ability to establish, maintain, and foster positive and harmonious working relationships with internal and external customers in the course of work.
• Emergency restoration activities and to accomplish other special projects. 
  
  

Supervisory and/or Functional or Technical Responsibility or Oversight:

• No supervisory responsibilities.
• Provides training and advises departments and staff at all levels on purchasing protocols and policies.
• Serves as the District’s purchasing and procurement subject matter expert.

QUALIFICATIONS: Recommended Education, Training & Experience (includes licenses or certifications): Other combinations of education and/or experience demonstrating the knowledge, skills, and abilities required to do the work will also be considered.

Education/Experience:

• Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Supply Chain Management, Public Administration, Accounting, Public Policy, or a closely related field; or 
• Associate degree (A.A. or A.S.) in a related field and a minimum of three (3) years of progressively responsible purchasing, procurement, contract administration, or related experience; or
• High school diploma or GED and a minimum of five (5) years of progressively responsible purchasing, procurement, contract administration, or related experience.
• A minimum of three (3) years of purchasing, procurement, contract administration, or related experience is preferred, ideally within a public agency, utility, or other public-sector organization.
• Knowledge of State law as related to procurement compliance responsibilities.
• Certified Professional Public Buyer (CPPB), Certified Public Procurement Officer (CPPO), or other certifications related to procurement preferred.

Job Scope: 

• Works on non-routine assignments that are moderate in nature where considerable judgment, analysis, and initiative are required in resolving problems and making recommendations.
• Job duties are moderately varied. Order, priority, and work methods may be selected and adapted. Interprets policies, procedures, and guidelines.
• Tasks and information related to this position are of a confidential and/or sensitive nature requiring strict confidentiality and professional conduct.
• Works on assignments that are semi-routine in nature where the ability to recognize deviation from the standard practice and basic analysis is required.
• Exercises initiative to accomplish assignments, asking questions on most complex issues, and assisting in providing solutions as a subject matter expert.

Mental or Visual Demand:

Concentrated mental and/or visual attention; the work involves performing complex tasks to very close accuracy and quality specifications; or a high degree of hand and eye coordination for sustained periods.

Working Conditions:

The job is typically performed under very comfortable working conditions; any disagreeable elements are generally absent during normal performance of job.

Physical Requirements: Physical demands are that typically needed for an office environment such as sitting, standing, walking/ability to be mobile, keyboarding. 

This organization believes that each employee makes a significant contribution to our success.  That contribution should not be limited by the assigned responsibilities.  Therefore, this job description is designed to outline primary duties, qualifications, and job scope, but not to limit the incumbent nor the organization to just the work identified.  It is our expectation that each employee will offer their services wherever and whenever necessary to ensure the success of our endeavors. Northern Wasco County PUD reserves the right to revise or change job duties and responsibilities. This job description does not constitute a written or implied contract of employment.

***Northern Wasco County PUD is an Equal Opportunity Employer