Job Description:

The Assistant Procurement Officer will handle supervisory work, while assisting the Procurement Officer in the operational activities of the purchasing and contract administration of the agency.   

The Assistant Procurement Officer is responsible for assisting with coordinating the daily operation of the procurement/contract department.  Work requires an employee to have considerable knowledge in a variety of professional areas such as contract administration and principles in procurement.  This position has partial technical responsibility resulting in moderate controls being placed on the employee.   Guidelines are available to the employee in the form of HOC's purchasing policies, county laws and opinions from HOC's legal counsel, but there will be opportunities for the employee to modify or recommend changes.  The complexity of the position mainly deals with being able to obtain all items for purchase in a timely fashion at the lowest possible rate.  It is a process requiring a lot of research and assessment of various bids or completing cost analyses which impacts the entire agency due to the purchasing/contract function being centralized in this department.

Primary contacts are with staff throughout the agency, senior staff, outside agencies both public and private (i.e. vendors and HUD) for the purpose of negotiating for prices, resolving matters with contracts or services and provide information to outside vendors on the purchasing process at HOC.  

Work is generally performed in an office environment with no apparent hazards to the employee.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES:

• Ensure that solicitations (Requests for Proposals or Invitations for Bids) are issued appropriately, on a timely basis, and that offers (Proposals or Bids) are evaluated promptly and properly in accordance with applicable laws and administrative procedures.
• Determine appropriate methods of procurement in conformance with applicable laws, ordinances and administrative procedures.
• Perform complex procurement and contracting duties.
• Provide supervision for assigned staff.
• Review, approve and sign purchase orders, change orders, renewals and new contract awards up to the assigned approval level.
• Confer with departments/agencies and vendors to ensure compliance with contractual requirements.
• Prepare procurement activity reports and other reports as assigned.
• Assist with the preparation of the annual budget for the department.
• Resolve operational problems or complaints from within and outside of HOC.
• Assist departments with identifying suppliers, obtaining specifications and writing bid and proposal documents.
• Provide training on policy, procedures, and automated procurement functions (Yardi) and instruction to users of the electronic purchasing system.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Experience: Three years of experience in the field of procurement and contract administration with at least one year of supervisory experience.

Education: Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration or related degree. Certification by NIGP or other nationally recognized organization (CPPB or CPPO) preferred or equivalent experience.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Considerable knowledge of public procurement processes, Code of Federal Regulations, FAR, HUD regulations, methods, and techniques.
• Considerable knowledge of, or ability to acquire knowledge of, HOC procurement policies, administrative procedures governing the procurement/contract department.
• Ability to supervise employees.
• Ability to plan and coordinate the procurement program.
• Ability to deal tactfully and equitably with people.
• Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.

Preferred Skills:

Low-income residents in Montgomery County with the above qualifications are encouraged to apply.

HOC is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace. All
qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, race,
color, age, national origin, religion, disability, genetic information, marital status, sexual
orientation, gender identity, gender reassignment, citizenship, immigration status, protected
veteran status, or any other basis prohibited under applicable federal, state or local law. HOC
promotes a drug-free workplace.

HOC conducts criminal background checks, employment reference checks, and where
applicable, reviews driving records in determining suitability for employment. Selected
applicants will be required to submit to pre-employment drug and alcohol screening.
Employment is contingent upon drug and alcohol test results.