Hamilton County Schools, located in Chattanooga, TN, is working to ensure that all students thrive and experience a future without limits. We are committed to excellence for every student and are seeking outstanding leaders, teachers, support staff, and district employees who desire to make a difference in the lives of students. With nearly 75 schools, we are confident that you can find your place in Hamilton County. 

Learn more about working for Hamilton County Schools at careers.hcde.org and get to know us and our strategic plan, Opportunity 2030.

The purpose of this job is to act as the backup to the Purchasing Agent and assists the Purchasing Agent in processing routine information and documentation pertaining to all purchasing functions for the Hamilton County Department of Education (HCDE).

• Acts in a professional, respectful, and courteous manner at all times. 
• Creates a customer-focused climate and provides quality services and support to school and other stakeholders.
• Complies with applicable district, state, and federal codes, laws, rules, regulations, standards, policies and procedures. 
• Researches, reviews and clarifies purchase requests submitted by operating departments and schools to ensure completeness. Ensures compliance with the Tennessee Code Annotated as well as HCDE procurement standards, in regards to commodities, work services, and professional services.
• Reviews purchase requests, verifies price quotes and supplemental documentation. Creates purchase orders, sends to Purchasing Agent for final evaluation and approval.
• Advises and provides technical assistance to staff in operating departments and schools on procurement policies and procedures, as well as State and Federal procurement laws.
• Records and issues vouchers with approval from Director of Purchasing and the Purchasing Agent.
• Verifies, creates, and maintains vendor database.
• Assists Purchasing Agent in preparation of solicitations, coordinates bid mailings, assists with record keeping of bid submissions and bid tabulations.
• Fulfills records requests in compliance with state regulations.
• Maintains file system for procurement documentation, contracts, vouchers and reports.
• Assists in process of determining customer requirements.
• Reviews specifications or requirements.
• Reviews contract compliance.
• Prepares and or creates purchase orders.
• Develops and maintains positive vendor relations.
• Prepares a variety of reports of statistical data and submits to departments, individuals, or outside agencies.
• Assists accounts payable in researching and resolving discrepancies.
• Communicates through the proper channels to keep supervisor and other appropriate personnel informed of impending problems or events of unusual nature.
• Follows established procedures for ensuring assigned areas are safe. 
• Works collaboratively with school staff, students, parents, and other stakeholders.
• Attends work and arrives to work on time.
• Maintains confidentiality.
• Adheres to the Teacher Code of Ethics as defined by Tennessee Law.
• Attends meetings as needed.
• Prepares or completes various forms, reports, correspondence as required.
• Performs general/clerical tasks, which may include answering telephone calls, typing documents, making copies, sending/receiving faxes, filing documentation, processing incoming/outgoing mail, or running errands.
• Operates a computer to enter, retrieve, review or modify data; verifies accuracy of entered data and makes corrections; operates general office/school equipment.
• Monitors inventory of equipment and supplies; ensures availability of adequate materials to conduct work activities; initiates requests for new/replacement materials.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Knowledge/Education/Experience:

High school diploma or GED required; College level course work or vocational training in purchasing, bookkeeping, office administration, and personal computer operations preferred. Four (4) years previous work experience involving purchasing, procurement, or buying of goods and services preferred. Or, any equivalent combination of education, training, and experience which provides the requisite knowledge, skills, and abilities for this position.

Skills/Qualifications:

• Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing.
• Ability to explain procurement rules and regulations to school personnel, Central Office personnel and other stakeholders. 
• Ability to gather and organize information and documents.
• Ability to use technology to complete essential functions of job.
• Ability to perform addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. Ability to calculate decimals and percentages.

Compensation:Salary is based on a combination of relevant education and experience.Grade FSalary Scale