What are the responsibilities and job description for the Procurement Specialist position at City of Houston, TX?

Salary : $2,561.72 - $2,942.86 Biweekly

Location : 611 Walker Street

Job Type : Full Time

Job Number : 36397

Department : Office of Business Opportunity

Opening Date : 02 / 20 / 2025

Closing Date : 2 / 27 / 2025 11 : 59 PM Central

POSITION OVERVIEW

Applications accepted from : ALL PERSONS INTERESTED

Division : Contract Compliance

Location : 611 Walker, 7th floor

Workdays & Hours : Monday - Friday 8 : 00 am - 5 : 00 pm

Subject to Change

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES / ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS :

The Office of Business Opportunity ("OBO") is committed to cultivating a competitive and diverse economic environment in the City of Houston by promoting the success of small businesses and developing Houston's workforce, with special emphasis on historically underutilized businesses and disenfranchised individuals. OBO certifies Minority, Women, Small and Disadvantaged Business Enterprises (MWSDBE) and Persons with Disabilities Business Enterprises, performs compliance monitoring activities on City contracts, and facilitates business development and capacity building programs for businesses. The primary objective for the Office of Business Opportunity is to significantly increase the number, capacity, and success of businesses in Houston.

OBO is seeking a procurement specialist for its Department Services Unit which is responsible for assisting City departments as it relates to compliance with the City's MWSBE program. The ideal candidate is a natural problem solver that is able to execute while keeping the big picture in mind. You will be highly organized, detail oriented, strategic, and thrive in a fast-paced environment. Must have excellent written and verbal communication skills.

The successful candidate's responsibilities will include, but are not limited to, the following tasks :

Assist City departments and purchasing officers in establishing MWSBE and Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) goals on City of Houston locally and / or federally funded contracts.

Assist with developing and delivering trainings / presentations for City departments and the contracting community.

Assist City departments with the development of annual MWSBE utilization plans. Analyze trends in MWSBE availability to inform City's outreach strategies for increasing certification pool.

Serve as a source of MWSBE-related information during the pre-award stage of the City's procurement process.

Interpret, evaluate, and review bids, contracts, proposals, and Requests for Council Action for content and conformance with the MWSBE and Hire Houston First programs.

Assess MWSBE Participation Plans submitted by vendors for compliance with the requirements of the City's MWSBE program and perform quality control assessment of MWSBE compliance post-award.

Research and keep up to date on industry standards related to the procurement of construction services, professional services, and goods / commodities and non-professional services.

Develop, interpret, review, and recommend new or improved City and / or departmental procurement policies and procedures to ensure economy and efficiency of operation.

Serve as a mediator for vendor disputes involving certified MWSBE firms to achieve conflict resolution.

Prepare operational, analytical, and administrative reports for upper management.

Perform various special projects, as needed.

Assist with special department-wide projects in support of OBO's mission.

Perform other position-related duties, as assigned.

WORKING CONDITIONS

This position is physically comfortable; the individual has some discretion about walking, standing, etc.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENTS

Requires a Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration, Materials Management, Engineering, Purchasing or a related field.

EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS

Five years of progressively responsible professional experience in purchasing technical materials, equipment and / or services or performing cost benefit and / or specification analysis are required.

Professional purchasing experience may substitute for the above education requirement on a year-for-year basis.

LICENSE REQUIREMENTS

None

PREFERENCES

Preferences shall be given to candidates with the following skillsets :

Passion for OBO's mission.

Curiosity, resourcefulness, and desire to learn.

Operational approach : able to give appropriate context and think proactively about how things link to create systems for organizing the work.

Command skills, when needed, to drive decision-making.

Able to appropriately prioritize regular tasks and ad hoc projects to meet team and department objectives.

Works well across matrixed organization (dual or multiple managerial accountability and responsibility).

Ability to educate and support the team, executing all responsibilities within City policies.

Strong communication and collaboration skills.

Tried ability and experience in supporting Executive level staff.

Excellent organization skills, acute attention to detail, ability to handle multiple tasks in a fast paced, and time sensitive environment.

Proven track record of meeting deadlines and taking initiative to make confident and well-informed decisions.

Possesses a "can-do" attitude for all situations, no task too big or too small to handle.

Direct experience handling sensitive and confidential information with integrity and discretion.

Calm under pressure.

Preference shall be given to eligible veteran applicants provided such persons possess the qualifications necessary for competent discharge of the duties involved in the position applied for, such persons are among the most qualified candidates for the position, and all other factors in accordance with Executive Order 1-6.

GENERAL INFORMATION

SELECTION / SKILLS TESTS REQUIRED

None; however, Department may administer skills assessment test.

SAFETY IMPACT POSITION No

If yes, this position is subject to random drug testing and if a promotional position, candidate must pass an assignment drug test.

SALARY INFORMATION

Factors used in determining the salary offered include the candidate's qualifications as well as the pay rates of other employees in this classification.

PAY GRADE 24

APPLICATION PROCEDURES

Only online applications will be accepted for this City of Houston job and must be received by the Human Resources Department during posting opening and closing dates shown. Applications must be submitted online at :

To view your detailed application status, please log-in to your online profile by visiting : or call 832-393-6051. If you need special services or accommodations, call. (832 / 393-6051) (TTY 7-1-1). If you need login assistance or technical support call 855-524-5627.

Due to the high volume of applications received, the Hiring Department will contact you directly, should you be selected to advance in our recruitment process.

All new and rehires must pass a pre-employment drug test and are subject to a physical examination and verification of information provided.

EOE - Equal Opportunity Employer

The City of Houston is committed to recruiting and retaining a diverse workforce and providing a work environment that is free from discrimination and harassment based upon any legally protected status or protected characteristic, including but not limited to an individual's sex, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, genetic information, veteran status, gender identity, or pregnancy

The city offers a competitive benefits program, including competitively priced health coverage and a defined contribution pension plan. Benefits include :

Medical

Dental

Vision

Wellness

Supplemental Insurance

Life insurance

Long-term disability

Retirement pension

457 deferred compensation plan

Employee Assistance Program

10 days of vacation each year

11 city holidays, plus one floating holiday

Compensable Sick Leave

Personal Leave

Flexible schedules

Hybrid-Telework for eligible positions

Professional development opportunities

Transportation / parking plan

Section 125 pretax deductions

Dependent Care Reimbursement Plan

Paid Prenatal, Parental and Infant Wellness Leaves

Healthcare Flexible Spending Account

For plan details, visit

Are you a veteran who served on active duty in the Armed Forces (United States Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, or Coast Guard) for more than 90 consecutive days and received either an honorable discharge or a general discharge under honorable conditions?

Please select the best scenario below that describes your completed level of education.

High School diploma / GED

Associate's degree in Business Administration, Materials Management, Engineering, Purchasing or a field closely related to the work being performed.

Bachelor's degree or higher in Business Administration, Materials Management, Engineering, Purchasing or a field closely related to the work being performed.

None of the above

How many years of professional experience do you have in procurement or purchasing?

Less than 5 years of verifiable progressively responsible professional experience in purchasing technical materials, equipment and / or services or performing cost benefit and / or specification analyses.

5 years or more but less than 7 years of experience of verifiable progressively responsible professional experience in purchasing technical materials, equipment and / or services or performing cost benefit and / or specification analyses.

7 years or more but less than 9 years of experience of verifiable progressively responsible professional experience in purchasing technical materials, equipment and / or services or performing cost benefit and / or specification analyses.

9 years or more of experience of verifiable progressively responsible professional experience in purchasing technical materials, equipment and / or services or performing cost benefit and / or specification analyses.

None of the above

Please describe your previous related and / or relevant experience. (See resume is not an acceptable answer to this question and a non-response will delay your application process.)

Please describe your previous use of Microsoft Excel, citing specific examples, routine applications, or unique projects demonstrating your command of the program. (See resume is not an acceptable answer to this question and a non-response will delay your application process.)

Please describe your experience with data analysis, citing specific examples and unique projects demonstrating your command of this competency. (See resume is not an acceptable answer to this question and a non-response will delay your application process.)

Please describe your previous use of Microsoft PowerPoint, citing specific examples, routine applications, or unique projects demonstrating your command of the program. (See resume is not an acceptable answer to this question and a non-response will delay your application process.)

Are you bilingual in English & Spanish?

Are you currently an Office of Business Opportunity Employee?

Required Question

Salary : $2,562 - $2,943

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