Procurement and Specifications Specialist - SR-22

• Conducts complex and difficult purchases the majority of time.
• Discusses requirements, specifications, and alternatives with users and potential vendors.
• Conducts intensive studies of products, services, materials, or supplies with regard to uses and features.
• Determines whether functional performance can be achieved at lower cost by simplifying, modifying, and substituting the item.
• Consolidates requirements from various agencies into standardized items for competitive bids.
• Formulates proposals, specifications, and contracts for all methods of source selection, including formally advertised invitation for Bids (IFBs) and Request for Proposals (RFPs), and for professional services, sole source, and small purchases.
• Determines fair and equitable method of evaluating bids.
• Determines the type of specification most appropriate for each purchasing requirement.
• Incorporates special, highly technical or unusual requirements regarding bidder qualifications.
• Determines acceptability of bids, identifies lowest responsible bidder, and coordinates award with using agency.
• Administers contract amendments and change orders.
• Resolves contract administration problems.
• Prepares correspondence and reports.
• Provides information regarding purchasing statutes, policies, and procedures.
• Assists in the development of purchasing procedures.
• Conducts training for staff and other departmental personnel in procurement procedures as necessary.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Training and Experience: 
A combination of education and experience substantially equivalent to:

• graduation from an accredited college or university with a baccalaureate degree in business or public administration, marketing, economics, or a related field (scan and attach your official college transcript to your application), and
• two and one-half (2 ½) years of technical experience in purchasing and standards and specifications development activities. 

Examination:   All applicants who meet the minimum qualification requirements will be assigned a score of 70 points.  An education and experience evaluation will be conducted based on the applicant's training, education and experience as presented in the application.

Please read the minimum qualification requirements carefully.  Be certain to list all pertinent training and experience, as this may be important in determining your examination score.  It is essential that the applicant describe fully the duties and responsibilities of each position held, specify the date of each position held (from and to, month and year), and indicate the number of hours worked per week.   

Attach all required documentation (e.g. official transcript, professional license(s)/certification(s), DD-214, etc.) at the time of submitting your application. 

Note:   In-person interviews and/or further testing in Hawai'i County may be required at the discretion of the hiring department/agency.  If in-person interviews and/or further testing are required, applicants who are referred to the hiring department/agency must be available to participate in person and at their own expense at that phase of the selection process.

Knowledge of:  Purpose and format of commodity, services, and purchasing specifications, principles and practices used in government purchasing, and pertinent laws, ordinances, rules, policies, and procedures, research and statistical methods and techniques, various bid evaluation methods, market conditions and trends of assigned commodities and services, sources of supply and information for a wide variety of commodities and services, and report writing.

Ability to:  Draft technical and complex specifications, review and revise commodity, services, and purchasing specifications to achieve intended purpose at lower cost, analyze and determine appropriateness of bids, interpret laws, ordinances, and policies related to governmental purchasing, establish and maintain good working relationships with vendors, technical consultants, and operating agencies, prepare clear and concise written reports, and develop purchasing policies, procedures, and guidelines.

Physical Requirements:  Persons seeking appointment to positions in this class must meet the health and physical condition standards deemed necessary and proper to perform the essential functions of the position with or without reasonable accommodations.

Physical Effort Grouping:  Light

• Flexible Working Arrangements:  Options may include telecommuting, alternate work schedules (4-10) and flexible working hours.  (Not all Departments/Agencies participate and not all positions are eligible.)   
• Vacation:  Start accruing paid vacation time immediately upon hire – up to 21 days per year.
• Sick Leave:  Start accruing paid sick leave time immediately upon hire – up to 21 days per year.
• Holidays:  The County provides 13 paid holidays per year (plus General Election Day when applicable).
• Training and Development:  The County has a variety of training and development opportunities for employees.  
• County Tuition Reimbursement Program: This scholarship program rewards employees who take the initiative to advance their education and learning.
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program:  You may be eligible for this federal program which forgives portions of federal student loans for individuals working in public service.  
• Retirement Plan:  The Employees’ Retirement System is a qualified defined benefit public pension plan that provides retirement, disability, survivor and other benefits to all eligible full-time and part-time county employees in the State of Hawaii as well as their beneficiaries.
• Deferred Compensation:  Save additional money for retirement - this voluntary supplemental retirement savings plan allows for the investment of tax-deferred contributions.
• Flexible Spending Plan:  Use pre-tax dollars to pay for qualified dependent care and/or medical expenses, as well as insurance premiums.
• Health Benefit Plans:  The County of Hawai‘i offers a variety of health benefit plans for eligible employees.
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP):  This voluntary assistance program provides employees and their family members with free professional and confidential assistance in overcoming personal and work-related problems.
• Group Life Insurance:  Free life insurance policy for active employees.  
• Credit Union Membership
• Other Leaves:  You may be eligible for other leaves, including Family Leave, Funeral Leave, Leave Sharing, Military Leave, Donor Leave, Victims Protection Leave, as well as leave for Parent-Teacher Conferences, Disaster Relief, Blood Bank Donations, and Jury Duty.

• an official college transcript,
• a valid driver's license,
• a temporary assignment verification, 
• professional licenses, and/or
• certificates,

Salary : $63,096 - $73,836