MONTGOMERY COUNTY GOVERNMENT Code No. 0181
ROCKVILLE, MARYLAND Grade 25
CLASS SPECIFICATION
SENIOR PROCUREMENT SPECIALIST
DEFINITION OF CLASS:
This is supervisory and technical work in the supervision of procurement
personnel in service to County departments and agencies and the direct
procurement of goods, services and construction. Supervision requires
knowledge of first-level supervisory principles and techniques and County
programs for managing human resources. Individual procurements require
considerable knowledge of procurement methods, principles and practices
and the needs of customers. Contacts are with department/agency personnel
to clarify technical data, provide and verify information, and report
status of procurement actions; with the Office of the County Attorney
to ensure legal compliance; with Finance staff to ensure sufficient funding;
and with vendors to obtain pricing, delivery, and other procurement-related
information. Contact with procurement officials in other local or state
governments/agencies also occurs for joint purchases, e.g., with the Council
of Governments (COG). This class of work may entail some public service/assistance,
but it is incidental to the primary focus of the work performed.
As a full, first-level supervisor, an employee in this class supervises
a team or unit engaged in all phases of the procurement cycle from pre-award
surveys through contract close out. The employee plans, assigns and reviews
work; regularly participates in personnel management decisions by formally
recommending or initiating a variety of personnel actions; and performs
related functions to manage service(s) and personnel. The employee has
technical responsibility for the work of subordinates; this includes prioritization
of work and how it is to be performed, consistent with guidelines. Supervisory
work is carried out under general direction and mainly reviewed in terms
of effectiveness in meeting objectives.
As a senior procurement professional, an employee in this class is procures
a wide variety of goods, services and construction using such approaches
as competitive Invitations For Bid (IFBs), Requests For Proposal (RFPs),
Requests For Quotation (RFQs) and involving difficult, complex specifications,
multiple contract amendments, highly sensitive claims and protests, and
other complicating job elements. Guidelines exist in the form of Federal,
State, and County procurement regulations, internal purchasing procedures,
the Council of Governments' cooperative purchasing procedures, and the
terms and conditions of contracts and agreements. The employee performs
the full range of work independently, advising management of potentially
controversial matters and of far-reaching implications of rendered decisions.
The complexity of work is characterized by the variety of product lines,
the analysis and interpretation of considerable information involved in
the most difficult procurements, time constraints, and a limited number
of resources for specialized goods and services. The scope and effect
of the work directly affects a wide range of community activities and
the operation of other governmental units through the timely procurement
of critical services at competitive prices. The work is primarily sedentary
and performed in an office environment, but some off-site work, including
visits to construction sites, may be required.
EXAMPLES OF DUTIES: (Illustrative Only)
Assigns, supervises and assesses the work of assigned staff. Oversees
their training and development. Manages their performance through the
advertising, evaluation, negotiation, award and administration processes.
Reviews work upon completion or in progress. Approves procurement recommendations
that exceed subordinates' signature authority. Helps interview and select
for vacancies.
Serves as a senior, technical expert conducting procurements of selected
complex products or services. Identifies the most appropriate procurement
method. Collects and analyzes technical information, and develops bid
specifications. Initiates procurement action. Tabulates and analyzes solicited
and unsolicited bids, determining low, responsive, and responsible bidders
and recommends award of contract or places purchase orders for goods and
services within limit of signatory authority.
Provides guidance to department/agency personnel in such contract administration
activities as preparation of RFPs, IFBs and the development of technical
specifications/requirements.
Maintains close liaison with suppliers' representatives to keep informed
of new products, price changes, etc.; and keeps abreast of new products,
services, and their resources.
Conducts comparative studies to determine opportunities for price and
cost reduction, and reviews assigned areas of procurement for consolidation
of requirements, use of annual contracts, and availability of Federal,
State, or other jurisdictions' contracts that meet requirements.
Initiates inquiries concerning the status of overdue shipments, and coordinates
adjustments with suppliers involving replacement of materials not in conformance
with specifications, cancellation of orders, and ensuring receipt of proper
credit.
Prepares documentation/correspondence for review and approval by the Contract
Review Committee and the Chief Administrative Officer.
Prepares other necessary correspondence and reports.
Signs contract documents within limit of signatory authority.
Performs related duties as required.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
Experience:
Considerable experience (3 years) in the field of procurement and contract
administration.
Education:
Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor's
Degree.
Equivalency:
An equivalent combination of education and experience may be accepted.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
Considerable knowledge of procurement methods and procedures in several
commodity areas, and of the techniques of specification writing.
Considerable knowledge of the variety of supplies, material, equipment,
and services essential to County Government operation.
Considerable knowledge of the best sources and appropriate prices for
the procurement of items requested
.Considerable knowledge of the laws, ordinances, and other requirements
governing the procurement of commodities and services by the County.
Considerable knowledge of current literature in the field of governmental
procurement, as well as modern concepts, principles and practices relative
thereto.
Knowledge of and skill in supervision of others at the first-level.
Skill to develop and review complex solicitations, and to appropriately
describe in technical language the items to be procured.
Interpersonal skill to establish and maintain effective working relationships
with a diverse group of people; this includes development of knowledge
of departmental procurement needs.Skill in written communication to review,
prepare and use a wide variety of technical and non-technical written
information.
Skill in oral communication to exchange information with County employees,
vendors and others.
Skill in the use of computers and electronic data sources and information
systems
PROBATIONARY PERIOD:
Individuals appointed to a position in this class will be required to serve a probationary period of twelve months and, if promoted to a position in this class, will be required to serve a probationary period of six months. Performance will be carefully evaluated during the probationary period. Continuation in this class will be contingent upon successful completion of the probationary period.
Possession of a valid motor vehicle operator's license when required for job related duties.
MEDICAL PROTOCOL: Medical History Review
Class Established: July, 1973
Revised: March, 1987
May, 1991 (M)
January, 1996 (MQ)
April, 2000 (M)