Procurement Specialist 1

Overview Of Athena

ATHENA Consulting is an award-winning staffing firm serving state and local governments. Our mission is to make lives better! We make our Clients’ Lives Easier by engaging and supporting our clients and partnering with them to be the most knowledgeable staffing partner. We make our Employees’ Lives Better by identifying and cultivating their talents and matching these talents with our customers’ needs. ATHENA places a high value on customer service, accountability and getting the job done.

Position Summary

We are currently recruiting for a Procurement Specialist 1. This full-time position pays $30/hr, and is located in Kingston, RI.

Within the Department of Administration (DOA) Division of Purchases, to perform a wide variety of procurement and contracting activities of assigned commodities; to assist in developing and administering Public Invitations for Bid and other competitive solicitations; to review routine department/agency purchase requests to ensure accuracy, completeness and compliance with existing specifications and proper purchasing procedures; to identify the need for and to obtain additional clarifying information from points-of-contact at agencies and departments; to serve as a liaison to users, vendors and/or the public regarding routine questions and problems; to provide accurate and courteous guidance on Division processes and activities; to accurately prepare purchase orders; to prepare specifications for bidding; to be individually responsible for procurement for assigned classes of products and services; and to do related work as required

Essential Duties And Responsibilities

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Develop and administer basic Request for Quote (RFQ) and basic Request for Proposals (RFP) Public Invitations for Bid and other competitive solicitations with supervision as required including reviewing submissions for adherence to submission guidelines.
• When required, prepare or revise solicitation drafts for compliance.
• Review routine department/agency purchase requests to ensure accuracy, completeness and compliance with existing specifications and proper purchasing procedures.
• Identify the need for and to obtain additional clarifying information from points-of-contact at agencies and departments.
• Serve as a liaison to agency users, vendors and/or the public regarding routine questions and problems and advice and instruct these entities on vendor registration and procurement policies and procedures.
• Provide accurate and courteous guidance on Division processes and activities.
• Review vendor quotations to determine conformance to specifications under supervision of more experienced staff.
• Evaluate bid responses to determine technical merit, responsiveness to specified requirements, and general capability and capacity of bidders, and on this basis to determine the lowest responsive price offer for the request.
• Conduct initial review of Sole Single Source or Notice of Intent submissions including gathering and ensuring proper documentation.
• Review requisitions, create bid preparation instructions, initiate bid preparation, authorize bids, analyze bid responses, award bids, initiate and release purchase orders and change orders.
• Assist user agencies in developing the documentation necessary for successful purchases and to educate users as to the options available for various types of procurement.
• Advise and instruct users and vendors with respect to use of Ocean State Procures (OSP) and/or any other digital purchasing software and platforms used in the Division including vendor registration, vendor lists, commodity lists, obtaining Master Price Agreements, bids, bid results, rules and regulations and other information.
• Assist with the preparation and management of electronic files for audit purposes.
• Assist junior staff with onboarding or training activities.
• Assist senior staff and do related work as required.
• Perform other duties as assigned.
  
  

Required Skills/Abilities

• Operational familiarity of State procurement laws, administrative rules, regulations and procedures
• Knowledge of the principles, practices, and procedures involved in the procurement of goods and services
• Knowledge of roles and responsibilities across the procurement lifecycle and resources available that guide procurement processes
• Knowledge of standard analytical, statistical, and research principles
• Ability to apply analytical techniques to interpret and evaluate a broad spectrum of data
• Ability to support, select and define procurement or contract management activities; the ability to prepare clear and effective verbal and written reports and presentations
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with users and vendors
• Working knowledge of Windows Operating Systems, usage of a personal computer (PC) and standard desktop office tools
• Capacity to navigate a computer while on the telephone and/or while providing in-person assistance
• Ability to provide clear and accurate information to users, department/agency officials, vendors and other interested parties
• Ability to interact with others in a professional, tactful and courteous manner
• Ability to identify and recognize specific information from a mass of data
• Ability to efficiently and effectively navigate an integrated digital software package
• Ability to work well in a collaborative team environment, with client agencies as well as work independently
• Ability to maintain confidentiality, while being well organized, manage and prioritize delegated tasks, meet deadlines, and adapt quickly to shifting priorities
• Ability to possess and maintain a valid driver's license for use of state-owned vehicle, for attendance at regional training and conferences, and use of other modes of transportation for attendance at out-of-state destinations
• Ability to maintain compliance with the Rhode Island Code of Ethics
• Ability to multitask and be flexible.
• Highly motivated.
  
  

Education And Experience

• High School Diploma or equivalent, required.
• Minimum of five (5) years of employment in a public or private organization’s business office involving the purchase and/or procurement of goods and/or services.
• Or, possession of an Associate’s degree from a college of recognized standing in business administration or a closely related field and a minimum of three (3) years of employment in a public or private organization’s business office involving the purchase and/or procurement of goods and/or services.
• Or, possession of a bachelor’s degree from a college of recognized standing in business administration, supply chain management or a closely related field. A minimum of one (1) year of employment experience in the purchasing and procurement of goods and services.
• Or, possession of an Associate’s degree from a college of recognized standing in Business Administration, Purchasing or a related field and at least three (3) years of employment experience in the purchasing and procurement of goods and services.
  
  

Physical Requirements

• Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
• Working hours M-F, 8:00am-4:30pm.
• Must be able to lift and move up to 25 pounds.
  
  

Successful ATHENA employees will display the following characteristics:

• You strive to be the best in your field currently and in the future.
• You like to make your employer look good.
• You find solutions, where others only see problems.
• You are proactive, you make and meet commitments, and you perform your duties exceedingly well.
• You are aware of the employer’s needs at all times and are well-versed in what you personally and ATHENA can offer them as a whole.
• You have the ability to work with diverse, integrated, deliverable-driven teams to accomplish the larger mission.
  
  

The benefits of working for ATHENA include:

• Support from a team of professionals committed to making your life better.
• Medical, dental and vision insurance available for full- time employment
• Health Savings Account
• Pet insurance.
• 401k with a generous employer match.
• ATHENA paid Life and Accidental Death & Dismemberment Insurance for employee.
• Additional Voluntary Life and Accidental Death & Dismemberment Insurance for employee, spouses, and children.
• Short and Long Term Disability.
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP).
• Easy to use employee self-serve HR portal.
• Sick leave varies by state – be sure to inquire with your Recruiter.
  
  

The statements in this Job Posting are intended to describe the general nature and minimum level of work required. The content should not be construed as a complete list of all duties, responsibilities, and skills required to meet the criteria for this position. Upon request, reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Application for employment is not intended to and does not create a contract or offer of employment and if hired, employment with the company is on an at-will basis and could be terminated at the will of either party.

ATHENA Consulting LLC does not discriminate in hiring based on federally protected classifications to include but not limited to race, color, religion, national or ethnic origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, protected veteran status, marital status or other characteristics protected by law. Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities.

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