What are the responsibilities and job description for the Procurement Specialist 1 position at Commonwealth of Pennsylvania?
THE POSITION
Are you ready to build your expertise and help strengthen purchasing operations as a Procurement Specialist 1 with the Department of Human Services? This role gives you the chance to support important services that impact communities across the state. You will work with staff, vendors, and partners to keep procurement activities running smoothly and responsibly. Join a team that values careful review, clear communication, and dependable public service.
DESCRIPTION OF WORK
This position centers on reviewing procurement needs, guiding staff through purchasing requirements, and helping develop strong, compliant contract documents. You will support careful analysis, clear communication, and reliable sourcing methods. As a Procurement Specialist 1, you will perform the following duties:
Work Schedule and Additional Information:
REQUIRED EXPERIENCE, TRAINING & ELIGIBILITY
Minimum Experience and Training Requirements:
The Commonwealth is an equal employment opportunity employer and is committed to a diverse workforce. The Commonwealth values inclusion as we seek to recruit, develop, and retain the most qualified people to serve the citizens of Pennsylvania. The Commonwealth does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religious creed, ancestry, union membership, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, AIDS or HIV status, disability, or any other categories protected by applicable federal or state law. All diverse candidates are encouraged to apply.
EXAMINATION INFORMATION
Are you ready to build your expertise and help strengthen purchasing operations as a Procurement Specialist 1 with the Department of Human Services? This role gives you the chance to support important services that impact communities across the state. You will work with staff, vendors, and partners to keep procurement activities running smoothly and responsibly. Join a team that values careful review, clear communication, and dependable public service.
DESCRIPTION OF WORK
This position centers on reviewing procurement needs, guiding staff through purchasing requirements, and helping develop strong, compliant contract documents. You will support careful analysis, clear communication, and reliable sourcing methods. As a Procurement Specialist 1, you will perform the following duties:
- Contract Development: Support drafting of bid invitations, quotes, and vendor evaluations based on best value criteria
- Procurement Guidance: Assist staff and vendors by explaining regulations, methods, and sourcing strategies
- Compliance Review: Analyze contractual and fiscal details to ensure alignment with laws, policies, and sound business practices
- Contract Analysis: Research procurement requests and recommend appropriate contracting approaches
- Evaluation Support: Facilitate scoring meetings, help develop criteria, and assist with best and final offer processes
- Technical Assistance: Provide guidance on procurement procedures and help develop training materials
Work Schedule and Additional Information:
- Full-time employment, 37.5 hours per week
- Work hours are 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM, Monday - Friday, with a 60-minute lunch.
- Paid parking is included with this position.
- Telework: You may have the opportunity to work from home (telework) part-time, up to 3 days per week. Tuesdays are a mandatory in-office day. You will have the option to choose Mondays, Wednesdays, or Thursdays as your second in-office day. In order to telework, you must have a securely configured high-speed internet connection and work from an approved location inside Pennsylvania. If you are unable to telework, you will have the option to report to the headquarters office in Harrisburg. The ability to telework is subject to change at any time. Additional details may be provided during the interview.
- Salary:In some cases, the starting salary may be non-negotiable.
- You will receive further communication regarding this position via email. Check your email, including spam/junk folders, for these notices.
REQUIRED EXPERIENCE, TRAINING & ELIGIBILITY
Minimum Experience and Training Requirements:
- One year of experience performing technical purchasing or contract management work; and a bachelor’s degree in business, supply chain, logistics, project, or operations management, or a related field; or
- An equivalent combination of experience and training.
- You must meet the PA residency requirement . For more information on ways to meet PA residency requirements, follow the link and click on Residency Guidelines.
- You must be able to perform essential job functions.
- Resumes, cover letters, and similar documents will not be reviewed, and the information contained therein will not be considered for the purposes of determining your eligibility for the position. Information to support your eligibility for the position must be provided on the application (i.e., relevant, detailed experience/education).
- If you are claiming education in your answers to the supplemental application questions, you must attach a copy of your college transcripts for your claim to be accepted toward meeting the minimum requirements. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable.
- Your application must be submitted by the posting closing date . Late applications and other required materials will not be accepted.
- Failure to comply with the above application requirements may eliminate you from consideration for this position.
- All application materials and interview responses must reflect the applicant’s own experience, qualifications, and work. Applicants may use generative AI tools for preparation purposes only. Use of AI to misrepresent or falsify information, or to assist during interviews, is not permitted. Review the Guidance for Generative AI Tools & Job Seekers for additional information.
- Pennsylvania law (51 Pa. C.S.
- 7103) provides employment preference for qualified veterans for appointment to many state and local government jobs. To learn more about employment preferences for veterans, go to www.pa.gov/agencies/employment/how-to-apply.html and click on Veterans.
- 711 (hearing and speech disabilities or other individuals).
The Commonwealth is an equal employment opportunity employer and is committed to a diverse workforce. The Commonwealth values inclusion as we seek to recruit, develop, and retain the most qualified people to serve the citizens of Pennsylvania. The Commonwealth does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religious creed, ancestry, union membership, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, AIDS or HIV status, disability, or any other categories protected by applicable federal or state law. All diverse candidates are encouraged to apply.
EXAMINATION INFORMATION
- Completing the application, including all supplemental questions, serves as your exam for this position. No additional exam is required at a test center (also referred to as a written exam).
- Your score is based on the detailed information you provide on your application and in response to the supplemental questions.
- Your score is valid for this specific posting only.
- You must provide complete and accurate information or:
- your score may be lower than deserved.
- you may be disqualified.
- You may only apply/test once for this posting.
- Your results will be provided via email.