Contract Services Specialist Level I/II

The Position

Examples of Knowledge and Abilities

Knowledge of

• Principles, methods, and practices of large volume purchasing and procurement of services, supplies, parts and equipment.
• Business administration principles.
• Public relations techniques.
• Common purchasing and legal terminology.
• Sources for supplying a wide variety of services, supplies, parts and equipment.
• Record keeping and reporting procedures.
• Common word processing and spreadsheet software used on personal computers.
• Factors and computation involved in determining costs/savings of large volume purchasing.
• General laws and regulations applicable to bidding procedures and purchasing operations.
• Materials, supplies, and equipment typically used in government operations and the sources for such products.
• Contract and market research techniques.

• Understand and interpret oral and written policies, procedures, and regulations.
• Understand and follow County, District, and departmental purchasing procedures.
• Set priorities for work while using a computerized procurement system.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with customers, vendors and others as necessitated by work assignments.
• Observe, identify and resolve problems within assigned work.
• Communicate clearly and concisely both orally and in writing with vendors and other personnel.
• Use a variety of common and specialized directories, catalogues, and manuals to locate and order services, supplies, parts and equipment.
• Serve as liaison between department personnel and vendors.
• Properly interpret, explain, and make decisions involving policies, procedures, and regulations.
• Analyze data and drawing sound conclusions.
• Exercise discretion and initiative in compiling and selecting appropriate data to make independent decisions.
• Deal with professional salespeople, vendors, County employees, and other personnel tactfully but authoritatively.
• Prepare comprehensive, clear, and concise reports.
• Provide work direction to technical and clerical staff performing purchasing duties.
• Assist in training and evaluating technical and clerical staff performing purchasing duties.

Employment Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications

Either: 1. An AA/AS Degree or higher (or equivalent units) in Business Administration, Purchasing, Materials Management, Marketing, Economics or another field that is closely related to the intent and duties of this class.

Or: 2. One year of full-time paid experience performing duties involving one or more tasks in the procurement cycle process which would include the acquisition of materials by requisition through a central procurement organization, goods receipts, or working in direct support of professional contracting officers or direct sales.

Note: If the word “experience” is referenced in the minimum qualifications, it means full-time paid experience unless the minimum qualification states that volunteer experience is acceptable. Part-time paid experience may be accumulated and pro-rated to meet the total experience requirements.

Note: If the minimum qualifications include an educational or certificate/license requirement, applicants must submit proof of requirements with the application. Failure to submit proof of requirements may result in disqualification from the examination. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable. For guidelines on submitting acceptable proof of educational requirements, please click here (Download PDF reader) or speak to someone in our office before the cut-off date listed in this notice.

• Incumbents need to possess sufficient eye-hand coordination to operate a computer, keyboard, fax machine, copier, and other office related equipment.
• Frequently sit for prolonged periods of time.
• Input data into computer or calculator for prolonged periods of time.
• Hear and speak to vendors, purchasing staff and other personnel on the telephone and in person.

Application and Testing Information

• Employment applications and all documentation requested in this announcement must be submitted by 5:00 p.m. on the cut-off date.
• Employment Services is not responsible for any issues or delays caused by an applicant's computer or web browser. Applicants will be automatically logged out if they have not submitted their applications and all documentation prior to 5:00 p.m. on the cut-off date.
• Your application should highlight all relevant education, training, and experience, and clearly indicate how you meet the minimum qualifications for the position as of the cut-off date.
• Application information must be current, concise and related to the requirements in this job announcement. You may only apply for this recruitment once. Duplicate and incomplete applications will be disqualified.
• A resume may be included with your application, however it will not substitute for the information requested on the application.

• Supplemental Questionnaires must be submitted by 5:00 p.m. on the cut-off date. Employment Services is not responsible for any issues or delays caused by an applicant's computer or web browser. Applicants will be automatically logged out if they have not submitted their applications and all documentation prior to 5:00 p.m. on the cut-off date.
• The supplemental questions are designed to elicit specific information regarding a candidate's experience, education, and training. Responses should be consistent with the information on your application and are subject to verification.
• Please provide place of employment, pertinent dates, and concise, descriptive and detailed information for each question.
• If a job included responsibilities applicable to several questions, separate the different functions of the job to answer all the questions completely.
• Resumes or referral to the application or other questionnaire responses will not be accepted in lieu of completing each question.
• If you have no experience, write "no experience" for the appropriate question.
• For many individuals, it is more efficient to develop responses to the supplemental questions in a word processing document and then paste them into the final document to be submitted. Changes or corrections to your Supplemental Questionnaire cannot be made once your application packet has been submitted.
• If the Supplemental Questionnaire is used in the Formula Rate exam, failure to complete all of the questions or incomplete responses will result in a lower score. While scoring the Supplemental Questionnaire, the candidate's application and/or attachments will not be reviewed, therefore, a candidate's responses to the questions should be accurate, thorough, detailed, and complete.