Senior Contracts and Procurement Specialist

Sno-Isle Libraries is recruiting for a Senior Contracts and Procurement Specialist!

Working at Sno-Isle Libraries:

Public libraries are more useful—and exciting—than ever. Embark on a meaningful journey where your passion for learning, commitment to public service, and love for literature converge. Plus, you'll have access to all you can read books.

Every day is an opportunity to make a difference in the lives of over 800,000 residents across two counties. Your journey towards professional growth and community connection starts here! Our libraries are the gateway to things yet unimagined, and we want you to help create that experience for future generations.

We are committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse environment, ensuring equitable access to opportunities for both personal and professional development. Join us in creating a library experience for our diverse communities, where your contributions play a pivotal role in building a more inclusive and connected future for everyone.

About the Opportunity:

The responsibilities of this position include leading and providing task direction on the work of others who are purchasing, preparing procurements, and preparing contracts for routine goods and services for the Library District. This position ensures consistency of the work by interpreting various federal, state, and local regulations, and internal policies and procedures for purchasing, procurement, and contracting. This position also provides expertise as a specialist in the procurement and contracting of all significant contracts involving construction, technical, professional, architectural/engineering services for the building and maintenance of public works infrastructure, capital improvement projects, capital purchases, and other non-routine and/or complex purchases. This position works to mitigate the risks inherent with purchasing, procurement, and contracting to ensure the Library District remains good stewards of public funds and to protect the Library District from litigation, public criticism, and unexpected costs due to unclear and/or non-compliant procurement and contracting documents.

This position is part of a bargaining unit represented by AFSCME Council 2.

Job Location: Marysville, WA

Minimum Requirements

Essential Functions:

Functions listed are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work performed. The omission of specific duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this job.

1. Provide guidance and training for a diverse group of library staff and departments who purchase a wide range of goods and services.
2. Prepare requests for proposals for the procurement of construction and maintenance of public works/capital improvement projects, architectural and engineering projects, capital purchases, and other non-routine, high profile/impact, technically complex goods and services.
3. Develop solicitation strategies for all procurement types, propose alternative procurement approaches as appropriate, write and edit scopes of work prepared by the Buyer and other departmental staff, coordinate with departmental staff to develop selection criteria, and review the phasing and weighting of the selection criteria.
4. Develop and implement procedures for the selection of construction and maintenance of public works/capital improvement projects, architectural and engineering projects, capital purchases, and other non-routine, high profile/impact, technically complex goods and services.
5. Remain current on federal, state, and local procurement and contracting legislation and review and update policies and procedures as appropriate.
6. Provide routine and recurring training for department representatives on procurement best practices, including federal, state, and local laws and regulations and internal policies and procedures.
7. Assist departments with negotiating and documenting contract change orders.
8. Assist with implementing new contract management software or updates to current software.
9. Develop boilerplates and templates for procurement and contracting. Maintain and update templates and boilerplates.
10. Develop and maintain a district-wide calendar for procurements and upcoming contract renewals.
11. Develop and maintain complete and accurate procurement and contract files to ensure compliance with federal, state, and local regulations, internal policies and procedures, or any potential audits.
12. Monitor and audit procurement and contract files.
13. Monitor, review, and approve changes made to the purchasing system as the database administrator.
14. Verify the accuracy and compliance of the performance and payment bond when applicable and various insurance requirements/coverages.
15. Investigate any protests and prepare protest letters.
16. Review any Public Disclosure Requests received for exemptions.
17. Perform other duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

1. Thorough knowledge of business practices, project terms, financial terms, procurement processes and principles.
2. Knowledge and experience with working in a facilities and construction environment.
3. Understanding of skilled labor trades and terms.
4. Ability to work, plan, organize and prioritize independently with minimum supervision and direction.
5. Capable of developing innovative solutions to a variety of fiscal problems.
6. Experience in preparing, analyzing, and interpreting financial records and reports using specified accounting and auditing procedures.
7. Intermediate skill level using Microsoft Excel and Word, with ability to perform functions, formulas in spreadsheets.
8. Strong oral and written communication skills, as well as strong organizational and analytical skills.
9. Ability to align behavior with the library's mission, values, and strategic focus in serving a diverse stakeholder community.
10. Ability to uphold the principles of equity, diversity, and inclusion in the workplace and the community.
11. Ability to perform business math calculation, analyze data, create reports and charts.
12. Ability to understand and carry out general instructions in business, procurement and facilities situations.
13. Ability to solve problems and respond in a calm, reasonable manner in all situations.
14. Ability to comprehend and interpret instructions, correspondence, and memos; ask clarifying questions to ensure understanding and minimize misunderstandings.
15. Ability to write and create routine reports, correspondence, memorandums, contracts, and formal letters.
16. Ability to communicate effectively with diverse audiences.
17. Ability to respond to common inquiries or complaints from customers, co-workers and supervisor.
18. Ability to work cooperatively and maintain effective interpersonal skills with the public and co-workers.
19. Ability to effectively present information to external parties, internal departments or group of employees.
20. Ability to manage relationships with vendors, external agencies, community libraries and internal staff.
21. Ability to multitask effectively, reprioritize tasks constantly based on the ever-changing department needs and daily situational awareness of necessary tasks and human factors such as safety and health.
22. Ability to work under stress with distractions to meet deadlines and needs with minimal supervision.
23. Ability to respond to situations and issues outside of normal working hours, as needed, during a workplace crisis, depending on the requirements for specific information and tasks relative to this position.

Education and Experience:

Knowledge, skills, and abilities for this position can be acquired by a combination of experience and education including:

1. These skills and abilities typically are acquired through a combination of experience and training, including university-level education with a four-year degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or a related field required.
2. At least four years of progressive responsibility in contract administration.

Benefits and Compensation:

• Pay Range: $6,883.07 - $9,531.60 monthly

Benefits:

• As a valued member of Sno-Isle Libraries, the person selected for this position is eligible for sick leave, vacation leave, paid holidays, comprehensive benefits that include medical, dental, and vision coverage, retirement savings, life insurance, and flexible healthcare and day care spending accounts. For more information about these benefits, visit our Employment webpage at sno-isle.org/employment.

How to Apply:

Job posting closing date: June 23, 2024 - 9:59 p.m.

Apply online: sno-isle.org/employment/

Sno-Isle Libraries is an Equal Opportunity Employer.