Procurement & SBE/DBE Specialist

Working with broad direction from Procurement & Contracts Manager and mentoring by Senior Procurement & SBE/DBE Specialists in specific areas identified by the manager, the Procurement & SBE/DBE Specialist advises project teams to competitively procure, establish, and administer contracts for a wide variety of commodities, professional services, information technology, construction, capital equipment, rolling stock, and supplies. Promotes and manages Small Business Enterprise (SBE) /Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) programs, outreach and compliance. Provides procurement advice to management and staff.

1. Represents the agency as a primary procurement contact at interagency/inter-jurisdictional groups, committees and decision-making forums. Acts as a liaison with other agencies to establish procurement partnerships for contracting as well as SBE/DBE programs.
2. Oversees, plans, and controls public procurement and contract administration processes and procedures. Encourages SBE/DBE participation in all procurements. Researches and applies contract law, federal, state, and local procurement laws, regulations, and best practices. Ensures procurement program compliance; develops, implements, and maintains procedures. Drafts legal documents for review by Manager or designee.
3. Compiles, researches and analyzes available information. Maintains confidentiality during the procurement process. Interprets, advises and makes recommendations on procurement issues, policies and procedures, while exercising the highest degree of professionalism.
4. Performs and advises on risk analysis, life cycle analysis, cost estimation, market research, best value, and strategic planning. Researches and purchases unusual or hard-to-find goods and services.
5. Crafts and manages public procurement Quotes, RFPs, and ITBs; writes and collaborates on specifications; facilitates public conferences and bid openings; creates addenda; leads evaluations, negotiations, and interviews; conducts award process, contract administration, and closeout.
6. Manages procurement issues, such as full and open competition, change orders, cost price analysis, and WA State Prevailing Wage.
7. Provides guidance and training to management and staff on a variety of SBE/DBE procurement related contracting subjects.
8. Promotes and supports SBE/DBE participation and development by educating vendors on the contracting process, how to conduct business with Community Transit, information on State certification, and upcoming contracting opportunities. Leads, facilitates, and participates in various SBE/DBE workshops and events. Manages outreach and networking sessions to support agency SBE/DBE goals.
9. Manages audit regulation compliance for procurement records, including public disclosure requests.
10. Maintains or continues progress towards professional procurement certification. Goal to achieve certification within years of hire date.
11. Performs other duties of a similar nature or level.

Minimum Qualifications

Experience/Education: 

I. Procurement & SBE/DBE Specialist (Pay Range: $79,614 - $111,460)

1. Bachelor's degree in business administration, procurement, purchasing, public administration, economics or other related field.
2. PMP certification may substitute for 2 years of education.
3. Two years' progressively responsible experience in public procurement.
4. One years' experience in facilitating teams, working with committees, interacting with management and staff.
5. Must be computer literate with a working knowledge of MS Office Suite and use of the Internet. Experience with PeopleSoft Financials is a plus.

II. Senior Procurement & SBE/DBE Specialist (Pay Range: $85,280 - $119,393)

1. Bachelor's degree in business administration, procurement, purchasing, public administration, economics or other related field.
2. One of the following certifications required: CPPO, CPPB, CACM, CPSM, or other equivalent procurement / supply chain certifications (CPPO/CPPB preferred).
3. Five years’ progressively responsible experience in public procurement for both goods and services, including complex, capital projects.
4. Three years’ experience in leading teams, working with committees, interacting with executive directors, management, and staff and applying project management.
5. Must be computer literate with a working knowledge of MS Office Suite and use of the Internet.

Any equivalent combination of education, training, and experience which provides the requisite knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the essential duties of this job may be considered.

Entry Requirements for: Knowledge and Skills

Qualification to enter this position requires knowledge of the following:

1. Public procurement principles, planning techniques, risk assessments and best practices, as well as general finance and business ethics, policy and practices.
2. Contract management and contract administration.
3. Local and WA State procurement regulations.
4. SBE/DBE policy, program and compliance.
5. Maintains knowledge and skills to a level of Subject Matter Expert on Enterprise Financial System (PeopleSoft).

Qualification to enter this position requires skill in:

1. Working independently and applying entrepreneurship with broad direction and mentoring.
2. Tactful communication, interpersonal relations, and interactions with management, staff, and the general public sufficient to exchange or convey information that may be within an environment of controversial or sensitive issues.
3. Applying critical thinking to problems and issues; to take the initiative and make good business decisions backed by thoughtful analysis and facts; provide sound advice to management and staff.
4. Conducting procurements and deploying agency-wide SBE/DBE program elements.
5. Promote collaborative and harmonious working relationships within the agency and externally.
6. Developing outreach activities and technical training opportunities to SBE/DBE.
7. Providing outreach regarding contracting opportunities to SBE/DBEs and community organizations.
8. Researching and evaluating products for best value to include cost, quality, and availability.
9. Creating detailed and accurate procurement-related budget estimates, draft legal documents, and analyses.
10. Determining and meeting the needs of internal customers and providing excellent customer service.
11. Using software, computer databases, spreadsheets, and word processing in support of procurements and projects.
12. Provides Enterprise Financial System (PeopleSoft) processing and support on an as-needed basis.
13. Developing and advising management and staff regarding the agency-wide procurement and SBE/DBE policies and programs.
14. Analytical skills for reviewing procedures and processes to develop logical and sustainable solutions and process improvement proposals.
15. Technical writing as applied to creating specifications, contract documents, briefings, and reports.
16. Making recommendations in a concise, logical, and clearly understandable manner.
17. Basic project management (concept to completion), maintaining records, and facilitating meetings.
18. Developing skills in negotiations.
19. Basic skill in public speaking.

Proficient Performance Requirements for Knowledge and Skills

Qualification to fulfill the full range of this position’s duties requires the following knowledge, which may be gained or further developed after entering the job:

1. High level knowledge of "Entry Requirement" subject areas stated previously.

Qualification to fulfill the full range of this position’s duties requires the following skills, which may be gained or further developed after entering the job:

1. Nimbly adapt and represent Community Transit Procurement to varying conditions at all levels, both with internal management, staff, and external vendors and the general public.

Physical Requirements

Climbing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, reaching, standing, walking, pushing, pulling, lifting, fingering, grasping, feeling, talking, hearing/listening, seeing/observing, repetitive motions.

Sedentary Work: Exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally, and/or a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly. This position may also occasionally to frequently be rated Light Work (up to 20 pounds of force).

Application and Selection Process

• Only on-line applications accepted. 
• Applicants who meet the minimum requirements may be asked to provide a portfolio sample of work, scheduled for an interview as well as a variety of tests to demonstrate knowledge and skills for the position.  The evaluation process may include interviews, background checks, reference checks and various performance tests.    
• Applicants for this job may be considered for other openings up to six months after the date this position is filled.

Employee Benefits

Employees (and their families) are covered by medical, dental, vision, basic life and disability insurance. Employees participate in the Public Employees Retirement System (PERS) and have the option to enroll in the agency’s deferred compensation plan. In addition to WA Paid Sick Leave, employees in this position, accrue of 24 days of Paid Time off (192 hours) in their first year and nine (9) paid holidays throughout the calendar year. Full list of all benefits and details can be found here.

Effective January 1, 2022, all new employees must provide proof of fully vaccinated status on or before their first workday. People are considered fully vaccinated two weeks after their second dose in a two-dose series or two weeks after a single-dose vaccine. 

If you have a family member, or share the same living quarters of a current Community Transit employee, please let your Human Resources Recruiter know as your eligibility for this position will be affected.

Community Transit provides a tobacco-free and drug-free work environment. As a recipient of federal funds, Community Transit is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not unlawfully discriminate on an basis prohibited by Federal, State or Local law.  We value and encourage diversity in our workforce.  EOE AA M/F/Vet/Disability.  Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to their race, color, religion, national origin, sex, protected veteran status or disability.