TDA - Finance - Procurement & Contract Operations Specialist (VETHUB Specialist) (57951)

Procurement & Contract Operations Specialist

(VETHUB Specialist)  

Salary Information: B21 - $5,500 - $5,850.00/MO.

State Classification: Purchaser V - 1934

FLSA Status:  Exempt

Posting Number: 26-57951-3R

HOW TO APPLY

Apply online via CAPPS. Applicants applying in Work In Texas (WIT) will be required to complete additional supplemental questions, optionally provide EEO information including how you heard about the job, and provide an electronic signature in the CAPPS Career Section to be considered for the position.

WHO ARE WE

The Texas Department of Agriculture Financial Services Division supports TDA programs by performing financial duties in the areas of accounting, budget, purchasing, contracting, accounts payable and payroll.

WHAT YOU’LL DO

The Procurement & Contract Operations Specialist will perform advanced (senior-level) planning, oversight, and coordination of agency activities, supporting the Procurement & Contract Director/HUB Coordinator with a broad range of contract/project management and procurement work including overseeing marketing services and technical assistance work for the agency’s Historically Underutilized Business (HUB) Minority Women Business Enterprise (MWBE) program. You will be involved in professional administrative and policy analysis work to include evaluating systems, procedures, and operations to assist management in operating more efficiently and effectively.  Work under limited supervision with considerable latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

Work closely with the HUB Coordinator in planning, developing and implementing strategies to facilitate participation by VETHUB/MWBEs in state and federally funded procurements; assisting with strategic planning; coordinating marketing, recruitment and outreach efforts; compiling analyzing and disseminating program information and data; monitoring compliance; producing reports; and promoting business diversity in the procurement of services, materials and major projects for TDA.

Plan, organize, coordinate and write complex specifications for invitation for bids, request for offers, request for information and request for proposals; prepare procurement documents and related correspondence.

Prepare formal solicitations as well as recommendations for awards of contracts; set opening dates for bids; post bids; attend vendor meetings; and tabulate, analyze and award bids, including issuance of purchase orders to vendors. 

Serve as the Credit Card Administrator and complete all statutory reporting requirements.

Maintain vendor management to ensure Vendor Performance Tracking System (VPTS) and vendor communications are in compliance with legal and regulatory requirements.

Draft, review, and/or submit various purchasing reports, including but not limited to state-use, VETHUB, contracts, credit card, vendor performance, and Tx. Government Code 2054.126(d) and 2261.253.

Review, plan, coordinate, and evaluate division processes and management practices pertaining to contract/project management and procurements and make recommendations to assist management in operating more efficiently and effectively

Develop new and/or modify existing policies and procedures for the section to include Assisting in writing procedures related to agency processes for purchasing, receiving, and procurement reports.

Serve as a backup to the section staff and perform related purchasing, procurement, and contracting functions.

Provide subject matter expertise, customer service assistance, training, and serve as an agency resource on all purchasing, procurement, and contracting functions.

Follow all TDA policies and procedures.

Perform other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS/REQUIREMENTS FOR THE POSITION (The application must state how each of the following qualifications are met - resumes do not take the place of the required state of Texas application which must be completed in CAPPS or WIT.)

Bachelor's degree (one year work experience related to the primary duties may substitute for one year of college).

Three (3) years work experience in a purchasing, contracting or project management role with a state agency.

Texas Contract Developer (CTCD) and Texas Contract Manager (CTCM) within twelve (12) months of employment.

Valid Texas driver’s license and an acceptable driving record.

PREFFERRED

Work experience with marketing or outreach programs.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES

Knowledge of current marketing practices, governing laws and market reporting procedures; branding, reaching target audiences and program development; purchasing and procurement methods and procedures; state procurement principles and practices; supply sources; the principles of business administration and accounting; negotiating contracts; preparing purchase orders, solicitations and contacts; and of policies and procedures of procurement and contract management.

Skill in resource planning and budget development for procurements; evaluating and understanding fiscal data for viability, capability, accountability and compliance with contract requirements; math aptitude; attention to detail; critical thinking skills providing customer service excellence to both internal and external customers; and in operating a personal computer with applicable software.

Ability to analyze, evaluate and summarize financial and management records for accuracy and compliance to procedures, rules and regulations; evaluate data for compliance with contract requirements; analyze problems, evaluate alternatives and recommend effective solutions; process information in a logical manner and to assess validity; adapt successfully and quickly to change and deliver quality results in a timely manner; plan, organize and work independently, as well as within a team environment; work effectively in high-pressure situations and manage a high-volume workload; and to exercise sound judgment and discretion.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS & WORKING CONDITIONS

Normal office work environment. May have exposure to dust and environmental allergens consistent with normal business activities and human contact. Mostly sedentary in nature but may involve walking; standing; pulling and pushing; kneeling, stooping and bending; performing tasks requiring fine motor skills and coordination; and safely lifting and carrying items weighing up to 30 pounds. Must be able work extended periods at a computer and may require working extended hours and some evenings and weekends as needed. May be required to travel (up to 10%), occasionally overnight.

TELEWORK & WORK HOURS

The agency does not offer telework. TDA employees are required to be physically present for work.

The agency’s core business hours are from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. TDA also provides limited customer service between 6:00-8:00 a.m. and 5:00-6:00 p.m.

H-1B Visa Sponsorship

We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment Visa.

BENEFITS

The State of Texas offers a variety of benefits for you and your family that are comprehensive and, on average, make up about one-third of total compensation. Benefits include:

Only candidates selected for a skills exercise/interview will be contacted. A skills exercise may be conducted for interview purposes.

Due to the high volume of applications, we do not accept telephone calls. If you submitted your application through the CAPPS Careers Section , you may check the status of your application by accessing your profile and selecting My Jobpage and then selecting My Submissions. To be considered for the position, applicants must complete additional supplemental questions, optionally provide EEO information including how you heard about the job, and provide an electronic signature in the CAPPS Career Section.

*A valid government-issued driver’s license, which is recognized by the Texas Department of Public Safety and in good standing, and an acceptable driving record are required. TDA will verify this information with the Texas Department of Public Safety. Applicants with a driver’s license not issued by the State of Texas should obtain and be prepared to provide a copy of their current driving record on or before their first day

Background Checks: A criminal conviction records check is required for applicants who are selected for a position.

**Foreign Credentials: upload an evaluation of your coursework if you have obtained a degree(s) from a school outside of the United States; otherwise, we cannot give you credit for your degree. Some organizations that provide evaluation services are:

Foreign Credential Services of America

1910 Justin Lane, Austin, TX 78757-2411
Phone: 512-459-8428

SpanTran: The Evaluation Company

2400 Augusta Drive, Suite 451 Houston, TX 77057
Phone: 713-266-8805

Global Credential Evaluators, Inc.

P.O. Box 9203 College Station, TX 77842
Phone: 512-528-0908

Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO): TDA is an equal employment opportunity (EEO) employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, age, genetic information, military status, or protected activity.

Reasonable Accommodations: If you are scheduled for an interview and require any reasonable accommodation in our interview process, please inform the hiring representative who calls you to schedule your interview or an HR representative at 512-463-7423. Whenever possible, please give the hiring or HR representative sufficient time to consider and respond to your request.

TDA participates in E-Verify and will provide the Social Security Administration and, if necessary, the Department of Homeland Security, with information from each new employee's Form I-9 to confirm work authorization.

Military and Former Foster Child Employment Preference: TDA complies with the provisions of the military and former foster child employment preference acts. Please contact our Human Resources-Veterans Liaison at (512) 463-7454 for assistance.

Go to https://texasskillstowork.com/, https://www.onetonline.org/, or http://www.careeronestop.org/ for assistance translating your military experience and training courses into civilian job terms, qualifications/requirements, and skill sets.

Additional Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) Code or Crosswalk information is available from the Texas State Auditor’s Office at Program Management and Procurement MOS Codes.