Contract Specialist (Procurement & Contract Specialist 2) – Two Openings

State of Oregon • Street, MD

2d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality strives to build and sustain an inclusive and equitable environment that embraces and values diversity. Employees at all levels of the agency work together to foster fairness, equity, inclusion, and belonging. We strive to be a workplace where we share our authentic identities, while advancing our individual professional goals, and while collaborating to protect, preserve, and enhance the environment for current and future generations. We celebrate and appreciate diversity, champion equity, and treat each other with respect and dignity. We are an equal opportunity employer and do not discriminate based on race, color, national origin, ethnicity, veteran status, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, marital status, age, or physical or mental disability in the administration of our programs and activities. Visit DEQ’s Civil Rights and Environmental Justice page. Are you passionate about preserving, enhancing, and protecting Oregon’s environment? If so, please consider a career with the State of Oregon at the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ). At DEQ, employees have the opportunity to work with a dynamic and supportive team of mission-focused individuals tasked with maintaining, restoring, and enhancing the quality of Oregon’s air, land, and water. DEQ has two full-time opportunities available for a Contract Specialist (Procurement & Contract Specialist 2) in Portland, Oregon. One position is permanent and one position is limited duration through June 30, 2027 with the potential of being extended or made permanent pending Budget and Legislature approval. Please consider joining an innovative team, and work to advance our agency’s mission to protect and improve Oregon’s environmental quality. About DEQ! The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality is the primary regulatory agency of the government of the U.S. State of Oregon responsible for protecting and enhancing the state's natural resources. The Central Services Division (CSD) assists the agency in achieving its mission by providing central management services for the agency in accounting, budgeting, procurement, information systems, human resources, health and safety, property control, intergovernmental coordination, and pollution bond fund assistance. The Division serves two headquarters divisions, three regional divisions located throughout Oregon, the vehicle inspection program, and the laboratory. Services are provided to over 850 DEQ positions, various local and regional governments, and directly to community members. Accounting, Budget, and Procurement fall under the Financial Services section. For a visual representation of DEQ’s offices and their locations, view our DEQ Offices and Vehicle Inspection Testing Stations map. What you will do! You will support DEQ by planning and coordinating procurement activities and providing direction and assistance to customers in methods for procurement of various categories, such as goods, equipment, software, and services. You will determine the appropriate solicitation methods; facilitate procurements; train customers in procurement processes; work on business process improvements; and collaborate with customers to translate program requirements into requests for information, solicitations, special requests, contract specifications, and terms. In addition, you will serve as a coordinator for communications and actions between DEQ, Department of Administrative Services (DAS), and Department of Justice (DOJ), as well as be responsible for developing standard operating procedures/desk manuals and other related documentation. What’s in it for you! The opportunity to work in a productive and creative environment where no two days are ever the same! DEQ cares deeply about employee wellness and benefits. We offer a competitive benefits package that offers comprehensive medical, dental, and vision plans for the employee and their qualified family members, as well as paid sick leave, vacation leave, personal leave, and 11 paid holidays a year. In addition, we offer membership in the Public Employees Retirement System (PERS), and you have the opportunity to potentially receive loan forgiveness under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF). If you are passionate about Oregon's environment, apply today! This is a full-time, AFSCME represented position. This recruitment may be used to fill future vacancies.

Requirements

• 4 years procurement and contract experience with 2 of those 4 years at the professional-level involving the development and administration of standard contracts, agreements, or solicitations.
• Bachelor’s degree may substitute for 3 of the required years of experience.

Nice To Haves

• Demonstrated experience and personal commitment to building and sustaining an equitable and inclusive culture where all team members feel empowered to contribute; ability to take personal responsibility for increasing their knowledge of environmental justice and diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills; ability to use tact, diplomacy, and good judgment to communicate clearly and effectively with employees at all levels, sometimes in stressful situations, and often to ensure compliance with laws, rules, and regulations.
• Ability to prioritize workload to meet changing priorities, complicated assignments, and tight deadlines.
• Ability to use critical thinking and analytical skills to form independent judgment, initiative, and decision-making; ability to work independently as well as in a team environment.
• Oregon Procurement Basic Certification (OPBC) and/or UPPCC Certified Professional Public Buyer certification preferred.
• Extensive experience researching and applying appropriate state and federal procurement laws, rules, policies, and procedures.
• Extensive experience preparing grants and awards from federal sources.

Responsibilities

• planning and coordinating procurement activities
• providing direction and assistance to customers in methods for procurement of various categories, such as goods, equipment, software, and services
• determining the appropriate solicitation methods
• facilitating procurements
• training customers in procurement processes
• working on business process improvements
• collaborating with customers to translate program requirements into requests for information, solicitations, special requests, contract specifications, and terms
• serving as a coordinator for communications and actions between DEQ, Department of Administrative Services (DAS), and Department of Justice (DOJ)
• responsible for developing standard operating procedures/desk manuals and other related documentation

Benefits

• comprehensive medical, dental, and vision plans for the employee and their qualified family members
• paid sick leave, vacation leave, personal leave, and 11 paid holidays a year
• membership in the Public Employees Retirement System (PERS)
• opportunity to potentially receive loan forgiveness under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF)

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level