Purchasing Agent - EM-03

Duties Summary

Plans and directs the centralized purchasing of materials, supplies, equipment, and services required by the County of Hawai`i; provides advice and assistance to operating departments on matters relating to procurement; develops and implements policies and standards to ensure compliance with pertinent laws and ordinances; and performs other related duties as required.

There is one (1) immediate temporary full-time vacancy not-to-exceed 12/04/2028 (noon) with the Department of Finance - Purchasing Division in Hilo. May be eligible to receive a $5,000 Recruitment Incentive. Conditions apply.

(Appointment may be made at any rate within the salary range advertised above at which appropriate qualified applicants can be recruited. Starting salary will be based on the qualifications of the person selected.)

The eligible list may be used for other permanent and temporary vacancies as they arise during the life of the list. Temporary appointment may lead to conversion to permanent appointment.

Examples of Duties

• Plans, organizes, coordinates and administers the County's program of centralized purchasing and execution of contracts for equipment, supplies, and services.
• Directs the work involved in the purchase of materials, supplies, equipment, and contractual services through negotiations, informal contracts, or purchase orders and/or formal competitive bids.
• Certifies requisitions and purchase orders as to the proper application of purchasing and contracting laws and regulations.
• Reviews, analyzes, develops, and revises purchasing policies, procedures, and activities to ensure the County's compliance with laws, ordinances, and other requirements governing expenditures of government funds and to ensure that operating needs are met economically.
• Provides advice and assistance to departments on complex procurements; recommends language on requests for proposals and contracts; reviews proposals, specifications, and terms of contracts for purchases necessitating formal bid procedures.
• Oversees the public notice of bids, requests for professional services, requests for proposals, and contract awards to ensure compliance with laws and rules; reviews bids and agreements and recommends award of contracts.
• Develops, analyzes, revises, and implements policies and procedures for quantity purchase of materials and supplies, for the review and control of procurement and contract activities, and for all related transactions.
• Manages and oversees the County's purchasing card (PCard) program; develops, maintains, edits, and updates the related policies and procedures for the program, including the training and coordination with bank representatives.
• Develops and maintains positive working relationships with line agencies, vendors and their representatives, legal, technical, and accounting personnel, and the public.
• Maintains, edits, and updates the purchasing manual and other internal published policies, procedures, and guidelines; coordinates training for division staff and for County departmental procurement and clerical staff.
• Provides information and education for the public by directing activities for the promotion and development of interest among suppliers to bid on government contracts and for the development of new sources of supply.
• Directs work connected with the standardization of specifications; makes recommendations and serves on the Standardization Committee.
• Plans, organizes, coordinates, and administers an enforcement program to ensure that departments are complying with the various purchasing requirements.
• Serves as principal agent for the County to work with the State Procurement Office and other governmental agencies on matters relating to the procurement program.
• Serves as principal agent for the County in dealing with other governmental jurisdictions on procurement and surplus property matters.
• Serves as the primary resource to the Director of Finance, Mayor, and County Council on procurement matters; provides input on pending legislation affecting procurement; attends meetings and provides testimony as required.
• Participates in the resolution of protests on bidding and contracting problems.
• Assigns and reviews the work of subordinates; provides training as necessary; recommends personnel actions on leave requests, hires, promotions, performance evaluations, disciplinary actions, etc.
• Oversees the preparation and maintenance of required operational reports and records.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualification Requirements

Training and Experience:
A combination of education and experience substantially equivalent to:

• graduation from an accredited college or university with a baccalaureate degree, and
• four (4) years of progressively responsible work experience in a government or a centralized corporate purchasing environment which involved responsibility for the procurement and contracting of goods, services, or construction through formal purchasing methods, such as invitations for bids or request for proposals, and
• two (2) years of experience in an administrative or supervisory capacity.

Examination: All applicants who meet the minimum qualification requirements will be assigned a score of 70 points. An education and experience evaluation will be conducted based on the applicant's training, education and experience as presented in the application.

Please read the minimum qualification requirements carefully. Be certain to list all pertinent training and experience, as this may be important in determining your examination score. It is essential that the applicant describe fully the duties and responsibilities of each position held, specify the date of each position held (from and to, month and year), and indicate the number of hours worked per week.

Attach all required documentation (e.g. official transcript, professional license(s)/certification(s), DD-214, etc.) at the time of submitting your application.

Note: In-person interviews and/or further testing in Hawai'i County may be required at the discretion of the hiring department/agency. If in-person interviews and/or further testing are required, applicants who are referred to the hiring department/agency must be available to participate in person and at their own expense at that phase of the selection process.

Knowledge of: principles and practices of governmental procurement; applicable laws, ordinances, and regulations governing purchases, expenditure of funds, agreements, and sales contracts; purchasing principles and practices; principles and practices of analyzing and developing procurement systems, policies, standards, and procedures; principles and practices of supervision; public relations.

Ability to: plan, organize, coordinate, and direct the work of a central purchasing agency; review and control purchasing transactions and records; develop new sources of supplies; review contracts and agreements for propriety and legality; interpret laws, ordinances, and regulations and initiate and implement appropriate policies, procedures, and guidelines; establish and maintain good working relationships with representatives from other governmental agencies, vendors, and employees.

Physical Requirements: Persons seeking appointment to positions in this class must meet the health and physical condition standards deemed necessary and proper to perform the essential functions of the position with or without reasonable accommodations.

Physical Effort Grouping: Light

Benefits of County employment: The County of Hawai‘i offers a competitive compensation package. Your total compensation is comprised of your salary and a generous range of valuable benefits, subject to eligibility requirements.

• Flexible Working Arrangements: Options may include alternate work schedules (4-10) and flexible working hours. (Not all Departments/Agencies participate and not all positions are eligible.)
• Vacation: Start accruing paid vacation time immediately upon hire – up to 21 days per year.
• Sick Leave: Start accruing paid sick leave time immediately upon hire – up to 21 days per year.
• Holidays: The County provides 13 paid holidays per year (plus General Election Day when applicable).
• Training and Development: The County has a variety of training and development opportunities for employees.
• County Tuition Reimbursement Program: This scholarship program rewards employees who take the initiative to advance their education and learning.
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program: You may be eligible for this federal program which forgives portions of federal student loans for individuals working in public service.
• Retirement Plan: The Employees’ Retirement System is a qualified defined benefit public pension plan that provides retirement, disability, survivor and other benefits to all eligible full-time and part-time county employees in the State of Hawaii as well as their beneficiaries.
• Deferred Compensation: Save additional money for retirement - this voluntary supplemental retirement savings plan allows for the investment of tax-deferred contributions.
• Flexible Spending Plan: Use pre-tax dollars to pay for qualified dependent care and/or medical expenses, as well as insurance premiums.
• Health Benefit Plans: The County of Hawai‘i offers a variety of health benefit plans for eligible employees.
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP): This voluntary assistance program provides employees and their family members with free professional and confidential assistance in overcoming personal and work-related problems.
• Group Life Insurance: Free life insurance policy for active employees.
• Credit Union Membership
• Other Leaves: You may be eligible for other leaves, including Family Leave, Funeral Leave, Leave Sharing, Military Leave, Donor Leave, Victims Protection Leave, as well as leave for Parent-Teacher Conferences, Disaster Relief, Blood Bank Donations, and Jury Duty.

All benefits are subject to eligibility requirements and change due to legislative actions and/or changes negotiated through collective bargaining. Please check out the benefits tab for additional information.

Supplemental Information

Please scan and attach these supporting documents to your on-line application, if required:

• 
  an official college transcript,
• a valid driver's license,
• a temporary assignment verification,
• professional licenses, and/or
• certificates,

Benefits of County employment: The County of Hawai‘i offers a competitive compensation package. Your total compensation is comprised of your salary and a generous range of valuable benefits, subject to eligibility requirements.

• Flexible Working Arrangements: Options may include alternate work schedules (4-10) and flexible working hours. (Not all Departments/Agencies participate and not all positions are eligible.)
• Vacation: Employees start accruing paid vacation time immediately upon hire. 14 hours are earned after a full month of service, which equals to 21 days per year, with a maximum accumulation of 90 working days.
• Sick Leave: Employees start accruing paid sick leave time immediately upon hire. 14 hours are earned after a full month of service, which equals to 21 days per year, with no limitation on the amount of sick leave that may be accumulated.
• Holidays: The County provides 13 paid holidays per year (plus General Election Day when applicable).
• Training and Development: The County provides a variety of training and development opportunities for employees.
• County Tuition Reimbursement Program: Scholarship program for employees who take the initiative to advance their education and learning, subject to eligibility requirements and reimbursement limits.
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program: A federal program forgiving the balance of federal student loans for individuals working in public service. For program requirements and additional information, please visit https://studentaid.gov/manage-loans/forgiveness-cancellation/public-service
• Retirement Plan: The Employees’ Retirement System is a qualified defined benefit public pension plan covered under Section 401(a) of the Internal Revenue Code. It provides retirement, disability, survivor and other benefits to all eligible full-time and part-time county employees in the State of Hawaii as well as their beneficiaries. For more information visit https://ers.ehawaii.gov
• Deferred Compensation: Eligible employees may participate in the Island Savings Plan (a deferred compensation plan as provided under Section 457 of the Internal Revenue Code.) This is a voluntary supplemental retirement savings plan that allows for the investment of tax-deferred contributions into a variety of investment options.
• Flexible Spending Plan: Eligible employees can use pre-tax dollars to pay for their portion of insurance premiums, qualified dependent care and/or medical expenses.
• Health Benefit Plans: The County of Hawai‘i offers the following health benefit plans for eligible employees:
  • Medical Plan (HMO or PPO)
  • Vision Plan
  • Dental Plan
  • Prescription Drug Plan

• Employee Assistance Program (EAP): The County offers a voluntary assistance program which provides its employees and their family members with free professional and confidential assistance in overcoming personal and work-related problems.
• Group Life Insurance: The County provides a free life insurance policy for active employees.
• Credit Union Membership
• Other Leaves: You may be eligible for other leaves, such as: Family Leave, Funeral Leave, Leave Sharing, Military Leave, Victims Protection Leave, Parent-Teacher Conferences, Disaster Relief, Blood Bank Donations, Donor Leave, and Jury Duty.