Purchasing Agent

ABOUT US: 

At The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) we are dedicated to the Colorado for All philosophy - working toward a Colorado where everyone has the opportunity to succeed. 

We support the basic human rights of our neighbors regardless of gender, race, ethnicity, religion, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, citizenship status, education level, disability, socio-economic status, or any other visible or invisible identity.  We are committed to increasing the diversity of our staff and providing culturally responsive programs and services. Therefore, we strongly encourage individuals from diverse backgrounds to apply.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION:

• This position will have hybrid workplace options available, at the discretion of the supervisor and based on business needs.  The employee will still be required to report to the agency address listed on this announcement.

Be BOLD.....Make a REAL difference . . . join us in serving our communities advancing Colorado's health and protecting the places we live, work, learn, and play, to create a healthy and sustainable Colorado where current and future generations thrive.

CDPHE offers: 

• Free parking and access to RTD bus lines.

• Flexible working arrangements

• Retirement ( PERA options), Medical and dental health plans

• Defined Benefit Plan or the PERA Defined Contribution Plan, plus optional 401K and 457 plans

• Paid life insurance

• Short- and long-term disability coverage

• 11 paid holidays per year and generous personal time off

• Tuition assistance 

• Wellness programs

• Professional development opportunities on a wide variety of subjects

• Career advancement opportunities throughout the State system

Some positions may qualify for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program. For more information, go to: https://studentloans.gov/myDirectLoan/pslfFlow.action#!/pslf/launch

The Work Unit:
This work unit exists under the Procurement and Contracts Section in the Administration Division. This work unit exists to support all purchasing and contract requirements for an agency of approximately 1,250 employees. This is a fully delegated work unit with complete purchasing authority. CDPHE has a unique mission dictated by over 250 federal grants. This work unit purchases all goods and services with a total cost of over $50,000. This office does this by use of purchase orders and contracts. If dictated by the Procurement Code, this work unit uses documented quotes, formal bids, and requests for proposals prior to purchase. The unit executes all fiscal matters of the department throughout the fiscal year including fiscal review and advice for each division to insure compliance with appropriation acts or new federal grants, state procurement and fiscal rules and state contracting requirements. This work unit provides training and guidance to department staff regarding the development and/or management of state contracts, purchase orders and solicitations. This work unit has been delegated by management to work directly with the Department of Personnel and Administration, the Office of the State Controller, State Buildings, Office of State Risk, Real Estate Programs and the Colorado Attorney General’s Office, on department procurement and contracting matters.

What You Will Do:
Exists to enable the CDPHE to acquire all necessary goods and services in a timely and cost effective manner; make purchasing decisions for CDPHE by analyzing and interpreting needs, specifications, data and circumstances, and clarifying the requirements; develop, prepare and evaluate documented quotes, formal invitation for bids, and requests for proposals; negotiate purchases and issue awards; resolve vendor claims and disputes, counsel CDPHE staff; develop purchasing procedures and guidelines; prepare and administer purchase orders; and making decisions and judgments implicit in all of these activities. Provides guidance to staff regarding procurement and contracting issues.

Responsible for the appropriate application of procurement code and rules, fiscal rules, and best practices during the solicitation and selection of contractors. Assures compliance with Procurement Code and Rules, State Fiscal Rules, State Purchasing Office and State Controller policies, department purchasing best practices, and other applicable department policies and procedures that impact procurement.

Functions as the department staff authority on OIT projects. Interprets State and Departmental OIT purchasing and contracting laws, rules, policies, procedures, guidelines and best practices to include those issued by the State Purchasing and Contracts Office, State Controller’s Office, State Buildings and Department Procurement and Contracts Section.

Determines the optimal method of procurement in accordance with Colorado Procurement Code and Rules. Develops, reviews, publishes, facilitates evaluation and awards for all solicitation methods to include RFPs, DQs, IFBs, RFQs and RFAs.

Key Responsibilities:

• Purchase Requests
• Staff Authority - Solicitations and OIT and unique projects
• Education & Technical Assistance
• Administration

Residency Requirement:

This posting is only open to residents of the State of Colorado at the time of submitting your application. 

Class Code & Classification Description:

H1L4XX Purchasing Agent IV

Minimum Qualifications:
NOTE: An applicant may meet the minimum qualifications for this job in one of two ways: They may qualify through their work experience alone or through a combination of education and work experience.

Experience Only:

Seven (7) years of relevant experience in procurement or purchasing for information technology services or other goods and services.

Or

Education and Experience:

A combination of related education in business administration, public administration, finance, accounting or closely related field and/or relevant experience in procurement or purchasing for information technology services or other goods and services equal to seven (7) years

**This experience must be substantiated within the Work Experience section of your application. "See Resume" will not be accepted. In addition, part-time work will be prorated.**

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

In addition to the minimum requirements, the successful candidate in this position will have the following highly desirable experience and competencies:  

1. Working experience drafting and posting solicitations including RFPs, DQs, IFBs, RFAs and also Sole Sources

2. Experience planning, developing, and managing multiple solicitation in various stages at the same time

3. Working knowledge of the State Fiscal and Procurement Rules

4. Working experience related to the legal aspects of contracting or procurement

5. Understanding of the components of a Scope of Work

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT: 

• A pre-employment background check will be conducted as part of the selection process.

Appeal Rights:

As an applicant who has been removed from consideration during the selection or comparative analysis process, you may file an appeal with the State Personnel Board and/or request a review by the State Personnel Director. A standard appeal form is available on the State Personnel Board website, https://spb.colorado.gov/forms-and-filing. If you appeal, your appeal must be submitted in writing on the official appeal form, signed by you or your representative, and received at the following address within ten (10) days of your receipt of this notice: Colorado State Personnel Board/State Personnel Director, Attn: Appeals Processing, 1525 Sherman Street, 4th Floor, Denver, CO 80203. Fax: 303-866-5038. Phone: 303-866-3300. Email address: [email protected]. The ten-day deadline and these appeal procedures also apply to all charges of discrimination. Refer to Chapters 4 and 8 of the State Personnel Board Rules and Personnel Director's Administrative Procedures, 4 CCR 801, for information about the appeals process. The State Personnel Board Rules and Personnel Director's Administrative Procedures are available at spb.colorado.gov.

A complete application packet must include:

• Completed State of Colorado application.

• A COVER LETTER

• If using education to qualify for this position a copy of your transcripts (unofficial acceptable) or diploma must be provided with application. Transcripts must be attached to your colorado.gov/jobs application.

• If you are a veteran, a copy of your DD214 must be attached to your colorado.gov/jobs application.

The Selection Process:

• All applications that are received by the closing of this announcement will be reviewed against the Minimum Qualifications in this announcement. Candidates who meet the minimum qualifications proceed to the next step.

• Colorado Revised Statutes require that state employees are hired and promoted based on merit and fitness through a comparative analysis process.

Part of, or all of, the comparative analysis for this position may be a structured application review, which involves a review of the information you submit in your application materials by Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) against the preferred qualifications.

• A top group, up to six candidates, will be invited to schedule an interview with the hiring manager.

E-Verify: 

CDPHE uses e-Verify, an Internet-based system, to confirm the eligibility of all newly hired employees to work in the United States. Learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities.

ADAAA Accommodations:

The State of Colorado believes that equity, diversity, and inclusion drive our success, and we encourage candidates from all identities, backgrounds, and abilities to apply. The State of Colorado is an equal opportunity employer committed to building inclusive, innovative work environments with employees who reflect our communities and enthusiastically serve them. Therefore, in all aspects of the employment process, we provide employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, medical condition related to pregnancy, creed, ancestry, national origin, marital status, genetic information, or military status (with preference given to military veterans), or any other protected status in accordance with applicable law. The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, our agency will assist individuals who have a disability with any reasonable accommodation requests related to employment, including completing the application process, interviewing, completing any pre-employment testing, participating in the employee selection process, and/or to perform essential job functions where the requested accommodation does not impose an undue hardship. If you have a disability and require reasonable accommodation to ensure you have a positive experience applying or interviewing for this position, please direct your inquiries to our ADAAA Coordinator at [email protected] or call 303-692-2060, option 5.