Procurement Contract Specialist

PROCUREMENT CONTRACT SPECIALIST

Salary may be negotiable within the range listed above, based on position requirements and the successful candidate's qualifications, subject to appropriate authorization.

OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
This recruitment will establish an open eligible list that will be used to fill current and future Procurement Contract Specialist positions. The eligible list established may also be used to fill positions in similar and/or lower classifications throughout the County of Orange.

DEADLINE TO APPLY 

This recruitment will be open for a minimum of five (5) business days and will remain open until Tuesday, October 20, 2026, at 11:59 P.M. PST.

Qualified applicants are encouraged to apply immediately.

THE OPPORTUNITY

The Procurement Contract Specialist will be responsible for processing highly complex solicitations and contracts for various types of commodities and service contracts including those for professional services, human services, architect-engineer, and construction services. Within their role, the Procurement Contract Specialist must be able to interpret and follow applicable laws, statutes, and County policies for conducting solicitations, negotiating contracts, administering contracts, and obtaining the appropriate levels of approval from County Counsel, Risk Management, and the Orange County Board of Supervisors.

This role contributes to the County’s broader mission of ensuring transparent, ethical, and value-driven procurement practices. The Procurement Contract Specialist serves as a strategic partner to departments, helping deliver efficient, compliant, and customer-focused contracting solutions that advance the County’s operational goals.

Click here for more information about the County of Orange.
Click here for more information about the Procurement Office.

Duties may include but are not limited to:

• Reviewing procurement requisitions/expediters for accuracy and determining Contract Type, Solicitation Method and payment method
• Analyzing technical and complex contract specifications and scopes of work and assisting department requesters with refinement of these documents
• Developing solicitation documents including Requests for Proposals (RFP), Invitation for Bids (IFB), and Statement of Qualifications (RFQ), and administering a paper or fully electronic solicitation process which includes but is not limited to, conducting pre-bid/pre-proposal conferences, reviewing IFB/RFP responses, facilitating RFP evaluation process, preparing bid recaps/scoresheets
• Negotiating contract terms with vendors, County Counsel and Risk Management
• Working with County Counsel and Risk Management to obtain review and approve contract language and non-standard terms and conditions
• Reviewing, refining and approving Sole Source request forms
• Providing pertinent procurement information for ASR when Board approval is required
• Mediating disputes/performance issues with contractor and department
• Developing contract amendments

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS AND CORE COMPETENCIES
The ideal candidate will possess two (2) years or more of knowledge and direct experience in public or private contract and/or procurement policies and practices. In addition to the minimum qualifications, the ideal candidate will possess extensive experience and knowledge in the following core competencies:
 

Technical Knowledge | Technical Skills

• Knowledge of the procurement process, establishment of contracts, effective negotiation methods, and contract management and oversight.
• Determining the appropriate methods of solicitations and contract type based on the various customer/stakeholder needs.
• Conducting complex solicitations, negotiating contracts, contract administration, and obtaining the appropriate levels of approval.
• Understanding of ethics, principles, and practices of professional procurement and government contracting interpreting multiple policies and making appropriate recommendations in adherence to relevant procurement or contract policies.
• Providing training and guidance to entry level procurement/contracts staff.
• Leveraging procurement technologies, data, and reporting tools to support informed and timely decision-making.
• Demonstrating commitment to continuous improvement, process streamlining, and innovation aligned with County procurement standards.

Interpersonal Skills

• Utilizing tact, diplomacy, and confidentiality in dealing with difficult and sensitive situations.
• Working effectively as part of a team to tackle and resolve issues; providing creative solutions to problems that achieve program and project objectives.
• Building effective, positive working relationships with internal and external stakeholders, County elected officials, and staff while fostering partnerships that promote Countywide procurement consistency, best practices, and the successful achievement of departmental goals.
• Adhering to high ethical standards in all interactions with relevant parties.

Analytical Skills | Problem Solving

• Integrating new ideas and contemporary approaches into problem-solving, data gathering, analyzing, and applying information skillfully.
• Identifying, evaluating, and resolving issues as they arise, using decision-making abilities and technical expertise.
• Developing solutions, proposing solutions, achieving measurable results, and implementing best business practices.
• Researching complaints and addressing with vendors, agencies and/or internal customers diplomatically.

Verbal Communication | Written Communication

• Demonstrating excellent written communication skills for gathering, evaluating, and preparing well-organized reports, correspondences, and other written documents using proper English grammar, spelling, and punctuation.
• Demonstrating excellent oral communication skills to interact, communicate, and function under stressful situations.
• Utilizing various management information systems and automation tools to maintain and access information and electronic communications via desktop computer systems and computer networks.
• Communicating effectively with various levels of the organization, including staff, supervisors, and upper-level management.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENT
Possession of a California Class C Driver License is Required. 
Deputized as a Deputy Purchasing Agent within twelve months of employment.

Certain assignments or departments may require a more extensive background investigation as a condition of employment. Candidates must successfully clear this process to the satisfaction of the hiring agency prior to their start date. All employment offers for these positions are contingent upon the successful completion of the required background investigation.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Please click here to view the minimum qualifications as well as the physical, mental, environmental & working conditions for the Procurement Contract Specialist Classification.

NOTE: Foreign degrees require an evaluation of U.S. equivalency by an agency that is a member of the National Association of Credential Services (N.A.C.E.S.).

RECRUITMENT PROCESS
Human Resource Services (HRS) will screen all application materials to identify qualified applicants. After screening, qualified applicants will be referred to the next step and notified of all further procedures applicable to their status in the competition.

Application Screening (Refer/Non-Refer)
Applications and supplemental responses will be screened for qualifications that are highly desirable and most needed to successfully perform the duties of this job. Only those applicants that meet the qualifications as listed in the job bulletin will be referred to the next step.

Structured Oral Interview | SOI (Weighted 100%)
The Structured Oral Interview is a timed assessment. Applicants will provide answers to job-related questions, which will be rated by a panel of subject matter experts using standardized evaluation criteria. Only the most qualified candidates will move advance to the next step in the recruitment process or will be placed on the eligible list.

Eligible List
Once the assessment has been completed, HRS will establish an eligible list of candidates. Candidates placed on the eligible list may be referred to a selection interview to be considered for present and future vacancies.

Based on the Department's needs, the selection procedures listed above may be modified. All candidates will be notified of any changes in the selection procedure.

Veterans Employment Preference 
The County is committed to providing a mechanism to give preferential consideration in the employment process to veterans and their eligible spouses and will provide eligible participants the opportunity to receive interviews in the selection process for employment and paid internship openings. Please click here to review the policy.

REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION 

The County of Orange is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities. Individuals who require a reasonable accommodation during the application or selection process should notify the recruiter listed on the job posting as soon as possible. Documentation supporting the accommodation request may be required.

EMAIL NOTIFICATION
Email is the primary form of notification during the recruitment process. Please ensure your correct email address is included in our application and use only one email account.
 
NOTE: User accounts are established for one person only and should not be shared with another person. Multiple applications with multiple users may jeopardize your status in the recruitment process for any positions for which you apply. Candidates will be notified regarding their status as the recruitment proceeds via email through the GovernmentJobs.com site. Please check your email folders, including spam/junk folders, and/or accept emails ending with "governmentjobs.com" and "ocgov.com." If your email address should change, please update your profile at www.governmentjobs.com.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:
Click here for additional Frequently Asked Questions.

For specific information pertaining to this recruitment, please contact Michelle Kozai at [email protected] or (714) 834-7308.

Orange County, as an equal employment opportunity employer, encourages applicants from diverse backgrounds to apply.