Procurement & Contract Specialist II - Dept. Dedicated: General Services

Department:

Start Here. Grow Here. Stay Here.

Have you worked and are familiar with the basic principles of public procurement/contracting? Do you have experience writing and reviewing scopes of service? We are looking for creative and professional people with strong writing and analytical skills to join our Procurement team. Apply Today

This position reports directly to the Procurement Department and partners with the County's General Services Department to facilitate and process various procurements and contracts.  Imagine being a key player on major county facility projects and providing support for mission-critical Department operations As a Procurement and Contracts Specialist dedicated to the General Services Department, you will:

• Work with department staff and project managers to draft, review, advertise, and award a variety of solicitations (Invitations for Bids, Request for Proposals, Request for Quotes, and others)

• Facilitate the development and review of non-competitive procurements such as waivers, sole sources, single sources, and cooperative purchases

• Follow an established and adopted set of standard operating procedures to accomplish assigned work, and ensure processes are transparent, consistent, and compliant

• Facilitate public meetings for County staff, vendors, and others, including pre-bid conferences and evaluation meetings

• Use a variety of adopted templates to prepare and draft contracts for goods, services, and projects

• Work collaboratively with your team to research peer agencies and determine the best approach to complex or unusual procurements

• Participate in periodic Partnership meetings with client departments; provide training and guidance to help General Services navigate procurement processes

Work Hours:

• Full-time, 40 hours per week.

• Typical Schedule: Monday - Friday, 08:00 a.m. to 05:00 p.m. (no weekends)

• E-Work/Remote Work: Our Procurement team currently has the option to work remotely up to two (2) days per week Once you've completed your first six months—and depending on work needs and other considerations—you may become eligible for this great benefit.

As a reminder, all county employees are considered essential and must be prepared to protect and support the community and its citizens. Each employee, without exception, will have a duty assignment and be required to work during a disaster or declared emergency.

To be considered for this role, you must have the following:

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in Liberal Arts, English, fields related to law, education, or writing, or a related field -WITH- Two (2) years of experience in public and/or private sector procurement or a related field.

• -OR- Associate's Degree from an accredited college or university in a related field -WITH- four (4) years of experience in public or private sector procurement, or a related field.

• -OR- Progressively responsible professional experience which provides the requisite knowledge, skills, and abilities for this job may be substituted on a year-for-year basis for the required degree.

The ideal candidate has the following knowledge, skills, and/or abilities:

Please note that these are not requirements but bonuses for your consideration.

• Three (3) years of related experience with procurement, contracts, education, law, writing, project management, or a related field.

• CPPB or NIGP-CPP - or the ability to obtain the certifications within three (3) years of hire.

• Demonstrated ability to think and communicate strategically and analytically, both verbally and in writing.

• Skilled in gathering, organizing, and analyzing data to draw sound, logical conclusions.

• Capable of leading and facilitating meetings, with knowledge of public procurement practices at the local, state, and federal levels—or a willingness to learn them.

Professional Development: YOUR continued education and professional growth are a top priority for us. As part of our team, you'll receive paid opportunities for continuing education in public procurement and support in obtaining (or maintaining) professional procurement certifications. We're proud to assist with certifications such as:

• Certified Professional Public Buyer (CPPB)

• Certified Public Procurement Officer (CPPO)

• NIGP-CPP (Certified Procurement Professional)

Visit , , and for more information on the Procurement profession and associated certifications.

Starting Pay: up to $62,628.00, based on experience.

Our interview process could include phone interview(s), Microsoft Teams video interview(s), and/or in-person interview(s).

If you are selected to join our team, please click on this link to review the Required First Day Documents. You will need to present the following items on your first day:

1. I-9 Acceptable Documents to show your identity and authorization to work. Use this link to learn more and review the different document options:

• If your position requires a Florida Driver's License, this must be one of your documents. (Your Florida Driver's License can serve as one of your documents listed in link above – List B Documents.)  

2. U.S. Social Security Card (signed, physical card). This is a requirement of our Payroll Department and failure to provide this document could jeopardize timely compensation. (Your U.S. Social Security Card can serve as one of your documents listed in link above – List C Documents.)  

Benefits:

• Enjoy great benefits including Health, Dental, Vision, and Life Insurance, Short-Term and Long-Term Disability, Flexible Spending Accounts, Employee Assistance Program (EAP), Florida Retirement System (FRS) and many, many more Choose one of three great medical plans, including one with a $0 premium option, with completed preventative visits
• For more information about employee benefits, please click this link or visit for additional information.
• Utilize our award-winning wellness program including free gyms at multiple Sarasota County Government locations. 
• Enjoy 11 paid holidays, 3 personal days and 16 paid vacation days in the first year of full-time employment with increasing accrual rates with years of service. (That adds up to a possible 30 days off in your 1st year)​​

A different blend of voices prompt better conversations, choices and results for everyone. Sarasota County – Many Voices, One Team.

We celebrate and value the experiences, backgrounds, perspectives, talents and strengths that make us different.

Our vision is to attract, develop, retain and engage a talented workforce broadly representative of the citizens and communities we serve. To further value creativity, innovation, collaboration and great customer service – internally and externally. 

A job applicant with a disability who requires reasonable accommodation to participate in the application/selection process is requested to make known the need for an accommodation to Human Resources or appropriate county staff members. For assistance with the application, please call

Sarasota County prohibits discrimination in all services, programs or activities. View the complete policy at (keywords: ADA Compliance).

Sarasota County Government is a Tobacco-Free/Drug-Free Workplace.