PURCHASING SPECIALIST - SES - 48003655

Requisition No: 840529 

Agency: Department of Education

Working Title: PURCHASING SPECIALIST - SES - 48003655

 Pay Plan: SES

Position Number: 48003655 

Salary:  $39,320.81 - $80,566.18 

Posting Closing Date: 11/12/2024 

Total Compensation Estimator Tool

Florida Department of Education

Division of Finance & Operations

Office of Contracts, Grants and Procurement Management Services

LOCATION: Tallahassee Turlington Building

Purchasing Specialist – SES (Position Number: 48003655)

Salary Range: $39,320.81 - $80,566.18

“The Office of Contracts and Procurement manages the processes for executing, amending, and monitoring implementation of contracts on behalf of the department. This office also is responsible for implementing all purchases for the department in accordance with state and federal laws and rules, thus assuring that goods and services are procured at the best value for the state.”

https://www.fldoe.org/finance/contracts-grants-procurement//

Serving approximately 3 million students, 4,400 public schools, 28 colleges, 200,000 instructional staff, 46,000 college professors and administrators, and 340,000 full-time staff throughout the state, FDOE enhances programs and services for Florida’s students from early learning through college and career development. In addition, FDOE manages programs that assist individuals who are blind, visually impaired, or disabled succeed either in school settings or careers - encouraging independence and self-sufficiency.  

This Advertisement may be used to fill current and future vacancies for up to 6 months.

Who We’re Looking For

Employee must be productive under tight timeframes, balance multiple and competing priorities and maintain goal-oriented behavior and performance expectations sometimes under stressful conditions.

Employee must interact courteously with others.

Employee's performance and behavior must demonstrate consideration of the workload concerns of others and must not negatively affect productivity and morale of the unit.

Attendance is an essential function of this position. 

Duties and Responsibilities: (Note: The omission of specific job duties does not preclude management from assigning specific duties not listed herein if such duties are a logical assignment to the position.)   

The incumbent in this position has direct access to agency employees' information of a confidential nature providing and seeking assistance from managerial and administrative employees who perform jobs relating to employer/employee relations, collective bargaining and/or other personnel issues or budget administration and contract analysis as defined in Sections 447.203(4)(a) and 1012.01 (3), Florida Statutes. The person in this position must have working knowledge of general public purchasing practices; Chapter 287, Florida Statutes; Rule 60A F.A.C.; department Policies and Procedures and other requirements.

The incumbent provides procurement review and approval of MyFloridaMarketPlace (MFMP) requisitions and eQuotes consistent with Law, Rule, policy and procedure. The incumbent seeks assistance from the departmental Budget and General Counsel's offices on procurement of commodities and services for the department and systemwide or schoolwide procurements for all school districts within Florida, such as buses, students testing and evaluation, i.e., FM, school readiness screening system for early screening inventory and school behavior screening, and K-1 diagnostic reading assessment instrument.

This position provides assistance with the development of original specifications and the revising of existing specifications for goods or services purchased by the agency. The specifications developed and revised will primarily be used in Requests for Information (RFI), Requests for Quotations (RFQ), Invitations to Bid (ITB's), Requests for Proposals (RFP's), and agency contracts.

The position also participates in the evaluation of bids, proposals or replies received from vendors, organizes and conducts pre-bid conferences and committee meetings, documents vendor performance and ensures the bid & single source process and awarding of contracts are properly followed, ensures all procurements are made in accordance with Florida Statutes, Department of Management Services Purchasing Rules, policy and procedure and other requirements, conducts individual informal training & formal training to groups to inform agency personnel on a statewide basis of procurement policies and procedures & MyFloridaMarketPlace requirements.

This position also provides confidential assistance relating to purchasing policies and procedures and formal procurements to high level managerial employees, including the Commissioner of Education, and the Deputy Commissioners of Education. The position also provides confidential assistance to other program directors throughout the agency who work directly with high level administrative personnel assigned responsibilities of systemwide or schoolwide functions such as district school superintendents, principles and other district-based instructional administrators within the 67 school districts.

This position incorporates contract administration and independent work which involves implementing and administering purchasing policies and procedures using detailed analysis, planning, research and development in procurement functions and for the continuous improvement of procurement operations.

This position will also provide confidential assistance on the preparation of contract documents to contract managers and high level managerial staff and program directors. Also responsible for the review and approval of contracts, contract documents and attachments for compliance with Federal, State and Department requirements.

This position investigates and takes appropriate action (i.e., documenting "Requests for Assistance" and "Complaint to Vendor" forms with Department of Management Services, assisting vendors, etc.) as necessary and identifing vendors for items unique to the Department of Education and assists reporting and increasing agency spending with certified minority and women owned businessess. Works with minority vendors in obtaining certification through the Department of Management Services.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Required:

Knowledge of State of Florida purchasing laws, rules and regulations, policies, procedures, techniques, and practices; Knowledge of strategic sourcing best practices; Knowledge of methods of data collection; Ability to compile and analyze data for administrative decisions; Ability to maintain confidential records and correspondence; Proficiency using a computer including Microsoft Word and Excel, MyFloridaMarketPlace (MFMP), and Vendor Bid System (VBS); Determine work priorities and ensure proper completion of work assignments; Plan, organize and coordinate work activities; Write bid specifications and bid invitations; Write legal advertisements; Maintain purchasing records; Ability to effectively communicate both orally and in writing; Give great customer service to internal and external customers by dealing with people in a tactful and courteous manner; Strong writing and effective speaking skills; and good presentation, and teambuilding skills.

BENEFITS INFORMATION

Benefits information can be found on the following websites: http://www.myflorida.com/MyBenefits  

• 104 Hours of Paid Annual Leave annually          
• 104 Hours of Paid Sick Leave annually
• Health Insurance for Individual or Family Coverage – State pays majority of premium
• Life Insurance - State pays premium for $25,000 basic term life insurance for full time employee. 
• Tax-Deferred Medical and Child Care Reimbursement Accounts available     
• Tax-Deferred Savings Program available through payroll deduction   

WORKING FOR THE STATE OF FLORIDA HAS BENEFITS!

 LICENSURE, CERTIFICATION OR REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS EFFECTIVE 7/01/02: 
The State of Florida is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Affirmative Action Employer and does not tolerate discrimination or violence in the workplace.
Candidates requiring a reasonable accommodation, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act, must notify the agency hiring authority and/or People First Service Center (1-866-663-4735). Notification to the hiring authority must be made in advance to allow sufficient time to provide the accommodation.

BACKGROUND SCREENING REQUIREMENT

It is the policy of the Florida Department of Education that applicants for employment/volunteer undergo Level 2 background screening in accordance with the requirements of Chapter 435, Florida Statutes, as a condition of employment or being permitted to serve as a volunteer. You will be required to provide your Social Security Number to conduct required verifications. No applicant for a designated position will be employed, contracted or permitted to volunteer until the level 2 screening results are received, reviewed, and approved by the Department. Level 2 background screening shall include, but not be limited to, finger printing for all purposes and checks under this requirement, statewide criminal and juvenile records checks through the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, federal criminal records check through the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and local criminal records checks through local law enforcement.

APPLICATION INFORMATION AND REQUIREMENTS

Candidate Profile (application) must be complete in its entirety. Your packet may be held up at the final review step if you are missing the below items:

• Work History (entered with the most recent/current listed first):
  • Any and all State of Florida jobs
  • Any and all Florida University jobs
  • All periods of employment from high school graduation
  • Periods of unemployment
  • Gaps of 3 months or more*
  • Education
  • Volunteer Experience
• Include supervisor names and phone numbers including current place of employment.
• *Gaps of 3 months or more must be addressed – you will need to account for and explain any gaps in employment including unemployment. You can either list these in your application under Period of Employment or attach a word document listing your gaps.
• Experience, education, training, knowledge, skills and/or abilities as well as responses to pre-qualifying questions must be verifiable to meet the minimum qualifications.  
• It is unacceptable to use the statement “See Resume” in place of entering work history. Your candidate profile will convert to your official application.

• If claiming Veteran’s Preference, candidate MUST attach supporting documentation (DD214).
• If claiming Right to First Interview, candidate MUST attach a copy of your official layoff letter when applying. This only applies to employees laid off from Career Service positions.
• All documentation is due by the close of the vacancy announcement.

If you experience problems applying online, please call the People First Service Center at (877) 562-7287

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS: 

You will be required to provide your Social Security Number to conduct required verifications.

Selective Services System (SSS)

Male applicants born on or after October 1, 1962 will not be eligible for hire or promotion in the Other Personal Services (OPS) or Career Service, or appointment in the Selected Exempt Service (SES) or Senior Management Service (SMS) unless they are registered with the Selective Service System (SSS) before their 26th birthday, or have a Letter of Registration Exemption from the SSS.

VETERANS’ PREFERENCE.  Pursuant to Chapter 295, Florida Statutes, candidates eligible for Veterans’ Preference will receive preference in employment for Career Service vacancies and are encouraged to apply.  Certain service members may be eligible to receive waivers for postsecondary educational requirements.  Candidates claiming Veterans’ Preference must attach supporting documentation with each submission that includes character of service (for example, DD Form 214 Member Copy #4) along with any other documentation as required by Rule 55A-7, Florida Administrative Code.  Veterans’ Preference documentation requirements are available by clicking here.  All documentation is due by the close of the vacancy announcement. 

The State of Florida is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Affirmative Action Employer, and does not tolerate discrimination or violence in the workplace.

Candidates requiring a reasonable accommodation, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act, must notify the agency hiring authority and/or People First Service Center (1-866-663-4735). Notification to the hiring authority must be made in advance to allow sufficient time to provide the accommodation.

The State of Florida supports a Drug-Free workplace. All employees are subject to reasonable suspicion drug testing in accordance with Section 112.0455, F.S., Drug-Free Workplace Act.