Procurement Officer I

Introduction

The Maryland Department of Agriculture is a department under Maryland's Executive Branch.  Formed in 1972 by the Maryland General Assembly to address the agriculture needs for the State of Maryland, the Department oversees and serves as a regulatory body for animal health, consumer services to include marketing and lab services, plant and pest management and resource conservation.  As the number one industry in Maryland, the diversity of agriculture programs in the State continues to expand and grow.

The Office of Central Services is dedicated to successfully providing goods and services to MDA’s internal and external customers. The Central Services team administers centralized support services for MDA, including, facilities operation and management, contract administration and procurement, fleet management, administrative services and small, local and the minority business development.​

 Join our Central Service Team!

Open to Current State Employees

GRADE

LOCATION OF POSITION

Main Purpose of Job

POSITION DUTIES

• Develops contracts, contract modifications, contract renewals and advertisement requirements  
• Manages the advertisement of procurement opportunities, solicits bids and proposals from potential Contractors, conducts and records pre-bid or pre-proposal conferences and conducts site visits. 
• Determines basis for evaluation criteria and contract awards; Oversees the evaluation process and executes contract award 
• Negotiates the most favorable prices, terms and conditions for non-competitive, sole source and emergency procurements 
• Researches materials and provides testimony regarding Board of Public Works items and prepares documents/submits for BPW contract approval. Confers with supervisor and Assistant Attorney General's Office regarding bid or proposal irregularities, contract disputes, protests, vendor compliance or appeals and Public Information Act requests 
• Evaluates Contractor's performance against terms and conditions of contract (including MBE compliance) with the Business Liaison and recommends corrective actions such as application of damages, withholding of payment and termination of contract.

• Performs required State FMIS tasks necessary for procurement 
• Ensures that State purchasing card purchases comply with Procurement Regulations Reconciles monthly purchasing card statements utilizing the Corporate Purchasing Card (CPC) program. 
• Performs procurement regulation, policy and best practices workshops with Program staff annually at a minimum. 
• Provides advice and guidance to paraprofessional support staff and program staff. 
• Provides excellent customer service that conforms with State practices and policies

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

                                                     Procurement Officer I- Option 1

Experience: Six years of experience, two years of experience in contract management or procurement involving duties such as: soliciting, evaluating, negotiating and awarding contracts and ensuring compliance with governmental procurement laws, regulations and conditions and an additional four years of professional contract management experience or professional procurement experience.

                                                     Procurement Officer I- Option 2

Experience: Five years of experience, one year of experience in contract management or procurement involving duties such as: soliciting, evaluating, negotiating and awarding contracts and ensuring compliance with governmental procurement laws, regulations and conditions and an additional four years of professional contract management experience or professional procurement experience.

Notes:

1. Candidates may substitute certification as a Certified Public Manager from the National Association of Purchasing Management; Certified Professional Contracts Manager from the National Contract Management Association; Certified Public Purchasing Officer or Certified Professional Public Buyer from the Universal Public Purchasing Certification Council (National Institute of Governmental Purchasing, Inc. or National Association of State Purchasing Officers) for the additional four years of the required experience.

2. Candidates for Option 1 positions may substitute the possession of a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university and two years of experience of experience in contract management or procurement involving duties such as: soliciting, evaluating, negotiating and awarding contracts and ensuring compliance with governmental procurement laws, regulations and conditions for the required experience.

3. Candidates for Option 2 positions may substitute the possession of a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university and one year of experience in contract management or procurement involving duties such as: soliciting, evaluating, negotiating and awarding contracts and ensuring compliance with governmental procurement laws, regulations and conditions for the required  experience.

4. Candidates may substitute additional graduate education at an accredited college or university, at the rate of thirty credit hours for the required experience.

5. Candidates may substitute U.S. Armed Forces military service experience as a commissioned officer in Contracting, Industrial Management or logistics specialist classifications or administrative support specialty codes in the procurement or financial management fields of work on a year-for-year basis for the required experience.

DESIRED OR PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

LIMITATIONS ON SELECTION

LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS AND CERTIFICATIONS

1. Employees in this classification may be assigned duties which require the operation of a motor vehicle.  Employees assigned such duties will be required to possess a motor vehicle operator’s license valid in the State of Maryland.

2. Employees in this classification who have not done so already must obtain and possess certification as a Procurement Professional from the Maryland Department of General Services within one year of appointment.

SELECTION PROCESS

Please make sure that you provide sufficient information on your application to show that you meet the qualifications for this recruitment. All information concerning your qualifications must be submitted by the closing date. We will not consider information submitted after this date. Successful candidates will be ranked as Best Qualified, Better Qualified, or Qualified and placed on the eligible (employment) list for at least one year.

EXAMINATION PROCESS

The assessment may consist of a rating of your education, training, and experience related to the requirements of the position. It is important that you provide complete and accurate information on your application. Please report all experience and education that is related to this position.

BARGAINING UNIT STATUS

BENEFITS

STATE OF MARYLAND BENEFITS

FURTHER INSTRUCTIONS

Online applications are STRONGLY preferred.  If you unable to apply online, you may mail a paper application to: Maryland Department of Agriculture Human Resource Office, Room 304 50 Harry S Truman Parkway Annapolis, MD 21401.  If you are submitting additional information, such as diplomas and transcripts, the preferred method is to upload them online with your application. 

If you are unable to upload, you may mail, hand-deliver or fax (HR Fax # 443-602-9831).  All paper applications must be received by the closing date, no exceptions.  (Postmarks not accepted.)

Resumes will NOT be accepted in lieu of completing the online or paper application. 

As an equal opportunity employer, Maryland is committed to recruiting, retaining and promoting employees who are reflective of the State’s diversity. People with disabilities and bilingual candidates are encouraged to apply. We thank our Veterans for their service to our country.  TTY Users: call via Maryland Relay For questions concerning this recruitment, please contact: Kathleen Newhouse at 410-841-5837 or kathleen.newhouse2@maryland.gov.