DEPARTMENT OF FORESTRY AND FIRE MANAGEMENT

Address: 1110 W. Washington Street, Suite 500
Phoenix, AZ 85007

Salary: $67,567- $75,000 Annually 

Grade: 22

Closing Date: Open Until Filled

Operating under limited supervision, the Senior Procurement Specialist utilizes a diverse range of purchasing and contracting methodologies to procure products and services while developing, negotiating, and tracking complex or high-risk agreements.

This role is responsible for managing the end-to-end procurement lifecycle for assigned commodities and services of a highly technical nature, ensuring all departmental needs are met. Key duties include facilitating Task Order Request for Bids and evaluating response forms in direct collaboration with Foresters, as well as providing expert guidance to Department personnel regarding requisition requests and procurement best practices.

The Specialist evaluates inherent contract risks, drafts specialized requirements, negotiates formal language, and performs comprehensive cost or price analyses to ensure fiscal responsibility. Administrative responsibilities involve managing the Arizona Procurement Portal (APP) by processing Purchase Requisitions to generate Purchase Orders and entering receipts to facilitate timely contractor payments. Furthermore, the Senior Procurement Specialist may work in strategic cooperation with local and federal governmental agencies to develop and maintain agreements that support the Department of Forestry and Fire Management (DFFM) operations throughout the state.

This position may offer the ability to work in a hybrid setting, within Arizona, based upon the department's business needs and continual meeting of expected performance measures.

The State of Arizona strives for a work culture that affords employees flexibility, autonomy, and trust. Across our many agencies, boards, and commissions, many State employees participate in the State’s Remote Work Program and are able to work remotely in their homes, in offices, and in hoteling spaces. All work, including remote work, should be performed within Arizona unless an exception is properly authorized in advance.

• Prepare, issue, open, evaluate, negotiate, request best and final offers, conduct oral presentations, for highly complex/technical solicitations and related documents.
  
• Review, Request for Bids and award Task Orders.
  
• Conduct pre-solicitation meetings with customers, pre-bid/offer conferences with the vendor community, and evaluation committee meetings.
  
• May participate in focus group meetings for statewide contracts.
  
• Maintain procurement files and program updates.
  
• Effectively administer resultant contracts according to contractual provisions, including post-award meetings and the authorization of amendments or change orders.
  
• Maintain records in accordance with rules, statutes, executive orders, and unit performance measurements.
  
• Review Sole Source and Emergency procurement requests, protested solicitations and awards for compliance.
  
• Draft formal written determination for review and approval for Management authorization.
  
• Provide timely assistance to customers in developing highly complex, technical and performance specifications in areas of specialization.
  
• Provide courteous, responsive assistance to customers.
  
• Recognize issues and identify actions and address them within the applicable statutes and rules. Elevate to supervisor when necessary.
  
• Conduct market research/analysis.
  
• Coordinate and analyze data (i.e. Off Contract requests and expenditures etc.) to determine with customers which commodity/services will require that contracts be established.
  
• Attend and participate in professional training and meetings.
  
• Participate as an active member of the Procurement team providing input and feedback for team goals and objectives.
  
• Manage the Arizona Procurement Portal (APP) processes for purchase requisitions and verify contractor invoices to facilitate timely payments.
  
• Other duties as assigned as related to the position
  

Knowledge of:

• Comprehensive knowledge of the Arizona State Procurement Code, Commodity Codes, Federal Antitrust Laws and Federal Acquisition Regulations.
  
• Procurement practices, processes and procedures.
  
• General contract writing, negotiation, and solicitation techniques
• Comprehensive knowledge of procurement and accounting software.
  
• Word processing, spreadsheet and database applications.

Skills in:

• Comprehensive skills in project management, negotiation, research and analysis and making sound recommendations.
  
• Communication and time management.
  
• Interpretation of laws, rules and regulations pertaining to the lawful procurement of goods and services.
  
• Using, understanding, and explaining contract and procurement language.
  
• Excellent public contact/customer service skills.
  
• Verbal and written communication.
  
• Negotiate/arbitrate effectively.
  
• Various software programs including MS Word, Excel, Access; Using the Arizona Procurement Portal (APP).

Ability to:

• Interpret and apply agency and program rules, operating procedures and regulations governing the procurement process.
  
• Prepare detailed specifications and analyze multi-factor bids.
  
• Plan, organize, coordinate and prioritize to best meet department needs.
  
• Make mathematical calculations rapidly and accurately.
  
• Negotiate.
  
• Problem Solve.
  
• Maintain confidentiality of purchasing and procurement details.
  
• Communicate effectively verbally and in writing.
  

The ideal candidate for this position will have:

• A Bachelor's degree in business, purchasing, procurement, contract management, or related field from an accredited program.
  
• Three years of administrative experience above Procurement Associate level; Professional Certification such as CPM, CPPB, CPPO Proficiency in using the Arizona Procurement Portal (APP).
  

• A valid Arizona Driver's License.

Any employee operating a motor vehicle on State business must possess and retain a current, valid class-appropriate driver’s license, complete all required training, and successfully pass all necessary driver’s license record checks. The license must be current, unexpired, and neither revoked nor suspended. Employees who drive on state business are subject to driver’s license record checks, must maintain acceptable driving records, and must complete all required driver training. An employee who operates a personally owned vehicle on state business shall maintain the statutorily required liability insurance (see Arizona Administrative Code (A.A.C.) R2-10-207.11).

If this position requires driving or the use of a vehicle as an essential function of the job to conduct State business, then the following requirements apply: Driver’s License Requirements.

All newly hired State employees are subject to and must successfully complete the Electronic Employment Eligibility Verification Program (E-Verify).

The State of Arizona provides an excellent comprehensive benefits package including:

• Affordable medical, dental, life, and short-term disability insurance plans
  
• Top-ranked retirement and long-term disability plans
  
• 10 paid holidays per year
  
• Paid Parental Leave-Up to 12 weeks per year paid leave for newborn or newly-placed foster/adopted child (pilot program, learn more at hr.az.gov/family-leave-expansion).
  
• Vacation time accrued at 4.00 hours bi-weekly for the first 3 years
  
• Sick time accrued at 3.70 hours bi-weekly
  
• Deferred compensation plan
  
• Wellness plans
  
• Tuition reimbursement eligible after one year of employment

By providing the option of a full-time or part-time remote work schedule, employees enjoy improved work/life balance, report higher job satisfaction, and are more productive. Remote work is a management option and not an employee entitlement or right. An agency may terminate a remote work agreement at its discretion.

Learn more about the Paid Parental Leave pilot program here. For a complete list of benefits provided by The State of Arizona, please visit our benefits page

• Positions in this classification participate in the Arizona State Retirement System (ASRS).
  
• Participation is a mandatory condition of employment for all employees who meet the eligibility and membership criteria as defined in statute.
  
• Enrollment eligibility will become effective after 27 weeks of employment.
  
• The current contribution rate is 12.00%

If you have any questions please feel free to contact Selene Rojas at srojas@dffm.az.gov for assistance.

The State of Arizona is an Equal Opportunity/Reasonable Accommodation Employer. Persons with a disability may request a reasonable accommodation such as a sign language interpreter or an alternative format by calling (623) 236-6664. Requests should be made as early as possible to allow sufficient time to arrange the accommodation.