Procurement Specialist 1

Are you seeking a career that leverages your expertise in procurement and analysis while contributing to meaningful public service? The Pennsylvania Department of Human Services, within the Bureau of Procurement and Contract Management, is looking for a Procurement Specialist 1 to join our team. In this role, you will manage the planning, development, and analysis of high-value contract and grant documents. These agreements are essential to providing vital services to thousands of individuals across the Commonwealth. If you are looking for professional growth and the chance to make a tangible impact, we encourage you to apply today!

As a Procurement Specialist 1, you will play a critical role in ensuring the integrity and efficiency of the organization's acquisition processes. You will be responsible for interpreting and applying complex procurement policies to draft and propose contract documents, meticulously evaluating them for appropriateness and making necessary amendments to facilitate seamless processing. Your oversight ensures that all procurement actions and documentation remain in strict adherence to established rules, regulations, and internal procedures. During the competitive bidding phase, you will lead the procurement process by facilitating team meetings and coordinating scoring sessions to ensure that bid evaluations are conducted with high levels of objectivity and professional standards. This position demands the consistent application of critical thinking skills to proactively identify challenges and implement effective resolutions. In this capacity, you will have the chance to showcase your robust working knowledge of technical writing and your firm grasp of fundamental contract principles, enabling you to produce clear, legally sound documentation that supports the organization's strategic goals. 

Interested in learning more? Additional details regarding this position can be found in the position description.

Work Schedule and Additional Information:

• Full-time employment, 37.5 hours per week
• Work hours are 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM, Monday - Friday, with a 60-minute lunch.
• Telework: You may have the opportunity to work from home (telework) part-time up to 3 days per week. You will be required to report to work physically in the office two days per week. Tuesdays are a mandatory office day. You will have the option of choosing Mondays, Wednesdays, or Thursdays as your second office day. In order to telework, you must have a securely configured high-speed internet connection and work from an approved location inside Pennsylvania. If you are unable to telework, you will have the option to report to the headquarters office in Harrisburg. The ability to telework is subject to change at any time. Additional details may be provided during the interview.
• Salary: In some cases, the starting salary may be non-negotiable. 
• Paid Parking!
• You will receive further communication regarding this position via email. Check your email, including spam/junk folders, for these notices.

QUALIFICATIONS

Minimum Experience and Training Requirements:

• One year of experience performing technical purchasing or contract management work; and a bachelor’s degree in business, supply chain, logistics, project, or operations management, or a related field; or
• An equivalent combination of experience and training.

• You must meet the PA residency requirement. For more information on ways to meet PA residency requirements, follow the link and click on Residency Guidelines. 
• You must be able to perform essential job functions.

• Resumes, cover letters, and similar documents will not be reviewed, and the information contained therein will not be considered for the purposes of determining your eligibility for the position. Information to support your eligibility for the position must be provided on the application (i.e., relevant, detailed experience/education).
• If you are claiming education in your answers to the supplemental application questions, you must attach a copy of your college transcripts for your claim to be accepted toward meeting the minimum requirements. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable.
• Your application must be submitted by the posting closing date. Late applications and other required materials will not be accepted.
• Failure to comply with the above application requirements may eliminate you from consideration for this position. 
• All application materials and interview responses must reflect the applicant’s own experience, qualifications, and work. Applicants may use generative AI tools for preparation purposes only. Use of AI to misrepresent or falsify information, or to assist during interviews, is not permitted. Review the Guidance for Generative AI Tools & Job Seekers for additional information.

Veterans:

• Pennsylvania law (51 Pa. C.S. §7103) provides employment preference for qualified veterans for appointment to many state and local government jobs. To learn more about employment preferences for veterans, go to www.pa.gov/agencies/employment/how-to-apply.html and click on Veterans.

Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS): 

• 711 (hearing and speech disabilities or other individuals).

If you are contacted for an interview and need accommodations due to a disability, please discuss your request for accommodations with the interviewer in advance of your interview date.

The Commonwealth is an equal employment opportunity employer and is committed to a diverse workforce. The Commonwealth values inclusion as we seek to recruit, develop, and retain the most qualified people to serve the citizens of Pennsylvania. The Commonwealth does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religious creed, ancestry, union membership, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, AIDS or HIV status, disability, or any other categories protected by applicable federal or state law. All diverse candidates are encouraged to apply.

• Completing the application, including all supplemental questions, serves as your exam for this position. No additional exam is required at a test center (also referred to as a written exam).
• Your score is based on the detailed information you provide on your application and in response to the supplemental questions. 
• Your score is valid for this specific posting only.
• You must provide complete and accurate information or:
  • your score may be lower than deserved.
  • you may be disqualified.
• You may only apply/test once for this posting.
• Your results will be provided via email.