Procurement Specialist

Idaho Department of Education This position is exempt from classified state service and the rules of the Division of Human Resources and the Idaho Personnel Commission. Please note: Applications will be accepted through 11:59 PM MST on the posting end date. The Idaho Department of Education (Department) is dedicated to serving and providing common-sense leadership, support, and resources to educators across the state. The knowledge, skills, and experience of the Department’s employees are among our most valued and important assets. Employment with the Department provides a rewarding career that positively affects the lives of children in Idaho. To learn more, please visit our website at http://www.sde.idaho.gov/ . GENERAL DESCRIPTION: The Procurement Specialist independently manages assigned procurement and contract activities under the supervision of the Lead Procurement Coordinator. The specialist partners with department staff and vendors to understand program needs, provide guidance to staff on procurement and contract requirements, and identify practical paths forward while meeting applicable policies and state and federal requirements. This position takes ownership of assignments from intake through completion, researches questions, resolves routine issues, and provides timely guidance with limited day-to-day supervision. The role requires initiative, sound judgment, and a service-oriented approach that builds trust and encourages early engagement with Procurement. The specialist prepares complete documents and well-supported recommendations for the Lead Procurement Coordinator, who retains final procurement review and approval within delegated authority and directs the resolution of complex, nonstandard, or higher-risk matters. RESPONSIBILITIES: Independently review and manage assigned contract and project approval requests from intake through completion; clarify needs, obtain missing information, and review accuracy and compliance with applicable requirements. Partner with department staff and vendors to explain procurement requirements in plain language, research questions, and identify practical options that support program objectives and applicable requirements. Prepare contracts, amendments, renewals, extensions, and payment terms using approved templates; submit complete packages for the Lead Procurement Coordinator’s final review before coordinating required approvals and signatures. Work collaboratively with program staff to develop clear scopes of work, deliverables, timelines, and payment terms; program staff retain responsibility for program needs, funding information, deliverable acceptance, and vendor performance. Review contracts and agreements for consistency and potential risks; resolve routine discrepancies and present nonstandard terms, exceptions, or unresolved concerns to the Lead Procurement Coordinator with supporting information and recommended next steps. Use department financial, procurement, and electronic signature systems to process and track assigned work and coordinate with accounting staff as needed. Maintain accurate records and document links for assigned matters in the contract database under standards established by the Lead Procurement Coordinator, who owns database structure, numbering conventions, status definitions, and quality oversight; compile information for reporting, audits, and public records requests. Coordinate with program and accounting staff to review payment requests against contract payment terms and supporting documentation; investigate discrepancies and refer unresolved concerns to the Lead Procurement Coordinator. Monitor the procurement email inbox, acknowledge requests, answer routine questions, and coordinate follow-up; maintain assigned Teams tasks with current status, next actions, owners, deadlines, document links, and blockers. Identify recurring questions and process challenges and recommend improvements to procurement guidance, manuals, templat…

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