Arizona Department of Education

Procurement Section

Phoenix Location

Salary: $72,000 - $78,000 

Grade: 22

Closing Date: 11/03/2024

This position:
• Develops, negotiates and administers contracts, agreements, and leases with governmental agencies and the public to obtain or provide goods, trades or professional services, information technology; administer grants or memo of understanding; approving or denying reimbursements
• Establishes and administer highly technical / complex solicitations for the agency. It is responsible for ensuring the timeliness, accuracy and quality of solicitations, agreement, contracts, bids and proposals
• Routinely coordinate and communicates with end users and contractors regarding contractual requirements and amendments
• Is responsible for pre-offer conferences, evaluations committee meetings, and post award meetings
• Interprets and implements statutory, procedural and policy requirements as they pertain to contract administration; perform research and make decisions regarding contractual issues such as terms and conditions, bonding, insurance requirements, licensing, resolves conflicts, disputes and protest by vendor and contractor deficiency issues; and maintain knowledge of legislative changes and executive orders affecting procurement
• Rare in-state travel is required for this position.

The Arizona Department of Education currently utilizes a hybrid work environment, with up to two days of remote work (contingent upon business needs). Candidates should apply with an ability and willingness to work in-office up to five days per week as business needs necessitate.

• Prepares complex contracts and intergovernmental agreements, including the development and creation of contract documents and supporting documentation
• Prepares, issues, evaluates, and awards complex informal/formal solicitations and related documents supporting all state and federal programs
• Assists ADE internal customers in developing complex Statements of Work, Scopes of Work, and/or Performance Specifications
• Conduct oral presentations, negotiate, request best and final offers, evaluate, and award
• Issues contract extensions and rebids
• Provides assistance to ADE internal customers in developing item descriptions and/or specifications
• Provides accurate and timely information to internal and external customers
• Provides internal/external training
• Conducts market research/analysis
• Coordinates and analyzes data to determine, with customer(s), which commodity/services will be established as ADE contracts and determines appropriate terms and conditions of those contracts

Knowledge in:
• Policies and procedures, state and federal statues and rules as they pertain to soliciting competition and contract administration
• Best procurement practices sufficient to: determine appropriate method of procurement; develop solicitation documents, solicit appropriate and timely offers; evaluate offers, negotiate contracts, determine successful offer(s), award contracts and perform contract administration tasks
• Arizona Procurement Code, Executive Orders, Risk Management requirements, and legislative changes in order to comply with the legal or procedural mandates as related to contracts
• Open Meeting law and Public Records Law
• Contract budget for purpose of soliciting services to comply with the Arizona Procurement Code

Skills in:
• Communicating and negotiating with various staff levels, both verbally and in writing
• Managing the work completed by evaluation committees
• Interpreting the laws, rules, and regulations pertaining to contracts and agreements
• Documenting substantive issues related to contractual activities.
• Analyzing and interpreting information to produce fair and equitable results
• Negotiating and mediating with contractors and contract users
• Math skills
• Analytical aptitude
• Tact and diplomacy in interpersonal relationships with vendors, contractors, and governmental agencies with the goal of reflecting a positive image for the Agency
• Intermediate skill in using Microsoft Outlook, Word, and Excel

Ability to:
• Plan, organize, and coordinate multiple tasks
• Exercise initiative in developing, improving and conducting procurement activities
• Support and enforce procurement policies and procedures
• Perform research to determine best approach based on market conditions and trends
• Recognize unfair or illegal procurement practices

Preference will be given to those applicants with:
• A Bachelor’s degree
• National Institute of Governmental Purchasing (NIGP) certification
• Certified Public Procurement Officer (CPPO) Certification

• Offers are contingent upon successful completion of all background and reference checks, required documents and, if applicable, a post-offer medical/physical evaluation.

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
• Ten paid holidays per year
• Vacation time accrued at 4.00 hours bi-weekly for the first 3 years
• Sick time accrued at 3.70 hours bi-weekly
• Paid Parental Leave-Up to 12 weeks per year paid leave for newborn or newly-placed foster/adopted child (pilot program).
• Deferred compensation plan
• Wellness plans

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

You will be required to participate in the Arizona State Retirement System (ASRS) upon your 27th week of employment, subject to waiting period. On or shortly after, your first day of employment you will be provided with enrollment instructions and effective date.

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 (602) 542-3186 or emailing Human.Resources@azed.gov. Requests should be made as early as possible to allow sufficient time to arrange the accommodation.