The Purchasing Specialist coordinates and serves as the lead subject matter expert in areas of contracting and procurement for the organization. The incumbent will handle contracts and procurements which are high profile, highly complex and highly technical. The Purchasing Specialist coordinates the activities of personnel involved in the contracting and procurement process. Responsible for ensuring purchasing policies and procedures are being followed and they comply with applicable federal, state, and local requirements. Works with and presents recommendations and/or data to executive management and/or the Board as required.
Essential Functions/Major Responsibilities:
It is essential for all employees to adhere to Northern Wasco County PUD policies, procedures, and workplace behavior expectations. Duties may include, but are not limited to:
Review legal contracts prior to execution by District staff.
Review procurement contracts for legal compliance, risk and/or liability issues and interface with legal counsel and insurance brokers as necessary.
Facilitate and review contract renewals, change orders and amendment processes.
Review and participate in development of bid specifications. Solicit and analyze bids and resolve bid protests. Assist staff in development of Board consent and agenda items and respond to Board of Directors requests for additional information.
Review and support purchase agreements after determining appropriate solicitation method and/or form of contract.
Analyze and modify operation methods and procedures; identify alternative solutions, project consequences of proposed actions and present recommendations in support of utility goals.
Consult with managers to determine services and material needs, specifications, and areas of standardization.
Coordinate and consolidate District service needs among department and divisions with outside agencies.
Consult with staff, internal customers, and contractors regarding solicitation types, contracting requirements, technical specification, and other related District business matters.
Monitor, interpret, apply, and adhere to applicable federal, state, local laws, regulations, policies, and procedures including ORS 279, OAR 125 and OAR 137
Draft language and negotiate terms and conditions as required.
Write, revise and update solicitation language, standard forms, rules, policies, procedures under the direction of the CFO and ensure changes are effectively communicated to staff.
Supports project teams effectively and efficiently to achieve assigned outcomes.
Manages material resources by obtaining and seeing to the appropriate use of equipment, facilities, and materials needed for certain work/projects.
Other related duties as assigned.
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this job. This is a job description summary of the essential functions and anticipated duties of this job and does not represent an all-inclusive list of tasks or procedures.
Specific Job Knowledge and Skills
Performs work with a high degree of accuracy and attention to detail.
Ability to identify, review, and solve complex issues. Uses logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
Knowledge of federal, state, and local laws as they pertain to contracts and procurement.
Possess excellent verbal and written communication skills.
Ability to effectively communicate with and maintain positive professional working relationships with both internal and external customers. Applies a positive and collaborative approach to conflict resolution.
Ability to negotiate effectively.
Knowledge of and ability to effectively utilize computer applications including word processing, spreadsheets, and database programs.
Ability to exercises good judgement and decision-making. Considers relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose most appropriate.
Possess a strong sense of accountability for meeting high standard of integrity, delivers on commitments in a timely manner.
Possess strong time management skills. Can successfully manage competing priorities for time, attention, and resources to meet requirements for cost, quality, and timeliness to meet the goals and objective of the organization.
Ability to follow general instructions and direction from supervisor and demonstrates willingness to accept feedback. Owns and learns from mistakes.
Education and/or Experience:
Other combinations of education and/or experience demonstrating the knowledge, skills, and abilities required to do the work will also be considered.
Bachelor's degree in Business or Public Administration, Accounting, or relevant field.
Four (4) years’ experience in related position.
Internal Number: 2021-00003
About Northern Wasco County PUD
Northern Wasco County People’s Utility District is a customer-owned utility that provides nearly 25,000 people and businesses with electricity in Wasco County, Oregon. As our name implies, “people” are what we are all about.
We take great pride in providing quality electric service at some of the lowest rates in Oregon, the Northwest and the nation. The 50-plus employees who work at the utility greet each customer with a friendly smile and provide prompt, efficient and courteous service. Our customers experience few power outages because our electrical system is well maintained.
Nearly all of the electricity needed to serve our customers is purchased from the federal Bonneville Power Administration, which serves several dozen public utilities in the Northwest with low-cost electricity. Northern Wasco PUD also has two hydroelectric power generation projects that supplement our BPA power.