DNR Only - Purchasing Team Lead (Purchasing Agent IV)

Department Information

Only permanent classified employees of the Department of Natural Resources are eligible to apply for this position.

Department of Natural Resources, Executive Director's Office 

The Executive Director’s Office (EDO) within the Colorado Department of Natural Resources (DNR) exists to manage and supervise the activities of the Divisions within DNR in the development, preservation, and enhancement of Colorado’s natural resources for the benefit and enjoyment of its citizens – both now and in the future.  EDO combines and manages the administrative, operational and performance functions of all DNR divisions, including the EDO.

The purpose of the work unit is to manage all aspects of procurement including solicitations, contracting using purchase orders, formalizing agreements and vendor agreements for the Department.   These activities fall under the Group II Purchasing Delegation from the Colorado Department of Personnel and Administration to the Department of Natural Resources, as well as individual delegations from the State Controller for no-risk and low-risk contract approvals.  The unit ensures that all procurement activities are in compliance with the Colorado Procurement Code, Fiscal Rules, and applicable policies, procedures and guidelines.

Description of Job

This position will function as a senior authority within DNR Procurement.  As Deputy Procurement Director this position will serve as the backup to the Procurement Director and will have the highest level of delegated authority from the Procurement Director as DNR’s “Procurement Official” (ie, “the individual of a purchasing agency with purchasing

authority created pursuant to section 24-102-202 (3) or 24-102-302 (2) or the individual authorized to enter into contracts for capital construction or controlled maintenance pursuant to section 24-30-1303 (5).”).  The position is expected to operate in a primary capacity for certain Procurement Code functions (eg, Sole Source approval) and will serve as the backup on other (eg. Emergency Procurement approval).  This position will serve as a go-to authority for DNR division procurement staff for certain aspects of the procurement process, and will manage either DNR’s central purchasing or contracting workload and serve as a team lead for the corresponding DNR staff.  The position will be expected to develop DNR-wide procurement policies and training in coordination with the Procurement Director.  This position is intended to receive OSC delegation to execute DNR agreements as a Controller delegate as allowed within the bounds of that delegation and OSC policy.

Strategic thinking and critical analysis will be paramount to carrying out the duties involved in the procurement facilitation, work prioritization, decision making, and process improvement capacities envisions for the position. This position requires subject matter expertise in the Statewide procurement rules and policies, including those contained in applicable DPA policies, the Procurement Code, and State Fiscal Rules.  The position will be expected to have the knowledge of and ability to interpret policy and apply it to difficult and complex procurement situations.

This position will assist DNR divisional staff to acquire all necessary goods and services in a timely and cost-effective manner; will make procurement decisions at the department level by interpreting and analyzing needs, specifications, data and circumstances; will clarify State and federal procurement requirements; will provide professional procurement expertise, counsel and assistance to divisional staff; will develop purchasing processes and schedules; and will make the judgments and decision implicit in these activities based on professional discretion

Owning the other responsibilities, subject matter expertise, and intended organization structure of the work unit as outlined herein the position will had work-lead authority over the the purchasing or contracts groups within EDO Procurement, and the associated job functions of multiple FTE positions thereunder. The position is expected to ask the subject-matter expert related to the affected procurement responsibilities for those other positions, will delegate tasks, establish work standard, coordinate on schedule approvals, and contribute to supervisory decisions made by the DNR Procurement Director.

This position will review division contracting and/or purchase requests and determine the appropriate procurement action based on factors that include ensuring the requested commodities/services/construction needs are fulfilled, structuring processes efficiently, maximizing competition, and complying with relevant laws and rules.  The position will make determinations regarding the appropriate commitment voucher to be used where guidelines do not clearly dictate which are to be used; engage in complex purchasing scenarios that may require coordination among State Controller, State Personnel, Attorney General’s Office, Risk Management, and State Purchasing to ensure compliance with fiscal and procurement statutes, regulations, and policies; review and approve certain waivers of applicable regulations/rules based on critical analysis of the project.   Interprets rules and regulations pertaining to procurement for the Division staff and formulates internal processes and procedures to ensure Division compliance. Primary resource among unit staff for negotiation difficulties or problematic and complex purchasing breakdowns and as such must execute strategic and decision making and complex analytical evaluation in high pressure situations.  The position will formulate, solicit, analyze, evaluate and award solicitations, which includes developing and/or reviewing the proper specifications with applicable terms and conditions and sending to the appropriate vendors to obtain maximum competitions.  The position will; lead teams of program and subject matter experts and guide individual teams through the evaluation of multiple proposals, including interaction with vendors to ensure that proposals are fully understood; award solicitations in compliance with procurement rules and regulations.  The position should be able to manage an expansive workload and prioritize among competing tasks.  

Serve as a Senior Authority for DNR Procurement and backup to the Procurement Director:

This position will serve as the backup to the DNR Procurement Director for all functions delegated under the Procurement Code.  This position will similarly serve as a Controller backup to the Procurement Director extent allowed under direct OSC delegation.  The position will be the divisions’ primary point of contact at DNR for questions and complex issues related to the Procurement Code, Fiscal Rules, and associated OSC Polices.  In coordination with the DNR Contracts and Purchasing Director, the position will establish the policies and procedures under which the divisions will manage their procurement operations.  The position will also serve a critical role in helping to develop and train DNR-EDO procurement staff in this capacity.  The position will provide guidance and counsel to employees throughout the divisions, particularly procurement liaisons and program/project managers involved in purchasing by analyzing problems, interpreting laws and statutes, researching best practices and seeking information from the State Controller’s Office, Attorney General ‘s Office and State Purchasing Office.  The position will assist divisions in setting up efficient procedures for processing purchases, managing purchasing needs, and monitoring vendor performance; work with division procurement liaisons and program managers to gain understanding and support of accountability and responsibility, even when there are unique problems and/or circumstances; and conduct audits of discretionary purchases, contract monitoring and other division procurement activities.

Policy, Process and System Improvements:

State procurement is a dynamic subject area with frequent adjustments to fiscal or purchasing rules, statues, published State Controller policies, and official opinions of the same.  This position will be uniquely situated to observe a cross section of work from across DNR’s divisions during the application of these rules, and the position will be expected to help DNR adjust its own process to remain in compliance with such rules.  The position will help identify areas where DNR can improve its purchasing processes and systems, and will be responsible to help to design and implement functional efficiencies.  The position will recognize and characterize patterns of rework, process anomalies or lack of expertise in individual division staff, and will devise strategies for improvement to processes, training, online resources, etc. in order to help the divisions better conduct their business.  The position efforts may include gathering input from division staff, peers, or researching best practices.    

Recognize and characterize patterns of rework, process anomalies or lack of expertise in individual division staff.  Devise strategies for improvement to processes, training, online resources, etc.  Finalizing process improvements may include gathering input from division staff, peers or researching best practices.  Assist DNR Procurement Unit in updating, modernizing, and improving our internal processes to be a more efficient asset to meet division needs.

Develop and Provide Formal Trainings and Related Resources:
Owning the other responsibilities outlined herein the position will become a subject matter expert in State procurement, and the position will develop and deliver training for the divisions related to the same.  Training will vary in forms and settings, including individuals, small and large groups, and will occur online, in person, or a hybrid.  The position will develop policy guidance documents, step-action process, and similar resources to post on the DNR intranet for reference and use by division liaisons and program staff. The position will update and maintain online resources.

Other duties assigned.

Minimum Qualifications, Substitutions, Conditions of Employment & Appeal Rights

Seven (7) years of public and/or private sector Business Administration, Contract Management, Procurement, Economics, Law, Supply Chains, Purchasing, Accounting and Finance, Public Administration, Business, Political Science, Government or  an occupation related to the work assigned to this position
OR
Education and Experience:
A combination of related education in Business Administration, Economics, Contract Management, Government, Law, Journalism, Political Science, Paralegal Studies, Procurement, Project Management, Public Relations, or other field related to the assignment and/or public and/or private sector contracting, purchasing, sourcing, or logistics in an occupation related to the work assigned equal to seven (7) years

Please note: The required experience must be substantiated within the work experience section of your application. Your resume will not be reviewed to determine if you meet the minimum qualifications; only the work experience section of your application will be reviewed to determine this. “See Resume” statements on the application will not be accepted. In addition, part-time work will be prorated.

Substitutions:
Additional appropriate experience will substitute for the degree requirement on a year-for-year basis. Additional appropriate education will substitute for the required general experience on a year-for-year basis.

Please note: The required experience must be substantiated within the work experience section of your application. Your resume will not be reviewed to determine if you meet the minimum qualifications; only the work experience section of your application will be reviewed to determine this. “See Resume” statements on the application will not be accepted. In addition, part-time work will be prorated.

Class Code: Purchasing Agent IV

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Preference will be given to those candidates with previous State Service related to the work assigned to the position.
• Previous supervisory experience.
• Ability to multi-task and process high volume contracting/purchasing requests
• Proficiency in CORE
• Familiarity with the Colorado Procurement Code and/or Fiscal Rules 

REQUIRED COMPETENCIES:

• Attention to Detail
• Analytical & Critical Thinking Skills
• Compliance
• Leadership
• Problem Solving
• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Experience interpreting and applying the Colorado Fiscal Rules and/or Procurement Code to complex purchasing/contracting situations.

The current work arrangement for this position is as follows: 
(Please note, this arrangement can be subject to change)

• This is a Hybrid position - Work is primarily performed from a home office, however the selected candidate will at times report to the office at 1313 Sherman Street - Denver, CO for meetings, trainings and projects as directed by the supervisor. 

APPEAL RIGHTS:
It is recommended that you contact the Human Resources Specialist listed below to resolve issues related to your possession of minimum qualifications. However, if you receive notice that you have been eliminated from consideration for this position, you may file an appeal with the State Personnel Board or request a review by the State Personnel Director.
 
An appeal or review must be submitted on the official appeal form, signed by you or your representative. This form must be delivered to the State Personnel Board by email, US Mail, faxed or hand delivered within ten (10) calendar days from your receipt of notice or acknowledgement of the department’s action.

Supplemental Information

The Assessment Process 

• All applications received by the closing of this announcement will be reviewed by an HR Specialist against the Minimum Qualifications in this announcement. 
• Colorado Revised Statutes require that state employees are hired and promoted based on merit and fitness through a comparative analysis process. Part of, or all of, the comparative analysis for this position will be a structured application review by Subject Matter Experts.
• Resumes, cover letters and other attachments are not considered as part of initial reviews, therefore, it is important to document in your application your education, experience, minimum qualifications, and preferred qualifications as outlined in the job announcement. 
• Please thoroughly answer all supplemental questions (if listed) since question responses may be evaluated for content, writing ability, spelling, grammar, and effective communication. 
• This recruitment may involve additional testing and/or exams to arrive at the top group for interviews.
• This posting may fill multiple vacancies.

A salary range is posted for this position and any job offer is based upon a salary analysis to comply with the Colorado Equal Pay for Equal Work Act. The salary analysis considers relevant experience, education, certifications, and state seniority as compared to others doing substantially similar work. While all offers are compliant with the Colorado Equal Pay for Equal Work Act, there is no guarantee an offer will be at the top of the posted range based on the salary analysis.

We are committed to increasing a “Colorado for ALL" of our staff and providing culturally responsive programs and services. Therefore, we encourage responses from people of all backgrounds and abilities.  The State of Colorado believes that a “Colorado for ALL” drives our success, and we encourage candidates from all identities, backgrounds, and abilities to apply. The State of Colorado is an equal opportunity employer committed to building inclusive, innovative work environments with employees who reflect our communities and enthusiastically serve them. Therefore, in all aspects of the employment process, we provide employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, medical condition related to pregnancy, creed, ancestry, national origin, marital status, genetic information, or military status (with preference given to military veterans), or any other protected status in accordance with applicable law.

The Department of Natural Resources is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, our agency will assist individuals who have a disability with any reasonable accommodation requests related to employment, including completing the application process, interviewing, completing any pre-employment testing, participating in the employee selection process, and/or to perform essential job functions where the requested accommodation does not impose an undue hardship. If you have a disability and require reasonable accommodation to ensure you have a positive experience applying or interviewing for this position, please direct your inquiries to our ADAAA Coordinator, at [email protected]. 

ADAAA Accommodations
Any person with a disability as defined by the ADA Amendments Act of 2008 (ADAAA) may be provided a reasonable accommodation upon request to enable the person to complete an employment assessment. To request an accommodation, please contact [email protected] at least five business days before the date that any accommodation will be required to allow us to evaluate your request and prepare for the accommodation. You may be asked to provide additional information, including medical documentation, regarding functional limitations and type of accommodation needed. Please ensure that you have this information available well in advance of the assessment date.
 
E-Verify
The Department of Natural Resources participates in E-Verify in accordance with the program's Right to Work for all newly-hired employees. Employees are queried through the electronic system established by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Social Security Administration (SSA) to verify identity and employment eligibility. You may complete section 1 of the I-9 form upon your acceptance of a job offer letter, but no later than your first day of employment and in addition, on your first day, but no later than the third day, you are required to submit original documents to verify your eligibility to work in the U.S. Learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities.
 
Toll–Free Applicant Support - Technical Help
If you experience technical difficulty with the NEOGOV system (e.g. uploading or attaching documents to your online application) call NEOGOV at 855-524-5627, Mon-Fri between 6 am and 6 pm (Pacific Time). The Human Resources Office will be unable to assist with technical issues.   Helpful hints: If you are having difficulty uploading or attaching documents to your application, ensure your documents are PDF or Microsoft Word files and close the document before you attempt to upload it.

Benefits

The State of Colorado offers permanent employees a variety of benefits including medical, dental, life and disability insurance, as well as a comprehensive leave program.  Please click the following link for detailed information:  www.colorado.gov/pacific/dhr/benefits 

Please note that each agency's contact information is different; therefore, we encourage all applicants to view the full, official job announcement which includes contact information and class title. Select the job you wish to view, then click on the "Print" icon.
 

Supplemental Questions

Required Question

Agency Information

EmployerState of ColoradoAddress See the full announcement by clicking
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Location varies by announcement, Colorado, -- Website https://careers.colorado.gov/