Address:  150 N. 18th Ave Phoenix, AZ 85007

Salary: $77,000 

Grade: 22

Closing Date: Open until filled

This position works under limited supervision and acts as a lead specialist. Develops, negotiates, enters into and administers complex or high-risk contracts, agreements and leases, including intergovernmental and interagency service agreements. This position handles complex procurements that require subject matter expertise and discretion in the field of procurement. May work in cooperation with or on behalf of local and federal government agencies. May develop complex statutorily defined contracts and/or statewide contracts.

This is a hybrid position and may offer the ability to work remotely, within Arizona, based upon the department's business needs and continual meeting of expected performance measures.

The State of Arizona strives for a work culture that affords employees flexibility, autonomy, and trust. Across our many agencies, boards, and commissions, many State employees participate in the State’s Remote Work Program and are able to work remotely in their homes, in offices, and in hoteling spaces. All work, including remote work, should be performed within Arizona unless an exception is properly authorized in advance.

-Advise managers, staff and agency partners on procedures for developing contracts or parts of contracts. Collaborate with technical resource staff to develop specifications, including scope of work, special terms and conditions etc. Collaboratively establishes criteria for requests for proposals. Analyze consultative or program service needs and develop solicitation documents and contract specifications. Research and analyze products and market trends. Translate program requirements into contract terms. Evaluate contracts for potential performance risk. Develop strategies to minimize potential risk. Solicit and evaluate offers. Facilitate and serve on evaluation committee. Analyze reasonableness of limited competition requests. Draft the Determinations and prepare the limited competition direct contracts following the Procurement code and SPO processes. Collaborate with the program on the scope of work and justification.
-Devise negotiating strategies with goals and alternatives. Negotiate contract or agreement terms to minimize performance risk. Negotiate price agreements for services. Negotiate contract or agreement renewals, amendments, and plan changes. Develop new financial agreements and accelerated delivery schedules to support program needs.Consult with Attorney General’s office to facilitate their clarification of legal issues and the approval of contract language. Function as liaison between private attorneys and Attorney General’s office. Negotiate agreement terms and solve conflict between local and federal government representatives and agency staff.
-Advise management on contract administration. Evaluate contractor performance or quality of services. Write contract or agreement amendments or extensions. Evaluate appropriateness of contract or agreement remedies in the light of a specific situation. Compile contract status reports.Conduct in-depth research and investigations of alleged contract violations and assist with their resolution. Develop and write non-compliance action plans. Act as liaison between contractor and staff. Audit and substantiate contractor’s cost data. Identify cost items for proper charging to the contract.Settle claims of a variety of primary contractors. Settle contracts involving work over several years. Ensure contract records are maintained in accordance with retention schedules.
-Explain department purchasing, contract or agreement policies to agency program staff. Explain and advise staff on State contracting laws, rules, regulations, operating policies, procedures and ethics. Explain contract process or terms to contractors. Prepare and deliver training to agency staff on procedures, requirements and related issues. Analyze data to formulate policy criteria or develop new acquisition techniques.Participate in statewide committees to establish and improve specifications, standards, procedures, and policies. Develop and implement agency policies and procedures for the effective administration of agency contracting or agreement activities. Audit contracts to identify process strengths and weaknesses and areas of non-compliance with regulations and policies. Review agency procurement contract or agreement practices for compliance for rules, statutes, policies and practices. Collaborate with management and customers to decide corrective actions. Provide advice to agency management on market rate and site evaluations.
-Track department metrics and performance. Develop continuous improvement plans. Lead special projects to completion according to assigned milestone deadlines. Collaborate with agency departments and statewide agencies to develop standard work. Required Procurement trainings.
-Other duties as assigned as related to the position (typically 5% - 10%)

Knowledge of:
- Considerable knowledge of public contracts management/acquisition process.
- Considerable knowledge of highly complex and technical commodities/services within scope of responsibility; of business law as it relates to contract formation and administration.
- Thorough knowledge of Arizona
Procurement Code and related rules and regulations, as well as DHS/State contract management/acquisition process.
- State government organization and reporting structure, including DHS organizational structure.
- Working knowledge of contract management/acquisition software programs, including the Department's automated system.
- Uniform Commercial Code.
- Federal antitrust laws.
- Marketplace and available community resources.
- Marketing practices and principles.
-Performance Management (PM), and Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) and Lean methodologies.

Skill in:
- Project management, negotiation strategies and techniques and dispute mediation.
- Analyzing and establishing priorities.
- Communicating effectively, verbally and in writing.
- Maintaining positive interpersonal relationships.
- Effective time management.
- Use of word processing, spreadsheet, and database applications.
- Providing excellent customer service.

Ability to:
- Interpret and apply agency and program rules and operating procedures.
- Direct an administrative services program for an organization.
- Perform difficult analytic work.
- Use Microsoft Excel, Access and Word.
- Learn and use the Department of Economic Security Financial Management Control System (FMCS).
- Learn and use web-based applications.
- Analyze and resolve complex problems.
- Prepare and develop complex programmatic reports.
- Work separately within direct and indirect reporting lines.
- Support a diverse multi-cultural workforce that reflects the community, promotes equal opportunity at all levels of public employment, and creates an inclusive work environment that enables all individuals to perform to their fullest potential free from discrimination.

Minimum 3 years exp. equivalent to that of a Procurement Specialist. Education: A Bachelor's degree in business, purchasing, public administration or a related field is preferred. Professional certification such as a CPPO, CPPB or C.P.M. Other a combinations of exp. and education that meet the minimum qualification may be substitute. Public Health and or government procurement exp. a plus.

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 and dental insurance plans
− Paid vacation and sick time
− Paid Parental Leave-Up to 12 weeks per year paid leave for newborn or newly-placed foster/adopted child (pilot program).
− 10 paid holidays per year
− Wellness program and plans
− Life insurance
− Short/long-term disability insurance
− Defined retirement plan
− Award winning Infant at Work program
− Credit union membership
− Transit subsidy
− ADHS Student Assistance Pilot Program

By providing the option of a full-time or part-time remote work schedule, employees enjoy improved work/life balance, report higher job satisfaction, and are more productive. Remote work is a management option and not an employee entitlement or right. An agency may terminate a remote work agreement at its discretion.

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

To help you build a financially secure future, the State makes monthly contributions to finance your retirement benefit. The State will contribute to the ASRS in an amount equal to your contribution. In other words, you and the State will each pay 50% of the total cost of the benefit. New State employees have a 27-week wait period for contributions to begin.

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) 542-1085. Requests should be made as early as possible to allow sufficient time to arrange the accommodation. DHS is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. All newly hired employees will be subject to E-Verify Employment Eligibility Verification.

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  If you have any questions please feel free to contact Peyton Gavlick at peyton.gavlick@azdhs.gov for assistance