Procurement Contracts Officer

Procurement Contracts Officer (Open)

If you are a procurement professional who desires to function at a senior-level on our Services team performing a variety of work, engaging with many different types of people and projects, and enjoys a challenge, then this is an excellent opportunity to enhance your career! Working for the State of Nebraska's Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) is more than just a jobit's a commitment to making a meaningful difference in the lives of fellow Nebraskans. Public service provides an opportunity to contribute to the well-being of individuals, families, and communities across the state. At DHHS, we take pride in our mission of "Helping People Live Better Lives," and every team member plays a vital role in delivering programs and services. Choosing a career in public service means embracing a purpose-driven path, fostering positive change, and upholding the values that make Nebraska a great place to live and thrive.

What you will do as a Procurement Contracts Officer:

• Oversees the development and the administration of Requests for Proposals, Requests for Information, Requests for Qualifications, Statements of Work, and Quote Requests. Research and development of highly complex scope of services for a number of contracts, ensuring complete compliance with State Statutes, rules and regulations, and policies and procedures. This may include meeting with program/contract managers, subject matter experts, and legal counsel.
• Portfolio management of contract base.
• Provide research for and facilitating contract negotiations and aiding in vendor selection, monitor legal and regulatory requirements related to contracting, coordinate all procurement activities for complex projects.
• Assist in implementing sourcing strategies to ensure sustainable cost and/or cost avoidance savings, and best value.
• Interact with program staff and contract managers ensuring deliverables and performance requirements and all deadlines are met; conducts responsiveness reviews of all solicitation responses; conduct research of vendors and services available, arranges and facilitates vendor demonstrations from top scoring vendors.
• You will be expected to research and stay updated on industry standards and establish and maintain working relationships with vendors.
• Staff training and continued development of DHHS policies and procedures.
• Other duties as assigned within the scope of the classification.

Minimum Qualifications: Bachelor's degree in business administration, procurement, supply/inventory operations or related field AND five years procurement experience. Experience can be substituted for education on a year for year basis.

Preferred Qualifications: Experience working with requests for proposal, requests for information, requests for qualifications, scope of work, service contracts, especially government contracting, or federal grants. Experience in recommending and applying policies, and procedures, problem resolution, coordinating projects. CPPB certification preferred or other similar type professional certification in procurement or purchasing.

Other: Regular and reliable attendance required. Position is located on-site at the Nebraska State Office Building in Lincoln.

Knowledge, skills, abilities:

Knowledge and proper execution of the State's policies and procedures. Knowledge of basic accounting, and procurement practices; Ability to read and comprehend state statutes, rules and regulations, and standard operating procedures, and apply as applicable.

Ability to investigate, analyze and document information to draw conclusions and solve problems. Ability to read, analyze, and interpret various documents as well as the ability to train others in performing duties and tasks. Ability to use critical thinking skills and apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in various forms. Ability to apply logic to understand and interpret agency business processes. Ability to make decisions in a timely manner and prioritize multiple projects in a fast pace, deadline driven environment, utilizing input form others, as appropriate. Ability to exercise sound independent judgment, highly motivated, and thrives in a team-oriented atmosphere.

Human Relation Skills: Establish and maintain effective, professional working relationships with employees, customers, and vendors. Candidates should possess and demonstrate excellent written and oral communication skills, effective listening skills, be detail-oriented and able to work with a wide variety of people and programs. Computer Skills: Knowledge of computer systems including, but not limited to time and attendance system, information systems, financial and purchasing systems, and policies/regulations. Experience with the following programs: MS Word and Excel, and other purchasing specific software programs. SharePoint and knowledge of JD Edwards Enterprise 1 system is helpful, but not essential. Knowledge of purchasing practices, organization structures, functions, policies and procedures, communications, and objectives as they relate to the management of programs and contracts; and state contracting regulations