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Buyer, Senior

HR EMPLOYMENT/CAREERS
Closing Date: 7/22/21*

*Any complete applications received after the review date will only be forwarded to the hiring committee at their request. This position will become Open Until Filled after the initial Closing Date. Any complete applications received while the position is Open Until Filled will be reviewed by the hiring committee only upon committee request.

Starting Salary: $6,617.30 - $7,284.49 (per month) plus excellent benefits; Salary Grade: C1-60
Full Salary Range: $6,617.30 - $8,854.56 (per month)

The Foothill-De Anza Community College District is currently accepting applications for the classified position above.

ABOUT THE DISTRICT
Foothill - De Anza Community College District, composed of two colleges and an education center, is one of the top performing districts in both California and the United States, and one of the largest, ranking seventh in size among the state's 72 districts, serving more than 58,500 students per year and with an operating budget of $180M unrestricted general fund. Consistent with its mission, the District has a strong commitment to equity and inclusion and incorporates those values in its policies, procedures, and operations, and in its leadership and service to students and the community. Publicly supported and locally oriented, the District fills an essential role in workforce development, continuing education, and skills preparation to meet the changing demands of the highly diverse surrounding population and business communities. The District's students and more than 2,000 faculty and staff enjoy an unparalleled quality of life in an ideal climate, with physically pristine and fiscally sound campuses that have earned their reputation for academic excellence.

Foothill - De Anza Community College District Mission Statement:
The mission of the Foothill-De Anza Community College District is student success. We are driven by an equity agenda and guided by core values of excellence, inclusion, and sustainability. Every member of our district contributes to a dynamic learning environment that fosters student engagement, equal opportunity, and innovation in meeting the various educational and career goals of our diverse students. We are committed to providing an accessible, quality undergraduate education dedicated to developing a broadly educated and socially responsible community that supports an equitable and just future for California.

JOB SUMMARY
The Bond Buyer will under the direction of the Purchasing Director, perform a variety of complex technical duties related to the acquisition of goods and services, and public works projects for the District in accordance with established laws, policies, procedures and guidelines. The Buyer, Senior serves in a lead capacity, prepares formal bid documents and performs the more complex procurements and contract administration in support of Measure G projects.

DEFINITION
Under general direction, performs specialized and complex purchasing and procurement work, including purchasing a variety of services, materials, supplies, products, and equipment according to applicable laws, District purchasing policies and procedures, and requisition specifications; oversees procurement for construction and special projects; conducts competitive solicitations, processes contracts, and related sourcing activities; and performs related duties as assigned.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED
Receives general direction from assigned managerial staff. Exercises no supervision of staff.

CLASS CHARACTERISTICS
This is the advanced journey-level class in the Buyer series. Incumbents work under general direction, exercise a high level of discretion and independent judgment in performing the full range of complex District-wide purchasing and procurement activities, programs, and contract writing, negotiation, and administration, and have responsibility for ensuring the efficient and effective functioning of assigned program or operational area. Assignments are given with general guidelines and incumbents are responsible for establishing objectives, timelines, and methods to deliver work products or services. Work is occasionally reviewed upon completion for soundness, appropriateness, and conformity to policy and requirements. Successful performance of the work requires thorough knowledge of governmental procurement practices and procedures, purchasing, and formal and informal bid processes.

EXAMPLES OF TYPICAL FUNCTIONS (Illustrative Only)

• Procures services, supplies, materials, products, and equipment ensuring compliance with procurement and purchasing regulatory requirements, policies, and procedures.
• Reviews and evaluates requisitions for purchase of materials, supplies, equipment, and services and recommends appropriate solicitation methods such as request for proposal (RFP), request to bid (RFB), request for quotation (RFQ), and request for information (RFI); reviews requisitions for completeness and compliance; and processes requisitions to purchase orders.
• Consults with user departments in preparing, developing, and writing detailed specifications and complex formal and competitive solicitations; obtains competitive quotes, bids, and proposals, product information, and technical data; establishes vendor sources; researches availability, quality, and price of services, equipment, and supplies.
• Conducts bid openings; receives bids, quotes, and proposals and conducts vendor pre-qualification and selection processes; and organizes and leads evaluation committee processes by evaluating and analyzing data, interviewing vendors, conducting reference checks, and recommending award based on price and conformance to specifications while ensuring a fair and equitable process in compliance with legal requirements and established policies and procedures.
• Administers construction contracts by coordinating and preparing all correspondence with contractors, subcontractors, public agencies, and general public; prepares, reviews, and submits contracts and supporting documentation for execution; processes change orders; ensures compliance with regulatory and contract stipulations.
• Reviews, examines, and processes requisitions, purchase orders, insurance certificates, surety bonds, and other related documents to ensure compliance with established purchasing procedures; reviews and approves purchase orders as authorized.
• Writes staff reports, gathers supporting documentation, and prepares Board agenda items.
• Prepares complex financial analyses and cost comparisons to determine the cost-effectiveness of acquiring equipment and services for the District.
• Performs complex research assignments to determine regulatory conformance of proposed contracts, analyzes data, interprets results, and develops reports.
• Serves as a liaison to staff, vendors, contractors, consultants, governmental agencies, legal counsel, and the general public by answering a variety of questions and responding to complaints and providing requested information; interpreting and explaining rules, policies, procedures, and regulations; providing training and guidance to staff and the public regarding District policies and procedures; and developing documentation and preparing and conducting training sessions as needed.
• Performs a variety of office support and customer service duties such as developing reports, writing various correspondence and memoranda, and maintaining various files and assigned databases.
• Stays abreast of new trends and innovations in the procurement, purchasing, and contract administration; monitors changes in laws, regulations, and technology that may affect college or District operations; implements policy and procedural changes as required.
• Provides training and guidance to assigned staff; checks and approves the work of staff as needed.
• Performs related duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

Knowledge of:

• Advanced principles, practices, and methods of public and governmental purchasing and procurement programs and processes and their application to District operations.
• Principles and practices of complex contract preparation, negotiation, and protest resolution.
• Complex specification writing, commodity markets and practices, pricing methods, and sales as applied to purchasing transactions.
• Applicable federal, state, and local laws, rules, regulations, ordinances, and District policies and procedures relevant to assigned area of responsibility.
• Principles and techniques of critical thinking, conducting analytical studies, evaluating alternatives, making sound recommendations, and preparing and presenting effective and technical reports.
• Basic principles and practices of providing technical and functional direction to staff.
• Principles and practices of data collection and analysis and report preparation.
• Record keeping principles and procedures.
• Basic business arithmetic and statistics.
• Business letter writing and the standard format for reports and correspondence.
• Methods of preparing and processing various records, reports, forms, and other documents specific to assigned program, department, or division.
• English usage, grammar, spelling, vocabulary, and punctuation.
• Modern office practices, procedures, technology, and computer equipment and applications, including word processing, database, and spreadsheet applications.
• Techniques for providing a high level of customer service by effectively dealing with the public, students, and District staff, including individuals of diverse academic, socio-economic, ethnic, religious, and cultural backgrounds, disability, and sexual orientation.

Ability to:

• Demonstrate understanding of, sensitivity to, and respect for the diverse academic, socio-economic, ethnic, religious, and cultural backgrounds, disability, and sexual orientation of community college students, faculty and staff.
• Interpret, apply, and explain applicable federal, state, and local laws, rules, regulations, ordinances, and District policies and procedures relevant to assigned area of responsibility.
• Understand the organization and operation of the District and of outside agencies as necessary to assume assigned responsibilities.
• Lead and/or prepare assigned procurement, purchasing, and contracting activities in an independent and cooperative manner, evaluate alternatives, make sound recommendations, and prepare reports.
• Lead and manage complex solicitation and RFQ/RFP/RFB evaluation process including developing evaluation worksheets and leading cross-functional evaluation and selection teams, ensuring conformance to specifications, analyzing and calculating costs, preparing staff reports and agenda items for the Board, and issuing notice of award recommendations.
• Administer complex contracts to satisfactory execution, consistent with the District's standard terms and conditions, including scope of work, compensation payment milestones etc.
• Lead and oversee programmatic accountability and regulatory reporting activities.
• Plan, organize, and carry out assignments from management staff with minimal direction.
• Analyze, interpret, summarize, and present information and data in an effective manner.
• Evaluate and develop improvements in operations, procedures, policies, or methods.
• Research, analyze, and evaluate new service delivery methods, procedures, and techniques.
• Prepare clear and concise reports, correspondence, policies, procedures, and other written materials.
• Plan, organize, schedule, assign, train, and review the work of assigned staff.
• Organize work, set priorities, meet critical deadlines, and follow-up on assignments.
• Effectively use computer systems, software, and modern business equipment to perform a variety of work tasks.
• Use English effectively to communicate in person, over the telephone, and in writing.
• Use tact, initiative, prudence, and independent judgment within general policy, procedural, and legal guidelines.
• Establish, maintain, and foster positive and effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

Education and Experience:
Any combination of training and experience which would provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required qualifications would be:

Equivalent to graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with major coursework in finance, accounting, business administration, or a related field and five (5) years of increasingly responsible and varied procurement or purchasing experience.

Licenses and Certifications:

• Possession of, or ability to obtain, a valid California Driver's License by time of appointment.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS
Must possess mobility to work in a standard office setting and use standard office equipment, including a computer; to operate a motor vehicle and to visit various District and meeting sites; vision to read printed materials and a computer screen; and hearing and speech to communicate in person and over the telephone. Standing in and walking between work areas is frequently required. Finger dexterity is needed to access, enter, and retrieve data using a computer keyboard or calculator and to operate standard office equipment. Positions in this classification frequently bend, stoop, kneel, and reach to perform assigned duties, as well as push and pull drawers open and closed to retrieve and file information. Employees must possess the ability to lift, carry, push, and pull materials and objects up to 25 pounds with the use of proper equipment. Reasonable accommodations will be made for individuals on a case-by-case basis.

ENVIRONMENTAL ELEMENTS
Employees work in an office environment with moderate noise levels, controlled temperature conditions, and no direct exposure to hazardous physical substances.

APPLICATION PACKET

1. A District on-line application on http://hr.fhda.edu/careers/. *In the application, you will provide information, which demonstrates your understanding of, sensitivity to, and respect for the diverse academic, socio-economic, ethnic, religious, and cultural backgrounds, disability, and sexual orientation of community college students, faculty and staff. Additionally, you will be asked to explain how your life experiences, studies or work have influenced your commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion.
2. A cover letter addressing your qualifications for the position.
3. A current resume of all work experience, formal education and training.

For full-consideration, all required application materials must be included in your application packet and must be received by 11:59 pm on the closing date. We are unable to accept additional, non-required materials, such as reference letters.

Please allow yourself ample time to complete your application and resolve any technical difficulties that may arise with your submission. You may also visit our "Applicant Information" to assist with technical difficulties at: http://hr.fhda.edu/careers/a-applicant-instructions.html. We cannot guarantee a response to application questions within 48 hours of the closing date.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT
Position: Full-Time, Permanent, 12-months per year
Starting date: As soon as possible upon completion of the search process.

Excellent benefits package which includes medical coverage for employee and eligible dependents, dental, vision care, employee assistance program, long term disability, retirement benefits and basic life insurance. For information on our benefits package that includes medical for employees and dependents, visit our web site: http://hr.fhda.edu/benefits/index.html. In addition, the District is a participating member of the California Public Employees' Retirement System (CalPERS) and the successful applicant would be a member of the Association of Classified Employees (ACE) Union. The current union agreement can be found online at: http://hr.fhda.edu/_downloads/2018-2021%20ACE%20Agreement.pdf.

We are happy to assist individuals with disabilities who require reasonable accommodations to complete the employment process, provided that you notify Employment Services no later than the closing date of the announcement. The successful applicant will be required to provide proof of authorization to work in the U.S. The Foothill-De Anza Community College District does not reimburse applicants for travel, lodging or any other costs incurred by applicant to attend interviews. All interviewing costs incurred will be the responsibility of the applicant.

For more information about our application process contact:
Employment Services
Foothill-De Anza Community College District
12345 El Monte Road
Los Altos Hills, California 94022
Email: employment@fhda.edu
http://hr.fhda.edu/



To apply, visit https://fhda.csod.com/ux/ats/careersite/4/home/requisition/415?c=fhda