Buyer II - Flood Control & Water Conservation District (Finance)

The Riverside County Flood Control and Water Conservation District has an opportunity for a Buyer II position located in Riverside.

The selected candidate will purchase or negotiate to purchase materials, supplies, equipment, and services on behalf of the Flood Control and Water Conservation District. The department seeks candidates with purchasing experience and training which would have included day-to-day requisition processing and issuing purchase orders, knowledge and experience in contract management and reconciliation. Competitive candidates will have government purchasing experience, experience in public works bidding, documentation and awarding. Applicants with experience in writing, administering and awarding Requests for Proposals and Requests for Quotes are highly desired.

The Buyer II is the advanced journey level and allocated class in the Buyer series. Incumbents report to a first level supervisory or management class. Positions in this class are allocated to County departments and agencies that can demonstrate a need for contract negotiations, purchase forecasting, cost/value analyses, and a need to perform purchasing of a broad product line of commodities and services, including the most complex technical equipment. All Buyer position allocations and incumbent assignments must be approved in advance by Purchasing Department management.

The Buyer II class is assigned greater independence in the day-to-day performance of complex purchasing assignments. Incumbents possess in-depth purchasing and product knowledge needed to conduct complex cost/value analyses of a full range of commodities and services, including the most complex, specialized, and technical equipment. Incumbents may serve in a lead capacity over clerical and support personnel, which would typically require monitoring work performance and advising, as necessary. Additional factors that may be included when allocating positions to this level include the complexity of the order process, value of goods and services purchased, and types of commodities being purchased.

Employees may be required to work extended shifts or be called back in during emergency situations.

Meet the Team!

The Riverside County Flood Control and Water Conservation District provides for the control and conservation of flood and storm waters and for the protection of watercourses, watersheds, public highways, life and property from damage within its boundaries.• Confer with a variety of County officials and employees on matters relating to purchasing procedures, needs, specifications, bids, complaints and special programs.

• Confer with a variety of commercial (product) and manufacturing representatives; prepare and/or develop contracts.

• Perform market, total life cycle cost, value, price, and complex cost analysis in formulating purchasing forecasts and recommendations for purchasing commodities or services; prepare a large variety of difficult, complex and/or innovative requests for proposal and/or bid which are responsive to County needs and County interests.

• Initiate purchasing in major functional areas and of specific and major commodities; negotiate contracts or agreements for products or services; confer with department directors and representatives concerning purchase specifications.

• Issue purchase orders, and provide approval as authorized and according to established procurement policy.

• Investigate complaints by departments and resolve delivery or other problems; maintain awareness of current product status and general market conditions by review of periodicals and vendors' new product information.

• In a lead capacity, may supervise and provide guidance to support staff.OPTION I

Education: Completion of 30 semester or 45 quarter units of education from an accredited college or university with major coursework in purchasing, business administration, economics, or a related field.

Experience: One year of buying experience in a Purchasing Department or Agency, which included responsibility for mid-value ($10,000 - $25,000) procurements and individual assignment of a specific commodity or group of commodities.

OPTION II

Experience: Two years of buying experience in a Purchasing Department or Agency equivalent to the County of Riverside Buyer I classification, which includes responsibility for mid-value ($10,000 - $25,000) procurements and individual assignment of a specific commodity or group of commodities.

Desired Qualifications:

Competitive candidates will have government purchasing experience, experience in public works bidding, documentation and awarding. Applicants with experience in writing, administering and awarding Requests for Proposals and Requests for Quotes are highly desired. Competitive candidates will also have knowledge in insurance requirements for contractors and Professional Services and understanding the basics of Risk Management.

Knowledge of: The methods, principles, and practices of purchasing/material management and of governmental purchasing; County purchasing policies and practices; product standards of operating departments; products, commodities, and services used within one or more commodity groupings; methods and resources used in researching and analyzing commodities and services; competitive bid practices and procedures; business accounting practices; methods used in evaluating vendor capability and performance.

Ability to: Work independently; read and interpret rules and regulations; collect, organize, and evaluate product or service information, identify alternative solutions, and project consequences of decisions and recommendations; compose clear and concise reports, recommendations, and correspondence; compare and analyze quotations; prepare fundamental purchasing specifications (RFP's) for assigned products or services or for an assigned department; communicate in a clear and persuasive manner; establish and maintain effective relationships with department officials, company/vendor representatives, and staff members.

License: Possession of a valid California Driver's license is required, due to travel throughout the County for meetings and bids.

Physical requirements: May be required to receive purchased items that can weigh up to 50 pounds with or without assistance.This recruitment is open to all applicants

For specific questions regarding this position, contact Amanda Campos at acampos@rivco.org .