Contracts Officer

Contracts Officer

Title:

Contracts Officer

Agency: VCCS-Shared Services Center

Location:

Botetourt - 023

FLSA:
Exempt

Hiring Range: $61,000 - $67,000

Full Time or Part Time:
Full Time

Job Description:

Innovation allows an organization to make the most of every dollar spent. At Virginia's Community Colleges System (VCCS), our compelling mission, our ambitious strategic plan and our fiscal realities challenge us to ensure that community college resources are maximized for the priority of student success and credential completion. Nestled between the Blue Ridge and Appalachian Mountains, the VCCS Shared Services Center is centrally located to all 23 colleges in the VCCS, 43 miles from Blacksburg, VA, and a four-hour drive from Washington, D.C. A vital part of the ever-growing Roanoke Valley, Daleville is a haven for tourists and residents alike.

Within an hour's drive are the breathtaking Smith Mountain Lake, world-famous Appalachian Trail, and many other outdoor activities, including golfing, biking, and hiking. The thriving Historic City Market in downtown Roanoke and the Daleville Town Center and Performance Pavilion also host farmers markets, community and cultural events, and festivals throughout the year. The VCCS Shared Services Center is an innovation strategy to advance the priority of student success, reduce the administrative burden on individual colleges, consolidate transaction-based functions, create economies of scale, and improve backroom process efficiency.

This work allows the VCCS to better focus resources on the students – helping them start their educational journeys, persist, and succeed. Under their direct supervisor the Contract Officer procures a wide variety of goods and services for the 23 VCCS colleges, the System Office, and the Shared Services Center. The position:

• Solicits and issues contracts for goods and services as needed by the SSC customers utilizing a variety of simple and complex procurement methods.
• Receives demand signals and purchases goods and services above the small purchase threshold.
• Ensure that all purchases are performed accurately, timely and in accordance with applicable state laws & policies and VCCS policies.
• Employs best business practices to continuously improve performance, compliance, efficiency, and effectiveness.

Minimum Qualifications:

Knowledge of: governmental procurement principles and ability to follow procurement policy and standard operating procedures.

• Make sourcing decisions for moderately complex to complex procurement of supplies, equipment, and services.
• Develop and comprehend moderately complex solicitation and contract documents, including the ability to interpret procurement-related law and policies and apply that knowledge.
• Proficiently use automated procurement systems (e-procurement) to review and process requisitions through a purchase order and acknowledgment.
• Analyze quotes, bids, and proposals and make appropriate purchasing decisions.
• Fully manage procurement process for assignments from the need through the purchase order, including order status and invoicing discrepancies.
• Complete assignments following procedures & processes within the policies & laws.
• Express thoughts clearly both verbally and in writing.
• Maintain confidentiality.
• Use the computer hardware and software required, including proficiency in MS Office.
• Work effectively with a wide range of constituencies.

Demonstrated ability:

• To exercise sound judgment, solve problems, and attend to detail in a fast pace, team oriented and customer service-oriented environment.
• Provide exceptional customer service to internal and external customers in a professional manner.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Minimal procurement experience such as contract management, renewals, and contract discrepancies
• Experience in a customer service environment
• Current Virginia Contracting Officer (VCO) certification or ability to obtain Virginia Contracting Associate (VCA) certification within one year of hire and VCO within two years; see (Use the "Apply for this Job" box below). for more information on VCA & VCO certifications.

Additional Considerations:

• Procurement experience in higher education and/or state government.
• Working knowledge of Commonwealth of Virginia & VCCS procurement policies (VPPA, APSPM, etc.).
• Working knowledge of eVA (state procurement system) and AIS/People Soft.
• Professional procurement certification(s):
  Virginia Contracting Officer (VCO), Certified Public Procurement Buyer (CPPB), Certified E-Procurement Professional (CEPP) or other nationally recognized procurement certification.

Each agency within the Commonwealth of Virginia is dedicated to recruiting, supporting, and maintaining a competent and diverse work force. Equal Opportunity Employer