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Job Description
Description
THE AGENCY
The General Services Agency (GSA) is comprised of Fleet Services, Facilities, Procurement, Special Services, Parks, Security, and Business Support and is responsible for a broad spectrum of services to all County departments and agencies. It requires a very diverse workforce to accomplish the GSA mission of contributing to the quality of life in Ventura County by partnering with customers to provide expertise and cost-effective service delivery, and foster the preservation of natural resources.
THE POSITION
Under direction, the Principal Buyer provides technical supervision of purchasing teams engaged in purchasing supplies, materials, equipment and services for use by County departments, and performs related duties as required.
This position serves as the technical expert within the division and provides direction, training, coaching, and mentoring of lower-level buyers, with emphasis on the performance of technical work and delivery of services. Incumbents are responsible for performing the most advanced and/or complex technical work within the division, providing technical direction and problem resolution related to purchasing division services and activities, and ensuring compliance with applicable laws, regulations, policies and procedures.
Principal Buyer is represented by the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) and is eligible for overtime compensation.
Examples Of Duties
Duties may include but are not limited to the following:
- Examines and processes highly complex departmental requisitions.
- Directs, trains, coaches, and mentors subordinate purchasing staff.
- Prepares highly complex bid specifications and related purchasing documents.
- Represents GSA and the Purchasing Division in meetings with customers and vendors and negotiates or facilitates settlements of minor disputes or misunderstandings.
- Locates sources of supply and places orders
- Compares costs and evaluates the quality and suitability of supplies, materials, and equipment.
- Interviews and corresponds with vendors and other product representatives.
- Maintains expertise of market trends and conditions, and new services, products and vendors.
- Confers with high-level officials and employees to determine purchasing needs and specifications.
- Resolves sensitive and complex customer service problems.
- Prepares written reports and correspondence and makes oral presentations.
- Performs other related duties as assigned/required.
Typical Qualifications
These are the entrance requirements to the examination process and assure neither continuance in the process nor placement on an eligible list.
EDUCATION, TRAINING, AND EXPERIENCE
Progressive professional purchasing experience and training in business administration, marketing, procurement theory, and procurement related subjects which has led to the acquisition of the required knowledge, skills and abilities.
The required knowledge, skills, and abilities can also be obtained by three (3) years of professional purchasing experience that involved vendor contact and bid or value analysis - OR - two (2) years of experience as a Buyer with the County of Ventura or comparable.
NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENT- Must possess (by time of hire) and maintain a current valid California Driver License.
DESIRED
Possession of one of the following certifications is highly desirable:- NIGP-Certified Purchasing Professional (NIGP-CPP)
- Certified Purchasing Manager (CPM)
- Certified Professional in Supply Management (CPSM)
- Certified Professional Public Buyer (CPPB)
- Certified Public Procurement Officer (CPPO) or other related certification.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, and ABILITIES
Extensive knowledge of: successful customer service concepts and practices; marketing principles, theory and procedures; business mathematics; office procedures, and data collection techniques.
Considerable knowledge of: effective directing, training, coaching, and mentoring practices; effective meeting practices; organization of workload techniques; purchasing practices, specific products, commodities, and services.
Ability to: develop and maintain flexibility and adaptability to changing priorities; communicate and establish effective relationships with commercial vendors, officials and employees; effectively lead, direct, train, coach, and mentor a team of employees; collect, read, analyze and evaluate data; utilize computer equipment; conduct studies and surveys; make decisions based on judgmental as well as factual criteria; develop a technical knowledge of specific products or services; communicate effectively both orally and in writing and make oral presentations to small and large groups.
Skill in: monitoring and evaluating the work of lower-level staff; prioritizing and assigning work; identifying emerging trends, needs, and services; assessing the consequences and outcomes of services; ensuring compliance with applicable policies, procedures, laws and regulations.
Recruitment Process
FINAL FILING DATE
This is a continuous recruitment and may close at any time; therefore, it is to your advantage to apply as soon as possible. Your application must be received by County of Ventura Human Resources in Ventura, California, no later than 5:00 p.m. on the closing date.
To apply on-line, please refer to our web site at www.ventura.org/hr . If you prefer to fill out a paper application form, please call (805) 654-5129 for application materials and submit them to County of Ventura Human Resources, 800 South Victoria Avenue, L-1970, Ventura, CA 93009.
Note to Applicants: It is essential that you complete all sections of your application supplemental questionnaire thoroughly and accurately to demonstrate your qualifications. A resume and/or other related documents may be attached to supplement the information in your application and supplemental questionnaire; however, it/they may not be submitted in lieu of the application.
SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONNAIRE - qualifying
All applicants are required to complete and submit the questionnaire for this examination at time of filing. This questionnaire may be used throughout the examination process to assist in determining each applicant's qualifications and acceptability for the position.
APPLICATION SCREENING - qualifying
All applications will be reviewed to determine whether or not the stated requirements are met. Those individuals meeting the stated requirements will be invited to continue to the next step in the screening and selection process.
ORAL EXAMINATION - 100%: A job-related Oral Examination will be conducted to evaluate and compare participating candidates' knowledge, skills, and abilities in relation to those factors which job analysis has determined to be essential for successful performance of the job. Candidates must earn a score of seventy percent (70%) or higher to qualify for placement on the eligible list.
ELIGIBLE LIST
If there are three (3) or fewer qualified applicants, an examination will not be conducted. Instead, a score of seventy percent (70%) will be assigned to each application, and each applicant will be placed on the eligible list.
Candidates successfully completing the exam process may be placed on an eligible list for a period of six (6) months.
The eligible list established from this recruitment may be used to fill current and future regular (including Temporary and Fixed Term), Intermittent, and Extra Help vacancies. There is currently one (1) Regular vacancy within the General Services Agency - Procurement Department.
BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION
A thorough pre-employment, post offer background investigation which may include inquiry into past employment, education, criminal background information, and driving record may be required for this position. For further information about this recruitment, please contact Chinna Nahabedian by email at Chinna.Nahabedian@ventura.org or by telephone at (805) 654-2458.
EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITYThe County of Ventura is an equal opportunity employer to all, regardless of age, ancestry, color, disability (mental and physical), exercising the right to family care and medical leave, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, military or veteran status, national origin, political affiliation, race, religious creed, sex (includes pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, and related medical conditions), and sexual orientation.
YOUR BENEFITS AS A COUNTY OF VENTURA EMPLOYEE
Service Employees International Union (LOCAL 721)
(SEIU)
To learn more about Benefits, Retirement, and the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA), see links below.- Benefits website or you may call (805) 654-2570.
- Retirement FAQ's
- Memorandum of Agreement
Union Codes: UPA, UPC, UPE, UPH, UPI, UPJ, UPT, UWS -
ABOUT THE COMPANY
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County of Ventura
Show moreBeautiful Ventura County is one of 58 counties in the State of California. Geographically, the county offers a stunning 42 miles of coastline and the Los Padres National Forest, which accounts for 46% of the county’s land mass in the northern portion of the county. Fertile valleys in the southern half of the county make Ventura County a leading agricultural producer. Together, farming and the Los Padres National Forest occupy half of the county’s 1.2 million acres.
A mild year-round climate, along with scenic geography makes the area attractive to the 850,000 culturally and ethnically diverse people who call Ventura County home. The unincorporated areas, along with the ten incorporated cities of Camarillo, Fillmore, Moorpark, Ojai, Oxnard, Port Hueneme, Santa Paula, Simi Valley, Thousand Oaks, and San Buenaventura (Ventura) ranks Ventura as the 11th most populous county in the State.
Ventura County has a strong economic base that includes major industries such as biotechnology, agriculture, advanced technologies, oil production, military testing and development, and tourism.
The United States military, which includes two naval bases and the Air National Guard base, is the largest employer in the county with more than 16,000 employees. The County of Ventura (government) is the next largest employer with nearly 8,000 employees located throughout the county. Port Hueneme is California’s smallest but only deep water port between Los Angeles and San Francisco and plays a major role in the local economy.
Home to two universities (California State University Channel Islands and California Lutheran University), and three Community Colleges (Oxnard, Ventura, and Moorpark), multiple university extensions, institutes, and adult schools, the county enjoys a strong structure for workforce development.
The County of Ventura was formed January 1, 1873, when it separated from Santa Barbara County. It is a general law county, governed by a five-member Board of Supervisors, elected at-large for a staggered four year term in their respective districts, and the chairmanship rotates annually. The Board of Supervisors is responsible for providing policy direction, approving the County budget, and representing the County in a number of areas including special districts. The Board actions can apply countywide or only in unincorporated areas.
Other County elected officials include the Auditor-Controller, Assessor, Clerk/Recorder, District Attorney, Treasurer-Tax Collector, and Sheriff. The County Executive Officer advises, assists, and acts as an agent for the Board of Supervisors in all matters under the Board’s jurisdiction.
Under the guidance of the Board of Supervisors, the approved County annual budget of $1.8 billion serves to assist vulnerable adults and children, enforce the law, ensure justice, protect public health, and improve our quality of life. In alignment with key focus areas established in the County Strategic Plan, services are provided to residents by nearly 8,000 dedicated public servants working in 23 different agencies, departments and special districts.
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