Buyer/Senior Buyer

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
Buyer is the entry class into the series and works under close supervision. Incumbents perform a variety of general procurement duties while learning to apply specialized procurement practices and procedures. Incumbents must demonstrate proficiency in specified operational activities prior to promotion to the Senior Buyer level.

Senior Buyer is the full working/journey level class of the series. Incumbents are expected to perform a full-range of specialized procurement duties of greater variety/complexity and with greater independence.

The successful candidate will have experience in city, county, state, or Federal government procurement practices, be familiar with procurement related software, exhibit excellent customer service skills, have the ability to make oral presentations, work well with co-workers and be able to meet deadlines in a fast-paced procurement environment.

PAYROLL TITLES AND APPROXIMATE BASE SALARIES, WITHOUT INCENTIVE PAY
Buyer: $26.80/hour- $37.50/hour
Senior Buyer: $29.51/hour- $41.27/hour

WHAT WE OFFER

• Merit Increases - New employees are eligible for an initial 5% merit increase within the pay range upon completion of at least 1,040 hours (approximately 6 months) assuming work meets satisfactory standards. Subsequent merit increases within the pay range will be upon completion of each additional 2,080 hours (approximately one year) from the initial merit increase.
• Educational Incentive - An educational incentive of 2.5% for completion of an associate degree, 3.5% for completion of a bachelor's degree, or 5% for completion of a graduate degree.
• Vacation Accrual - New regular, full-time employees shall accrue approximately 14 days of vacation a year for the first 10,400 hours or 5 years of service; vacation accruals increase at 5, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15 and 20 years of service topping out at 26 days a year and 400 hours of vacation hours banked.
• Annual Leave Redemption - After 14,560 hours of continuous County service an employee may elect to "cash in" or redeem up to 80 hours of vacation accrued in the same year after using 80 hours of vacation in the preceding 12 months.
• Sick Leave - Full-time regular employees accrue a maximum of 3.08 hours of sick leave per bi-weekly pay period with an advance at hire of 40.04 hours which will be balanced at the completion of 13 bi-weekly pay periods.
• Deferred Compensation - Eligible to participate in the County's 401(k) Shared Savings Plan and/or the Section 457 Plan. This position is eligible for up to a 3.00% match on your 401(k) contributions.
• Health Plans -Full time employees are given a flexible credit allowance to offset the purchase of medical, dental, and/or vision insurance for you and your dependents.
• Flexible Spending Accounts - Pre-tax benefit towards eligible medical, dental and vision care and/or dependent care expenses.
• Pension Plan - Participation in the County's defined benefit pension plan, which has reciprocity with CalPERS.
• Holidays - 12 paid days per year which includes a scheduled floating holiday.
• Additional Benefits - Tuition Reimbursement, Disability Plans, Employee Assistance Program, Life Insurance, Wellness Program.

To learn more about benefits, please follow the link below: https://vcportal.ventura.org/CEO/HR/MOA/docs/SEIU_MOA_2022-2025.pdf

Buyer/Senior Buyer are represented by the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) and are eligible for overtime compensation

Examples Of Duties

Duties may include but are not limited to the following:

• Examines and processes complex departmental requisitions.
• Prepares complex (Senior level) bid specifications and related purchasing documents.
• Resolves customer service problems/complaints.
• Confers with officials and employees to determine purchasing needs and specifications.
• Compares costs and evaluates the quality and suitability of supplies, materials and equipment.
• Locates sources of supply and places orders.
• Interviews and corresponds with vendors and other product representatives.
• Prepares written reports and written correspondence as required.
• Keeps informed of new products and market conditions and trends.
• Makes oral presentations to vendors and agency representatives.
• Performs other related duties as assigned/required.

Typical Qualifications

These are entrance requirements to the exam process and assure neither continuance in the process nor placement on an eligible list.

EDUCATION, TRAINING, and EXPERIENCE
Buyer: Some professional purchasing experience and knowledge, skills, and abilities training in business administration, marketing, or procurement theory which has led to the acquisition of the required knowledge, skills and abilities. The required knowledge, skills and abilities can also be obtained by one (1) year of professional purchasing experience that involved vendor contact, bid or value analysis.

Senior Buyer: Considerable professional purchasing experience and knowledge, skills, and abilities training in business administration, marketing, or procurement theory which has led to the acquisition of the required knowledge, skills and abilities. The required knowledge, skills and abilities can also be obtained by two (2) years of professional purchasing experience that involved vendor contact, and bid or value analysis -OR- one (1) year of experience as a Buyer with the County of Ventura or comparable.

NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS
Must have and maintain a current valid California driver license.
Effective written communication must be demonstrated in the completion of the employment application and supplemental questionnaire.

HIGHLY DESIRED
Experience in the public sector/government setting preparing proposals, preparing bids, performing bid analysis, making oral presentations, and reviewing and processing requisitions.

Experience with purchasing software, and forecasting techniques to estimate purchasing demands.

Intermediate proficiency with Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS and ABILITIES

Working to considerable (Senior) knowledge of: successful customer service concepts and practices, marketing principles, theory and procedures; business mathematics; office procedures; and data collection techniques.

Working to thorough knowledge of: Purchasing practices; products, commodities, and services required for specific assignments.

Ability to: Communicate and establish effective relationships with commercial vendors, officials and employees; collect, read, and evaluate data; utilize computer equipment; conduct studies and surveys; make decisions within established guidelines and procedures; develop a technical knowledge of specific products or services; and communicate effectively both orally and in writing.

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 online, please refer to our website at www.ventura.org/jobs. A paper application form can be obtained by calling (805) 654-5129. Our address is: County of Ventura, Human Resources Division, 800 South Victoria Avenue, L-1970, Ventura, CA 93009.

Note to Applicants: Sufficient information must be provided under the Education/Work Experience portion of the application and supplemental questionnaire to thoroughly and accurately demonstrate your qualifications to determine eligibility. A resume may be attached to supplement your responses in the above-referenced sections; however, it may not be submitted in lieu of the application.

NOTE : If presently permanently employed in another "merit" or "civil service" public agency/entity in the same or substantively similar position as is advertised, and if appointed to that position by successful performance in a "merit" or "civil service" style examination, then appointment by "Lateral Transfer" may be possible. If interested, please click here for additional information.

SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONNAIRE - qualifying
All applicants are required to complete and submit the questionnaire for this examination at time of filing. The supplemental questionnaire may be used throughout the exam process to assist in determining each applicant's qualifications and acceptability for the position. Failure to complete and submit the questionnaire may result in the application being removed from consideration.

APPLICATION EVALUATION - 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 are currently two (2) Regular vacancies within the General Services Agency - Procurement Department.

If appointed at the lower level, the incumbent may be promoted to the higher level without further exam upon meeting the minimum requirements, demonstrating satisfactory performance, and in accordance with the business needs of the department.

BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION
A thorough 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 Ashly DeLaPaz by e-mail at Ashly.Delapaz@ventura.org or by telephone at (805) 477-1908.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY
The 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

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• County of Ventura

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