PURCHASING AGENT III - Classified - Remote from Anywhere in Colorado

Department Information This position is only open to current Residents of Colorado. Depending on the preferred candidate, we have flexibility in the start date, ranging from July 1st to mid-August. The incumbent will be required to complete work for CDE within Colorado. This announcement may be used to fill multiple positions. Colorado Department of Education – What We Do The Colorado Department of Education (CDE) provides leadership, resources, support, and accountability to the state's 178 school districts, 1,888 schools, over 53,000 teachers, and over 3,200 administrators to help them build capacity to meet the needs of the state's approximately 905,000 public school students. In addition, CDE provides structural and administrative support to the Colorado School for the Deaf and the Blind and the Charter School Institute. As the administrative arm of the State Board of Education, CDE is responsible for implementing state and federal education laws, disbursing state and federal funds, holding schools and districts accountable for performance, licensing all educators, and providing public transparency of performance and financial data. CDE is a values-based agency that serves students, parents, and the general public by protecting public trust through ensuring adherence to laws, strong stewardship of public funds, and accountability for student performance. CDE strives to incorporate five core values that we uphold in our work internally and externally. If you come to CDE, be prepared to incorporate Integrity, Equity, Accountability, Trust, and commitment to Service in what you do. The State of Colorado strives to create a Colorado for All by building and maintaining workplaces that value and respect all Coloradans through a commitment to equal opportunity and hiring based on merit and fitness. The State is resolute in non-discriminatory practices in everything we do, including hiring, employment, and advancement opportunities. Why Work For CDE The work we do is rewarding and impacts the students, families, educators, and communities across Colorado. Our leadership also promotes a culture that puts families and self-care as a priority. Along with meaningful work and an environment that puts employees first, the state also offers rich benefits that intend to make us an Employer of Choice! The following is a summary of the benefits we offer:

• Flexible work schedules and flexible workplace options that may include flexible working hours, working from home, working in the office, and/or a hybrid working environment.
• Premier medical, dental, vision, and dependent life insurance options. All with a generous employer contribution keeping employee costs as low as possible.
• Employer paid short-term disability and life insurance
• Up to 160 hours of Paid Family Medical Leave (PFML)
• 11 paid holidays per year
• Competitive vacation and sick leave accruals
• Retirement through the Public Employees Retirement Association (PERA) www.copera.org
• Employer paid RTD Eco Pass (certain restrictions may apply)
• Paid professional development opportunities
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program

A salary range is posted for this position and any job offer is based upon a salary analysis to comply with the Colorado Equal Pay for Equal Work Act. The salary analysis considers relevant experience, education, certifications, and state seniority as compared to others doing substantially similar work. While most salary offers are made within the posted range, occasionally an offer is made below or above the posted range based upon this salary analysis. Description of Job Why Work for CDE Purchasing MISSION: Are you interested in drafting solicitations and contracts to benefit students and teachers in Colorado? Then this is the position for you! Our team procures and contracts for a wide variety of services such as reading trainings and assessments for students, trainings and support for teachers, information technology systems to document student nutrition needs in schools, programs to provide assistive technology for students with disabilities, and so much more. By joining the CDE team, you can help support a vital mission and be proud of the work you do! TEAM: Do you want to work with and help lead a collaborative and supportive team? CDE has an amazing purchasing and contracts team made up of seven individuals who are ready to welcome and support new employees joining the team. CDE’s Purchasing Director has been leading the team for going on ten years and has fifteen years of State procurement and contracts experience. CDE purchasing is one of the best teams in the state, with experienced, dedicated, hard-working, fun, and witty individuals. FLEXIBILITY: Have you found yourself really enjoying working from home? If so, this position can be filled by eligible applicants who desire to work from home as long as they are residing anywhere within the great State of Colorado. Do you still like going into the office? We also have you covered, and you can choose to work in the office if you prefer. In addition, CDE purchasing also has the opportunity for flexible work schedules and promotes healthy work-life balances. Work Environment: This position is full-time, state-funded (funding is expected to continue indefinitely unless otherwise indicated in this posting), and this is a hybrid position (Remote/Home Office with a requirement to report to work location per business needs). This position can work from anywhere within Colorado.

• A Remote (Home) office is required.
• Required to report to the work location per business needs.
• Essential Functions (ADAAA)
• LIGHT/Office environment:
• Required to sit, view a computer screen, and utilize a keyboard and mouse for extended periods of time
• May be required to lift and move up to 10 lbs of force frequently or 20 lbs occasionally
• Required lifting, bending, stooping, pushing, walking, etc.
• Light work usually requires walking or standing to a significant degree
• Driver's License Not Required: Required to independently obtain and determine means to complete travel requirements. (For positions that only report to CDE locations and can use public transportation to complete that.)

Position Summary: This position exists to enable CDE to acquire all necessary goods and services in a timely and cost-effective manner. This position makes purchasing decisions for CDE by analyzing and interpreting needs, specifications, data, and circumstances. The position drafts, prepares, publishes, and evaluates RFPs, ITNs, DQs, and IFBs. The position drafts and negotiates contracts, purchase orders, and statements of work for solicitations; negotiates vendor agreements, counsels and trains CDE staff on contract and purchasing issues; develops purchasing procedures and guidelines; and makes decisions and judgments implicit in all of these activities. This position is responsible for the appropriate application of procurement code and rules, fiscal rules, and best practices during the solicitation and selection of contractors and the development and execution of contracts and purchase orders. This position assures compliance with Procurement Code and Rules, State Fiscal Rules, State Purchasing Office and State Controller policies, department purchasing best practices, and other applicable department policies and procedures that impact purchasing and contracting. Although the full salary range for this position is provided, we anticipate that it will be closer to $72,800. Note: The successful applicant can start employment July 1st through the middle of August, as preferred by the candidate. Major Duties and Responsibilities:

• Drafts solicitations, particularly requests for proposals for personal services and information technology.
• Coordinates with program staff to draft the statement-of-work for solicitations, including Requests for Proposals, Invitations to Negotiate, Documented Quotes, Invitations for Bid with a focus on complex solicitations.
• Coordinates with program staff to draft the statements-of-work and payment options for contracts, amendments, interagency agreements, intergovernmental agreements, and purchase orders.
• Drafts and negotiates limitations of liability, changes to purchase order and contract terms and conditions, and negotiates vendor agreements. Drafts and submits fiscal rule waivers and other approval requests for the State Purchasing and Contracts Office.
• Negotiates contractual terms and conditions with vendors.
• Processes purchase order and contracts in accordance with Colorado Procurement code and rules, federal laws, and CDE policies and procedures.
• Facilitates the evaluation process for solicitations.
• Provides training and advice to CDE program staff regarding Procurement code and rules.

Minimum Qualifications, Substitutions, Conditions of Employment & Appeal Rights MINIMUM EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS: Education and Experience:

• Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited college or university
• AND Two (2) years of relevant experience that involves writing requests for proposals and/or writing contract/purchase order statements of work or other legal documents.

Experience Only:

• Six (6) years of relevant experience in an occupation related to the work assigned to this position, including writing requests for proposals and/or writing contract/purchase order statements of work or other legal documents.

OR

• A Juris Doctor degree, or a Master’s degree from an accredited college or university in a field of study related to the work assignment, may be substituted for the required experience on a year-for-year basis.
• For example, if you had a Juris Doctorate degree or a relevant Master’s degree (Procurement, Education, or other writing-intensive Master’s Degree) that required two years of study, you would meet minimum qualifications as that would have six years of relevant education to substitute for experience.

Note: The following are NOT relevant experience: experience making purchases with a credit card, administrative duties related to purchasing, inventory management, filing of contracts or purchase orders, data entry related to purchase orders or contracts, or accounting work like paying invoices. Relevant work must include significant writing duties, including writing statements of work for solicitations and/or contracts, and/or legal work like negotiating legal terms (not just negotiating pricing but negotiating legal terms like indemnification, insurance provisions, arbitration, etc.). _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________ QUALIFICATIONS AND CONDITIONS: Qualifications for Success in the Position:

• Demonstrates the ability to independently manage multiple projects and deliver results on time with minimal supervision
• Excellent writing skills.
• Diligence and mindfulness with an attention to detail.
• Exceptional customer service and communication skills.
• Self-starter who takes initiative and independently manages projects and meets timelines.
• Strong critical thinking skills.
• Experience training or explaining difficult concepts to internal and external stakeholders.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment, with strict deadlines.
• Demonstrated ability to effectively balance quality of work and productivity expectations
• Demonstrated ability to effectively collaborate with internal and external customers (e.g. other CDE units).
• Demonstrated ability to prioritize and organize work to accommodate and meet the changing needs of the department and meet deadlines
• Demonstrated ability to take initiative and exhibit a proactive approach to work
• Demonstrated ability to identify problems and recommend solutions prior to the standard being jeopardized
• Demonstrated ability to work independently, as well as on a team

Preferred Qualifications (Preferred/Not Required):

• Government procurement experience.
• Juris Doctorate Degree.

Conditions of Employment (Required):

• Must be willing and able to submit to the pre-screening process and pass a background check.
• Work extended schedule per business needs
• Report to work location per business needs
• DL Not Required: Required to independently determine and obtain means to complete commuting requirements for infrequent trips to the CDE building in Denver, Colorado.
• Sign the acknowledgment form that this position is funded through state funds and is subject to availability.

Supplemental Information Complete Applications must include:

• Completed Online Application: Required - Submitted through our ATS.
• Cover Letter: Required - Attached to the application
• Resume: Required - Attached to the application
• Transcript: Required if using education to meet MQs - Attached to the online application and meeting requirements as described under "College Transcripts".

College Transcripts: If you are using education to qualify, a legible copy of your official or unofficial college transcript(s) or a foreign credential evaluation report must be submitted with your application. Transcripts must show the name of the school and that a degree was conferred. Transcripts from colleges or universities outside of the United States must be assessed for U.S. equivalency by a NACES educational credential evaluation service. Failure to provide a transcript or foreign credential evaluation report may result in your application being rejected and you will not be able to continue in the selection process for this position.

• *Failure to submit a complete application as defined above by the announcement close will result in your application being removed from consideration.**

•

• Resumes and Cover Letters WILL NOT be reviewed for minimum qualification screening.

FOR CURRENT OR FORMER EMPLOYEES OF THE STATE OF COLORADO: Per the requirements of the Step Pay Program implemented on July 1, 2024, any State employee must be paid a rate that is equal to or greater than the appropriate step pay rate within their classification’s pay range based on completed years in their current class series as of June 30. All current and former State employees must ensure that your entire work history within the State Classified System, including at Institutions of Higher Education, is indicated in your application so that your time-in-series can be calculated accurately. Email Address: All correspondence regarding your status in the selection/examination process will be conducted via email. Include a working email address on your application; one that is checked often as time-sensitive correspondence such as exam information or notification will take place via email. Please set up your e-mail to accept messages from "state.co.us" and "[email protected]" addresses. It is your responsibility to ensure that your email will accept these notices and/or review your junk mail and spam-filtered email. Appeal Rights: If you receive notice that you have been eliminated from consideration for the position, you may protest the action by filing an appeal with the State Personnel Board/State Personnel Director within 10 days from the date you receive notice of the elimination. Also, if you wish to challenge the selection and comparative analysis process, you may file an appeal with the State Personnel Board/State Personnel Director within 10 days from the receipt of notice or knowledge of the action you are challenging. Refer to Chapters 4 and 8 of the State Personnel Board Rules and Personnel Director's Administrative Procedures, 4 CCR 801, for more information about the appeals process. The State Personnel Board Rules and Personnel Director's Administrative Procedures are available at www.colorado.gov/spb. A standard appeal form is available at: https://spb.colorado.gov/ . If you appeal, your appeal must be submitted in writing on the official appeal form, signed by you or your representative, and received at the following address within 10 days of your receipt of notice or knowledge of the action: Colorado State Personnel Board/State Personnel Director, Attn: Appeals Processing, 1525 Sherman Street, 4th Floor, Denver, CO 80203. Fax: 303-866-5038. Phone: 303-866-3300. The ten-day deadline and these appeal procedures also apply to all charges of discrimination. Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) and Equal Employment Opportunity The State of Colorado believes that equity, diversity, and inclusion drive our success, and we encourage candidates from all identities, backgrounds, and abilities to apply. The State of Colorado is an equal opportunity employer committed to building inclusive, innovative work environments with employees who reflect our communities and enthusiastically serve them. Therefore, in all aspects of the employment process, we provide employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, a medical condition related to pregnancy, creed, ancestry, national origin, marital status, genetic information, or military status (with preference given to military veterans), or any other protected status in accordance with applicable law. The Colorado Department of Education is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, our agency will assist individuals who have a disability with any reasonable accommodation requests related to employment, including completing the application process, interviewing, completing any pre-employment testing, participating in the employee selection process, and/or performing essential job functions where the requested accommodation does not impose an undue hardship. If you have a disability and require reasonable accommodation to ensure you have a positive experience applying or interviewing for this position, please direct your inquiries to [email protected]. Apply tot his job Apply To this Job