Buyer II

The Position

Bargaining Unit: Local 21 - Non-Supervisory Management

Why join the Contra Costa Public Works Department?
Contra Costa County Public Works Department (CCCPWD) maintains over 660 miles of roads, 150 miles of streams, channels, and over 200 County buildings throughout Contra Costa County. CCCPWD provides a multitude of services to the public throughout the unincorporated areas of Contra Costa County. The Public Works Department has an organizational culture that strives for continuous improvement. Our mission is to deliver cost-effective, safe, reliable, and sustainable services for the Contra Costa County community.

The Public Works Purchasing Division is seeking a dedicated team member to manage and maintain the procurement needs for the entire County. The Division is committed to supporting sustainability initiatives, small and local businesses, cost-effective acquisitions, and innovation throughout the procurement process. They are seeking a qualified candidate with a strong background in a centralized purchasing department to join their team and support the County’s Procurement Operations.

The ideal candidate will be responsible for sourcing, negotiating, and purchasing goods and services necessary for maintaining and enhancing County operations. The candidate will be expected to understand and manage the formal bid process for a wide range of goods and services, and will play a crucial role in ensuring transparency, fairness, and compliance with procurement guidelines.

We are looking for someone who:

• Has experience in a centralized procurement operation, preferably in government buying.
• Possesses a clear and demonstrated understanding of the bid process.
• Has proficiency with computer skills, including Microsoft Office 365 and Purchasing Programs.
• Has a high level of attention to detail.
• Has the ability to build and maintain positive, professional relationships.
• Has the ability to lead a work group to achieve common goals.
• Possesses a high degree of ethics, integrity, and personal credibility.

What you will typically be responsible for:

• Leading the formal bid process for procurement projects, including drafting bid documents, specifications, and evaluation criteria.
• Coordinating bid advertisements, pre-bid meetings, and site visits as necessary to ensure vendors have a comprehensive understanding of project requirements.
• Managing bid responses, conducting bid openings, and facilitating the evaluation of proposals or bids in accordance with established criteria.
• Collaborating with department stakeholders to analyze bid results, negotiate terms, and recommend contract awards to County leadership.
• Ensuring compliance with procurement policy, regulations, and legal requirements throughout the bidding process.
• Maintaining accurate records of bid activities, vendor communications, and contract documentation.

A few reasons you might love this job:

• Departmental emphasis on employee satisfaction and camaraderie.
• A cohesive and positive work environment.
• The challenge of changing the strategy and fundamental objective of the Division for the betterment of the organization.
• Work-life balance, including options for flexible and hybrid schedules.
• Offices are in the central part of the County.

A few challenges you might face in this job:

• Working in the current system can seem inefficient.
• Customers may be resistant to change.
• Working with multiple systems that are not integrated.
• Government bureaucracy.
• Integration with the County culture.
• Communication challenges with the distribution of information to other County departments.
• Seasonal periods of heavy workload, i.e. receipt of new funding allocations, end of the fiscal year.

Competencies Required:

• Delivering Results: Meeting organizational goals and customer expectations and making decisions that produce high-quality results by applying technical knowledge, analyzing problems, and calculating risks
• Professional Integrity & Ethics: Displaying honesty, adherence to principles, and personal accountability
• Attention to Detail: Focusing on the details of work content, work steps, and final work products
• Establishing Credibility: Doing what he/she commits to doing and respecting the confidentiality of information and concerns shared by others
• Critical Thinking: Analytically and logically evaluating information, propositions, and claims
• Fact Finding: Obtaining facts and data pertaining to an issue or question
• Analyzing & Interpreting Data: Drawing meaning and conclusions from quantitative or qualitative data
• Building & Maintaining Relationships: Establishing rapport and maintaining mutually productive relationships
• Decision Making: Choosing optimal courses of action in a timely manner
• Using Technology: Working with electronic hardware and software applications
• Innovative Problem Solving: Identifying and analyzing problems in order to propose new ways to do business
• Customer Focus: Attending to the needs and expectations of customers
• Oral Communication: Engaging effectively in dialogue
• Writing: Communicating effectively in writing
• Negotiating: Reaching mutually satisfying agreements and compromise
• Legal & Regulatory Navigation: Understanding, interpreting, and ensuring compliance with laws and regulations
• Mathematical Facility: Performing computations and solving mathematical problems

To read the complete job description, please visit the website: https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/contracosta/classspecs/4839

The eligible list established from this recruitment may remain in effect for six (6) months.

Minimum Qualifications

Education: Possession of a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with a major in business administration, public administration, or a closely related field.

Experience: Two years full-time, or its equivalent, technical purchasing experience in a central purchasing department, purchasing a variety of materials, supplies, and equipment.

Substitution: Additional qualifying experience of the type noted above may be substituted for the required education on a year-for-year basis up to maximum of four years.

Desirable Qualifications:

• Purchasing certifications
• Certified Professional Public Buyer (CPPB) or Certified Public Procurement Officer (CPPO)
• Experience developing Requests For Proposals (RFPs)
• Experience in government buying

Selection Process

Application Filing and Evaluation: Applications will be evaluated to determine which candidates will move forward in the next phase of the recruitment process. Online Multiple Choice Exam: Candidates who clearly demonstrate that they possess the minimum qualifications will be invited to participate in an online test. The assessment will measure candidates' competencies that may include but are not limited to: Oral Communication, Delivering Results, Professional Integrity & Ethics, Building & Maintaining Relationships, Decision Making, and Innovative Problem Solving. Candidates must receive a score of at least 70%, which may be an adjusted score, in order to be ranked on the employment list. (Weighted 100%) Departmental Hiring Interview: To be scheduled once the eligible list is established

Tentative Dates:

The Buyer II Multiple Choice exam is tentatively scheduled to take place via computer (remotely): September 10-15, 2025.

Meeting the minimum qualifications does not guarantee an invitation to participate in the selection process.

The Human Resources Department may change the examination steps noted above in accordance with the Personnel Management Regulations and accepted selection practices.

For recruitment-specific questions, please contact Christine Bissada at Christine.Bissada@hrd.cccounty.us. For any technical issues, please contact the GovernmentJobs’ applicant support team for assistance at +1 855-524-5627.

CONVICTION HISTORY

After you receive a conditional job offer, you will be fingerprinted, and your fingerprints will be sent to the California Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). The resulting report of your conviction history (if any) will be used to determine whether the nature of your conviction conflicts with the specific duties and responsibilities of the job for which you have received a conditional job offer. If a conflict exists, you will be asked to present any evidence of rehabilitation that may mitigate the conflict, except when federal or state regulations bar employment in specific circumstances. Having a conviction history does not automatically preclude you from a job with Contra Costa County. If you accept a conditional job offer, the Human Resources Department will contact you to schedule a fingerprinting appointment.

DISASTER SERVICE WORKER

All Contra Costa County employees are designated Disaster Service Workers through state and local law. Employment with the County requires the affirmation of a loyalty oath to this effect. Employees are required to complete all Disaster Service Worker-related training as assigned, and to return to work as ordered in the event of an emergency.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

It is the policy of Contra Costa County to consider all applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, ethnicity, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, ancestry, medical condition, genetic information, military or veteran status, or other protected category under the law.

To find more information on Benefits offered by Contra Costa County, please go to https://www.contracosta.ca.gov/1343/Employee-Benefits

Closing Date/Time: 8/15/2025 11:59 PM Pacific

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• Contra Costa County Human Resources Department

• 925-655-2100

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