PURCHASING SPECIALIST (V015C)

Date: Jan 23, 2025

Req ID: 46624

Location:

Little Rock, AR, US, 72201

Category: STATEWIDE SHARED SERVICES

Anticipated Starting Salary: 20,000

Position Number: 22079894
County: Pulaski

The Arkansas Department of Transformation and Shared Services' goal is to create a more efficient government through outstanding service delivery and collaboration across state government. The department is comprised of the Office of the Secretary, the Arkansas Geographic Information Systems Office, the Division of Building Authority, the Division of Information Systems, the Employee Benefits Division, the Office of Personnel Management, and the Office of State Procurement.

OSP is seeking a procurement intern who will assist with a variety of procurement activities that touch each facet of core services provided by the Office of State Procurement. Under close supervision of the procurement manager or team lead, the intern will assist with contract management, training development, communications, vendor maintenance, contract analysis, and various types of reporting.

This positioned is designed for undergraduate-level students to gain a better understanding of public procurement in a professional work environment. This internship provides students the opportunity to apply concepts learned in the classroom to a real-world work setting and to acquire applicable knowledge and experience. The intern is expected to comply with all procedures and responsibilities as instructed by his or her supervisor and to work collaboratively with the OSP staff and serve OSP’s customers.

This internship program will occur in a hybrid work environment. The 9-week summer internship will be performed in person in the Little Rock office. The remainder of the 2025 internship is expected to be performed remotely. The intern will be issued State-owned equipment and access needed to perform his or her expected duties and will be required to return all state issued equipment in person at the conclusion of the internship.

Internship term: Full time (40 hours): 06/01/2025 – 07/31/2025; part time (15-20 hours) 8/1/2025 – 12/31/2025

Qualifications: Candidates must be enrolled full time as a junior or senior level student at an Arkansas college or university. Business administration, supply chain management, finance, and technical writing majors are encouraged to apply. Candidates should be proficient using Microsoft office tools. Strong verbal and written communication skills are a plus.

Position Information

Class Code: V015C

Grade: GS05

FLSA Status: NON-EXEMPT

Salary Range: $32,405.00 - $51,686.00

Summary

The Purchasing Specialist is responsible for conducting the competitive bid process. This position is governed by state and federal law and agency/institution policy.

Functions

Conducts competitive bids by writing bid specifications, preparing bid requisition documents, receiving and analyzing submitted bids, conducting public bid openings, preparing bid summaries, and posting intent to award bid. Processes requisitions and invoices, contacts vendors, and assigns or secures purchase order numbers. Maintains vendor files and updates data as needed. Communicates with accounts payable, to ensure proper payment of invoices, and performs assigned accounting duties. Provides technical customer service support to other departments and employees regarding purchasing and the purchasing system software. Enters data into complex databases and systems and develops queries to gather information and prepare reports. Performs other duties as assigned.

Dimensions

None

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Knowledge of applicable laws and regulations. Knowledge of computers and software application programs. Knowledge of database management and basic accounting principles. Knowledge of filing and recordkeeping procedures. Ability to perform accurate data entry and manipulate data to generate reports and documents. Ability to compose, proofread, and edit correspondence, reports, and other documents requiring attention to detail. Ability to conduct research and perform basic quantitative quality assurance reviews.

Minimum Qualifications

The formal education equivalent of a high school diploma or G.E.D.; plus four years of experience in purchasing or a related field. Additional requirements determined by the agency for recruiting purposes require review and approval by the Office of Personnel Management. OTHER JOB RELATED EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE MAY BE SUBSTITUTED FOR ALL OR PART OF THESE BASIC REQUIREMENTS, EXCEPT FOR CERTIFICATION OR LICENSURE REQUIREMENTS, UPON APPROVAL OF THE QUALIFICATIONS REVIEW COMMITTEE.

Licenses

None

The State of Arkansas is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, age, disability, citizenship, national origin, genetic information, military or veteran status, or any other status or characteristic protected by law.