Connect 700 Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Job Details
Working Title: Buyer 1
Job Class: Buyer 1
Agency: Office of Higher Education

• Job ID: 95835
• Location: St Paul
• Telework Eligible: Yes
• Regular/Temporary: Regular
• Who May Apply: Open to all qualified job seekers
• Date Posted: 07/31/2026
• Closing Date: 08/14/2026
• Hiring Agency/Seniority Unit: Office of Higher Educ-MAPE
• Division/Unit: Accounting & Payroll
• Work Shift/Work Hours: Day Shift
• Days of Work: Monday - Friday
• Travel Required: No
• Salary Range: $24.40 - $35.30 / hourly; $50,947 - $73,706 / annually
• Classified Status: Classified
• TeleworkEligible:Yes
• Designated in Connect 700 Program for Applicants with Disabilities :Yes

Make a difference in the lives of Minnesotans
The work you'll do is more than just a job. Join the talented, engaged and inclusive workforce dedicated to creating a better Minnesota.
Job Summary
In this role, you will conduct purchasing of materials, supplies, equipment, and services for the Minnesota Office of Higher Education.
Duties include:

• Purchasing equipment, supplies, materials, and services;
• Developing and maintaining expertise in state purchasing requirements, procedures, organizational structures, and requirements to be able to secure a wide variety of products and services to be utilized by the agency;
• Coordinating the purchase of goods and services for moves, additions, and changes with small to medium sized remodeling, space reconfigurations, and storage projects;
• Coordinating the agency travel arrangements;
• Maintain the Agency purchasing card program.

In accordance with HR/LR Policy #1422 Telework , this position is eligible for up to 50% telework for applicants who live in Minnesota or in a bordering state within 50 miles of the assigned work location. Candidates residing outside of Minnesota further than 50 miles of the assigned work location at the time of application must be able to relocate to Minnesota within 30 days of their start date. The telework policy may exempt employees who live more than 50 miles from their primary work location from the 50% in-office requirement, depending on job requirements, helping the State of Minnesota access top talent across the state.
Qualifications
Minimum Qualifications
One (1) year of professional experience in purchasing/buying supplies, goods, services or reserving travel and utilizing and reconciling purchasing cards; OR Two (2) years of paraprofessional/clerical/technical experience in purchasing/buying supplies, goods, services, or reserving travel and utilizing and reconciling purchasing cards
AND
Ability to obtain Authority for Local Purchase (ALP) Certification at the $25,000 level within 6 months from date of hire.
Experience must include:

• Working knowledge of requisition workflow systems such as EIOR;
• Proficient with Microsoft Office Products (such as Word, Excel, Outlook, or Teams);
• Experience with State of Minnesota's Statewide Integrated Financial Tool (SWIFT) accounting and procurement system, or other comparable large private or governmental accounting system with purchasing functionality, or proficiency with a purchasing system.

Preferred Qualifications

• Knowledge of state pricing contracts;
• Experience with bidding/RFB processes;
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with vendors;
• Strong organizational skills with excellent written and oral communication skills;
• Human relations skills to include conflict resolution and problem-solving skills in order to work with others in a courteous and professional manner and to be an effective team member even in difficult, high stress situations;
• Previous state buying experience.
• Experience working effectively with others from different backgrounds and cultures.

Physical Requirements
Exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and or a small amount of force to occasionally to move and/or transport objects. A sedentary job is defined as one which involves being stationary (or sitting) most of the time. Jobs are sedentary if being active and moving from place to place is required only occasionally.
Additional Requirements
This position requires successful completion of the following:

• SEMA4 Records Check (applies to current and past state employees only)
• Criminal History Check
• Employment Reference Check
• Social Security Verification

Application Details
How to Apply
Select "Apply for Job" at the top of this page. If you have questions about applying for jobs, contact the job information line at 651-259-3637 or email careers@state.mn.us . For additional information about the application process, go to http://www.mn.gov/careers .
If you have questions about the position, contact Kaochi Pha at Kaochi.Pha@state.mn.us or 651-259-3943 .
To receive consideration as a Connect 700 Program applicant, apply online, email the Job ID#, the Working Title and your valid Proof of Eligibility Certificate by the closing date to Kaochi Pha at Kaochi.Pha@state.mn.us .
About the Office of Higher Education
The Minnesota Office of Higher Education is a cabinet-level; state agency providing students with financial aid programs and information to help them gain access to postsecondary education. The agency also serves as the state's clearinghouse for data, research and analysis on postsecondary enrollment, financial aid, finance, and trends.
Why Work for Us
Diverse Workforce
We are committed to continually developing a workforce that reflects the diversity of our state and the populations we serve. The varied experiences and perspectives of employees strengthen the work we do together and our ability to best serve the people of Minnesota.
A recent engagement survey of State of Minnesota employees found:

• 95% of employees understand how their work helps achieve their agency's mission
• 91% of employees feel trusted to do their jobs
• 88% of employees feel equipped to look at situations from other cultural perspectives when doing their job
• 87% of employees report flexibility in their work schedule

Comprehensive Benefits
Our benefits aim to balance four key elements that make life and work meaningful: health and wellness, financial well-being, professional development, and work/life harmony. As an employee, your benefits may include:

• Public pension plan
• Training and professional development
• Paid vacation and sick leave
• 12 paid holidays each year
• Paid parental leave
• Low-cost medical and dental coverage
• Prescription drug coverage
• Vision coverage
• Wellness programs and resources
• Employer paid life insurance
• Short-term and long-term disability
• Health care spending and savings accounts
• Dependent care spending account
• Tax-deferred compensation
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Tuition reimbursement
• Federal Public Service Student Loan Forgiveness Program

Programs, resources and benefits eligibility varies based on type of employment, agency, funding availability, union/collective bargaining agreement, location, and length of service with the State of Minnesota.
AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
Minnesota state agencies are equal opportunity, affirmative action, and veteran-friendly employers. The State of Minnesota recognizes that a diverse workforce is essential and strongly encourages qualified women, minorities, individuals with disabilities, and veterans to apply.
We will make reasonable accommodations to all qualified applicants with disabilities. If you are an individual with a disability who needs assistance or cannot access the online job application system, please contact the job information line at 651-259-3637 or email careers@state.mn.us and indicate what assistance is needed.