State Employees Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Title: IT Procurement/Contract Officer Sr. #W5501 (STATE EMPLOYEES ONLY)

State Role Title: Procurement Officer III

Hiring Range: 95,000 - 106,053/yr.

Pay Band: 6

Agency: Department of Social Services

Location: Dept of Social Services

Agency Website: www.dss.virginia.gov

Recruitment Type: State Employee Only - E

Job Duties

At the Virginia Department of Social Services, we put people at the center of everything we do. We believe that every Virginian can live a life of dignity and that all voices, ideas and experiences contribute greatly to our pursuit of excellence. Inspired by continuous improvement, we commit ourselves to listening, learning and cultivating environments of trust, respect and positive engagement. Together, we are mission-driven, eager to achieve, and passionate about bringing the best of who we are to those we serve.
We design and deliver high-quality human services that help Virginians achieve safety, independence and overall well-being. We are a $2 billion agency - one of the largest in the Commonwealth of Virginia - partnering with 120 local departments of social services and 31 community action agencies, along with faith-based and non-profit organizations, to promote the well-being of children, adults, and families statewide. We proudly serve alongside 1,650 (state) and 12,200 (local) human services professionals throughout the Social Services System, who ensure that thousands of Virginia's most vulnerable citizens have easy access to the services and benefits available to them.
In addition to a rewarding work experience, VDSS offers excellent health and life insurance benefits, pre-tax spending accounts, state funded Short and Long Term Disability, paid holidays, vacation, tuition assistance, free wellness programs, and a state retirement plan with options for tax-deferred retirement savings including employer matching - Employee Benefits.
The Virginia Department of Social Services (VDSS), Division of General Services is currently seeking an IT Procurement/Contract Officer Sr. This position provides critical support services to the various DSS divisions by coordinating with internal stakeholders (IT, Project Managers, Business Owners), external stakeholders (Virginia IT Agency, Office of Attorney General) leading procurement actions, and assisting agency staff in the procurement of IT related goods and services to enable them to meet their operational goals and the agency's mission.

The position is responsible for ensuring that all procurements are done in accordance with applicable Federal laws, the Virginia Public Procurement Act, the Agency Procurement and Surplus Property Manual (APSPM), VITA Buy-IT, and Department policies and procedures, and will provide direct support to Agency internal customers.
This position will be responsible for reviewing solicitations and contracts involving complex, high risk IT solicitations & contracts and assist agencies by managing/overseeing the development and execution of large, complex IT procurements. This position will also participate in the development and delivery of IT procurement training to agency staff.

Minimum Qualifications

• Considerable knowledge of IT procurement, contract management, project management and risk assessment based on public procurement laws; IT laws and regulations, Virginia legislation; Virginia IT Agency (VITA), Division of General Services (DGS)/Division of Purchases and Supply (DPS), and agency policies/processes; and industry best practices.
• Demonstrated ability to analyze, translate, and integrate this knowledge into internal and external customer-oriented consultation, policy/process/procedure development, formalized documentation, author IT procurement and governance related policies, operational process, procedures and training.
• Comprehensive experience in the purchase of IT goods and services and managing large dollar complex IT related projects and acquisitions.
• Considerable experience in the development of Request for Proposals (RFPs), Invitation for Bids (IFBs), and other contractual documents.
• Ability to interpret and apply state procurement regulations, policies, and procedures.
• Demonstrated experience with conducting vendor evaluations, negotiations, and administrating contracts.
• Experience in research techniques for obtaining complex/technical goods and services. Ability to analyze data, develop reports, and applying business rules.
• Ability to independently plan, organize, and manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Effective communication skills, both orally and in writing.
• Experience leading a team or group through the multiple phases of an IT related procurement process.
• Skill in the use of MS Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and other databases, and the eVA procurement system.
• Ability to be highly analytical, work independently, foster positive relationships, and exercise good judgement.
• Detail oriented, well organized, and successful prioritization of workload.
  

The role requires expertise in customer service, communication, team building and diplomatic interaction with VDSS leadership, VITA, Office of Attorney General (OAG), Commonwealth procurement officials, project managers and suppliers.

Additional Considerations

• Certified Purchasing Manager (CPM), Certified Public Purchasing Officer (CPPO), Certified Public Purchasing Buyer (CPPB), Virginia Contracting Master (VCM) or Virginia Contract Officer (VCO) certification is preferred.

Special Instructions

You will be provided a confirmation of receipt when your application and/or resume is submitted successfully. Please refer to "Your Application" in your account to check the status of your application for this position.

The selected candidate is required to file a Statement of Economic Interests form pursuant to the Code of Virginia 2.2-3114, as a condition of employment. The filing must be completed on or before the first day of employment and annually thereafter on or before February 1. The selected candidate is required to complete the Statement of Economic Interest training within 2-months of becoming a state filer and at least once during each consecutive period of two calendar years commencing on the first odd-numbered year thereafter. For more information, please visit http://ethics.dls.virginia.gov/.
Selected candidate(s) must successfully pass a fingerprint-based criminal history background check. A record of criminal history does not automatically bar an applicant from consideration. Employment verification will be conducted to include current/previous supervisory employment reference checks.
VDSS will record information from each new employee's Form I-9 (Employment Eligibility Verification) into the Federal E-Verify system to confirm identity and work authorization.
Please be advised that this position may be approved to work onsite for two days per week and work remotely for three days per week.
Selected candidate may be required to assist the agency or state government generally in the event of an emergency declaration by the Governor.
To be considered for this position, you must submit a Commonwealth of Virginia application or resume through the on-line "Virginia Jobs" (PageUp) employment site no later than 11:55 p.m. on the closing date listed. Each application is reviewed for documentation that shows the applicant meets the minimum and additional considerations as stated in the job announcement. The decision to interview an applicant is based on the information provided. Multiple positions may be filled from this recruitment within 90 days of the closing date.
The Virginia Department of Social Services (VDSS) is an Equal Opportunity Employer and encourages diversity within its workforce.
VDSS does not provide sponsorship.
VDSS is an official certified state agency that values the service and experience of our Veterans. As such, Veterans are encouraged to apply and receive preference in the hiring process. AmeriCorps, Peace Corps and other national service alumni also are encouraged to apply. Reasonable accommodations are available to applicants, if requested, during the application and/or interview process.
If you have been affected by Policy 1.30 Layoff as a state employee and possess a valid Interagency Placement Screening Form (Yellow Form) or a Preferential Hiring Card (Blue Card), you must submit this document through the "Virginia Jobs" (PageUp) employment site when you apply.

Contact Information

Name: VDSS - Division of Human Resources

Phone: dssrecruitment@dss.virginia.gov

Email: dssrecruitment@dss.virginia.gov

In support of the Commonwealth's commitment to inclusion, we are encouraging individuals with disabilities to apply through the Commonwealth Alternative Hiring Process. To be considered for this opportunity, applicants will need to provide their AHP Letter (formerly COD) provided by the Department for Aging & Rehabilitative Services (DARS), or the Department for the Blind & Vision Impaired (DBVI). Service-Connected Veterans are encouraged to answer Veteran status questions and submit their disability documentation, if applicable, to DARS/DBVI to get their AHP Letter. Requesting an AHP Letter can be found at AHP Letter or by calling DARS at 800-552-5019.

Note: Applicants who received a Certificate of Disability from DARS or DBVI dated between April 1, 2022- February 29, 2024, can still use that COD as applicable documentation for the Alternative Hiring Process.