JOB INFORMATION

Exempt; full-time; 40 hours per week; Monday - Friday; 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.; full benefits.

This position will primarily handle the procurement of services related to vertical or horizontal construction and architectural/engineering (A/E) services. The Procurement & Contracting Office is a customer service office that relies on teamwork and mastery of the Procurement Code in order to effectively and efficiently lead agencies through the purchase of their requirements. While mostly a self-starting, autonomous position, this position also works in a team mentality with the rest of the Procurement & Contracting team. Although the candidate will have ample experience in the field of construction procurement, this position will have a series of mentors for support through the probation period. Flexible work hours and telework may be available after the probationary period. Direction may be given to professional, paraprofessional and office support staff; supervision is received from the Director of the Procurement & Contracting Office.

TOTAL COMPENSATION PACKAGE:
Frederick County offers an extensive compensation package to reflect how much we value our employees. The following is what you can expect in your first year as a full time benefited Frederick County Government employee.

• 11 days of Vacation leave with increase after 2 years of employment
• 15 days of Sick leave with unlimited annual carryover
• 11 paid scheduled holidays, plus 2 additional floating holidays
• Day 1 coverage of comprehensive Medical Insurance Plan option to include generous County HSA contribution (if enrolled in the high-deductible plan). This is part of a full range of benefits including Dental, Vision, and Flexible Spending
• 100% County paid 2x annual salary Group Term Life Insurance benefit
• Work/Life balance programs include: Employee Assistance Program and Employee Wellness Program
• Generous Tuition Reimbursement Program
• County and Employee funded Defined Benefit Pension Plan
  • Vesting after 10 years of service
  • Additional service credit for eligible previous public service, military service, etc
• Other employee paid benefits such as Deferred Compensation Plan, Legal Resources, Supplemental Life Insurance, etc.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND JOB RESPONSIBILITIES

• Work primarily with the Division of Public Works, the Division of Water, Sewer, and Utilities, the Division of Parks & Recreation, or the Division of Solid Waste and Recycling to procure contracts A/E and construction services
• Procure construction-related services, products and equipment utilizing Engineers Joint Contract Document Committee format
• Negotiate contracts as needed; analyze and resolve problems in order to come to acceptable terms and conditions
• Meet with County staff to develop contracting and contract administration strategies, resolve problems with service providers, discuss performance issues with contractors, terminate contracts, etc.
• Develop, recommend and execute effective delivery methodologies for construction projects
• Lead evaluation team meetings comprised of County employees from different agencies
• Utilize an electronic procurement system for transactions and information; research, gather and report data, as required
• Prepare and review construction-related bid documents and authorize release; write and create invitations for bid, requests for proposals, addenda, amendments and change orders; research and develop detailed specifications to encourage open, transparent competition; develop and recommend bid awards and contract renewals
• Conduct pre-bid/pre-proposal meetings and bid openings; conduct consultant debriefings; present information at County Council meetings; represent the Procurement & Contracting Office at meetings and before various other audiences
• Apprise the Director of market conditions and current developments
• In the absence of the Director, this position may assume duties of that position
• Perform other related duties as required

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. In addition to the duties listed in the Essential Functions section, each employee in this classification may perform the above listed other duties.

QUALIFICATIONS AND REQUIREMENTS

The qualifications / requirements, knowledge/skills/abilities and physical demands or working conditions described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university
• Minimum 8 years of work experience in progressively responsible purchasing and/or contracting positions
• Minimum 2 years of work experience in construction and A/E procurement
• Current professional certification as Certified Public Purchasing Buyer (CPPB), Certified Public Purchasing Officer (CPPO), Certified Professional Contracts Manager (CPCM), Certified Purchasing Manager (C.P.M.), Certified Professional in Supply Management (C.P.S.M), Professional Engineer (PE) or Registered Architect (RA), or ability to obtain one of these certifications or registry within 1 year after hire

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Knowledge of legal requirements governing public works construction
• Considerable knowledge of purchasing principals, methods and practices
• Knowledge of construction and engineering documents, including "front end" documents
• Ability to effectively read and understand contracting plans/documents
• Ability to effectively access and utilize the Microsoft Office Suite applications
• Ability to effectively organize work, determine priorities and complete assigned duties with minimal supervision
• Ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships with co-workers, elected officials, vendors and the general public
• Strong and effective spoken and written (English) communication skills, including the ability to effectively plan, prepare and present information before varied audiences

• Master's degree in Finance or a related business field
• Government purchasing experience
• Coursework in nationally recognized public purchasing seminars
• Experience working with automated procurement systems

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS / WORKING CONDITIONS:

• While in this position, the employee is constantly sitting and making repetitive motions, occasionally walking, climbing, stooping, kneeling, crouching and reaching; rarely crawling, lifting up to 20 pounds, lifting between 20-50 pounds and driving
• While in this position, the employee is constantly indoors, occasionally outdoors, walking on uneven ground, work at heights, work below ground level, near machinery, and exposed to noise; rarely in dirty and dusty environments, work in confined spaces and required to wear protective equipment
• While in this position, the employee may occasionally visit work sites which may require: steel-toed boots, hardhats, and/or protective gear
• While in this position, the employee may occasionally be required to climb ladders, traverse difficult landscape, and be exposed to heights

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION / EXAMINATION PROCESS

• Ability to provide own transportation, as needed
• Available for varied working hours and workdays as needed to accommodate meetings and other departmental commitments
• Required certification or registry must be maintained throughout employment in this position

Retirement Plan:
A defined benefit retirement plan is provided for all regular County employees. Employees are automatically enrolled in either the Uniformed Plan (5 year vesting) or the Non-Uniformed Plan (10 year vesting) depending upon position classification. The majority of support for the plan is provided by the County; however, employees are required to make a mandatory pre-tax contribution towards their benefit. Retirement benefits are payable at normal, early or delayed retirement. Retirement benefits are also payable upon termination and in the event of death or disability.

Health Insurance:
County employees have a choice of two medical insurance plans, an In-Network (HMO) Plan or a High Deductible medical plan with a Health Care Savings Account, to provide coverage for medical and surgical expenses, hospital and emergency care expenses, mental health expenses and prescription drugs. The County and participants share in the cost of the health insurance with the employee having the benefit of pre tax contribution deductions. Medical insurance goes into effect on the first day of active employment.

Dental Insurance:
Employees may select coverage from one of three dental plan options, ranging from a PPO plan to a dental HMO plan. Coverage includes preventive care, fillings, crowns, bridges and dentures, and the cost of dental insurance is shared by both the County and the employee. Dental insurance goes into effect on the first day of the month that follows the eligible employee's completion of 30 days of active employment

NOTE: Employees working 75% or greater of a 35 or 40 hour position are eligible for health & dental insurance.

Flexible Spending Accounts:
The Flex Spending plan allows employees to pay health and day care expenses with pre-tax dollars. Employees may set aside part of their salary in a special account that can be used throughout the year to reimburse themselves for out-of-pocket medical expenses. The maximum contribution is $2,700 per year for Health Care Spending and $5,000 for Dependent Care Spending (work-related day care expenses). Examples of expenses that can be reimbursed for Health Care Spending include, but are not limited to: deductibles, co-payments, dental fees, chiropractors' services, and eyeglasses / contact lenses.

Life Insurance:
Employees are insured for 2 times their annual salary in case of death plus 2 times their annual salary for accidental death. Employees do not contribute to the premiums for this coverage. A Voluntary Life Insurance Program is offered to regular County employees. The plan allows employees to purchase individually owned term life insurance for themselves, spouses and dependents.

Savings Plan - Deferred Compensation:
The County offers a Section 457 Plan. Deferred compensation plans allow participants to save for retirement in either a pre tax or post tax (Roth) investment account. Contributions are invested at the employee's direction into one or more of the variety of investment options offered by the plan. Changes may be made to the contribution levels, investment options, etc. at any time.

Educational Reimbursement Program:
County employees who have successfully passed their probationary period may take up to two job-related courses per semester at any accredited educational institution. The benefit also covers the costs of job-related non-credit courses. If the employee receives a grade of at least a C, or successfully passes a non-credit course, the County reimburses the employee 75% of the costs of tuition, fees and books. If an employee doesn't remain employed with Frederick County Government for two years after a class is taken, the benefit needs to be reimbursed to FCG.

Employee Assistance Program:
This confidential assessment, referral and counseling service is available at no cost to all employees who may need help with a personal or job-related problem.

Leave
Annual Leave – Employees are eligible to use Annual Leave after their 6 month probationary period. Annual Leave accrues as follows: Years of service days per year
0 – 2 years 11 days
2 – 10 years 17 days
10 + years 24 days

Sick Leave - Employees will earn sick leave at a rate of 15 days per calendar year.

Sick Leave may also be used for illness of an employee's child, dependent, spouse, parent or parent-in-law. There is no limit on the amount of sick leave accumulated. Unused Sick Leave may be used for additional credit in the pension plan at the time of retirement.

NOTE: Regular benefited part-time employees earn annual and sick leave on a pro-rated basis based on their actual number of hours worked biweekly up to their assigned number of regularly scheduled work hours.

Other available types of leave include, but are not limited to, Family Medical Leave, Bereavement, Jury, Military.

Holidays:
The County observes 10 holidays every year and 11 are observed on years of General Elections.