Contracts Officer

Innovation allows an organization to make the most of every dollar spent. At Virginia's Community Colleges System (VCCS), our compelling mission, our ambitious strategic plan and our fiscal realities challenge us to ensure that community college resources are maximized for the priority of student success and credential completion.

Nestled between the Blue Ridge and Appalachian Mountains, the VCCS Shared Services Center is centrally located to all 23 colleges in the VCCS, 43 miles from Blacksburg, VA, and a four hour drive from Washington, D.C. A vital part of the ever-growing Roanoke Valley, Daleville is a haven for tourists and residents alike. Within an hour's drive are the breathtaking Smith Mountain Lake, world-famous Appalachian Trail, and many other outdoor activities, including golfing, biking, and hiking. The thriving Historic City Market in downtown Roanoke and the Daleville Town Center and Performance Pavilion also host farmers markets, community and cultural events, and festivals throughout the year.

The VCCS Shared Services Center is an innovation strategy to advance the priority of student success, reduce the administrative burden on individual colleges, consolidate transaction-based functions, create economies of scale and improve backroom process efficiency. This work allows the VCCS to better focus resources on the students - helping them start their educational journeys, persist, and succeed.

Under their direct supervisor the Contract Officer procures a wide variety of goods and services for the 23 VCCS colleges, the System Office and the Shared Services Center.

• The position:
• Solicits and issues contracts for goods and services as needed by the SSC customers utilizing a variety of simple and complex procurement methods.
• Receives demand signals and purchases goods and services above the small purchase threshold.
• Ensures that all purchases are performed accurately, timely and in accordance with applicable state laws & policies and VCCS policies.
• Employs best business practices to continuously improve performance, compliance, efficiency and effectiveness.

Required KSA’s:

• Ability to make sourcing decisions for moderately complex to complex procurement of supplies, equipment, and services.
• Ability to develop and comprehend moderately complex solicitation and contract documents, including the ability to interpret procurement-related law and policies and apply that knowledge.
• Ability to proficiently use automated procurement systems (e-procurement) to review and process requisitions through to a purchase order and acknowledgment.
• Ability to analyze quotes, bids, and proposals and make appropriate purchasing decisions.
• Ability to fully manage procurement process for assignments from the need through the purchase order, including order status and invoicing discrepancies.
• Demonstrated ability to exercise sound judgment, solve problems, and attend to detail in a fast pace, team oriented and customer service-oriented environment.
• Demonstrated ability to provide exceptional customer service to internal and external customers in a professional manner.
• Ability to work effectively with a wide range of constituencies in a diverse community.
• Ability to complete assignments following procedures & processes within the policies & laws.
• Ability to express thoughts clearly both verbally and in writing.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality.
• Ability to use the computer hardware and software required, including proficiency in MS Office.

Required Qualifications:

• High School Diploma or General Educational Degree (GED)
• Experience in a customer service environment
• Current Virginia Contracting Officer (VCO) certification or ability to obtain Virginia Contracting Associate (VCA) certification within one year of hire and VCO within two years; see https://vip.dgs.virginia.gov/ for more information on VCA & VCO certifications.

Additional KSA’s:

• Knowledge of governmental procurement principles and ability to follow procurement policy and standard operating procedures.
• Working knowledge of Commonwealth of Virginia & VCCS procurement policies (VPPA, APSPM, etc.).
• Working knowledge of eVA (state procurement system) and AIS/PeopleSoft.

Additional Qualifications:

• Multiple years of procurement experience
• Procurement experience in higher education and/or state government.
• Professional procurement certification(s): Virginia Contracting Officer (VCO), Certified Public Procurement Buyer (CPPB), Certified E-Procurement Professional (CEPP) or other nationally recognized procurement certification.

To view the full job posting and apply, go to: https://jobs.vccs.edu/postings/65507

Additional Information
Hybrid telework and sign-on bonus available

Sponsorship will not be offered for this position

Special Instructions to Applicants
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 Certificate of Disability (COD) provided by a Certified Rehabilitation Counselor within the Department for Aging & Rehabilitative Services (DARS). Veterans are encouraged to answer Veteran status questions and submit their disability documentation, if applicable, to DARS to get their Certificate of Disability. If you need to get a Certificate of Disability, use this link: https://www.dars.virginia.gov/drs/cpid/PWContact.aspx, or call DARS at 800- 552-5019

The selected candidate’s offer is contingent upon the successful completion of a criminal background investigation, which may include: fingerprint checks, local agency checks, employment verification, verification of education, credit checks (relevant to employment). Additionally, selected candidates may be required to complete the Commonwealth’s Statement of Economic Interest. For more information, please follow this link: http://ethics.dls.virginia.gov/

The Virginia Community College System, an EOE employer, welcomes applications from people of all backgrounds and recognizes the benefits of a diverse workforce. Therefore, the VCCS is committed to providing a work environment free of discrimination and harassment. Employment decisions are based on business needs, job requirements and individual qualifications. We prohibit discrimination and harassment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, sexual orientation, mental or physical disabilities, political affiliation, veteran status, gender identity, or other non-merit factors.

The VCCS is an EOE and Affirmative Action Employer. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Acts (ADA and ADAAA), VCCS will provide, if requested, reasonable accommodation to applicants in need of access to the application, interviewing and selection processes.

VCCS uses E-Verify to check employee eligibility to work in the United States. You will be required to complete an I-9 form and provide documentation of your identity for employment purposes.