Job Description:
Procurement Specialist-7.18.25
Description
The Division of Finance and Administrative Services (DFAS), is seeking applications for a
Procurement Specialist to join our team in the
Procurement Unit, located in
Cole County. Semi-monthly salary: The current rate for this position is $2565.63. Individual(s) selected for this position may receive a higher rate based on a pay differential (e.g. shift or time-of-service pay).
Job Location: This position will be located at 3418 Knipp Drive, Suite A-2, Jefferson City, MO.
Job Posting Number: 4041 8685537
Why you’ll love this position:The Department of Social Services (DSS) partners with families and communities to protect children, rehabilitate youth and move families to self-sufficiency so that Missourians can lead safe, healthy and productive lives. In this position you will be responsible for supervision, guidance, and mentoring for other staff while managing contracts and solicitations for various programs within DSS. You will work closely with program staff and vendors to establish complex contracts for services and products necessary to fulfill DSS's mission to ensure Missouri citizens obtain needed services.
We are seeking a highly motivated and detail-oriented individual to assist in managing procurement lifecycle, from researching and developing contract and solicitation specifications to developing and growing team members. This role requires independent judgment, verbal (and non-verbal) communication skills, proficient writing skills, critical thinking, and the ability to build and maintain positive relationships with vendors and other external partners to effectively meet organizational needs.
What you’ll do: This is a professional position accountable for using a wide range of procurement and contracting methods to obtain products and services. In this position you will be responsible for the procurement and contracting process from beginning to end which includes developing solicitations, contracts and related documents. This is a professional procurement position with an emphasis on using procurement skillsets and knowledge to guide projects forward and mentor team members. The procurement profession offers various opportunities for career progression to individuals with initiative and commitment to continuous growth. The Procurement Specialist role may include, but not be limited to, the following duties:
Procurement activities that result in contracts that empower Missourians to live safe, healthy and productive lives.
Supervise, train, and develop other procurement staff.
Develop documents and compose contract language by conducting research to identify potential vendors and solutions.
Establish and administer contracts in accordance with state purchasing regulations (i.e., RSMo. Chapter 34).
Analyze situations to determine the appropriate procurement path for the products/services and initiate and provide follow-through on the procurement.
Conduct pre-bid/proposal conferences for DSS procurements.
Ensure solicitation responses are evaluated in a fair and open process and comply with solicitation documents.
Serve as liaison with Office of Administration (OA), Division of Purchasing and stakeholders to establish contracts on behalf of DSS.
Maintain complete and accurate contract and solicitation records.
Confer with DSS administration regarding procurement and fiscal matters.
Collaborate with legal counsel regarding such items as contract language and DSS program needs.
Assist DSS program staff with developing solicitation and contract documents that ensure DSS needs are met.
Other duties as assigned.
All you need for success:Minimum Qualifications:Bachelor's degree and 3-5 years of relevant experience. (Substitutions may be allowed). Lack of post-secondary education will not be used as the sole basis denying consideration to any applicant.
Preferred Qualifications:• Ability to work independently while assessing and managing priorities.
• Effective written, comprehension and oral communication skills.
• Ability to analyze information, apply identified parameters, and draw conclusions.
• Strong organizational skills and detail oriented.
• Ability to embrace change within processes, procedures and working environment when necessary.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with co-workers, DSS team members, other state agency staff members, and vendors.
• Proficient with Microsoft Office applications.
• Experience and knowledge in public procurement is strongly preferred.
• Experience working with databases, SAMII, MissouriBUYS, and SharePoint are preferred.
Lack of post-secondary education will not be used as the sole basis denying consideration to any applicant.The State of Missouri offers an excellent benefits package that includes a defined pension plan, generous amounts of leave and holiday time, and eligibility for health insurance coverage. Your total compensation is more than the dollars you receive in your paycheck. To help demonstrate the value of working for the State of Missouri, we have created an interactive Total Compensation Calculator. This tool provides a comprehensive view of benefits and more that are offered to prospective employees. The Total Compensation Calculator and other applicant resources can be found here .
If you have any questions about this position, please contact Brenda Becker at Brenda.S.Becker@dss.mo.gov . If you experience accessibility issues while applying, please contact Courtney Hall at courtney.a.hall@dss.mo.gov or call 573-526-0416.
Recruitment Area: All qualified candidates
Application Deadline: August 1, 2025
Salary:
$61,575.07 per Year