<p>THE POSITION</p> <p>Do you have the skills and experience to join our team of expert problem solvers in delivering exceptional value for all people in Pennsylvania? Become a Commodity Specialist with the Department of General Services, Bureau of Procurement. In this role, you will perform a variety of professional administrative work in the procurement of a wide variety of commodities for the Commonwealth. Apply now and help our government get what it needs to operate more efficiently, effectively, and safely!</p> <p>DESCRIPTION OF WORK</p> <p>As a Commodity Specialist, you will be responsible for administering procurement activities and working closely with commodity teams. This includes developing and implementing procurement strategies, as well as the development, management, and administration of contracts and the supply base for assigned goods and services. Work involves collecting and analyzing commodity data, solicitation results, and other information; identifying cost savings opportunities; providing assistance with sole source and no-substitute procurements; and establishing and adhering to timelines. You will also develop and maintain procurement contracts and related documents, assist in resolving contract disputes, and participate in negotiations as needed. Your work will be essential for maintaining contract coverage, fostering a team approach to contract administration, and ensuring agency needs are met. Take the next step in your professional procurement career with us!</p> <p>Interested in learning more? Additional details regarding this position can be found in the position description.</p> <p>Work Schedule and Additional Information:</p> <ul> <li>Full-time employment </li><li>Work hours are 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM, Monday - Friday, with a 60-minute lunch. </li><li>Telework: You may have the opportunity to work from home (telework) part-time, up to four days per week, after initial training period as determined between employee and superior. In order to telework, you must have a securely configured high-speed internet connection and work from an approved location inside Pennsylvania. If you are unable to telework, you will have the option to report to the headquarters office in Harrisburg. The ability to telework is subject to change at any time. Additional details may be provided during the interview. </li><li>Salary: In some cases, the starting salary may be non-negotiable. </li><li>You will receive further communication regarding this position via email. Check your email, including spam/junk folders, for these notices. </li></ul> <p>REQUIRED EXPERIENCE, TRAINING & ELIGIBILITY</p> <p>QUALIFICATIONS</p> <p>Minimum Experience and Training Requirements:</p> <ul> <li>Two years of experience as a Purchasing Agent (Commonwealth job title or equivalent Federal Government job title, as determined by the Office of Administration); or </li><li>One year of experience as a Purchasing Agent Supervisor or Procurement Specialist 1 (Commonwealth job titles or equivalent Federal Government job titles, as determined by the Office of Administration); or </li><li>Five years of strategic procurement experience, which includes researching and evaluating commodities and suppliers; or </li><li>One year of strategic procurement experience and a bachelor's degree; or </li><li>An equivalent combination of experience and training. </li></ul> <p>Additional Requirements:</p> <ul> <li>You must have experience with contract administration activities, including contract monitoring, amendments, renewals, and/or vendor performance management. </li><li>You must have experience analyzing or interpreting pricing, cost proposals, or market data to support procurement decisions and identify cost savings opportunities. </li><li>You must have experience coordinating with multiple stakeholders, including program areas, suppliers, and leadership, to support procurement timelines and deliverables. </li><li>You must have experience preparing formal business or procurement-related documentation, such as bid documents, evaluation summaries, or written justifications. </li><li>You must have demonstrated ability to learn new processes, adapt to changing requirements, and effectively navigate unfamiliar situations. </li><li>You must have demonstrated ability to take initiative, communicate effectively, and appropriately assert needs or concerns to move work forward. </li><li>You must be able to perform essential job functions. </li></ul> <p>How to Apply:</p> <ul> <li>Resumes, cover letters, and similar documents will not be reviewed, and the information contained therein will not be considered for the purposes of determining your eligibility for the position. Information to support your eligibility for the position must be provided on the application (i.e., relevant, detailed experience/education). </li><li>If you are claiming education in your answers to the supplemental application questions, you must attach a copy of your college transcripts for your claim to be accepted toward meeting the minimum requirements. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable. </li><li>Your application must be submitted by the posting closing date. Late applications and other required materials will not be accepted. </li><li>Failure to comply with the above application requirements may eliminate you from consideration for this position. </li><li>All application materials and interview responses must reflect the applicant's own experience, qualifications, and work. Applicants may use generative AI tools for preparation purposes only. Use of AI to misrepresent or falsify information, or to assist during interviews, is not permitted. Review the Guidance for Generative AI Tools & Job Seekers for additional information. </li></ul> <p>Veterans:</p> <ul> <li>Pennsylvania law (51 Pa. C.S. §7103) provides employment preference for qualified veterans for appointment to many state and local government jobs. To learn more about employment preferences for veterans, go to www.pa.gov/agencies/employment/how-to-apply.html and click on Veterans. </li></ul> <p>Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS):</p> <ul> <li>711 (hearing and speech disabilities or other individuals). </li></ul> <p>If you are contacted for an interview and need accommodations due to a disability, please discuss your request for accommodations with the interviewer in advance of your interview date.</p> <p>The Commonwealth is an equal employment opportunity employer and is committed to a diverse workforce. The Commonwealth values inclusion as we seek to recruit, develop, and retain the most qualified people to serve the citizens of Pennsylvania. The Commonwealth does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religious creed, ancestry, union membership, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, AIDS or HIV status, disability, or any other categories protected by applicable federal or state law. All diverse candidates are encouraged to apply.</p> <p>Learn more about our Total Rewards by watching this short video!</p> <p>See the total value of your benefits package by exploring our benefits calculator.</p> <p>Health & Wellness</p> <p>We offer multiple health plans so our employees can choose what works best for themselves and their families. Our comprehensive benefits package includes health coverage, vision, dental, and wellness programs.*</p> <p>Compensation & Financial Planning</p> <p>We invest in our employees by providing competitive wages and encouraging financial wellness by offering multiple ways to save money and ensure peace of mind including multiple retirement and investment plan options.</p> <p>Work/Life Balance</p> <p>We know there's more to life than just work! Our generous paid leave benefits include paid vacation, paid sick leave, eight weeks of paid parental leave, military leave, and paid time off for most major U.S. holidays, as well as flexible work schedules and work-from-home opportunities.*</p> <p>Values and Culture</p> <p>We believe in the work we do and provide continual opportunities for our employees to grow and contribute to the greater good. As one of the largest employers in the state, we provide opportunities for internal mobility, professional development, and the opportunity to give back by participating in workplace charitable giving.</p> <p>Employee Perks</p> <p>Sometimes, it is the little "extras" that make a big difference. Our employees receive special employee-only discounts and rates on a variety of services and memberships.</p> <p>For more information on all of these Total Rewards benefits, please visit www.employment.pa.gov and click on the benefits box.</p> <ul> <li>Eligibility rules apply. </li></ul> <p>01</p> <p>Have you been employed by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania as a Purchasing Agent for two or more years full-time?</p> <ul> <li>Yes </li><li>No </li></ul> <p>02</p> <p>If you are claiming experience in the above question, please list the employer(s) where you gained this experience in the text box below. The employer(s) and a description of the experience must also be included in the appropriate sections of your application if you would like the experience to be considered in the eligibility decision. If you claimed you do not have experience, type N/A in the text box below.</p> <p>03</p> <p>Have you been employed by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania as a Purchasing Agent Supervisor or Procurement Specialist 1 for one or more years full-time?</p> <ul> <li>Yes </li><li>No </li></ul> <p>04</p> <p>If you are claiming experience in the above question, please list the employer(s) where you gained this experience in the text box below. The employer(s) and a description of the experience must also be included in the appropriate sections of your application if you would like the experience to be considered in the eligibility decision. If you claimed you do not have experience, type N/A in the text box below.</p> <p>05</p> <p>How many years of full-time strategic procurement experience, which includes researching and evaluating commodities and suppliers, do you possess?</p> <ul> <li>5 years or more </li><li>4 but less than 5 years </li><li>3 but less than 4 years </li><li>2 but less than 3 years </li><li>1 but less than 2 years </li><li>Less than 1 year </li><li>None </li></ul> <p>06</p> <p>If you are claiming experience in the above question, please list the employer(s) where you gained this experience in the text box below. The employer(s) and a description of the experience must also be included in the appropriate sections of your application if you would like the experience to be considered in the eligibility decision. If you claimed you do not have experience, type N/A in the text box below.</p> <p>07</p> <p>How much college coursework have you completed in Accounting, Business, Business Administration, Business Management, Logistics and Supply Chain Management, Materials and Vendor Management, Project Management, Purchasing Management, Sourcing Management, or Supply Chain Management? If you are claiming credits/degree, you must upload a copy of your college transcript(s) for this education to be considered in the eligibility decision. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable. You must attach your transcript(s) prior to the submission of your application by using the "Attachments" tab on the left. You will not be able to add a transcript(s) to the application after it has been submitted.</p> <p>If your education was acquired outside of the United States, you must upload a copy of your foreign credential evaluation report. We can only accept foreign credential evaluations from organizations that are members of the National Association of Credential Services (NACES). A list of current NACES members can be found by visiting www.naces.org and clicking the Evaluation Services Link.</p> <p>You must attach your documentation prior to the submission of your application by using the "Attachments" tab on the left. You will not be able to add a document to the application after it has been submitted.</p> <ul> <li>120 credits or more </li><li>90 but less than 120 credits </li><li>60 but less than 90 credits </li><li>30 but less than 60 credits </li><li>Less than 30 credits </li><li>None </li></ul> <p>08</p> <p>How much college coursework have you completed in fields other than those listed above? If you are claiming credits/degree, you must upload a copy of your college transcript(s) for this education to be considered in the eligibility decision. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable. You must attach your transcript(s) prior to the submission of your application by using the "Attachments" tab on the left. You will not be able to add a transcript(s) to the application after it has been submitted.</p> <p>If your education was acquired outside of the United States, you must upload a copy of your foreign credential evaluation report. We can only accept foreign credential evaluations from organizations that are members of the National Association of Credential Services (NACES). A list of current NACES members can be found by visiting www.naces.org and clicking the Evaluation Services Link.</p> <p>You must attach your documentation prior to the submission of your application by using the "Attachments" tab on the left. You will not be able to add a document to the application after it has been submitted.</p> <ul> <li>120 credits or more </li><li>90 but less than 120 credits </li><li>60 but less than 90 credits </li><li>30 but less than 60 credits </li><li>Less than 30 credits </li><li>None </li></ul> <p>09</p> <p>Additional Requirement - Do you have experience with contract administration activities, including contract monitoring, amendments, renewals, and/or vendor performance management?</p> <ul> <li>Yes </li><li>No </li></ul> <p>10</p> <p>If you are claiming experience in the above question, please list the employer(s) where you gained this experience in the text box below. The employer(s) and a description of the experience must also be included in the appropriate sections of your application if you would like the experience to be considered in the eligibility decision. If you claimed you do not have experience, type N/A in the text box below.</p> <p>11</p> <p>Additional Requirement - Do you have experience analyzing and interpreting pricing, cost proposals, or market data to support procurement decisions and identify cost savings opportunities?</p> <ul> <li>Yes </li><li>No </li></ul> <p>12</p> <p>If you are claiming experience in the above question, please list the employer(s) where you gained this experience in the text box below. The employer(s) and a description of the experience must also be included in the appropriate sections of your application if you would like the experience to be considered in the eligibility decision. If you claimed you do not have experience, type N/A in the text box below.</p> <p>13</p> <p>Additional Requirement - Do you have experience coordinating with multiple stakeholders, including program areas, suppliers, and leadership, to support procurement timelines and deliverables?</p> <ul> <li>Yes </li><li>No </li></ul> <p>14</p> <p>If you are claiming experience in the above question, please list the employer(s) where you gained this experience in the text box below. The employer(s) and a description of the experience must also be included in the appropriate sections of your application if you would like the experience to be considered in the eligibility decision. If you claimed you do not have experience, type N/A in the text box below.</p> <p>15</p> <p>Additional Requirement - Do you have experience preparing formal business or procurement-related documentation, such as bid documents, evaluation summaries, or written justifications?</p> <ul> <li>Yes </li><li>No </li></ul> <p>16</p> <p>If you are claiming experience in the above question, please list the employer(s) where you gained this experience in the text box below. The employer(s) and a description of the experience must also be included in the appropriate sections of your application if you would like the experience to be considered in the eligibility decision. If you claimed you do not have experience, type N/A in the text box below.</p> <p>Required Question</p> <p>Employer Commonwealth of Pennsylvania</p> <p>Address 613 North Street</p> <p>Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, 17120</p> <p>Website http://www.employment.pa.gov</p>