Under general direction from the Purchasing Agent, provides advanced support, exercises discretion, sound judgment and personal initiative in assignments for the procurement of goods and services for the District. Assists with the implementation of purchasing guidelines. Assists with the planning, drafting and coordination of bid proposals. Reviews specifications and interacts with other businesses on the District’s bid proposal procedures. Examines specifications for the purchase of goods and services. Ensures the bid specifications include all pertinent data.

Typical Duties

Confers with user departments and staff to obtain any information needed to meet purchasing needs. Compiles supporting materials needed in preparing specifications for a Request for Quote (i.e. RFQ) or Request for Proposal (i.e. RFP).

Assists with the planning of methods, sources and procedures best suited to meet RFQ or RFP specifications.

Assists with reviewing and monitoring the District’s purchasing and contractual requirements.

Ensures that RFP and RFQ solicitations are consistent with Forest Preserve policies and procedures.

Assists in advertising RFQ and RFP solicitations as requested by the Purchasing Agent.

As directed, receives and evaluates RFQ and RFP for completeness of vendor responses including Minority and Woman Owned Business (i.e. M/WBE) participation.

Assists with the maintenance of the District’s vendor database.

Acts as a liaison for the Purchasing Agent with other internal and external departments and agencies on purchasing related inquires.

As directed may participate in specification preparations, bid or proposal evaluations and
vendor negotiations.

As directed may assists with setting goals for M/WBE participation on individual RFQ and RFP solicitations.

Reviews leases, contracts, agreements and attends formal bid openings as required.

Assists with the daily purchasing operations as directed by the Purchasing Agent.

Assists with and attends public outreach events and pre-bid conferences.

Minimum Qualifications

Must possess a bachelor’s degree or higher in business, finance, public administration, or substantially similar area from an accredited college or university with five (5) or more years of full-time work experience in Purchasing or Procurement OR a high school diploma or GED and ten (10) years or more of full-time work experience in Purchasing or Procurement.

Preferred Qualification

Possession of at least one year of full-time purchasing work experience with a local governmental entity; OR at least one year of work experience using Oracle Procurement application or similar ERP purchasing applications; OR at least one season of work experience with the Forest Preserves of Cook County; OR at least one season of work experience as a Conservation Corp Crew member; OR at least one season of work experience on property of the Forest Preserves District of Cook County with partners such as the Chicago Zoological Society, Chicago Botanic Garden, Greencorps Chicago; OR at least one season of work experience with other partners such as, Friends of the Forest Preserves or the Student Conservation Association.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and Other Characteristics

Experience with automated procurement systems and applications.

Knowledge of the local government purchasing processes, procedures, regulations and legal requirements.

Experience in maintaining vendor/supplier databases.

Knowledge of product specifications development principles.

Experience with reading and analyzing bid proposals and provide accurate status reports.

Ability to review, analyze and implement state and local government purchasing requirements and best practices.

Skill and ability in developing and maintaining effective working relationships with District personnel and outside agencies.

Proficient Skill with Microsoft products such as Word, Excel, Outlook, etc.

Ability to manage to purchasing timelines and to recommend an effective course of action to meet deadlines.

Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.

Ability to communicate effectively and professionally with diverse groups.

The duties listed are not set forth for purposes of limiting the assignment of work. They are not to be construed as a complete list of the many duties normally to be performed under a job title or those to be performed temporarily outside an employee's normal line of work.

Veteran’s Preference

When applying for employment with the Forest Preserve District of Cook County, preference is given in the application process to honorably discharged Veterans who have served in the Armed Forces of the United States for more than 180 consecutive days or during War Time. To take advantage of this preference, a Veteran must:

Meet the minimum qualifications for the position.

Identify themselves as a Veteran on their employment application by answering Yes to the question “Are you a military veteran?”

Attach a copy of their DD 214, DD 215, or NGB 22 (Notice of Separation) at the time of application by uploading it as part of your application. If there are multiple DD 214s, DD 215s, or NGB 22s, please submit the one with the latest date. Coast Guard must submit a certified copy of the military separation from either the Department of Transportation (before 911) or the Department of Homeland Security (after 911).

Veteran must provide original applicable discharge papers at time of interview.

Benefits Package

Medical, Dental, and Vision Coverage

Basic Term Life Insurance

Pension Plan and Deferred Compensation Program

Employee Assistance Program

Paid Holidays, Vacation, and Sick Time

You May Qualify for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF)

For further information on our excellent benefits package, please click on the following link:

http://www.cookcountyrisk.com/

General District Employment Requirements

PROOF OF EDUCATION, CERTIFICATIONS AND LICENSES WILL BE REQUIRED.

MUST BE A RESIDENT OF COOK COUNTY OR ESTABLISH RESIDENCY IN COOK COUNTY WITHIN SIX MONTHS OF EMPLOYMENT AND REMAIN A RESIDENT AT ALL TIMES DURING EMPLOYMENT WITH THE DISTRICT.

MUST BE FULLY VACCINATED AT THE TIME OF HIRE OR SUBMIT A REQUEST FOR A REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION WITHIN ONE WEEK OF START DATE.

The Forest Preserve District of Cook County is an equal opportunity employer and ensures against discrimination in employment on the basis of a person’s race, color, sex, age, religion, disability, national origin, ancestry, sexual orientation, marital status, parental status, military discharge status, source of income, housing status, or gender identity. We value our employees and the different talents, expertise, and viewpoints that each brings to the table. We believe a robust exchange of ideas results in better decision-making and we commit to providing a constructive, safe, and positive work atmosphere that promotes mutual respect and empowers individuals to thrive in their jobs.