Contracts & Procurement Specialist
Job Title:
Contracts & Procurement Specialist
Job Family:
Finance
Department/Group:
Contracts and Procurement
Job Code/ Req#:
B18/1980
Location:
El Paso, TX
Travel Required:
Some travel in the WSB region (West Texas) and the state.
Level/Salary Range:
$49,000 - $55,000
Position Type:
Exempt, Full-time
Job Description
Workforce Solutions Borderplex is one of 28 public workforce development boards in Texas serving the six-county Borderplex region.
We are a non-profit opportunity incubator, personalizing the career path and connecting the right people to the right positions. With the tools, programs, and services we provide, we know you can do anything you put your heart into. Our organization and its initiatives have been recognized and awarded by the Texas Workforce Commission for our innovative approach to assisting employers and job seekers.
WSB serves in the spirit of community support. What we do is so important, but we don’t do it alone. We serve the regional business community. Our mission is to help them grow stronger to create better jobs. We also prepare people to fill those jobs and achieve a sustaining and fulfilling career.
WSB exhibits a growth mindset. We seek individuals who buy into this mission and lead by example by being good stewards of our financial resources, work efficiently to stretch our resources, and support the organization and its community partners so we can collectively elevate the regional economy. Our values include transparency, innovation, accountability, research-driven, impact-driven, integrity, collaboration, and empathy. Join this high-performing team and support a thriving regional economy!
SUMMARY/OBJECTIVE
performs complex, journey-level contract and procurement work in support of Workforce Solutions Borderplex (WSB) programs and operations. This position is responsible for drafting, reviewing, and managing contracts and related procurement documents in compliance with federal, state, and organizational regulations. The Contract & Procurement Specialist works under general supervision and exercises moderate latitude for independent judgment and initiative.
Role and Responsibilities
- Manages the full lifecycle of contracts, including development, solicitation, negotiation, execution, monitoring, and closeout.
- Assists with the preparation of formal and informal procurement documents such as Requests for Proposals (RFPs), Requests for Quotes (RFQs), and Invitations for Bids (IFBs).
- Facilitates procurement-related events, including solicitation planning meetings, pre-bid/proposal conferences, evaluation team briefings, scoring sessions, post-award debriefings, and kick-off meetings.
- Interprets and applies relevant laws, rules, policies, and procedures governing procurement and contract administration, including Uniform Guidance and Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) requirements.
- Coordinates with program and fiscal staff to ensure contract deliverables are aligned with programmatic goals and funding requirements.
- Maintains complete and accurate contract files and ensures all documentation is audit-ready.
- Supports training efforts for internal stakeholders on procurement and contract compliance.
- May assist in resolving contract performance issues and monitor vendor compliance with contract terms and conditions.
- Provides guidance to staff and contributes to process improvements within the department.
- Serve as a backup to the Manager when needed.
Conducts a variety of analytical and operational studies regarding procurement activities, including financial, budget, regulatory, operational, or administrative issues or questions; evaluates alternatives, makes recommendations, and assists with the implementation of procedural, administrative, and operational changes after approval; prepares comprehensive technical records and reports, identifies alternatives, and makes and justifies recommendations.
Experience and Education Requirements
- Education: A Bachelor’s degree in business, public administration, legal studies, or a related field is preferred.
- Education Substitution: Five (5) years of buyer experience may be accepted in place of a degree.
- Experience: At least 1.5 years of experience in contract management, procurement, or a similar role.
- Preferred Certifications:
NIGP – National Institute of Governmental Purchasing
ISM – Institute for Supply Management
CPPO – Certified Public Purchasing Officer
CTP – Certified Texas Purchaser
CTCM – Certified Texas Contract Manager
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES
- Knowledge of procurement regulations, contracting methods, and grant compliance (including 2 CFR Part 200 and Texas Administrative Code).
- Familiarity with cooperative purchasing contracts and state/federal procurement systems.
- Experience with public sector contracting, preferably in workforce development or grant-funded programs.
- Strong organizational, analytical, and communication skills.
- Ability to work collaboratively in a deadline-driven environment.
- The ability to effectively use the Microsoft Office Suite of programs, particularly Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, PDF, and other contract management.
JOB-SPECIFIC COMPETENCIES
- Attention to Detail: Ensures information is complete and accurate; follows up with others to ensure that agreements and commitments have been fulfilled.
- Data Gathering & Analysis: Seeks or collects and synthesizes information from various stakeholders and sources in an objective, unbiased manner to reach a conclusion, goal, or judgment and to enable strategic and leadership decision-making.
- Writing: Proficiency in English usage, grammar, spelling, vocabulary, and punctuation.
- Conflict Resolution: Uses a variety of approaches to manage and resolve concerns, disagreements, and conflict.
GENERAL/ORGANIZATIONAL COMPETENCIES
- Quality/Compliance: Achieving a standard of excellence with our work processes and outcomes, honoring WSB policies and all regulatory requirements.
- Customer focus: Striving for high customer satisfaction, going out of our way to be helpful and pleasant, making it as easy as possible on the customer rather than our department or WSB.
- Communication: Balancing listening and talking, speaking and writing clearly and accurately, influencing others, and keeping others informed.
- Collegiality/Collaboration: Being helpful, respectful, approachable, and team-oriented, cooperating with others, inside and outside the organization, to accomplish objectives to build and maintain mutually beneficial partnerships, leverage information, and achieve results.
- Initiative: Taking ownership of our work, doing what is needed without being asked, following through.
- Efficiency: Planning ahead, managing time well, being on time, being cost conscious, thinking of better ways to do things.
- Continuous Learning & Self Development: Being receptive to feedback, willing to learn, embracing continuous improvement, and proactively investigating new perspectives, approaches, and behaviors.
- Integrity/Transparency: Upholds social, ethical, and organizational norms and values; firmly adhere to codes of conduct and ethical principles; behaves consistently and is open, honest, and trustworthy; acts without consideration of personal gain.
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People management (for those with direct reports): Setting clear expectations, reviewing progress, providing feedback and guidance, and holding people accountable.
Additional Notes
Successful clearance of local and state background checks.
Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice based on business needs.
EEO/ADA
Workforce Solutions Borderplex provides equal employment opportunities to all individuals regardless of their race, color, creed, religion, gender, age, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by state, federal, or local law. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.