• Job Description

  Req#: 5234992
  
  

  The Travis County Purchasing Office is responsible for overseeing how the County buys goods and services, and processes contracts — ensuring a legal, ethical, and transparent process. Its work supports every other part of County government and protects taxpayer resources.

  PROCUREMENT SPECIALIST I JOB SUMMARY:

  • Performs a variety of statutory compliance duties related to the county’s procurement processes, including the development, oversight, and monitoring of purchases, contracts and solicitations.
  • Evaluates and monitors complex contract performance, compliance, and contractual obligations on a county-wide basis, with minimal supervision.
  • Acts as liaison between county departments including fiscal staff, project managers, management, and other county staff, as well as outside agencies, vendors and the constituent community as required.
  • Continuous professional development through active participation in at least one of the available Communities of Practice.
  • Support disaster response efforts outside of normal business hours.
  • Promote efforts to advance equity and inclusion by identifying barriers and creating opportunities for a diverse business community.
  • Demonstrates understanding of, and supports the mission, vision, standards, policies and procedures, operating instructions, confidentiality standards, and the code of ethical behavior in alignment with our values and guiding principles of Professionalism, Innovation, and Equity (PIE) and Core Competencies for all employees of the Purchasing Office.

  
  DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS
  
  This is first in the series of four professional level positions in the Procurement Job Family. Under supervision, the ideal candidate will successfully perform all assigned job responsibilities in support of the Purchasing Office. This position is distinguished by the amount of independence for both actions and decision-making and by the level of supervision, as well as the experience required. This position may require a flexible work schedule in order to meet the needs of the Office.

  KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES:

  Functional Program Management:

  • Utilize available procurement tools and methods, including informal solicitations, formal solicitations, and other solicitation/contracting mechanisms, to procure goods and services in accordance with all federal, state, and local regulations, as well as all applicable County policies and procedures
  • Identify contract issues, process requisitions, review and request updated quotes, referring to manager for approval
  • Work closely with departments to identify and resolve disputes, prepare situation summaries, and recommend and present solutions

  Communications and Relationship Management:

  • Maintain relationships with internal and external stakeholders to maintain customer service levels, response and meeting needs, with project managers and department heads, judges, multiple outside agencies and regulatory agencies, and other county staff, vendors, end users, SAP Support, IT team, and Auditor’s Office
  • Respond to customer complaints and questions

  Research and Analysis:

  • Research cooperative contracts and benchmarking, report findings to end-users and management to ensure cost effectiveness
  • Coordinate, planning, and development of procurements, assist in development of solicitations and contracts by identifying necessary terms, conditions, and specifications
  • Research sourcing strategies to ensure sustainable cost or cost avoidance for savings

  Subject Matter Expert:

  • Assist department to address purchasing needs, provide input and participate in systems improvements activities, provide updates and information to community resources, vendors, and county departments
  • Manage basic formal and informal competitive procurements and any other solicitation/contracting methods required

  OTHER EXPECTATIONS:

  • Continuous professional development through participation in educational opportunities and professional certification programs
  • Uphold the organization’s values by maintaining confidentiality as legally permitted
  • Successfully perform all duties of a Procurement Specialist I
  • Travis County employees play an important role in business continuity. As such, employees can be assigned to business continuity efforts outside of normal job functions.

  EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE/SPECIAL LICENSURE/REQUIREMENTS:

  Associate’s degree in Business Administration, Procurement, Public Administration, Construction Management or a related field AND one (1) year of relevant work experience OR, any combination of education and experience that has been achieved and is equivalent to the stated education and experience and required knowledge, skills, and abilities sufficient to successfully perform the duties and responsibilities of this job.

  Master’s degree may substitute for two years of experience.

  A valid Texas Driver’s License is required.

  PREFERRED:

  Professional procurement certification from a nationally recognized procurement organization is preferred (e.g., CPPB, CPPO, NIGP-CPP).
  
  KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:
  

  Knowledge of:

  • Office procedures, computer equipment, databases, file management techniques, and related software applications
  • Business English, spelling, arithmetic, letter writing, grammar, punctuation, and report preparation
  • Existing automated business applications and their relationships to each other and interfaces with other automated systems
  • Policies, practices, procedures, and terminology of assigned function
  • Contractual law and regulations and community policies, resources, and structures
  • Principles and methods of financial record keeping and reporting
  • Project management methodologies, practices, and techniques
  • Theory, principals, and practice methods of government purchasing, contract management, and construction purchasing

  Skill in:

  • Understand and carry out verbal and written directions
  • Manage time well and perform multiple tasks, and organize diverse activities
  • Perform in a stressful environment while maintaining a professional manner
  • Interacting effectively with all levels of management, employees, numerous outside agencies, and outside contractors
  • Analyzing complex issues with attention to detail and translating concepts for peers and customers
  • Compile and analyze data, and to write clear and comprehensive reports ? Independent judgment, problem-solving and decision-making ? Research, compile, analyze, interpret, and prepare a variety of fiscal, statistical, legal, and administrative reports
  • Using technology, including computers, word processing, databases, and spreadsheet programs

  Ability to:

  • Use discretion and courtesy in dealing with vendors and personnel in the course of work
  • Work efficiently as part of a team, and work independently with little to no supervision
  • Work with a diverse community
  • Work independently and initiate creative and effective solutions to challenges
  • Effectively present information to senior management and public groups
  • Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with departmental support staff, attorneys, judges, clientele, outside agencies and contractors, other county staff and officials, and all levels of management and the general public
  • Exercise sound judgment in making critical decisions
  • Interpret policies, procedures, code, ordinances, and regulations
  • Manage multiple tasks/projects simultaneously
  • Research, analyze, and interpret technical/professional journals, financial reports, legal documents

  Physical requirements include lifting/carrying up to 25 pounds, visual acuity, speech and hearing, hand and eye coordination and manual dexterity, necessary to operate a computer, monitor, keyboard, printer, fax machine, copier, adding machine, typewriter and essential office equipment, vision to monitor, standing, sitting, walking, climbing stairs, bending, stooping, crouching, kneeling, pushing, pulling, reaching, driving, twisting, balancing, repetitive motion, client/customer contact, squatting to perform the essential functions.

  This job description was approved by the Purchasing Agent on 2-1-2026. It is intended to be generic in nature. It is not necessarily an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities. The essential duties, functions and responsibilities, and overtime eligibility may vary based on the specific tasks assigned to the position, and may include other duties as assigned.
  
  Work Hours: Monday -Friday 8 am - 5 pm
  Department: Purchasing

  Location: 700 Lavaca St, Austin, TX 78701

  Criminal Background Checks Required.

  For updates orquestions about this posting, contact: Ben.Suddaby@traviscountytx.gov

• About the company

  Travis County is located in south central Texas.

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