Buyer II (Open and Promotional)

Buyer II (Open and Promotional)

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Buyer II (Open and Promotional)

Salary

$92,851.20 - $116,084.80 Annually

Location

Redwood City, CA

Job Type

Full-Time

Job Number

New 06 12 2026

Department

County Executive's/Clerk of the Board

Division

Shared Services Program

Opening Date

06/12/2026

Closing Date

6/25/2026 11:59 PM Pacific

Bargaining Unit

35

• Description

• Benefits

• Questions

Description

The Procurement Division of the County Executive’s Office is seeking well-qualified candidates for the position of Buyer II. Under general supervision, a Buyer II provides a full range of detailed and complex procurement services for all county departments.

Examples of Duties:

Duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Receive, review, and check purchase requisitions to determine needs of departments, market conditions, and product availability.

• Consult and assist departments with product selection and procurement methods.

• Invite and accept bids, and evaluate prices, discounts, and delivery conditions.

• Assist departments in the preparation of product specifications and contracts.

• Analyze bids for conformance to specifications and award bids.

• Interview with sales and manufacturers' representatives about products and services.

• Investigate complaints and problems and make recommendations for solutions and/or adjustments.

• Serve on various project teams and committees as required.

• Prepare reports, recommendations, and correspondence.

• Provide technical assistance to departments on the County's automated purchasing system.

• Instruct departments on County procurement procedures and policies.

• Perform related duties and special projects as assigned.

The ability to provide excellent customer service, engage in active listening to understand customer needs, and connect quickly with County personnel are critical to success in this position.

There are several other competencies, including technical, interpersonal, analytical, and organizational, which will be important for success in this role.

Procurement Expertise – In-depth knowledge of large-scale procurement practices and public agency procurement principles and familiarity with federal and state laws and regulations affecting procurement.

Commodity Knowledge – Understanding of commodity sources, marketing practices, and pricing strategies and experience with both formal and informal bidding processes.

Contract Management – Ability to develop and analyze product specifications, bids, and contracts.

Technical Proficiency – Skilled in the use of procurement-related computer programs and analytical tools.

Analytical Skills – Proficient in analyzing purchase requisitions and evaluating complex specifications and proposals.

Problem Solving – Ability to identify and resolve procurement issues swiftly and effectively.

Negotiation Skills – Capability to invite and evaluate bids and negotiate prices and terms with vendors.

Effective Communication – Strong oral and written communication skills for interacting with clients, vendors, and stakeholders, including the ability to write clear, concise reports and correspondence.

Relationship Management – Skilled in establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with various stakeholders, including both internal customers and external vendors.

Instruction and Guidance – Aptitude for providing technical assistance and instructing departments on procurement procedures.

Project Management – Ability to manage projects and contribute to various committees and project teams.

Adaptability – Works effectively in a fast-paced environment, managing multiple priorities.

Qualifications

Any combination of experiences that would likely provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities is qualifying.

• A typical way to qualify at the Buyer II level might be three years of experience that would demonstrate knowledge and command of complex commodity areas, and the principles, policies, and procedures of public agency procurement.

Knowledge of:

• Principles, practices, procedures, and applications of large-scale procurement.

• Laws and regulations governing procurement policies and procedures in public agencies.

• Procedures and requirements of governmental procurement.

• Commodity sources of supply, trade, brand names, publications, and source material in the field of procurement.

• Procedures and practices of procurement using formal and informal bidding.

• Sources of supply, marketing practices, and pricing methods and differentials.

• Computer programs related to procurement and word processing.

Skill/Ability to:

• Analyze purchase requisitions and evaluate specifications, proposals, bids, and contracts for complex commodity areas and purchases.

• Develop product specifications, bids, and contracts.

• Solve problems efficiently.

• Perform the necessary research and make informed decisions using all available information and resources.

• Work in a fast-paced environment.

• Communicate effectively both orally and in writing.

• Write clear, concise reports and correspondence.

• Establish and maintain effective work relationships with customers, vendors, and procurement team members.

• Ensure procurements are conducted in compliance of County procedures and policies.

Application/Examination

Open & Promotional. Anyone may apply. Current County of San Mateo and County of San Mateo Superior Court of California employees with at least six months (1040 hours) of continuous service in a classified regular, probationary, extra-help/limited term positions prior to the final filing date will receive five points added to their final passing score on this examination.

Responses to the supplemental questions must be submitted in addition to our regular employment application form. A resume will not be accepted as a substitute for the required employment application and supplemental questionnaire.

The examination process will consist of an application screening (weight: pass/fail) based on the candidates' application and responses to the supplemental questions. Candidates who pass the application screening will be invited to a panel interview (weight: 100%) which may include a performance exam. Depending on the number of applicants, an application appraisal of education and experience may be used in place of other examinations or further evaluation of work experience may be conducted to group applicants by level of qualification. All applicants who meet the minimum qualifications are not guaranteed advancement through any subsequent phase of the examination. All examinations will be given in County of San Mateo, California and applicants must participate at their own expense.

IMPORTANT: Applications for this position will only be accepted online. If you are currently on the County's website, you may click the "Apply" button. If you are not on the County's website, please go to to apply. Responses to the supplemental questions must be submitted in addition to our regular employment application form. A resume will not be accepted as a substitute for the required employment application and supplemental questionnaire.

Tentative Recruitment Schedule

Deadline for Applications: June 25, at 11:59 PM

Application Screening: July 1-2, 2026

Combined Panel and Departmental Interview: July 13 and/or 14, 2026

About the County

San Mateo County is centrally located between San Francisco, San Jose, and the East Bay. With over 750,000 residents, San Mateo is one of the largest and most diverse counties in California and serves a multitude of culturally, ethnically, and linguistically diverse communities.

The County of San Mateo, as an employer, is committed to advancing equity to ensure that all employees are welcomed in a safe and inclusive environment. The County seeks to hire, support, and retain employees who reflect our diverse community. We encourage applicants with diverse backgrounds and lived experiences to apply. Eighty percent of employees surveyed stated that they would recommend the County as a great place to work.

The County of San Mateo is an equal opportunity employer. We seek to hire, support, and retain employees who reflect our diverse community.

Analyst: Chet Overstreet (06122026) (Buyer II - E125)

We invite you to explore our Benefits-at-a-Glance ( page for a snapshot of the comprehensive and competitive benefits available to eligible employees of the County of San Mateo. From health and wellness to financial security, our benefits are designed to support you at every stage of your career. (Please note that benefits are subject to change.)

In addition to core benefits, the County is proud to offer a variety of wellness and professional development programs to help you grow both personally and professionally. Most of these enriching opportunities are available during work hours and come at no cost to you.

As a County employee, you’ll also be covered by the federal Social Security system, earning valuable retirement benefits based on your salary and years of service.

01

IMPORTANT NOTE: Applicants for this position are required to submit responses to the supplemental questions below. Your responses will provide additional information about your background and experience related to this position. This information will weigh heavily in the application screening by the subject matter experts and will also be used in the selection process. Answer the questions completely, paying attention to all parts of the multi-parts of the questions. While being thorough and detailed, also be concise. Your strategic use of language will be considered. Neatness, clarity of expression, attention to detail, proper use of grammar and the ability to follow instructions will be considered in the evaluation process. A resume will not be accepted as a substitute for your responses to these questions. I have read and understand this information.

• Yes

• No

02

Describe your procurement experience. Be specific about the types of supply, equipment, licenses, or services you procured in your previous or current procurement job. In addition, please list the agencies or organizations where this experience was gained.

03

Describe your experience working with contracts, leases, and agreements, including the Request for Proposal (RFP) process, Invitations for Bid (IFB) process, and contract development and monitoring. Please provide specific examples of RFPs or IFBs with which you have been involved and list the agencies or organizations where you completed this work.

04

How did you learn about this position?

• County of San Mateo Website

• County of San Mateo Job Interest Card Notification

• County Hosted Virtual Event

• County Hosted Job Fair

• CalOpps.org

• College/University Career Center

• Community-based Organization Posting

• Facebook/Instagram

• Friend or Relative

• GovernmentJobs.com

• Indeed

• Job Fair

• LinkedIn

• Professional Publication/Website (Please specify in next question)

• X (formerly called Twitter)

• Zip Recruiter

• Other (Please specify in next question)

05

If you answered, "Professional Publication/Website" or "Other" to the above question, please indicate below how you learned about this position. Your response to this question will help us in better marketing County jobs. Type NA if not applicable.

Required Question

Employer

County of San Mateo

Address

County of San Mateo Human Resources Department 500 County Center, 4th Floor Redwood City, California, 94063-1663

Phone

View phone number on click.appcast.io

Website

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