Assistant Purchasing Agent

Salary : $69,097.60 - $92,144.00 Annually
Location : Lincoln, NE
Job Type: Full time/probationary or status
Job Number: 202600382
Department: Finance Department
Division: Purchasing
Opening Date: 07/16/2026
Closing Date: 7/30/2026 11:59 PM Central


Job Posting Information
Make an Impact Behind the Scenes

Are you detail-oriented and enjoy strategy, negotiation, and collaboration? Join our team and help ensure City/County departments receive the materials they need-efficiently, cost-effectively, and with quality in mind.

What You'll Do

In this role, you'll support the Purchasing Agent by performing a variety of complex purchasing functions. Responsibilities include preparing and reviewing specifications, evaluating vendor bids, conducting product research and value analysis, and coordinating with departments and vendors. You'll also monitor purchase orders, resolve delivery issues, and may supervise clerical staff.

Key Responsibilities

• Procure services, supplies, materials, and equipment meeting quality and cost standards
• Review requisitions for accuracy and compliance
• Prepare and evaluate specifications
• Analyze bids and recommend awards
• Conduct market research and value analysis
• Coordinate with departments and vendors
• Track orders and expedite deliveries
• Resolve shipment issues and claims
• Support contracts and incidental purchases
• May supervise clerical staff

What You Bring

Strong analytical, communication, and organizational skills, along with:

• Knowledge of governmental procurement and purchasing practices
• Experience with bid analysis and specification development
• Basic understanding of accounting principles
• Ability to build effective working relationships
• Strong written and verbal communication skills

Why Join Us?

• Meaningful work serving your community
• Supportive, collaborative team
• Opportunities for growth
• Competitive pay and benefits

Minimum Qualifications/Necessary Special Requirements

Graduation from a four-year college or university with major coursework in business administration, public administration, accounting, or related field and some experience as a buyer; or any equivalent combination of training and experience that would provide the desirable knowledge, abilities, and skills.
We value each City of Lincoln employee and one way we demonstrate this is by providing an attractive and competitive total compensation package that adds value to our employees' professional and personal lives. The following benefits are available for this position:

• Pay increases are available upon completion of the 6-month new employee probationary period, and annually thereafter based on performance.

• We encourage a healthy work-life balance by offering 11 days of vacation leave and 12 days of sick leave annually that you begin accruing upon hire; plus 11 paid holidays and 2 personal convenience days.

• All medical, dental, and vision benefits for you and your family begin the first of the month following hire, no need to wait!

• 30 days of Paid Parental Leave

• Employee Assistance Programs offering work/life services, wellness coaching, short-term counseling, legal assistance, and financial coaching.

• Up to 4 days of Funeral and Bereavement Leave

• $70,000 of Life Insurance

• $1,250 of Tuition Reimbursement

• 401(a) Retirement Plan . If you make a 7% contribution, the City will contribute 9%

• Employer provided Post Employment Health Plan for eligible medical expenses that occur after you leave City employment.

• Optional benefits include:
  • Medical and/or Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts
  • Allstate Voluntary Plans
  • Supplemental Term Life
  • Deferred Compensation Plans

01


CONFIDENTIALITY DISCLOSURE AND APPLICATION COMPLETION ACKNOWLEDGMENT:This application process uses a combination of automated and hand scoring of all application materials against screening criteria that have been established by the employer.1. I understand that if I have not completely and fully answered all application questions and/or supplemental questions with details, I may not receive full credit for my education and/or experience.2. Further, I understand that merely referring to my resume (i.e. "see resume" in lieu of providing detailed responses) is not sufficient for purposes of ensuring accurate application evaluation.3. All employers, work and volunteer experience, and education described in the following Supplemental Questions must also be listed on the application.4. I understand that I am responsible for the accuracy and completeness of my application and my responses to the supplemental questions.

• Acknowledge

02


Indicate if you have a college-level coursework in the following:

• Business administration
• Public administration
• Accounting
• Purchasing
• Related field (specify below)
• None

03


If checking related field, please specify the field.
04


Indicate if you have a degree in one of the fields listed in question 2:

• No degree
• Associate degree
• Bachelor's degree or higher

05


Do you have professional experience in public (governmental) procurement?

• No experience
• Yes, less than 6 months experience
• Yes, 6 months to 2 years experience
• Yes, 2 to 4 years experience
• Yes, more than 4 years experience

06


If yes, please list the employers from your application where you acquired this experience and briefly describe your relevant work experience.
07


Do you have experience working in a private sector purchasing or buying position?

• No experience
• Yes, less than 6 months experience
• Yes, 6 months to 2 years experience
• Yes, 2 to 4 years experience
• Yes, more than 4 years experience

08


If yes, please list the employers from your application where you acquired this experience and briefly describe your relevant work experience.
09


Do you have experience purchasing commodities or services which use Federal grant funds?

• Yes
• No

10


If yes, please list the employers from your application where you acquired this experience and briefly describe your relevant work experience.
11


Do you have experience compiling reports?

• Yes
• No

12


If yes, please list the employers from your application where you acquired this experience and briefly describe your relevant work experience.
13


Indicate if you have experience using the following:

• Microsoft Word
• Microsoft Excel
• J. D. Edwards
• Internet
• No experience

14


Please list the employers from your application where you acquired this experience.
15


Do you have experience issuing bids and/or RFP's for goods and services?

• Yes
• No

16


If yes, please list the employers from your application where you acquired this experience and briefly describe your relevant work experience.
17


Do you have experience with different forms of contracts such as fixed fee, unit price, lump sum, fixed unit price, etc.?

• Yes
• No

18


If yes, please list the employers from your application where you acquired this experience and briefly describe your relevant work experience.
19


Indicate if you have experience in the following:

• Developing material specifications from scratch
• Maintaining/enforcing purchasing procedures
• Analyzing bids/quotes
• Preparing schedules for bids/contracts/negotiations
• Selecting professional consultants
• Corresponding with, and assisting, vendors, contractors, consultants, and other customers
• Making presentations to government/public groups
• Negotiating contracts
• E-Procurement
• None

20


If yes, please list the employers from your application where you acquired this experience and briefly describe your relevant work experience.
Required Question