Procurement Contract Specialist

Salary : $87,165.71 - $129,324.90 Annually
Location : Riverside
Job Type: Regular
Job Number: 26-15813-02
Department: Purchasing and Fleet
Division: Procurement
Opening Date: 09/24/2026
Closing Date: 10/21/2026 11:59 PM Pacific


For questions regarding this position, please contact the Recruiter listed in the Supplemental Information section.

ABOUT THE POSITION
The County of Riverside's Purchasing and Fleet Department has multiple opportunities for Procurement Contract Specialist to serve as advisors in purchasing and negotiating matters. These positions serve as an amazing development opportunity for promotional growth including the ability to have signing authority.
Acting as a liaison, the Specialists will understand the unique needs of the department they support. The incumbent will be a procurement subject matter expert with the proven ability to implement industry best practices. They will also be responsible for the negotiation and drafting of contracts including services and tangible goods as well as issuing purchase orders and acting as a primary contact for vendors. Other duties will include researching, developing, and reviewing appropriate and complete specifications to assist a public agency in the solicitation of quotes, bids, and proposals for all types of goods and services as well as participating in and conducting public bid openings. Additionally, this position will work closely with internal stakeholders, leading meetings and assessing procurement needs, with a strong emphasis on writing skills and understanding procurement terminology.
The department is seeking innovative procurement professionals who can drive process improvements and bring strategic thinking to the development of contract standards and complex agreements. The ideal candidate will have extensive experience leading and managing a wide range of complex procurement activities, including multi-year and high-value, multi-commodity agreements. This includes developing solicitations such as requests for proposals (RFPs), requests for bids (RFBs), requests for quotes (RFQs), and requests for information (RFIs), as well as negotiating, drafting, and administering contracts with a strong focus on service-related procurements in the public works sector. Candidates with proven expertise in establishing procurement policies and contract standards that promote efficiency and compliance are highly desirable. Certification as a Certified Public Procurement Officer (CPPO) or Certified Professional Public Buyer (CPPB) through the Universal Public Procurement Certification Council (UPPCC) is strongly encouraged.
Competitive Candidates will Possess:

• A bachelor's Degree.
• Broad and complex procurement experience which included completing purchases, bids, proposals, quotes, request for quotes/RFQs, request for information/RFIs, requests for proposals/RFPs, and request for bids/RFBs.
• Certified Public Procurement Officer (CPPO) or Certified Professional Public Buyer (CPPB) certification from the Universal Public Procurement Council (UPPC).
• Public works or utility company purchasing experience such as conducting solicitations for construction, including repair and remodels, facilities maintenance, and/or capitol improvement projects using applicable public works bidding procedures.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Extensive service-related procurement experience.

Meet the Team!

The primary function is to provide vehicles, goods and services to other County Departments and agencies within the County of Riverside. Providing a unified purchasing system that ensures integrity and fairness, with centralized responsibility for oversight of solicitation, vendor selection, negotiation, award, contract management, reporting, disposal of surplus property and emergency logistical support for the benefit of Riverside County agencies.
EXAMPLES OF ESSENTIAL DUTIES
• Work independently in developing and coordinating complex contracts for commodities and services for departments; conduct market research to develop and maintain vendor product information lists.
• Assist in developing and defining contract specifications; write solicitations (e.g., Request for Proposals, Requests for Quotations, Requests to Bid); analyze and determine the most appropriate contract types to reduce the County's exposure to risk.
• Review findings for accuracy, cost-effectiveness, adherence to standards, codes, and County policies and procedures; identify operational problems and formulate appropriate solutions.
• Communicate and act as a liaison between vendors and department users to develop compromises and resolve contractual problems or complaints; organize, direct and lead negotiating teams in evaluating and negotiating contracts.
• Develop and present training sessions for County staff, industry and other organizations on purchasing related procedures and policies; market County awards to other political subdivisions when applicable.
• Lead diverse technical and professional committees in problem resolution relative to County-wide standard and contractual relationship.
• Preparing and administering contracts and contract renewals for professional and general services.
• Reviewing bids, quotes, and proposals for responsiveness and legal compliance.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

OPTION I
Education: Graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor's degree with major coursework in purchasing, business administration, economics, or a related field. (Additional qualifying experience may be substituted for up to two years of the required education on the basis of 30 semester/45 quarter units equaling one year of full-time experience.)

***A copy of your degree or transcripts MUST be uploaded with your application, please see "Supplemental Information" below for guidelines***

Experience: Two years of buying experience in a Purchasing Department or Agency, which includes contract negotiation, development of contract standards and procedures, and development of multi-year or major high value multi-commodity agreements.

OPTION II
Experience: Four years of buying experience in a Purchasing Department or Agency, two years of which should be equivalent to the County of Riverside Buyer II classification, which included contract negotiation, development of contract standards and procedures, and development of multi-year or major high value multi-commodity agreements.
Other Requirements
Knowledge of: The methods, principles, and practices of purchasing/material management and of governmental purchasing; County purchasing policies and practices; a variety of product standards required by assigned departments; products, commodities, and services used within one or more commodity grouping; methods and resources used in researching and analyzing commodities and services; competitive bid practices and procedures; methods used in evaluating vendor capability and performance.

Ability to: Work independently; read and interpret rules and regulations; collect, organize, and evaluate product or service information; identify alternative solutions, and project consequences of decisions and recommendations; compose clear and concise reports, recommendations, and correspondence; communicate in a clear and persuasive manner; establish and maintain effective relationships with department officials, company/vendor representatives, and staff members; prepare purchasing specifications; lead specialized focus groups and support staff.

A successful Sheriff Level One Security Clearance conducted by the Sheriffs' Department may be required for Procurement Contract Specialists.
License: A valid California Driver's License is required to drive to different sites throughout the County.

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION

Application Status:
How to confirm your application was received or check on the status of your application, log-in to , click on your name in the upper right corner, and click on "Applications & Status."

Sign Up for Job Alerts:
Go to , click on "Careers," click on "County Job Openings," and click on "Subscribe to Job Alerts" icon.
For questions regarding this recruitment:
If you have any questions regarding this posting, please contact Vanessa Diaz Beaird at or View phone number on click.appcast.io. Please allow 1-2 business days for a response to general inquiries.
APPLICATION INFORMATION

Veteran's Preference
The County has a Veterans Preference Policy applicable to new hires. To qualify, attach the required documents to your job application. Documents include a copy of your (or your spouse's) Member-4 Form DD-214 indicating dates of service. For spousal preference, and as applicable, the following documents: a copy of your marriage certificate, spouse's death certificate, a letter of spouse's disability and/or letter of service-related death (if available) from the U.S. Veteran's Administration. For privacy reasons, it is recommended that you remove your social security information from the document(s). A Human Resources Representative will review the materials and determine if you qualify for veterans' preference. For complete details and documentation requirements, please review the Veterans Preference Policy, C-3 here:
Reasonable Accommodations
The County of Riverside is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to applicants as required by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA). Qualified individuals with disabilities who need a reasonable accommodation during the application or selection process should contact the recruiter for the position noted above. For additional information and/or to obtain the appropriate form for requesting a reasonable accommodation, please visit the Disability Access Office web page located at:
Work Location and Telework
In-person attendance is the standard work expectation for County of Riverside assignments. Certain assignments may be eligible for a hybrid telework schedule; however, telework arrangements are subject to management approval, operational needs, and/or may be modified or discontinued at any time. Employees who telework are expected to be able to report to their assigned worksite on short notice or as operational needs require. Unless otherwise specified for a particular position, employees are expected to reside in California following appointment. Limited exceptions may apply. Applicants should contact the assigned recruiter for additional information regarding work location expectations, telework eligibility, and residency requirements.
Proof of Education
If using education to qualify or when requested by the recruiter, upload a copy of any license(s), official/unofficial transcript(s), degrees, and/or related employment documents to your NeoGov account at the time of application and before the closing date. Official or unofficial transcripts will be accepted.

If your education was completed outside of the United States, you will need to provide a copy of your Foreign Education Equivalency evaluation from a member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services () or Association of International Credential Evaluators, Inc. ().
Work Authorization Requirement
Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States at the time of application. The County of Riverside does not participate in visa sponsorship programs, including H1-B visas, and will not provide sponsorship for any employment-based visas.
Equal Opportunity Employer
The County of Riverside is an Equal Opportunity Employer. It is the policy of the County of Riverside to provide equal employment opportunities for all qualified persons. All applicants will be considered without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, ancestry, medical condition (cancer and genetic characteristics), genetic information, or denial of medical and family care leave, or any other non-job-related factors.
Pre-Employment
All employment offers are contingent upon successful completion of pre-employment requirements including a criminal background investigation, which involves fingerprinting. (A felony or misdemeanor conviction may disqualify the applicant from County employment). A pre-employment physical examination and background check may be required.
Probationary Period
As an Approved Local Merit System, all County of Riverside employees, except those serving "At Will," are subject to the probationary period provisions as specified in the applicable Memorandum of Understanding, County Resolution, or Salary Ordinance. Temporary and Per Diem employees serve at the pleasure of the agency/department head.
General Information
Current County of Riverside and/or current employees of the hiring department may receive priority consideration. Qualified candidates may be considered for future County vacancies.
Job postings may close without notice based on application volume. Submit your complete application by the recruitment close date; no late applications are accepted. Ensure all relevant experience/education is reflected on your application/resume, as a failure to demonstrate position requirements may disqualify applicants. A description of job duties directly copied from the job classification or job posting will not be considered.
Please read and follow any special application instructions on this posting. Click the ' Apply ' link located on this page to submit your application. For additional instructions on the application process, examinations, Veteran's preference, pre-employment accommodation or other employment questions, please refer to our web site,
If you are experiencing technical problems, you may contact the governmentjobs.com applicant support desk Monday through Friday, 6 am to 5 pm Pacific Time at View email address on click.appcast.io or toll-free View phone number on click.appcast.io.
BENEFIT PROGRAM: SEI
MEDICAL/DENTAL/VISION INSURANCE: A choice of different medical, dental and visions plan are available to elect. The County provides a Flexible Benefit Credit contribution as governed by the applicable SEIU Memorandum of Understanding to contribute towards the cost of these plans.

Note: Employees on assignment through the Temporary Assignment Program (TAP) receive different benefits. See the list
MISCELLANEOUS RETIREMENT : County of Riverside has three retirement Tiers through the California Public Employees' Retirement System (CalPERS).

• Tier I (Classic Member - Formula 3% @ 60): Applicable to current and former County of Riverside local miscellaneous employees hired prior to 08/24/2012 and did not withdraw CalPERS contributions. The employee contribution is eight (8%) percent.
• Tier II (Classic Member - Formula 2% @ 60): Applicable to local miscellaneous employees 1) hired after 08/23/2012 through 12/31/2012; 2) Previously employed with another CalPERS contracting public agency or a reciprocal retirement system, with a break in service of less than six months between the separation date with the previous employer and the appointment date with the County of Riverside. The employee contribution is seven (7%) percent.
• Tier III (PEPRA New Member - Formula 2% @ 62): Applicable to CalPERS local miscellaneous new members hired on or after the implementation of the Public Employees' Pension Reform Act of 2013 (PEPRA) which took effect January 1, 2013. Effective July 1, 2023 employee contributions are 7.25% and will increase to 7.75% effective July 1, 2024.

A new member is defined as any of the following:

1. A new hire who enters CalPERS membership for the first time on or after January 1, 2013, and who has no prior membership in any California Public Retirement System.
2. A new hire who enters CalPERS membership for the first time on or after January 1, 2013, and who was a member with another California Public Retirement System prior to that date, but who is not subject to reciprocity upon joining CalPERS.
3. A member who first established CalPERS membership prior to January 1, 2013, and who is rehired by a different CalPERS agency after a break in service of greater than six (6) months.

CalPERS refers to all members that do not fit within the definition of a new member as "classic members".

Contribution rates are subject to change based on the County of Riverside annual actuarial valuation.
Note:

This summary is for general information purposes only. Additional questions regarding retirement formulas can be sent to or by calling the Benefits Information Line at View phone number on click.appcast.io,
Option 2.

If you have prior service credit with another CalPERS agency or within agencies, please contact CalPERS at View phone number on click.appcast.io to determine which retirement tier would be applicable to you. CalPERS is governed by the Public Employees' Retirement Law. The Retirement Law is complex and subject to change. If there's any conflict between this summary and the law, the law will prevail over this summary.
DEFERRED COMPENSATION: Voluntary employee contribution with a choice between two 457 deferred compensation plan options.

VACATION ACCRUAL (Bi-Weekly Accrual):

0 < 3 year = 80 Hours (10 Days)

4 < 9 years = 120 Hours (15 Days)

10 or more years = 160 Hours (20 Days)

Maximum Vacation leave accumulation is 480 hours.

SICK LEAVE: Four (4) hours Sick Leave accrual per pay period with unlimited accrual.

HOLIDAYS: Normally 12 paid holidays per year.

BEREAVEMENT LEAVE: Allowed 5 days (3 days are County paid; 2 additional days can be taken from accrued Sick Leave balance).

BASIC LIFE INSURANCE: Equal to one times annual base salary not to exceed $50,000 of term life coverage. Premiums are paid by the County. Additional Supplemental Life plan is available for employee purchase.

DISABILITY:
Employees contribute to State Disability Insurance (SDI), which provides wage replacement benefits for individuals who are unable to work due to non-work-related illness, injury, or pregnancy. SDI also includes Paid Family Leave Benefits. The wage replacement rate is determined by current law, offering 60-70% of the wages earned during the SDI eligibility period.
Additionally, employees receive employer-paid Long-Term Disability Benefits, which cover 66.67% of pre-disability earnings, up to a maximum of $10,000 per month. There is a 365-day waiting period before these benefits become active. Employees may coordinate these benefits with other available leave balances to receive up to 100% of their regular pay.

POST RETIREMENT MEDICAL CONTRIBUTION: A monthly contribution is made by the County towards retiree health insurance offered through the County as governed by the applicable SEIU Memorandum of Understanding.

OTHER: There may be other benefit provisions as specified in the applicable Memorandum of Understanding. Please contact the recruiter listed on the job posting directly for more information.
01


What is the highest level of education you have from an accredited college or university in a closely related field?

• None of these
• Less than 30 semester or 45 quarter units
• At least 30 semester or 45 quarter units
• At least 60 semester or 90 quarter units
• At least 90 semester or 135 quarter units
• At least 120 semester or 180 units
• I have my Associates degree
• I have my Bachelors degree
• I have my Masters degree
• I have my Doctorate degree

02


I understand that I may be required to submit to a security clearance background check conducted by the Riverside County Sheriff's Office as part of the employment requirements of this position.

• Yes
• No

03


Select the answer that best describes your current driver's license status:

• I have a valid California driver's license.
• I am able to obtain a valid California driver's license.
• I currently have a valid out-of-state driver's license, and I am able to obtain a valid California driver's license.
• I do not have and/or I am not able to obtain a California driver's license.

04


How many years of experience do you have in a Purchasing Department or Agency, which included contract negotiation, development of contract standards and procedures, and development of multi-year or major high value multi-commodity agreements?

• No Experience
• Less than 12 months
• 1 year or more, but less than 2
• 2 years or more, but less than 3
• 3 years or more, but less than 4
• 4 years or more, but less than 5
• 5 years or more, but less than 6
• 6 years or more

05


Are you a current regular, part time, temporary, per diem, or seasonal employee with the County of Riverside?

• Yes
• No

06


Each applicant must attach their transcripts and/or certifications as part of the application screening process. These documents will be reviewed and used to determine your eligibility to move forward in the selection process.

• Yes
• No

07


Do you possess a Certified Public Procurement Officer (CPPO) or Certified Professional Public Buyer (CPPB) certification from the Universal Public Procurement Council (UPPC)?

• Yes
• No

08


Please tell us about your public works procurement experience. This can include conducting solicitations for construction, including repair and remodels, facilities maintenance, and/or capital improvement projects using applicable public works bidding procedures. Please type NA if you do not possess this experience.
09


Please tell us about your experience handling a variety of complex procurement duties (purchases, bids, proposals, quotes, request for quotes/RFQs, request for information/RFIs, requests for proposals/RFPs, and request for bids/RFBs).
Required Question