Purchasing Specialist I

Job TitlePurchasing ClerkJob SummaryReporting directly to a Purchasing Manager, responsible for performing routine transactional purchasing and compliance oversight functions that support the daily operations of the Williamson County Purchasing Department. Carries fiduciary responsibility for ensuring that each purchasing transaction complies with internal control requirements, applicable procurement laws, and County policy. Serves as a primary compliance and customer service resource for County departments, providing hands-on guidance, coaching, and corrective support to end users to ensure purchasing activities are executed accurately, legally, and efficiently. Errors or omissions at this level may result in audit findings, financial loss, or noncompliance, requiring a high degree of attention to detail, judgment, and independent decision-making.Examples Of Work PerformedPerforms front desk duties such as answering/routing telephone calls and assisting walk-in visitorsIndependently reviews, validates, and enforces internal control requirements for each purchasing transaction, including authorization, funding, documentation, and statutory compliancePerforms detailed risk analysis of requisitions and purchase orders to ensure transactions are legal, properly authorized, and defensible under auditServes as a front-line risk resource for routine purchases, protecting the County from audit findings, financial exposure, and reputational riskReviews supporting documentation to ensure accuracy, completeness, and compliance prior to approval and agenda placementAnalyzes high volume materials and services to determine the best sourcing strategy between competitive bid and cooperative purchasing methodsWorks with vendors/contractors to aid their understanding of the purchasing requirements for local governmental entitiesAssists with preparation and administration of the county solicitation processCreates, approves, audits and files purchase orders and requisitions up to $25,000Serves as primary point of contact and daily subject matter expert for internal and external customers on routine purchasing concernsBalances high-volume transactional workload, often resolving issues that impact departmental operations and timelinesMaintains complete and audit-ready electronic and physical purchasing recordsAssists departments in navigating purchasing processes, reducing delays, rework, and compliance risksReviews and collects supporting documentation for requisition approval processing and prepares items for agenda placementCollaborates with county Budget and Auditor offices to ensure expenditures are properly authorized and legalCoordinates and schedules procurement card distribution appointmentsPerforms quality control of various documents to ensure they meet purchasing policies and compliance implemented by federal, state, and local lawsPreforms follow-up training for requisitionersMaintains all electronic and physical purchasing filesAttends all meetings and trainings, as requiredPerforms special duties as assignedOrganization RelationshipsReports directly to – Purchasing ManagerDirect Reports – NoPhysical DemandsPosition involves prolonged sitting at a workstation, visual examination of documents, reaching, walking, twisting, bending, standing and occasional lifting/carryingPosition involves safely operating a motor vehicleEnvironmental FactorsWork is primarily indoors in an air-conditioned environmentTravel between work sites, as requiredIrregular HoursWork outside of the normal office hours (Monday-Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.) may be requiredMay be deemed essential personnel in the event of an emergencyMinimum QualificationsHigh school diploma or equivalent and three (3) years of purchasing related experience (i.e., finance, accounting, etc.) OR an equivalent combination of education and experienceKnowledge of local, state, and federal government finance practicesWorking knowledge of Microsoft Office SuiteLicenses And CertificationsRequired within thirty (30) days of employmentValid Texas driver's licensePreferred QualificationsAssociate degree in a related fieldOne (1) year of public purchasing experience in a government capacityKnowledge of Enterprise Resource Planning purchasing software (ERP) including OracleProficient data entry skills with the ability to type up to 55 words per minuteNational Purchasing Association CertificationEmployment TestingEmployment is contingent on passing any post-offer pre-employment screening as listed below:Criminal background check: YesMotor Vehicle Record check: YesDrug screening: NoPhysical exam: NoPsychological exam: NoAdditional: N/ASupplemental InformationA Williamson County online application (resumes alone are not sufficient) must be received before the position is closed. Positions are open until filled, subject to close at any time after five (5) calendar days. The Human Resources Department is located at 100 Wilco Way, Georgetown, TX 78626.Williamson County is an Equal Opportunity Employer and complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act and Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERA). If you require an accommodation in order to apply for a position, please request assistance from the Human Resources Department.Williamson County is a tobacco free workplace. The use of tobacco products (e.g., cigarettes, cigars, pipes, snuff, chew, etc.) and Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems (ENDS) (e.g., vapor, e-cigarettes, etc.) prohibited on all Williamson County premises. Employees who violate this policy are subject to appropriate disciplinary action up to and including termination of employment.