Are you looking to join a new, innovative and fun team? Sarasota County Breeze Transit has an opportunity for a self-motivated, high energy and positive person looking to grow their career! As a Procurement professional, who loves to work with complex procurements from consultation through to deal negotiation, you will serve the Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Liaison Office (DBELO), responsible for reporting and ensuring the transit department is in compliance with regulations pertaining to disadvantaged businesses.

This is a multi-faceted role that requires a love of attention to detail and contractual language interpretation. The position requires the ability to review rules and regulations and apply them to the procurements for the Transit Department. While experience with federal procurement, contracting and disadvantaged business is preferred, training is available in these areas. The pay starts between $55,577.60 - $67,267.20, based upon experience, and there are numerous opportunities for advancement. Apply today!

About the Position

This detailed role handles procurement related tasks such as Purchase Orders (PO's)/Purchase Requisitions (PR's) for our Breeze Transit department and also serves as the Disadvantaged Business Liaison (DBELO). Responsibilities are divided into three categories. Please see below for more information.

Procurement:

• Interface with Breeze Transit staff, procurement and other departments to assess procurement and contract needs for the Breeze Transit Department.

• Follow Federal Transit Administration (FTA) and Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) regulation related to third-party procurements and contracts; ensure Transit procurements meet the federal and state requirements.

• Work with the Grant Coordinator, the Office of Financial Management - Grants Section, Financial Analyst liaison, and Administrative Agents for Breeze Transit contracts in regard to projects procurement and funding.

• Development of procurement packages with Procurement Department.

• Create agenda items for the Board for procurement.

• Draft and coordinate approval process for waiver requests.

• Prepare addenda during solicitation process and develop scopes of services.

• Facilitate purchasing processes for the Breeze Transit Dept., including purchase requisitions and purchase order management.

• Participate in project management and at times may be the project lead.

• Develop and process RFIQs, RFPs and quotes in compliance with county procurement policy.

• Assist Transit in decision making process by providing sourcing analysis, trend analysis, scenario planning and model exploration.

• Manage vendor relationships with department needs in mind.

• Train and provide guidance to others on the above tasks.

Contracts:

• Work with Office of County Attorney and Contracts Management team within Procurement.

• Prepare/negotiate contracts and exhibits, including vendor contracts and amendments, inter-local agreements, facility use agreements and others, for submittal to Contracts Administration/OCA for review.

• Create e-genda items to bring contracts or procurements to the Board for approval.

• Ensure that contracts comply with local, state and federal requirements.

• Manage the contract development process including vendor negotiations as required.

• Manage Transit contracts– track expiration and renewals in coordination with Contracts department.

• Prepare and submit new PR, PO and change order requests.

Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Liaison Office (DBELO):

• Serve as Transit’s Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Liaison Officer; develop and oversee DBE program.

• Develop DBE goals and submits to FTA.

• Report DBE Commitments semi-annually to FTA and FDOT.

• Report the annual Shortfall Analysis FTA.

• Stay abreast of changing requirements and trends in DBE regulation; attend training as needed.

• Seek out DBE vendors and subcontractors through outreach and engagement. Provide information to vendors about DBE and County Procurement processes.

About the Schedule

Work Hours:

• Full-Time, 40 hours per week.

• Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

• After completing your six (6) month probationary period, this position has the ability to work a hybrid schedule, allowing 1 - 2 business days of remote work.

About You

Minimum Qualifications:  

• Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited college or university in Public Administration, Business, Accounting, Finance or job-related field and two (2) years job-related experience

• -OR- Six (6) years professional job-related experience can be substituted at management discretion for the required education 

• -OR– Related professional program/project management may substitute for the required education at management discretion.      

Preferred Qualifications: 

• Prior professional experience in public procurement and contract related work.

• Professional experience in tracking details, required processes, and associated records.

• Procurement certification (i.e.: CPPB; CPPO).  

• While experience with federal procurement, contracting and disadvantaged business is preferred, training is available in these areas.

The ideal candidate has the following skills: 
Please note that these are not requirements but bonuses to your consideration.

• Expertise in Microsoft products including Word, Excel, Outlook and PowerPoint.

• Knowledge of local, state and federal public procurement regulation.

• Knowledge of Disadvantaged Business Enterprise and reporting.

• Understanding of Electronic bidding platforms.

• Skilled in working both independently and as part of a team. 

• Trainable with new technology.

• Able to communicate verbally, problem solve, and offer complex business writing.

About Everything Else

Starting Pay: $55,577.60 - $67,267.20, based upon experience.

Benefits:

• Enjoy great benefits including Health, Dental, Vision, and Life Insurance, Short-Term and Long-Term Disability, Flexible Spending Accounts, Employee Assistance Program (EAP), Florida Retirement System (FRS) and many, many more! 
• For more information about employee benefits, please click this link or visit SCGov.net for additional information.
• Utilize our award-winning wellness program including free gyms and classes at multiple Sarasota County Government locations. 
• Enjoy 11 paid holidays, 3 personal days and 16 paid vacation days in the first year of full-time employment with increasing accrual rates with years of service. (That adds up to a possible 30 days off in your 1st year!)

A different blend of voices prompt better conversations, choices and results for everyone. Sarasota County – Many Voices, One Team.

We celebrate and value the experiences, backgrounds, perspectives, talents and strengths that make us different and are committed to creating a culture of understanding and respect where our employees realize that we are stronger together. 

Our vision is to attract, develop, retain and engage a talented workforce broadly representative of the citizens and communities we serve. To further value creativity, innovation, collaboration and great customer service – internally and externally. 

Sarasota County Government promotes diversity and inclusion in its workforce and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, gender identity or expression, genetic information, religion, national origin, marital status, age or disability. A job applicant with a disability who requires reasonable accommodation to participate in the application/selection process is requested to make known the need for an accommodation to Human Resources or appropriate county staff members. For assistance with the application, please call 941-861-5353.

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