ABOUT THE ORGANIZATION

Truckee Meadows Water Authority (TMWA) is a not-for-profit, community-owned water utility, overseen by elected officials and citizen appointees from Reno, Sparks and Washoe County. TMWA has a highly skilled workforce who ensure the around-the-clock treatment, delivery and availability of high-quality drinking water for more than 400,000 residents of the Truckee Meadows.

We are looking to hire a Purchasing & Contracts Technician, to join our Finance Department.

ABOUT THE POSITION

The Purchasing Technician performs purchasing activities to obtain goods, materials, equipment and services in compliance with applicable state and federal public purchasing laws, rules, and regulations and ensures compliance with TMWA’s policies and procedures. Under general direction, this position is responsible for the day-to-day procurement activities including but not limited to purchase order processing, bid/contract/RFP coordination, and ensuring program compliance. The Technician provides customer-responsive, cost effective and high-quality service.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
We believe that each employee makes a significant contribution to our success. That contribution should not be limited by the assigned responsibilities. Therefore, this job description is designed to outline primary duties, qualifications, and job scope, but not limit the incumbent nor TMWA to just the work identified. It is our expectation that each employee will offer his/her services wherever and whenever necessary to ensure the success of our endeavors.

• Prepares and manages bids/quotes/RFP/RFQ’s including the creation and review of specifications, posting & monitoring bid documents using online bidding platform, create evaluation scoring criteria, manage evaluation committee process including vendor interviews as appropriate, contract preparation and signing and obtains insurance certifications and related documents required from the vendor/contractor.
• Project administration and coordination with project engineers/representatives throughout an active project which includes planning and attending pre-bid and pre-construction meetings, provide manpower or payroll reports of contractor/subcontractors as requested.
• Reviews purchase order requisitions, prepares and processes purchase orders for all departments including maintaining the company wide annual (blanket) purchase orders.
• Reviews insurance, bid bonds, performance, and payment bonds to ensure and verify financial viability and solvency of insures and sureties.
• Applies problem solving skills to determine the root cause of issues and makes recommendations to decision makers based on sound analysis; investigates and helps resolve vendor disputes and performance issues.
• Maintains Certified Payroll/Prevailing Wages Reports and conducts investigations as required. Assist contractors/subcontractors throughout project as needed.
• Works within the guidelines of current rules and regulations pertaining to the Nevada Revised Statues 338 (NRS) guidelines in reference to public works and NRS 332 guidelines in reference to Governmental Purchasing.
• Responsible for employee Purchasing card administration to include issuance of new and replacement cards, temporary increases, closure of accounts, and assist with dispute resolutions.
• Explains policies and procedures to individuals seeking to procure materials, services and or supplies; helps ensure compliance with policies and procedures and ensure risks related to services and supplies are identified and mitigated. Ensures internal purchasing forms are updated regularly.
• Manages the fuel contracts and ongoing ordering of fuel for the onsite refueling station for all vehicles.
• Manages companywide accounts such as Amazon and Lowes.
• Attends appropriate procurement workshops and seminars as deemed necessary to keep current with best practices, laws, and regulations in order to protect the assets of Truckee Meadows Water Authority.
• Participates in the Northern Nevada Public Purchasing & Nevada Public Purchasing Study Commission Meetings.
• Maintains comprehensive, auditable contract records, Purchase Orders, Purchase Agreements and other records in compliance with policies, applicable laws and regulations.
• Provides guidance and direction to others regarding interpretation and application of purchasing policies and procedures, including support for the online bidding platform.
• Performs related duties and responsibilities as required or requested.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS
Any combination of training and experience that would provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the minimum requirements is:

Experience: At least two (2) years of purchasing/contract administrative management, preferably in government.
Education & Training: Associate’s degree or equivalent in Accounting, Business or Public Administration or related field, or possession of a state/nationally recognized purchasing, contract, or project management certification.

Must have working-level knowledge of the English language including reading, writing, and speaking English.

CERTIFICATIONS, LICENSURE & SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

A valid Nevada (or California – depending on state of residency) Driver License at time of hire and continuing thereafter and ability to maintain insurability under TMWA’s vehicle insurance policy.

Employment is contingent upon successful completion of a background investigation during hire and periodically thereafter during employment.

This position is considered a safety sensitive position and employment is contingent upon the results of drug and/or alcohol testing which includes screening for marijuana. The presence of marijuana or other screened for substances on any employment related substance test may result in a refusal to hire or termination of employment.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES
Knowledge of:

• Principles and practices of purchasing.
• Applicable state, federal & local laws and regulations governing purchasing, sales tax, contracts, knowledge of business contracts, knowledge of the budget process.
• Construction practices, cost accounting, and scheduling.
• Insurance regulations which pertain to public works and purchasing guidelines within the State of Nevada.
• Supplies, materials and equipment commonly used by municipalities and standard specifications for public work construction.

Skill/Ability to:

• Administrative problem-solving techniques.
• Effectively and persuasively communicate both orally and in writing; negotiate with individuals and groups.
• Coordinate with staff, departments, officials, agencies, organizations, and the public.
• Review data and prepare reports, bid specifications, contract terms, etc.
• Interpret and apply rules, regulations, policies, and procedures.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contracted in the performance of required duties.
• Use related technology.
• Provide a consistent work product that meets established deadlines.
• Organize, prioritize and handle multiple tasks and meet deadlines.
• Be punctual regarding work hours established by TMWA.
• Be mentally and physically alert during working hours.

TMWA is an equal opportunity employer. It is TMWA’s policy to provide equal employment opportunity to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race (including traits associated with race, such as hair texture and protective hairstyles), color, gender, religion, age, national origin, social or ethnic origin, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, pregnancy, disability, military and/or veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law. TMWA’s commitment to equal opportunity includes all terms, conditions, and privileges of employment, including but not limited to recruiting, hiring, job placement, training, compensation, benefits, discipline, advancement, and termination.

All decisions affecting any terms and conditions of employment, including recruitment, hiring, assignment, training, compensation, promotion, salary, disciplinary action, and an employee’s caregiving responsibilities, will be made without regard to race (including traits associated with race, such as hair texture and protective hairstyles), color, gender, religion, age, national origin, social or ethnic origin, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, pregnancy, disability, military and/or veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law.

TMWA complies with federal and state disability laws and makes reasonable accommodations for applicants and employees with disabilities. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and/or to receive other benefits and privileges of employment, please contact Human Resources at hr@tmwa.com or 775-834-8294.

TMWA is committed to providing a safe work environment and to fostering the health and well-being of our employees. That commitment is jeopardized when any of our employees illegally use drugs at home or at work, comes to work under the influence, possesses, distributes, or sells drugs in the workplace, or abuses alcohol on the job. As part of our commitment to safeguard the well-being of our employees and to provide a safe environment for everyone, TMWA has established a drug-free workplace policy.