Buyer

DESCRIPTION

The full salary range for this position is as follows:$37.61 to $48.01. Expected hiring range is as follows: $37.61 to $41.48.

DESCRIPTION:

The Buyer performs professional and para-professional purchasing duties in support of the centralized purchasing of materials, supplies, equipment, and services for use by City departments; to consult with departments in assessing requirements and developing specifications for the procurement of goods and services; to prepare and conduct formal and informal competitive solicitations; and to develop and administer contracts.

The Senior Buyer performs professional purchasing, administrative, technical and analytical support for the Finance Division; perform the most complex procurement and contract administration projects and programs; conduct complex and comprehensive research and other work.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS:

This entry level class of the series is distinguished from the Senior Level by routine and repetitive duties performed according to established procedures. Incumbents are closely supervised in their initial assignments. As they gain experience, incumbents will work more independently in routine work.

EXAMPLES OF ESSENTIAL DUTIES

EXAMPLES OF ESSENTIAL DUTIES:

Essential and other important responsibilities and duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Maintain the City's Municipal Code relating to Purchasing.
• Analyze, evaluate and make recommendations for solicitation awards for the purchase of goods and services used by City departments.
• Prepare and conduct formal and informal solicitations for assigned City Departments.
• Maintain a variety of records relating to the procurement function; prepare reports and correspondence.
• Provide liaison assistance between City departments and vendors; and provide guidance to City departments according to their needs and requirements.
• Establish contracts utilizing standard language and templates; or by working closely with the City Attorney’s office.
• Administer contracts to ensure that goods and services are compliant with contract and bid specifications.
• Conduct research on market conditions, product developments, and relative merits of individual products and vendors.
• Generate a bidders’ list to notify vendors of opportunities to bid.
• Prepare formal solicitations and specifications for Bids and Proposals for acquisition of a wide variety of goods and services utilized by City departments.
• Review proposals and bids for cost effectiveness and conformance to specifications.
• Prepare and update Purchasing procedures.
• Assist with the preparation and review of documents.
• Administer Citywide purchasing programs, including Pcard, Travel and Fleet card and Fixed Asset database.
• Perform related duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Knowledge of:

• Principles and practices of purchasing and contract administration.
• Techniques of organization and planning.
• Basic record keeping, statistics, and data processing principles.
• Public procurement and contract laws and regulations.
• Research and negotiation methods and techniques.
• Methods of purchasing by specifications and competitive bidding.
• Characteristics of materials, supplies and equipment used by public agencies.
• Standard office procedures, methods and computer software applications.

EXPERIENCE & TRAINING / LICENSE AND/OR CERTIFICATE

EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION:

Any combination of experience and education that would provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required knowledge and abilities would be:

Experience:

Two years of increasingly responsible purchasing and contract administration experience; preferably with a municipal agency.

Education:

Equivalent to an Associate's degree from an accredited college with major course work in business, public administration, accounting or a related field. Additional qualifying experience may substitute for the education on a year for year basis.

LICENSE OR CERTIFICATE:

Possession of or ability to obtain and maintain a valid California driver's license, or the ability to use alternative transportation methods to perform the essential duties of the position.

The Institute for Supply Management (I.S.M.) certification through Accredited Purchasing Practitioner (A.P.P.) or National Institute of Government Purchasing (N.I.G.P.) equivalent certification desired.

The Institute for Supply Management (I.S.M.) certification through Certified Purchasing Manager (C.P.M.) or National Institute of Government Purchasing (N.I.G.P.) equivalent certification desired.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

Physical Demands:

Mobility: frequent use of keyboard; frequent sitting for long periods of time; occasional climbing, bending, standing, walking and squatting.

Lifting: frequently up to 10 pounds; occasionally up to 40 pounds.

Vision: constant use of overall vision; frequent reading and close-up work; occasional color and depth vision.

Dexterity: frequent repetitive motion; frequent writing; frequent grasping, holding, and reaching.

Hearing/Talking: frequent hearing and talking, in person and on the phone.

Emotional/Psychological: frequent decision-making and concentration; frequent public and/or coworker contact; occasional working alone.

Environmental: frequent exposure to noise.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

Work is performed in a typical temperature-controlled office environment subject to typical office noise and environment.

Positions may require occasional overtime, weekend work and travel is rare.

The City of Palmdale is noted for its highly skilled workforce, with a large concentration of aerospace firms located at Air Force Plant 42 and nearby Edwards Air Force Base. Its family-oriented and culturally enhancing venues, such as the Palmdale Playhouse, DryTown Water Park and Palmdale Amphitheater, make Palmdale "a place to call home."

Palmdale is located approximately one hour north of Los Angeles off the Antelope Valley Freeway (SR-14). It encompasses 106.6 square miles and has a population of approximately 165,450. The City is served by several school districts and has a growing retail and commercial base. For more information, visit www.CityOfPalmdaleCA.gov.

BUSINESS HOURS: Normal operating hours are from 7:30 am to 6:00 pm Monday - Thursday. CLOSED on Friday.

UNION: The Teamsters Local 911 represents certain positions in the City's Public Works Maintenance division.

EMPLOYMENT INFORMATION

APPLICATION MATERIALS must be submitted by the closing date listed in the job bulletin. Resumes cannot be accepted in lieu of a City online application.

RESIDENCE within the City is not required.

AN ELIGIBILITY LIST of the most qualified applicants will be compiled based on the results of the selection process. The list will remain in place for a period to be determined by Human Resources.

The benefits listed here apply to full-time and benefited part-time positions, not to unbenefited part-time employees unless described.

A PROBATION PERIOD of six months minimum applies to initial employment with the City.

VACATION, HOLIDAYS AND LEAVE: The City provides 15 paid holidays per year and 80 hours vacation (years one through four) with a maximum accrual of 240 hours (160 hours for benefited part-time employees). Administrative employees accrue 80 hours of administrative leave per year with a maximum accrual of 240 hours.

SICK LEAVE: Employees accrue 96 hours per year with a maximum accrual of 800 hours (400 hours for benefited part-time employees). Unbenefited part-time employees receive 28 hours of paid sick leave per fiscal year.

RETIREMENT: The City is a member of the California Public Employees' Retirement System (CalPERS). Full-time and benefited part-time employees will be enrolled in either the New Member or Classic plan, as defined by CalPERS. New Members are enrolled in the 2% @ 62 formula and pay the full 7.75% employee contribution. Classic Members are enrolled in the 2% @ 60 formula and pay the full 7% employee contribution.

All other part-time employees are covered under the Public Agency Retirement Services (PARS).

WELLNESS PROGRAM: The program includes gym membership discounts, healthy eating programs, exercise classes & other programs.

DIRECT DEPOSIT: Direct Deposit is mandatory for all new employees.

CREDIT UNION: F&A Federal Credit Union & Logix Federal Credit Union (formerly Lockheed) are available options.

INSURANCE: The City offers group health, dental/vision, long term and short term disability, and a $50,000 life insurance policy for full-time employees. The City contributes towards the employee's health insurance.

DEFERRED COMPENSATION: The City participates in the ICMA-RC Deferred Compensation Plan, which enables benefited part-time and full-time employees to contribute on a tax deferred basis.

OVERTIME COMPENSATION: Overtime is accrued at time-and-a-half for eligible employees for time physically worked in excess of the regular 40-hour work week.

PART-TIME EMPLOYEES: Unbenefited part-time employees are reviewed for merit salary advancement but are not eligible for any other benefits listed. Benefited part-time employees are eligible for CalPERS retirement, sick leave, holidays, and vacation on a prorated basis.

MILEAGE PAY: Any employee may be reimbursed for work related mileage at 54 cents per mile when assigned to use their private vehicle on City business.

SOCIAL SECURITY: The City does not participate in Social Security and does not deduct Social Security payments from any employee's salary. The City deducts 1.45% of salary for Medicare and makes a 1.45% matching contribution.

*Benefits can change at any time.

Closing Date/Time: 11/18/2025 1:00 PM Pacific

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• City of Palmdale

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