Under the general direction of the University Director of Capital Projects and Facilities Procurement (CPFP) and/or his/her designee, this full-time end-dated (12-month) position will support the University's capital program (which includes the Next Generation/UCONN 2000) by prequalifying design professional services and construction contractors, soliciting competitive bids, and negotiating in an open, fair, and competitive manner.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Primary responsibilities of a Purchasing Agent 2 include, but are not limited to, utilize existing policies, procedures, and statutes to plan, develop and organize all phases of assigned responsibilities for prequalification, bidding, awarding, contracting, and contract administration functions of construction and design professional services related procurement; receive, process, and approve requisitions and purchase orders for goods and services; determine most appropriate delivery method of procurement of goods and services in accordance with federal/state statutes and University policies and procedures; prepare and solicit competitive bids from qualified vendors; define and negotiate appropriate terms and conditions on behalf of the University relative to contractual obligations; recommend and/or authorize the purchase of goods and services and ensures the unique needs of the University are being addressed with needs analysis, scheduling, knowledge of local/regional construction industry and market as well as industry trends.

The Purchasing Agent 2 works to identify new and innovative methods and processes to accomplish the design professional and construction procurement tasks while ensuring compliance to statutes and University policies; in cooperation and coordination with the University's Planning, Design & Construction Department (UPDC) and UConn Health, Campus Planning, Design & Construction (CPDC), manages the prequalification and selection process for contractors, design professionals and consultants to ensure compliance with regulatory sources and University policies and procedures; and procurement documents, general and special conditions, safety requirements and scope of the design and construction project procurement requirements; as authorized by the University Director, conducts negotiations on contract prices, technical requirements, and terms and conditions; issues recommendations for contract and service awards to the Project Engineer/Project Architect/Project Manager; assists with contract administration functions, monitoring design professional and contractor performance and ensuring compliance with contract terms including change orders, contractor delay, appeals, claims liquidated damages, settlements and terminations; maintains records on contract administration actions and requirements; evaluates contractor compliance with contract clauses and initiates corrective actions when problems are identified; responds to inquiries and requests relating to capital program procurement activities; assists with contractor payment inquiries; and participates in post project completion issues and related issues, as applicable.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

1. Bachelor's degree, preferably in design and/or a construction related discipline, and four (4) years professional experience in a comparable institutional environment OR an equivalent combination of education and related professional experience which totals a minimum of eight (8) years.
2. Knowledge of contract law, accounting, finance, and marketing as they relate to purchasing and procurement delivery methods, strategies and trends in local, regional and national construction industries, and federal and state statutes.
3. Strong background in construction procurement and knowledge of contracting, construction scheduling, and construction methods, as well as design professional services procurement and contracting.
4. Thorough working technical knowledge and understanding of design professional services and construction methods.
5. Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to communicate clearly both verbally and in writing.
6. Ability to assess organizational needs, communicate those needs to the contractor/vendor community, evaluate services and products to determine technical compliance and resolve discrepancies.
7. Ability to analyze data, business and market trends and recommend solutions.
8. Experience working with contractors, design professionals, engineers, consultants, and staff.
9. Demonstrated ability and supervisory skills to train less experienced procurement staff.
10. Strong computer experience in MS Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint, Project and Outlook.
11. Demonstrated ability to develop and maintain constructive, professional relationships with a wide variety of individuals.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

1. Advanced degree, preferably in design and/or a construction related discipline.
2. Familiarity with following software applications: SciQuest (eProcurement Solution), KFS (Kuali Financial Systems), Oracle Unifier, AssetWorks and/or other commercial planning and project management software.
3. Knowledge of State of CT General Statutes, Federal Regulations, and University Procurement Policies and Procedures as they relate to construction procurement.

APPOINTMENT TERMS

This is a full-time, 12-month end-dated position at the Storrs campus. Expected duration of position is one year, subject to an extension depending upon department, budget and staffing needs. For additional details and the full job description, please visit www.procurement.uconn.edu .

TO APPLY

Please apply online at www.jobs.uconn.edu , Staff Positions, Search #2019394, to submit a letter of application, resume and contact information for three (3) professional references, including one from current place of employment. Screening will begin immediately.

Employment of the successful candidate will be contingent upon the successful completion of a pre-employment criminal background check. (Search # 2019394)

This job posting is scheduled to be removed at 11:59 p.m. Eastern time on August 23, 2019.

All employees are subject to adherence to the State Code of Ethics, which may be found at http://www.ct.gov/ethics/site/default.asp .

The University of Connecticut is committed to building and supporting a multicultural and diverse community of students, faculty and staff. The diversity of students, faculty and staff continues to increase, as does the number of honors students, valedictorians and salutatorians who consistently make UConn their top choice. More than 100 research centers and institutes serve the University's teaching, research, diversity, and outreach missions, leading to UConn's ranking as one of the nation's top research universities. UConn's faculty and staff are the critical link to fostering and expanding our vibrant, multicultural and diverse University community. As an Affirmative Action/Equal Employment Opportunity employer, UConn encourages applications from women, veterans, people with disabilities and members of traditionally underrepresented populations.


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