Salary : $94,889.60 - $127,899.20 Annually
Location : Santa Ana, CA
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Number: 9111SM-1026-021 (O)
Department: County Executive Office
Opening Date: 09/30/2026
Closing Date: 10/9/2026 11:59 PM Pacific

CAREER DESCRIPTION
SUPERVISING PROCUREMENT CONTRACT SPECIALIST

Salary may be negotiable within the range listed above, based on position requirements and successful candidate's qualifications, subject to appropriate authorization.
OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
This recruitment will establish an open eligible list that will be used to fill current and futureSupervising Procurement Contract Specialistpositions. The eligible list established may also be used to fill positions in similar and/or lower classifications throughout the County of Orange.
DEADLINE TO APPLY
This recruitment will be open for a minimum of five (5) business days and will remain open until Friday, October 9, 2026, at 11:59pm (PST)Qualified applicants are encouraged to apply immediately.
THE OPPORTUNITY

The Supervising Procurement Contract Specialist position requires a highly motivated professional who will be responsible for overseeing procurement operations and providing guidance across a variety of contract-related functions. Key responsibilities include supervising staff, conducting training, offering procurement and contract support, preparing evaluations, and initiating actions necessary to implement decisions and recommendations. This role also involves reviewing complex solicitations, contracts, and related documents to ensure compliance and effectiveness.
The Supervising Procurement Contract Specialist plays a vital role in addressing complaints and vendor protests, assisting staff with drafting responses to formal requests. The incumbent is expected to manage a standard procurement workload while also performing and supporting the most complex tasks within the unit. Additionally, the Supervising Procurement Contract Specialist will be responsible for interpreting and applying County and departmental policies, procedures, and regulations that govern all aspects of procurement, including the awarding and management of contracts.

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS AND CORE COMPETENCIESThe ideal candidate will possess over four (4) years of knowledge and direct experience in public or private contract and/or procurement policies and practices. In addition to the minimum qualifications, the successful candidate will possess extensive experience and knowledge in the following core competencies:

Technical Knowledge | Technical Experience

• Knowledge and experience in public or private sector procurement and/or contracting processes, contract negotiations, and contract management.
• Demonstrating knowledge and direct experience in the principles, ethics, and practices of procurement and/or contracts as well as general knowledge of applicable general laws and Government Codes.
• Ability to manage complex procurements and/or contracts, such as Request for Proposals (RFP), Invitation for Bids (IFB), and Request for Qualifications (RFQ) to acquire professional services, consultant services, management information systems, including alternate delivery methods and various contract types that result from procuring these services.
• Conducting complex value analysis and writing precise product specifications/scope of work.
• Knowledge of general market conditions and pricing through various information resources.
• Knowledge of the Department of Industrial Relations, Prevailing Wage, Payment and Performance Bonds and/or other related requirements.

Analytical Skills | Problem Solving

• Ability to manage vendor performance and investigate and resolve sensitive or unusual issues or complaints.
• Demonstrating extensive experience and knowledge in the interpretation and analysis of legislative data, laws, rules, regulations and policies pertinent to procurement and contracts and carrying out their enforcement.
• Determining the appropriate methods of solicitations and contract type based on the various customer/stakeholders needs.

Leadership l Supervision

• Making well-informed and objective decisions by understanding the impact and implications on organizational goals.
• Working independently and managing time wisely to effectively prioritize multiple competing tasks.
• Building and managing positive, forward-focused, customer-oriented work environments.
• Utilizing sound judgment and diplomacy in dealing with difficult and sensitive situations.
• Managing performance of staff with differing skill levels and styles in a manner that inspires continual improvement.

Verbal Communication | Written Communication

• Possessing effective communication skills verbally and in writing in both formal and informal settings with various customers and stakeholders at all levels
• Possessing experience communicating technical and complex information in a clear, easy to understand manner.
• Using modern technology to access and circulate information.
• Ability to communicate with various audiences including persons outside of the department, vendors, staff, members of the executive management team, attorneys and political officials.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENT
The Supervising Procurement Contract Specialist will need to obtain a DPA Certification through the County of Orange's County Procurement Office within twelve (12) months of hire.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Click for information on the minimum qualifications, physical, mental, environmental and working conditions for the Supervising Procurement Contract Specialist classification.

NOTE: Foreign degrees require an evaluation of U.S. equivalency by an agency that is a member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (N.A.C.E.S.).

RECRUITMENT PROCESSHuman Resource Services (HRS) will screen all application materials to identify qualified applicants. After screening, qualified applicants will be referred to the next step and notified of all further procedures applicable to their status in the competition.

Application Screening (Refer/Non-Refer)
Applications and supplemental responses will be screened for qualifications that are highly desirable and most needed to successfully perform the duties of this job. Only those applicants that meet the qualifications as listed in the job bulletin will be referred to the next step.

Structured Oral Interview | SOI (Weighted 100%) The Structured Oral Interview is a timed assessment. Applicants will provide answers to job-related questions, which will be rated by a panel of subject matter experts using standardized evaluation criteria. Only the most qualified candidates will move advance to the next step in the recruitment process or will be placed on the eligible list.

Eligible ListOnce the assessment has been completed, HRS will establish an eligible list of candidates. Candidates placed on the eligible list may be referred to a selection interview to be considered for present and future vacancies.

Based on the Department's needs, the selection procedures listed above may be modified. All candidates will be notified of any changes in the selection procedure.

Veterans Employment Preference The County is committed to providing a mechanism to give preferential consideration in the employment process to veterans and their eligible spouses and will provide eligible participants the opportunity to receive interviews in the selection process for employment and paid internship openings. Please click to review the policy.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
EMAIL NOTIFICATIONEmail is the primary form of notification during the recruitment process. Please ensure your correct email address is included in our application and use only one email account.

NOTE: User accounts are established for one person only and should not be shared with another person. Multiple applications with multiple users may jeopardize your status in the recruitment process for any positions for which you apply. Candidates will be notified regarding their status as the recruitment proceeds via email through the GovernmentJobs.com site. Please check your email folders, including spam/junk folders, and/or accept emails ending with "governmentjobs.com" and "ocgov.com." If your email address should change, please update your profile at

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:
Click for additional Frequently Asked Questions.

For specific information pertaining to this recruitment, please contact Michelle Kozai at or (714) 834-7308.
Please note that Extra Help employees are not eligible for the benefits listed.
Please go to the following link to find out more about Defined Benefit Pensions and OCERS Plan Types/Benefits.
01

INSTRUCTIONS: The competencies listed in the desirable qualifications and in the minimum qualifications will be used to select the ideal candidate. Your answers to these supplemental questions should be descriptive and concise, and should highlight the areas you have developed expertise, matching your professional experience with the specific competencies.Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of completing these questions. If you have no experience, include "no experience" for the appropriate question. Responses of "See Work History," "See Resume" or copy and paste of work experience are not qualifying responses and will not be accepted in lieu of required information. By selecting "Yes" below, you acknowledge that you have read and understand this application requirement.

• Yes, I understand

02

Please indicate your level of procurement and contract management experience for the knowledge and abilities identified in the job bulletin.PLEASE NOTE: If you are using education to substitute for experience, you must provide a legible copy of your unofficial or official transcript showing coursework directly related to the competencies and attributes required of the position. Please attach the supporting documentation to your application.

• Two (2) or more years as a Procurement Contract Specialist for the County of Orange.
• Four (4) or more years of significant experience, education, training, or a combination thereof, which would have acquired the knowledge and abilities listed above.
• Possession of a "Certified Public Procurement Officer" (CPPO) certificate plus one or more years of significant experience, education, training, or a combination thereof, which would have acquired the knowledge and abilities listed above.
• Possession of a "Certified Professional Public Buyer" (CPPB) certification by the National Association of Purchasing Managers (NAPM) or the National Institute of Governmental Purchasing (NIGP).
• Possession of a "Certified Purchasing Manager" (CPM) Certification by the National Association of Purchasing Managers (NAPM) or the National Institute of Governmental Purchasing (NIGP).
• None of the Above.

03

If you are substituting relevant education for the required experience as defined in the Supervising Procurement Contract Specialist minimum qualifications, copies of your unofficial transcripts must be attached to your application.Note: Foreign degrees require an evaluation of U.S. equivalency by an agency that is a member of the National Association of Credential Services (N.A.C.E.S.)

• Yes, I have attached a copy of my unofficial transcripts because I will be substituting experience with relevant education and, if applicable, I have attached the N.A.C.E.S. equivalency evaluation for my degree.
• Not applicable; I will not be substituting relevant education with experience.

04

If you are substituting education for experience, please list the relevant coursework along with the number of units earned for each course or class. Please attach a copy of your unofficial transcripts listing the applicable units or credits. If this does not apply to you, please write N/A.
05

Which of the following Procurement certification(s) do you currently possess? Check all that apply. Please ensure to attach a copy of your certificate(s) to this application.

• Certified Public Procurement Officer
• Certified Professional Public Buyer
• Certified Purchasing Manager
• None of the above

06

Do you possess a valid California Class C Driver's License or the ability to utilize an alternative method of transportation when needed to carry out job-related essential functions?

• Yes
• No

07

Describe your experience managing complex procurements and contracts, including RFPs, IFBs, RFQs, or similar solicitations. Include your experience reviewing solicitations and contracts for compliance and effectiveness, as well as developing specifications or scopes of work. Please include your specific role, level of responsibility, and where the experience was gained.
Required Question