Procurement Specialist 2

This position functions to strategically source and procure goods and services, negotiate and administer contracts, and implement corrective actions for contract non-compliance. The work requires meticulous attention to detail; superior organizational skills; the ability to quickly shift between tasks; and a strong customer focus. You'll regularly be challenged to timely solve agency procurement needs while adhering to Commonwealth procurement policies and agency procedures. Key responsibilities as a Procurement Specialist 2 include:

• Procurement Guidance: Provide direction on selecting appropriate solicitation methods and developing required documents
• Contract Administration: Oversee contract activities to ensure compliance and resolve vendor issues
• Solicitation Coordination: Lead the development, posting, and management of procurement solicitations
• Document Review: Examine and interpret contract materials to support negotiations and dispute resolution
• Process Improvement: Update procurement procedures and participate in ongoing training to strengthen best practices
• System Utilization: Use SRM and SAP tools to generate documents, process transactions, and maintain accurate contract data

Interested in learning more? Additional details regarding this position can be found in the position description.

About SERS: Established in 1923, SERS is one of the nation's oldest retirement plans for public employees and manages the pension benefits of more than 246,000 employees and retirees for 96 public sector employers. In 2025, SERS paid more than $4.0 billion in benefits and managed nearly $50 billion in assets. Additional information is available at www.SERS.pa.gov.

Our mission is to prepare our members and participants to achieve financial security in retirement. We achieve this through focusing on our mission, acting ethically and with integrity, empowering our members, embracing innovation, fostering life work balance, modeling an inclusive and respectful workplace, valuing and developing team members, collaborating, and finding joy in our work.

SERS is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes all qualified individuals to our team. We are committed to an inclusive and respectful work environment that fosters personal and professional growth, embraces the contributions of all team members, and leverages diversity in people, ideas, and experiences to achieve our highest potential.

Work Schedule and Additional Information:

• Full-time employment, 37.5-hour work week, Monday through Friday
• Work hours are 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM with a one-hour unpaid meal period.
• Telework: You may have the opportunity to work from home part-time (hybrid telework schedule), depending on operational needs. In order to telework, you must have a securely configured high-speed internet connection and work from an approved location inside Pennsylvania. If you are unable to telework, you must work on-site at the work location specified in this job posting. Telework arrangements are subject to change. Additional details may be provided during the interview.
• Salary: In some cases, the starting salary may be non-negotiable.
• You will receive further communication regarding this position via email. Check your email, including spam/junk folders, for these notices.
• Financial Disclosure: The individual appointed to this position will be required to disclose financial information consistent with provisions of the Public Official and Employee Ethics Act and the Governor's Code of Conduct.

QUALIFICATIONS

Minimum Experience and Training Requirements:

• One year of experience as a Procurement Specialist 1 (Commonwealth job title or equivalent Federal Government job title, as determined by the Office of Administration); or
• One year of professional experience performing contract management work; and a bachelor's degree in business, supply chain, logistics, project, or operations management, or a related field; or
• An equivalent combination of experience and training.

Other Requirements:

• This particular position requires the candidate to possess six months or more of full-time professional experience leading a formal procurement bidding process to include advertising/announcing the bid, reviewing the bid, and being the primary decision maker awarding the bid.
• You must meet the PA residency requirement. For more information on ways to meet PA residency requirements, follow the link and click on Residency.
• You must be able to perform essential job functions.

How to Apply:

• Resumes, cover letters, and similar documents will not be reviewed, and the information contained therein will not be considered for the purposes of determining your eligibility for the position. Information to support your eligibility for the position must be provided on the application (i.e., relevant, detailed experience/education).
• If you are claiming education in your answers to the supplemental application questions, you must attach a copy of your college transcripts for your claim to be accepted toward meeting the minimum requirements. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable.
• Your application must be submitted by the posting closing date. Late applications and other required materials will not be accepted.
• Failure to comply with the above application requirements may eliminate you from consideration for this position.
• All application materials and interview responses must reflect the applicant's own experience, qualifications, and work. Applicants may use generative AI tools for preparation purposes only. Use of AI to misrepresent or falsify information, or to assist during interviews, is not permitted. Review the Guidance for Generative AI Tools & Job Seekers for additional information.

Veterans:

• Pennsylvania law (51 Pa. C.S. *7103) provides employment preference for qualified veterans for appointment to many state and local government jobs. To learn more about employment preferences for veterans, go to www.pa.gov/agencies/employment/how-to-apply.html and click on Veterans.

Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS):

• 711 (hearing and speech disabilities or other individuals).

If you are contacted for an interview and need accommodations due to a disability, please discuss your request for accommodations with the interviewer in advance of your interview date.

The Commonwealth is an equal employment opportunity employer and is committed to a diverse workforce. The Commonwealth values inclusion as we seek to recruit, develop, and retain the most qualified people to serve the citizens of Pennsylvania. The Commonwealth does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religious creed, ancestry, union membership, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, AIDS or HIV status, disability, or any other categories protected by applicable federal or state law. All diverse candidates are encouraged to apply.

• Completing the application, including all supplemental questions, serves as your exam for this position. No additional exam is required at a test center (also referred to as a written exam).
• Your score is based on the detailed information you provide on your application and in response to the supplemental questions.
• Your score is valid for this specific posting only.
• You must provide complete and accurate information or:
  • your score may be lower than deserved.
  • you may be disqualified.
• You may only apply/test once for this posting.
• Your results will be provided via email.