This individual will primarily handle procurement and COMMBUYS for the agency, assist with contracted services and activities related to procurements, provide assistance in interactions with a variety of internal and external staff to resolve any issues related to procurement and contracting, and provide support to Procurement Unit activities related to Provider Financial Qualification and the Department's implementation of and compliance with the Commonwealth's Supplier Diversity Program and the Small Business Purchasing Program.

Duties and Responsibilities (these duties are a general summary and not all inclusive):

Procurement:

• Monitor the procurement schedule for all department competitive procurements via RFRs and RFQs.

• Assist in the maintenance of the RFR Manual, internal RFR Template, and internal RFR guidance to guide program staff in their development of RFRs and RFQs.

• Coordinate and develop RFRs and RFQs in collaboration with the Procurement Director and Procurement Manager and program staff, including leading and serving on Procurement Management Teams, reviewing, and providing feedback and advice regarding RFRs and RFQs, posting on COMMBUYS, evaluating responses, and notifying vendors of awards.

• Support the implementation and ongoing review of rate promulgation activities under Chapter 257, including coordinating with EOHHS rate setting staff, contract managers, and complying with rate setting procedures and the governing procurements.

• Oversee the preparation of and maintenance of DCF procurement files in compliance with Operational Services Division (OSD) requirements.

• Help provide support and troubleshooting regarding procurement issues to staff at all levels of the agency including field and central office staff, as well as providers and other entities.

• Implement and integrate new policies and procedures into DCF procurement practices in collaboration with the other Procurement Unit members in compliance with oversight agency guidance. Applicable oversight agencies include the Operational Services Division (OSD), Comptroller (CTR), Executive Office of Health and Human Services (EOHHS), and Supplier Diversity Office (SDO).

• Oversee proper compliance with SDP related documentation at time of procurement by assuring that all required documents are properly completed and meet SDO required standards.

• Review and assure providers qualification for SDO-certified business requirements to help encourages the award of state contracts in a way that strengthens and increases business opportunities for diverse companies, for the Small Business Purchasing Program, which supports the growth of opportunities to small businesses.

OSD and COMMBUYS:

• Support the Department's compliance with OSD requirements for COMMBUYS use, including collaboration with other DCF staff and with OSD when required.

Contract Management (as needed):

• Asist with the monitoring and execution of the contracting and re-contracting schedule for departmental contracts as well as Statements of Work (SOW) issued under statewide contracts.

• Help with the planning and coordination related to all aspects of the contract and SOW renewal processes, as well as coordination of all aspects of contract and SOW amendment processes.

• Help provide support and troubleshooting regarding contracting issues to staff at all levels of the agency including field and central office staff, as well as providers and other entities.

• Assist with the entry of encumbrances on Massachusetts Management Accounting Reporting System (MMARS) and i-FamilyNet (DCF's internal system) and the distribution and maintenance of supporting documents.

• Help coordinate the entry and help maintain the accuracy of the Master Service Agreement vendors on MMARS and i-FamilyNet Tables.

• Help in performing reviews of contract documents and files for accuracy and compliance with applicable procurement laws, regulations, policies, and procedures.

• Help with the operation and maintenance of the internal Contracts database in Microsoft Access.

Other:

• Provide financial, administrative, and programmatic support for DAF, Central Office, Regional Offices and Area Offices management staff pertaining to any and all related contracting, payments, and/or other fiscal/financial matters.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Proven knowledge of and familiarity with Commonwealth procurement and contracting policies, procedures, and regulations.
• Comfort and fluency in the Microsoft Office Suite, most importantly Microsoft Outlook, Word, Excel, and Access
• Demonstrated strength and interest in learning and mastering new tools and processes
• Proven capacity to work collaboratively with the other of a team to propose, review, and implement ideas for practice and process improvements.
• Demonstrated strength in time-management and organizational skills.

To Apply:

Please upload both Resume and Cover Letter for this position when applying. First consideration will be given to those applicants that apply within the first 14 days.

About the Department of Children and Families:

The Department of Children and Families (DCF) is committed to upholding the fundamental mission of protecting children from abuse and neglect to ensure they are able to grow and thrive in a safe and nurturing environment. DCF's vision is that all children have the right to grow up in a nurturing home, free from abuse and neglect, with access to food, shelter, clothing, health care and education.

DCF works toward establishing the safety, permanency and well-being of the Commonwealth's children by stabilizing and preserving families; providing quality temporary alternative care when necessary, safely reunifying families; and when necessary and appropriate, creating new families through kinship, guardianship or adoption. Preferred applicants will possess a demonstrated commitment to the core practice values: 1) child-driven, 2) family-centered, 3) community-focused, 4) strength-based, 5) committed to diversity/cultural competency, and 6) committed to continuous learning.

For more information about our agency and programs visit: www.mass.gov/dcf

Pre-Offer Process:

A criminal background check will be completed on the recommended candidate as required by the regulations set forth by the Executive Office of Health and Human Services prior to the candidate being hired. For more information, please visit http://www.mass.gov/hhs/cori

Education, licensure and certifications will be verified in accordance with the Human Resources Division's Hiring Guidelines.

Education and license/certification information provided by the selected candidate(s) is subject to the Massachusetts Public Records Law and may be published on the Commonwealth's website.

If you require assistance with the application/interview process and would like to request an ADA accommodation, please click on the link and complete the Reasonable Accommodation Online Request Form

For questions, please contact the Office of Human Resources at 1-800-510-4122 and select option 4.

Qualifications

First consideration will be given to those applicants that apply within the first 14 days.

MINIMUM ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS:

Applicants must have at least (A) three years of full time, or equivalent part-time, professional, administrative or managerial experience in business administration, business management or public administration the major duties of which involved program management, program administration, program coordination, program planning and/or program analysis, or (B) any equivalent combination of the required experience and the substitutions below.

Substitutions:

I. A Bachelor's degree with a major in business administration, business management or public administration may be substituted for a maximum of two years of the-required experience.

II. A Graduate degree with a major in business administration, business management or public administration may be substituted for the required experience.

III. A Bachelor's or higher degree with a major other than in business administration, business management or public administration may be substituted for a maximum of one year of the required experience.

Education toward such a degree will be prorated on the basis of the proportion of the requirements actually completed.

Salary placement is determined by a combination of factors, including the candidate's years of directly related experience and education, and alignment with our internal compensation structure as set forth by the Human Resources Division's Hiring Guidelines. For all bargaining unit positions (non-management), compensation is subject to the salary provisions outlined in the applicable collective bargaining agreement and will apply to placement within the appropriate salary range.

Comprehensive Benefits

When you embark on a career with the Commonwealth, you are offered an outstanding suite of employee benefits that add to the overall value of your compensation package. We take pride in providing a work experience that supports you, your loved ones, and your future.

Want the specifics? Explore our Employee Benefits and Rewards!

An Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action Employer. Females, minorities, veterans, and persons with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply.

The Commonwealth is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, disability, national origin, veteran status, or any other basis covered by appropriate law. Research suggests that qualified women, Black, Indigenous, and Persons of Color (BIPOC) may self-select out of opportunities if they don't meet 100% of the job requirements. We encourage individuals who believe they have the skills necessary to thrive to apply for this role.