City Jobs
Junior Federal Grants Procurement Compliance Officer - FEMA
General Description
The Office of Procurement – Bureau of Purchasing is seeking candidates to fill the position of Junior Federal Grants Procurement Compliance Officer.
This is a grant-funded position associated to the City’s infrastructure improvement program combining multiple funding sources such as the FEMA-funded road/waterline work and FEMA-funded hazard mitigation grant program projects.
Under the supervision of the Chief Procurement Officer and a Lead Federal Grants Procurement Compliance Officer, the individual will perform professional work of advanced difficulty in the technical and administrative functions of the purchasing activities of the government, including purchasing and contract administration.
In particular, the individual will be responsible for the interpreting, applying and enforcing federal, state, and applicable FEMA procurement regulations. The individual will also assist identifying and resolving potential compliance issues throughout each phase of the procurement process from pre-solicitation phase, pre-award phase, award and all contract modifications including change orders and amendments.
Therefore, the individual must be experienced in FEMA or other federal procurement policy and procedures.
Duties and Responsibilities
- Analyze current procurement policies and procedures, and make updates and improvements as needed to ensure compliance with FEMA grant procurement requirements.
- Coordinate with Grant Managers and Project Managers to ensure solicitations are in compliance with all grant award requirements, and funding source regulations including solicitations, contract award and modifications.
- Provide technical assistance and advise purchasing staff in all areas of federal procurement compliance, as needed.
- Provide technical assistance and training to various City departments as needed.
- Monitor and train sub-recipients in order to acquaint them with applicable federal procurement requirements, review and approve procurement policies and procedures and provide technical assistance as needed.
- Assist purchasing staff in preparing contracts and issuing solicitations (including research and value analysis), conducting pre-bid and bid openings and/or selection committee meetings, as well as vendor debriefings, as needed.
- In particular, assist in procuring or coordinating the procurement of architectural and engineering services, construction, and related supplies and services required by various departments.
- Identify and notify potential sources.
- Perform contract administration, including liaison between suppliers and departments, compliance with contract terms and conditions, compliance with grant requirements, contract amendments, extensions and change orders.
- Review contract modifications for compliance with applicable federal state and local procurement requirements, including amendments, change orders and other documents.
- Analyze cost and price including performing independent cost estimates and cost analyses.
- Lead preparations for external monitoring visits from federal agencies, reviews, audits, and assist in preparing responses to audits.
- Prepare audit ready procurement files.
- Respond to audit findings.
- Perform contract audits when required.
- Maintain the integrity of the public procurement process.
- Engage in strategic procurement planning with City departments.
- Routinely meet and communicate with departments in order to identify and provide high quality service to meet department needs on a timely basis.
- Analyze current procurement activities and recommend improvements through more efficient procurement methods, e-procurement, privatization, quantity discounts, standardization, value analysis or cooperative purchasing.
- Provide accurate, complete and up-to-date information in a courteous, efficient and timely manner.
- Effectively communicate purchasing policies and procedures to all personnel and interpret said policies and procedures as necessary.
- Maintain individual workload statistics.
- Perform other related duties as required.
Minimum Qualifications
Education and Training:
- Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in Business or Public Administration, Business Law, Finance, Purchasing, or closely related field.
Work Related Experience:
- Minimum 1 to 2 years progressively responsible experience in purchasing or closely related field.
- Previous experience in procurement using FEMA or other federal grant funds.
Preferred:
- Certified Professional Public Buyer (CPPB) or equivalent certifications, or the ability to obtain the CPPB within 3 years of hire.
- Knowledge of FEMA procurement requirements, and Louisiana State Public Bid law.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
- Good knowledge in FEMA or other federal procurement procedures.
- Good knowledge of business practices related to purchasing.
- Good knowledge of contract documents, solicitation methods and contract administration related to procurement
- Good knowledge of laws, policies and procedures governing public procurement.
- Good knowledge of contract law.
- Good knowledge of mathematics to perform computations and collect statistics for basic cost and price analysis.
- Good knowledge of infrastructure project delivery methods, including design-bid-build, design-build, construction manager-at-risk, and job order contracts.
- Some knowledge of cost accounting as it relates to price and cost analysis.
- Good skill in researching and preparing highly complex specifications, solicitations and contract documents.
- Working skill in project management.
- Working skill with computers, including automated purchasing systems and common office software and productivity tools.
- Ability to read, interpret, explain and properly apply rules, regulations, laws, policies and procedures.
- Ability to develop effective and cooperative working relationships with other departments, employees, suppliers and other public agencies.
- Ability to use judgment and initiative in making recommendations and resolving problems that are highly complex and sensitive in nature.
- Ability to effectively communicate orally and in writing, including the ability to convey complex and technical subjects in a clear, concise and positive manner.
- Ability to establish schedules and to complete projects on a timely basis.
- Ability to successfully deal with all persons in a fair and equitable manner.
- Ability to make difficult decisions and award contracts impartially and objectively.
- Possess complete integrity and a high sense of personal and professional ethics.
How to apply
Interested individuals should submit cover letter and a resume to:
City of New Orleans
Bureau of Purchasing
1300 Perdido Street, Suite 4w07
New Orleans, LA 70112
Attention of: Mr. Julien Meyer, Chief Procurement Officer
Email: jpmeyer@nola.gov
Subject Line of the email: “FEMA Junior Compliance Officer”
The City of New Orleans is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, gender, age, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, creed, culture, or ancestry.
Entrance Salary
$56,000 - $70,000 (plus benefits)