Senior Procurement Specialist (Procurement Specialist, Sr)

Senior Procurement Specialist (Procurement Specialist, Sr)

Salary

$94,764.80 - $123,052.80 Annually

Location

Portland Building, 1120 SW 5th Ave, OR

Job Type

Regular

Remote Employment

Remote Only

Job Number

2026-00734

Bureau

City Operations Service Area

Opening Date

08/10/2026

Closing Date

8/24/2026 11:59 PM Pacific

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

The Position

Job Appointment: Full Time, Regular

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM. Alternate schedules may be available.

Work Location: This position is primarily remote, with occasional in-person meetings at the Portland Building, 1120 SW 5th Ave., Portland, OR 97204. Remote work must be performed within Oregon or Washington. For more information, click here.

Union Representation: American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees Local 189, (AFSCME-189). To view current labor agreements, click here.

Starting Pay: Applicants start at the entry rate. If you are an AFSCME/DCTU-represented employee, see labor agreement or contact your labor representative for additional information.

Position Summary:

The City of Portland is seeking an experienced Senior Procurement Specialist to lead complex public procurements that deliver best value while ensuring transparency, fairness, legal compliance, and responsible stewardship of public resources.

This position serves as an advisor to City bureaus throughout the procurement lifecycle, from project planning and solicitation development through contract negotiation and execution. The successful candidate will apply extensive knowledge of public procurement laws, contracting principles, and risk management practices to oversee procurements that are legally defensible, fiscally responsible, and aligned with the Citys commitment to equity, sustainability, and business excellence.

This role regularly collaborates with bureau leadership, project managers, vendors, legal counsel, contractors, and members of the public to resolve complex procurement issues, develop innovative contracting strategies, and ensure procurement processes remain fair, transparent, and competitive.

What You'll Do:

• Lead formal and informal procurement processes for complex, high-value, and high-profile goods and services.
• Develop solicitation strategies that promote competition, encourage diverse vendor participation, and comply with applicable procurement laws and City policies.
• Draft, review, negotiate, and administer solicitations, contracts, amendments, and related procurement documents.
• Provide expert guidance to City bureaus regarding procurement planning, contract development, and compliance with Federal and State laws, City Code, Uniform Commercial Code, City Standard Construction Specifications, and City procurement policies.
• Evaluate procurement strategies to ensure legal defensibility, fiscal responsibility, and effective risk mitigation.
• Facilitate procurement teams through complex solicitations involving multiple stakeholders and citywide initiatives.
• Resolve procurement issues, protests, disputes, and contract-related conflicts through effective communication, negotiation, and problem-solving.
• Review procurement documentation for completeness, accuracy, and compliance with applicable regulations and internal procedures.
• Build strong working relationships with City staff, contractors, vendors, and community partners while delivering exceptional customer service.
• Improve procurement practices by identifying innovative approaches that enhance efficiency, transparency, and equitable contracting opportunities.

Ideal Candidate Profile:

• Extensive knowledge of public procurement laws, regulations, and contracting best practices.
• Experience leading complex public procurements involving multiple stakeholders.
• Strong negotiation, facilitation, and conflict resolution skills.
• The ability to balance legal compliance with practical business solutions.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Experience developing solicitations that encourage competition and equitable vendor participation.
• Strong analytical skills and attention to detail.
• A commitment to equity, transparency, customer service, and continuous improvement.

Virtual Meet & Greet Opportunity

Meet the hiring manager and the senior recruiter to learn more about this position, how to apply, and what its like to work with the City of Portland.

August 13, 2026

12:00 PM Pacific Time (US and Canada)

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us06web.zoom.us/j/88027157496

(Note: Al Notetaking apps are not permitted. If you need ADA accommodations, please contact the recruiter below.)

To Qualify

Applicants must demonstrate how their education, training, and experience meet each of the minimum qualifications listed below:

• Knowledge of governmental purchasing and contracting principles, public procurement laws, regulations, policies, and public decision-making processes.
• Experience presenting, explaining, and defending procurement recommendations, solicitation strategies, and contracting decisions to internal and external stakeholders.
• Experience procuring high-value and high-profile goods and services, including developing solicitations, evaluating proposals, negotiating contracts, and preparing contract amendments.
• Experience reviewing procurement documents and contract files to ensure completeness, accuracy, compliance, and appropriate documentation.

The Recruitment Process

How to Apply:

• Submit your resume and responses to supplemental questions by the closing date.
• (Optional) Submit Veterans' Preference documents, if applicable.

If this is your first time applying with the City of Portland, or if you haven't requested veteran preference before (and would like to now), please attach your DD214-Member 4 and/or VA Benefit Letter to your application. Once we verify your eligibility, we'll record your veteran preference in our system, so it automatically applies to your future applications.

• Click here for application tips for resume, supplemental question response and/or cover letter.

What to Expect:

• Application Review - Week of August 17, 2026: Well review your application materials to ensure you meet the minimum qualifications listed above.
• Notice/Feedback - Week of August 24, 2026: You will receive an email when the minimum qualification review is complete. If you disagree with the evaluation results, you may request a review within 14 days of the email notice, per City Administrative Rule 3.01.
• Selection Process - Early September: The hiring bureau will review qualified applications, conduct interviews, and check references.
• Conditional Job Offer: Final candidates may undergo a background or driving record check, depending on the position.

Additional Information

Learn More About:

• How to Apply Videos and Workshops
• City of Portland Core Values
• HRAR-3.01 - Recruitment Processes
• Veteran Preference Information
• Total Compensation and Benefits
• Language Pay Differential Eligibility

We're committed to providing a fair, inclusive, and accessible hiring process. If you need assistance with your application or would like to request a reasonable accommodation due to a disability, pregnancy, or religious belief, please contact the recruiter listed below.

Questions? Were here to help!

If you have questions about this recruitment or need assistance, contact:

TroyLynn Craft, Senior Recruiter

troylynn.craft@portlandoregon.gov

Bureau of Human Resources

A Career with the City of Portland offers many Employee Benefits

We offer a comprehensive benefits package, including but not limited to

• Health Care (Medical, Vision and Dental)
• Carrot Fertility
• Wellness Benefits
• Life Insurance
• Long-term disability
• Employee Assistance Plan
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Retirement
• Oregon Public Employees Retirement System (PERS), including contributions to the PERS IAP plan paid by employer
• Family Medical Leave
• City Paid Parental Leave

AND SO MANY MORE!

Benefits may vary depending on bargaining unit and employment status. Click here to review the many different benefits the City of Portland offers.

01

Thank you for considering joining the City of Portland. We sincerely value your time and hope to make your application experience as positive as possible.

The following supplemental questions are an important step in the examination and selection process to assist us in determining if you possess the knowledge, skills, and abilities to succeed in the posted vacancy.

A lack of a complete and thorough response to each of the supplemental questions in the space provided may result in disqualification from the examination. In addition, the selections you make and responses you provide in the questionnaire must accurately reflect what is documented in your resume.

Have you read and understood the information listed above?

• Yes
• No - If you have any questions, please contact the recruiter on the announcement.

02

Where did you first learn about this job opportunity? (If on a website or job board, please specify which one)

03

The City of Portland sometimes gets requests for public records. Please choose the response that best fits your preference:

(Your choice will not affect your application process.)

• I want my application to stay private. I understand that the City of Portland will keep my information confidential unless required to share it by law.
• I allow my application to be shared. I understand that by choosing this option, my information is no longer private.

04

Minimum Qualification 1. Knowledge of governmental purchasing and contracting principles, public procurement laws, regulations, policies, and public decision-making processes.

Please describe your knowledge and experience applying governmental purchasing and contracting laws, regulations, and policies.

• Describe the types of procurements you have managed.
• Include the laws, regulations, or policies you regularly applied.
• Explain how you ensured procurement activities remained compliant. Limit your response to 1-2 paragraphs.

05

Minimum Qualification 2. Experience presenting, explaining, and defending procurement recommendations, solicitation strategies, and contracting decisions to internal and external stakeholders.

Please describe a time when you presented or defended a procurement recommendation or solicitation strategy.

Describe the procurement and your role. Who were the stakeholders? What questions or concerns did you address? What was the outcome? Limit your response to 1-2 paragraphs.

06

Minimum Qualification 3. Experience procuring high-value and high-profile goods and services, including developing solicitations, evaluating proposals, negotiating contracts, and preparing contract amendments.

Please describe your experience managing a complex procurement from planning through contract execution. If you have experience with public Technology procurement, please describe your specific experience.

Describe the procurement. Explain your responsibilities. Describe how proposals were evaluated. Explain your role in negotiations and contract development. Limit your response to 1-2 paragraphs.

07

Minimum Qualification 4. Experience reviewing procurement documents and contract files to ensure completeness, accuracy, compliance, and appropriate documentation.

Please describe your experience reviewing procurement or contract documentation for accuracy and compliance.

What types of documents did you review? How did you verify completeness and compliance? Describe a time you identified and corrected an issue. Limit your response to 1-2 paragraphs.

Required Question

Employer City of Portland

Address 1120 SW 5th Ave, Room 987

Portland, Oregon, 97204

Website http://www.portland.gov/jobs