Administrative Assistant Iii-Purchasing

COMPANY OVERVIEW

The Cook County Juvenile Temporary Detention Center (JTDC) provides safe and temporary housing for youth ages 10 - 18 with pending legal action in the Cook County Courts. The JTDC is dedicated to providing its youth with leadership, structured care, and supervision through a balanced approach of creative programming and services that teach responsibility, accountability, and sensitivity. Each member of the JTDC staff is actively encouraged and supported in pursuit of creative participation, personal well-being, and professional development.

As the largest juvenile detention center in the nation, the facility contains five major departments and various offices consisting of 600 employees who serve an average daily population of 280 residents.

Cook County offers outstanding benefits, including:

• Medical Insurance

• Dental Insurance

• Vision Insurance

• Basic Term Life Insurance

• Pension Plan and Deferred Compensation Program

• Competitive Salaries

• Employee Assistance Program

• Paid Holidays, Vacation, and Sick Time

Job Summary

The Administrative Assistant III performs work, including but not limited to preparing and processing purchasing requisitions and purchase orders. Reviews and ensures that the JTDC purchasing process complies with the County's purchasing statutes and policies. Provides support for the request for quotes, supplier selection, and contract approval.

Typical Duties

• Coordinates purchasing efforts for the JTDC up to and including: requisition and purchase orders.

• Monitors suppliers in meeting cost, quality, and service requirements.

• Monitors expenditure and purchasing reports for variances and changes in fiscal levels.

• Assists with inventory targets, reorder cycles, and incoming material management procedure.

• Ensures a timely flow of JTDC operating materials from external and/or internal suppliers.

• Locates and expedites critical supplies and material for resident population.

• Maintains updates and inputs material control data system or records and verifies reports for accuracy.

• Represents department in purchasing status meetings and follows-up to ensure commitments are met.

• Assists in the training of incoming purchasing personnel.

• Demonstrates a high level of expertise in problem solving, interpersonal, and organizational skills.

• Performs other duties as assigned.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned this classification. They are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all job duties inherent in the position and performed by personnel so classified.

Minimum Qualifications

• High school diploma or general education diploma required; Associate degree is preferred.

• Minimum of 3 years of experience in purchasing and/or buyer role.

• United States citizenship.

• 21 years of age at the time of application submission.

The qualifications listed above are intended to represent the minimum skills and experience levels associated with performing the duties and responsibilities contained in this job description. The qualifications should not be viewed as expressing absolute employment or promotional standards, but as general guidelines that should be considered along with other job-related selection or promotional criteria.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and Other Characteristics

• Ideal candidate is PROACTIVE, SELF-DIRECTED, and MOTIVATED with a STRONG ATTENTION TO DETAIL.

• Candidate should have the ability to multi-task, problem solve, and prioritize demands in a fast-paced environment.

• Must have excellent organizational and time management skills.

• Ability to communicate and work closely with internal team and Cook County Payroll to relate critical/urgent issues.

• Must maintain strict professionalism and confidentiality in dealing with sensitive information.

• Ability to effectively understand and communicate in English (verbally and in writing) with all levels of staff.

• Highly accountable, reliable, and prompt, with a strong work ethic.

• Demonstrates proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.

• Demonstrates skills in database creation and maintenance.

• Bilingual communication skills preferred.

Physical Requirements

[This job requires the ability to perform the essential functions contained in this description. These include, but are not limited to, the following requirements.]

• Ability to sit at a desk for a large portion of the day.

• Extensive reaching, bending, and moving of objects up to 20 pounds to organize and place in files.

• May require periods of walking throughout the facility.

• May require periods of standing.

• Ability to effectively operate and utilize a computer.

• Must be able to work longer hours based on departmental needs.

Hiring Requirements

• Illinois residency obtained within 90 days of date of hire.

• Pass a pre-employment drug screen and background check including but not limited to LEADS, CANTS, and professional references.

• A result of negative from the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) Child Abuse Registry.

• Must pass Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA) screening requirements.