IT Vendor Purchasing Specialist

We are dedicated to growing a culture of belonging through our values:

Respect | Trust | Diversity | Inclusion | Equity.

At the Department of Licensing (DOL), we recognize the importance of work life harmony and strive to create a culture where employees feel valued and respected. Our employees are trusted and encouraged to be a part of process improvements that impact their work, create value for our customers and help build trust in our government.  

Our Information Services Division (ISD) is recruiting an outgoing IT Vendor Purchasing Specialist to evaluate our hardware and software solutions!

The Department of Licensing is one of the most public facing state agencies and the second largest revenue generating agency in Washington State. We regularly interact with over 6 million Washington residents and collect nearly $3 billion in taxes and fees annually. We know our services are essential to our customers' ability to live, work, drive, and thrive and we are committed to ensuring every resident has equitable and meaningful access to our services. 

Do you have the talent to assess emerging innovative technology for implementation? If so, we invite you to apply!

As the Vendor Purchasing Specialist, you will provide support to a team responsible for identifying the best technology solutions for the Department of Licensing Information Services ecosystem. In this role, you will be responsible for both internal and external procurement of software and hardware solutions. Collaborating closely with our contracts team, you will be involved in purchasing and managing assets for the Information Services Division. Your role will require strong technical knowledge and effective communication skills to establish methods and standards for managing vendors in compliance with state and federal procurement and financial regulations. You will also offer guidance and recommendations to ISD management that align with the agency's business strategy, security requirements, and budget constraints.

Some of the things you will do:

• Identify shared solutions between departments to leverage technology investments.

• Research new and replacement IS products that fit within the existing environment.

• Analyze data to oversee vendor performance.

• Review and update information technology software license renewals to include new compliance standards.

What you will bring:

• Eight (8) years of experience in Information Management, Computer Science, Business Administration, or related field with special emphasis on information technology.

• Experience must include Information Service consulting in:

• Business analysis.

• Enterprise architect or project management.

• Software and hardware peripheral installation.

• Configure and troubleshoot Microsoft licensing and enterprise agreements.

• Managing and developing budgets, and any regulatory environment for making IT purchases.

• Two (2) years of experience with information technology research projects including oversight of research using logical reasoning when developing reports and presentations.

• Two (2) years of experience with software, hardware, and peripheral installation, configuration, and troubleshooting from technical specifications.

• Two (2) years of experience in a regulatory environment making IT purchases.

• One (1) year of experience with Microsoft Licensing and Enterprise agreements (EA).

• Experience with business intelligence tools, Microsoft Excel, Power Query, Power BI.

Experience can be gained concurrently.

Up to four (4) years of relevant education may substitute year for year for experience.

(Associates degree = 2 years Bachelor's degree = 4 years)

What may set you apart:

• Experience with Washington State project oversight and procurement policies and standards.

• Experience with information technology implementations

• Lean Six Sigma Greenbelt Certification

• Agile Product Owner Certification

Additional Requirements of Employment:

• Prior to a new hire, a background check including Abstract Driving Record and criminal record history will be conducted. Information from the background check will not necessarily preclude employment but will be considered in determining the applicant's suitability and competence to perform in the position.

DOL is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. In keeping with our commitment, take steps to assure that people with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations.

For information about this position, available accommodations or the interview process, contact Sarah Moore. 

How to Apply:

• Select the Apply button at the top of this job announcement.

• Attach the following

• Current Resume

A resume will not substitute for the "work experience" section of the application or vice versa. Applications with blank fields, or supplemental question responses with comments such as "see attachments" may be considered incomplete.

You are welcome to include the name and pronoun you would like to be referred to in your materials and we will honor this as you interact with our award-winning diverse and inclusive organization.

A paycheck is just part of a total compensation package. We offer some of the nation's best benefits.

We value diverse perspectives and life experiences.

We employ and serve people of all backgrounds. We value the unique traits and attributes that each employee brings to the job. Through the diverse perspectives of an inclusive workforce, we will create a more respectful, productive, and unified team to better serve the public of Washington.

Veteran/Military Spouse Preference Notice  

To take advantage of veteran/military spouse preference, please notify the Recruitment Team. Use a subject line that includes the title of this position.

The Washington State Department of Licensing is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of age, religion, sex (including gender identity), marital status, sexual orientation, race, creed, color, national origin, honorably discharged veteran or military status, or the presence of any sensory, mental, or physical disability or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with a disability.

Persons requiring accommodation in the application process, during the recruitment process, or who need this job announcement in an alternative format, may contact the Human Resources Office at 360-902-4000 or may email HRRecruit@dol.wa.gov. Applicants who are deaf or hard of hearing may call our ASL interpreter via Video Phone at 360.339.7344. 

The candidate pool certified from this recruitment may be used to fill future similar vacancies for up to sixty days.