HomeMy WebLinkAboutBuyer II - PurchasingUpdated: August 2025 (Admin Review)
CITY OF IOWA CITY – JOB DESCRIPTION
Position Title: Buyer II
Department: Finance
Division: Purchasing
Supervisor: Assistant Finance Director
FLSA: Non-Exempt
Civil Service: Yes
Pay Grade: 9
Job Number: 0901
Job Summary
Under general direction, provides and promotes effective procurement of equipment, materials
and services through research, specifications, evaluation, written reports and contracts.
Essential Job Duties and Responsibilities
The following duties are normal for this position. These are not to be construed as exclusive
or all-inclusive. Other duties may be required and assigned.
• Researches and evaluates a variety of existing and proposed equipment, products and
services.
• Prepares detailed written reports, recommendations and support data for presentation
to the Purchasing Agent and other appropriate parties.
• Develops, researches, and writes specifications and issues requests for proposals and
bids.
• Updates established bids prior to release.
• Receives and evaluates proposals for completeness, provides guidance to evaluation
committee, and facilitates vendor communication and interviews.
• Contacts vendors to notify them of newly posted bids and request for proposals;
provides essential information regarding dates of bid closings and mandatory meetings.
• Performs contract administration, Council resolutions, develops and amends contracts,
assures contract compliance, product and vendor performance and warranty protection.
• Reads and reviews responses to request for proposals with a committee and follows up
with questions and requests for presentations.
• Coordinates major purchases with suppliers, City staff and other agencies.
• Resolves issues that may arise through research and provides information.
• Assists in the update of the City's written procurement policies and procedures.
• Provides information, training and assistance to City employees, intergovernmental
agencies, contractors, vendors and the general public regarding various City
procurement policies, procedures, purchase agreements, and procurement card
program.
• Advises Purchasing Coordinator and City staff on changes in regulations, market
conditions and other developments affecting equipment, products and services.
Updated: August 2025 (Admin Review)
• Assists internal customers with the delivery of purchases, informal quotes and operation
of small office equipment according to guidelines.
• Works with legal staff regarding contractual language and contract issues.
• Conducts self in a professional manner which demonstrates courtesy and respect for all
community members and coworkers.
• Performs all other related duties as assigned.
Minimum Education, Experience, Certification/Licensure, Other
• Associate’s degree from an accredited educational institution and one year of related
experience; or three years of related experience and/or equivalent combination of
education and experience.
• Certification in Public Purchasing (CPPB) from Universal Public Procurement Certification
Council required once eligible. Must pass criminal background check.
Preferred Education, Experience, Certification/Licensure, Other
• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited educational institution; or four years of related
experience and/or equivalent combination of education and experience. Experience in
purchasing or related.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
• Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in
written, oral, or diagram form.
• Ability to conduct independent research and prepare detailed analysis, proposals, and
projections.
• Ability to deal with problems involving several concrete variables in standardized
situations.
• Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of
managers, clients, agencies, vendors, contractors, customers, and the general public.
• Ability to operate standard office equipment and an automated teller machine.
• Ability to perform advanced mathematical computations related to life cycle costing,
value analysis, budget projections, and data comparison.
• Ability to read, interpret, write and present detailed specifications, proposals, legal
contracts, market information, government regulations, and technical data.
• Ability to reliably and predictably carry out duties.
• Knowledge of federal, state and local regulations, standards and practices, related to
procurement.
• Knowledge of inventory control procedures.
• Knowledge of records management, municipal accounting and budgeting.
• Skill in using computers and applicable software applications (Microsoft Office – Word,
Excel, Outlook).
• Skills in negotiating price, service and other contract terms, in mediating disputes
between the City and contractors, and in ensuring contract compliance.
Updated: August 2025 (Admin Review)
Supervision
No supervision of direct reports.
Physical Demands
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an
employee to successfully perform the essential duties and responsibilities of this job.
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform
the essential duties and responsibilities.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The
employee is frequently required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel and reach with hands
and arms. The employee is occasionally required to stand; walk and stoop, kneel, crouch, or
crawl. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 10 pounds. Specific vision
abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, depth perception
and ability to adjust focus.
Work Environment
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee
encounters while performing the essential duties and responsibilities of this job. Reasonable
accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential
duties and responsibilities.
The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. Duties are generally performed in
an office setting with a controlled environment. The job requires sitting for extended periods of
time and the work may expose the employee to unpleasant social situations and significant
work pace pressure.
Iowa City is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities
Act as Amended, the City will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with
disabilities and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential
accommodations with the employer.
Reviewed/Approved by: Nicole Davies, Finance Director (4/2024)
and requirements of this job description, and I
agree that I can perform the duties of this position with or without reasonable
accommodation.
Employee Date
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