Job Description

The Professional Associate position is intended to provide employees with an ongoing mechanism to enhance their skills and knowledge in engineering, accounting and human resources fields that can lead to mastery of their current job.

The Professional Associate participates in the comprehensive development related to the department. The training and development program create a career development path for job enhancement and job opportunities. Successful completion of the Professional Level Trainee Program establishes that the employee has mastered the skills, knowledge, and competencies necessary for the Professional Associate position.

The Professional Associate must have working knowledge of the assigned department's policies and procedures and a full understanding of the department's essential functions. Professional Associates must have the ability to work independently at the professional level with minimal supervision. The Professional Associate may be required to work cross functionally and/or rotate through key areas of the organization.

The procurement professional associate will train in/conduct the District's procurement functions including purchasing goods and services, conducting public bidding, and RFP processes, managing vendor relationships, and working with external customers to develop requirements in support of organizational operations. Will participate in rotational assignment throughout the organization to gain an understanding of end-to-end business processes. Ideal candidate will have a high level of proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint), possess excellent verbal and written communication skills, be self-motivated, detailed oriented, and a creative problem-solver. Experience with purchasing/ERP systems (SAP ideally) a plus.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

The following duties are normal for this position. The omission of specific statements of the duties does not exclude them from the classification if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment for this classification. Other duties may be required and assigned. Works under the supervision of higher staff to:

• Ability to build relationships with key stakeholders.
• Assist in the implementation and organization of office operations and procedures.
• Processes forms and documents within generally established procedures. Checks for adherence to requirements and accepted administrative practice.
• Responsible for implementing and promoting activities that enhance operational procedures.
• Ability to utilize computer software; Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint and SAP. Understand and monitor compliance with related policies and procedures.
• Assist in the planning, organizing and scheduling of meetings and appointments.
• Coordinates programs, projects and events related to the department's function.
• Composes routine and specialized correspondence.
• Assist in preparing department reports.
• Communicate department related information to members of the organization.
• Responsible for creating PowerPoint slides and making presentations.
• Perform review and analysis of special projects and keep management properly informed.
• Determine current trends and provide a review to management to act on.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Possession of a Bachelor or Master's Degree in a field related to the work performed by the hiring department. Must have a valid drivers license.

Ideal candidate will possess strong communication skills, be self-motivated, detail oriented and a creative problem-solver. Must be proficient in Microsoft Office products, experience with ERP systems. Experience with SAP a plus. Must have a valid driver's license.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Oral and written communication skills; ability to acquire knowledge and skills required for the target classification.
• Ability to understand, evaluate and solve problems by exercising judgement and logic.
• Ability to demonstrate active listening skills.
• Ability to ask the right questions to size up situations.
• Ability to convey ideas confidently in group settings.
• Ability to read, interpret and understand written material.
• Ability to perform basic arithmetical computations.
• Ability to interpret charts, graphs and tables; learning and reasoning ability; ability to establish and maintain cooperative relations with superiors, associates and general public.
• Ability to utilize computer software.
• Ability to pursue improvement opportunity.
• Demonstrate effective problem-solving skills.
• Knowledge of MDC operations, projects, and services.
• Knowledge of business English.
• Knowledge of various communications systems.
• Skill in typing at the net rate of 60 wpm, as necessary.
• Ability in oral communications and good ability in written communications.
• Ability to follow oral and written instructions.
• Ability to perform administrative procedures.
• Ability to learn the operations of the assigned department.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with coworkers, customers and the general public.
• Ability to calculate monetary charges.