Chief Procurement Officer*

Openings (1)

Our public school students need your expertise, passion and leadership.
We are looking for highly motivated and skilled talent to join our team at District of Columbia Public Schools (DCPS). We seek individuals who are passionate about transforming the DC school system and making a significant difference in the lives of public school students, parents, principals, teachers, and central office employees.

DCPS serves 45,000 students in the nation’s capital through the efforts of approximately 4,000 educators in 123 schools. As part of a comprehensive reform effort to become the preeminent urban school system in America, DCPS intends to have the highest-performing, best paid, most satisfied, and most honored educator force in the nation and a distinctive central office staff whose work supports and drives instructional excellence and significant achievement gains for DCPS students.

The Chief Procurement Officer (CPO) serves in a senior level management position located in the Office of Contracts and Acquisitions (OCA), District of Columbia Public Schools (DCPS) serving as the Executive Agency Chief Contracting Officer (EACCO) with unlimited delegated signatory authority, requisite from small to large funding and spending levels, which may require negotiated procurement commitments for up to five years. The CPO, under the direction of the Office of the Chief Operating Officer (OCOO) is charged with providing contracts management, purchasing, and technical assistance to DC public, private, charter and non-public schools and central office programs so they can legally obtain the services and commodities they need within budget. The CPO manages a staff composed of supervisory contract specialists, contract specialists and other personnel performing procurement functions and provides overall direction for the development, coordination, facilitation, management and planning of the annual acquisition of goods and services for simplified and complex acquisitions. The incumbent is charged with acquiring and delivering the goods and services to internal clients throughout the DCPS in a timely, effective, and cost efficient manner in full compliance with all applicable federal and local laws, rules, and regulations.

* Provides continual direction and supervision to all procurement staff, delegating a wide range of procurement functions to the Deputy and supervisory contract specialists. This direction and supervision should involve procurement planning, assignment and execution of contractual actions as required by schools and program managers. Establishes and adjusts short and long term priorities and appropriateness of procurement strategies.
* Serves as principal contracting advisor and technical expert to senior management, schools and program management in formulating strategic procurement approaches used in order to maximize buying power, minimize inefficiencies and ensure performance based contracting and appropriate use and implementation of the Local Small and Disadvantage Business Enterprises.
* Directs and advises the procurement personnel on procurement strategies consisting of methods of contracting, solicitation development and preparation (inclusive of request for quotes, competitive sealed bids and proposals), evaluation, negotiation, cost/price analysis, source selection and award, while ensuring compliance with all District and Board of Education laws and regulations.
* Directs a full range of contract administration inclusive of issuance of contract modifications, negotiation of changes, exercise of options, contractor performance, issuance of cure notices, termination of contracts for convenience or default, investigation and resolution of contractor claims contract/invoice payment, data base management (documenting and tracking contract award and expiration), facilitation of new contract development/ award, and/or contract closeouts.
* Conducts and oversees quality assurance and assures legal sufficiency of all contractual actions recommended for review and approval by the Superintendent, Board of Education and/or the City Council.
* Maintains a collaborative and effective working relationship with internal and external key stakeholders to keep abreast of best practices, pricing trends, market conditions, new products and technologies through active association with national societies, professional associations, other governmental entities, cooperative purchasing groups, and private businesses.
* Directs staff development, selection and implementation of e-procurement solutions to enhance the effectiveness of operations and efficiency of OCA in providing services to DCPS.
* Establishes and maintains sound performance measurements to drive the continuous improvement of OCA operations.
* Facilitates the development and implementation of staff procurement training plans, serves as a mentor, and encourages the professional development of all staff.
* Analyzes staffing patterns, workload data, organizational structures and charts, and other pertinent information to develop a broad overview of areas of continuous success and improvement for OCA
* Develops, reviews and implements standard operating procedures, procurement policies and procedures for the procurement staff, end users and suppliers.
* Develops, recommends, administers and monitors the annual OCA budget.
* Exercises delegated managerial authority to set a series of annual, multiyear or similar long-range work plans and schedules for in-house or contracted work.
* Assures implementation of the goals and objectives of OCA.
* Responsible for resolving different and unrelated problems and issues that affect long-range implementation and administration of interrelated mission oriented programs.
* Work includes supervision of staff responsible for a wide variety of acquisitions and contracts that vary in degrees of complexity.
* Provides administrative and policy direction of broadly defined goals and objectives.
* Reviews and approves the substance of reports, decisions, contracts or other actions to assure they accurately reflect OCA’s policies, mission, and goals and objectives.
* Provides direct supervision over subordinate supervisors and their support staff.
* Creates, edits, and presents contracts for final approval and manages contracts awarded on behalf of OCA.
* Researches and recommends new and innovative methods to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of the OCA processes.
* Maintains the integrity of the public procurement process at all times.
* Demonstrates mastery of procurement regulations and contracting principles including the latest procedures and techniques, e.g., complex pricing arrangements, cost accounting, and life cycle costing sufficient to plan, develop, implement, maintain, and administer all contractual aspects of a systems acquisition program; to develop innovative contractual language, terms and conditions; and to serve as program contractual authority and advisor on the acceptability and applicability of contractual matters related to the acquisition program.
* Ability to coordinate a variety of contractual actions occurring concurrently with overlapping processes as well as to control several simultaneous interrelated contracts with different contractors.
* Mastery of negotiation techniques to serve as the lead negotiator in developing pre-negotiation strategy, in conducting negotiations for the acquisition of a system, and in directing or performing post-award negotiations involving contract changes or modifications.
* Assigns, directs, and reviews the work of subordinate managers and supervisors;
* Provides and ensures comprehensive on-the-job training for all employees, as well as applicable training outside of the department or developmental program and back-up skills by cross-training subordinates to enhance their professional growth and development;
* Evaluates the work performance of subordinate managers and supervisors
* Possesses authority to recommend and make job selections, promotions, personnel status changes, incentives, adverse/disciplinary action, and separation, etc., for the office;
* Plans, schedules, and coordinates work efforts with subordinate managerial and supervisory staff to promote team concept;
* Solves complex problems associated with work operations;
* Determines the most appropriate and up-to-date materials, equipment, and resources needed;
* Explains and gains the support of all employees regarding management and departmental policies and goals, e.g., cost reduction, safety, etc., and works to achieve the objectives of department and District-wide programs and policies;
* Solves unprecedented technical problems encountered by subordinates;
* Approves and disapproves leave requests; and
* Communicates effectively with all employees and representatives on employee suggestions, complaints, grievances, and other matters involved in day-to-day operations.
* Serves as a key member of the OCOO’s management staff and helps drive the formulation and implementation of policies and strategies to meet the vision and goals of the Office and of DCPS
* Supports and carries out the Chancellor’s mission to transform DC Public Schools and close the achievement gap
* Performs other related duties as assigned

* Bachelor’s degree and 10-15 years work experience within the procurement function required
* Prior experience managing staff of at least 15
* Project management experience preferred
* Master’s degree preferred and CPPO certification required.
* Previous exposure to or experience in the education sector a plus.

Personal Qualities of Top Candidates
* Commitment to Equity: Passionate about closing the achievement gap and ensuring that every child, regardless of background or circumstance, receives an excellent education.
* Leadership: Coaches, mentors, and challenges others to excel despite obstacles and challenging situations.
* Focus on Data-Driven Results: Relentlessly pursues the improvement of central office performance and school leadership, instruction, and operations, and is driven by a desire to produce quantifiable student achievement gains.
* Innovative Problem-Solving: Approaches work with a sense of possibility and sees challenges as opportunities for creative problem solving; takes initiative to explore issues and find potential innovative solutions.
* Adaptability: Excels in constantly changing environments and adapts flexibly in shifting projects or priorities to meet the needs of a dynamic transformation effort; comfortable with ambiguity and non-routine situations.
* Teamwork: Increases the effectiveness of surrounding teams through collaboration, constant learning and supporting others; sensitive to diversity in all its forms; respects and is committed to learning from others
* Dependability: Does whatever it takes to consistently deliver with high quality under tight deadlines; successfully manages own projects through strong organization, detailed workplans, and balancing of multiple priorities.
* Communication and Customer Service Skills: Communicates clearly and compellingly with diverse stakeholders in both oral and written forms; anticipates and responds to customer needs in a high-quality and courteous manner.

Bachelor's Degree Required

Notice of Criminal Background Check. In accordance with the Criminal Background Checks for the Protection of Children Act of 2004, this position has been designated and identified as one which requires a criminal background check and/or traffic record check. If you are tentatively selected for the position, a criminal background check and/or traffic record check (for positions which require the operation of a motor vehicle) will be conducted. A final offer of employment is contingent upon the receipt of a satisfactory criminal background check and/or traffic record check.

Notice of Non-Discrimination. In accordance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Age Discrimination Act of 1975, Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 and the D.C. Human Rights Act of 1977, as amended, District of Columbia Official Code Section 2-1401.01 et seq. (Act), the District of Columbia Public Schools (DCPS) does not discriminate (including employment therein and admission thereto) on the basis of actual or perceived race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, marital status, personal appearance, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, family status, family responsibilities, matriculation, political affiliation, genetic information, disability, source of income, status as a victim of an interfamily offense, or place of residence or business. Sexual harassment is a form of sex discrimination, which is prohibited by the Act. In addition, harassment based on any of the above-protected categories is prohibited. Discrimination in violation of the aforementioned laws will not be tolerated. Violators will be subject to disciplinary action. Inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies of DCPS will be handled as follows:

Employees with inquiries regarding non-discrimination policies related to employment and employees should contact:
Equal Employment Opportunity Specialist
Office of Labor Management & Employee Relations
District of Columbia Public Schools
1200 First St, NE, 10th Floor Washington, DC 20002
(202) 442-5424

Students, parents and/or guardians with inquiries regarding non-discrimination policies related to students and student activities, including Section 504, should contact:

Director of Targeted Student Support
Office of Youth Engagement
District of Columbia Public Schools
1200 First St, NE, 10th Floor Washington, DC 20002
(202) 442-5099