NJ Civil Service Navigator

PURCHASING ASSISTANT (Local)

Code: 02952 Local Competitive

To land Purchasing Assistant in New Jersey you go through the competitive route: you sit an announced exam and the score puts you on the eligible list agencies hire from.

The one gate is 1 year of relevant experience. State payroll currently lists about 15 people in the title, led by Law and Public Safety.

How to apply

This title is filled by competitive examination.

See every real route in, and where to apply. 6 agencies employ it. We don't track live vacancies.

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Who employs this title

Purchasing Assistant appears on the State payroll at 7 departments, most of them at Department of Law & Public Safety. It is also used at one independent authority, New Jersey Turnpike Authority.

State departments

Employer Employees
Department of Law & Public Safety 4
Department of Health 4
Department of Corrections 2
Department of Environmental Protection 2
Department of Human Services 1
Veterans Affairs 1
Department of Labor 1

All agencies.

Independent authorities

Employer Employees
New Jersey Turnpike Authority 1

All authorities.

Where this title is used

Purchasing Assistant is a local service title. It is filled by the counties, municipalities, authorities and other employers that have adopted civil service under Title 11A, not by State departments. Those employers set pay by ordinance or contract rather than from a State salary schedule, which is why most local titles carry no salary range here.

Check whether an employer is a civil service jurisdiction · How local civil service works

State payroll and independent authority payroll are separate systems and are never merged. See data sources.

Who employs this title

State payroll records show 15 people working under this title. The median actual salary is $58,462. The agencies employing the most are:

  • Law and Public Safety (4)
  • Health and Senior Services (4)
  • Corrections (2)
  • Environmental Protection (2)

Counts from NJ YourMoney agency payroll. See statewide workforce analytics.

Official job specification

The text below is the official specification published by the New Jersey Civil Service Commission. The plain-language summary and analysis above are derived from it by NJ Civil Service Navigator. Source: the official specification page at NJ CSC.

Definition

Under direction, compiles information to prepare purchase orders for procurement of materials, supplies, equipment, or service, reviews and edits purchase orders for proper description, number identification, and completion, and records the requisition and receipt of goods and services; does related work as required.

Examples of work

  • Maintains numerical and alphabetical coding of purchased material and material in stock.
  • Reviews, edits, and records purchase orders for proper description, number identification, and ensures correctness before giving to buyer.
  • Receives and records invoices from vendors, checks to see that goods have been delivered and then forwards to accounts/payable section.
  • Keeps records of dispositions of purchase orders and invoices received.
  • Compares, corrects, and updates nomenclatures and specifications on purchase orders.
  • Checks unit price on purchase order for conformity to established market prices.
  • Contacts vendors to expedite deliveries.
  • Contacts different divisions and projects to verify deliveries.
  • Consolidates procurement of materials and supplies for various departments and projects.
  • Ensures that correct supplies are shipped by vendor.
  • Makes arrangements with vendors to correct situations involving incorrect shipments.
  • Records letters of acknowledgment from vendors.
  • Reviews requisitions for materials not normally kept in inventory for proper distribution code identification and ensures correctness.
  • Receives, tabulates, and records requests for the purchase of equipment, materials, and supplies.
  • Performs the clerical work involved in the preparation of contracts following the awarding of bids.
  • Following the awarding of contracts, enters contract unit prices into a contract price book.
  • Will be required to learn to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and computerized information systems used by the agency, office, or related units.

Experience

One (1) year of experience in the preparation and processing of requisitions and/or the purchase of equipment, materials, and/or supplies.

License

Appointees will be required to possess a driver's license valid in New Jersey only if the operation of a vehicle, rather than employee mobility, is necessary to perform the essential duties of the position.

Knowledge, skills and abilities

  • Knowledge of the proper methods and procedures involved in the purchase of equipment, materials, and/or supplies.
  • Ability to comprehend and analyze the individual supply problems and particular needs of the various departments.
  • Ability to deal effectively with salesmen and vendors.
  • Ability to prepare reports.
  • Ability to establish and maintain essential records and files.
  • Ability to learn to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information systems used by the agency, office, or related units.
  • Ability to read, write, speak, understand, or communicate in English sufficiently to perform the duties of this position. American Sign Language or Braille may also be considered as acceptable forms of communication.
  • Persons with mental or physical disabilities are eligible as long as they can perform the essential functions of the job after reasonable accommodation is made to their known limitations. If the accommodation cannot be made because it would cause the employer undue hardship, such persons may not be eligible.

Note

The definition and examples of work for this title are for illustrative purposes only. A particular position using this title may not perform all duties listed in this job specification. Conversely, all duties performed on the job may not be listed.