SPECIFICATION WRITER PURCHASING
New Jersey treats Specification Writer Purchasing as a competitive-class job, so the gate is an examination and the ranked list it produces rather than a direct offer.
The spec names a bachelor's degree, but it leaves the door open to substitute experience for the degree.
How to apply
This title is filled by competitive examination.
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Specification Writer Purchasing 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.
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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, prepares detailed technical specifications and completes bid proposals for supplies, materials, equipment, and services used by the jurisdiction: does other related duties as required.
Examples of work
Compiles and writes technical specifications and completes bid proposals for all types of materials, supplies, equipment, and service. Reviews existing specifications and bid proposals, and suggests and makes changes where necessary. Prepares new specifications and bid proposals. Does research work in connection with development of specifications and bid proposals. Does the necessary field work to obtain current data for the purpose of determining if current specifications and bid proposals on commodities are satisfactory or whether updating or rewriting is indicated. Confers with buyers in regard to problems as they pertain to specifications. Makes inspection of vendors' plants to determine whether or not they are complying with specifications during the manufacturing process. Prepares reports of inspections, visitations to agencies, and tests. Checks and submits reports of analysis of bid item samples and delivered commodities to determine whether or not they comply with specifications. Is responsible for organizing/supervising the establishment/maintenance of a centralized specification and bid proposal records file. Will be required to learn to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information systems used by the agency, office, or related units.
License
Appointee 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 with varied manufacturing processes, and their end products and technology. Knowledge of proper form, content, and preparation of purchase specifications and bid proposals for various types of supplies, materials, equipment, and services. Ability to develop effective work methods. Ability to prepare specifications and bid proposals for various types of supplies, materials, equipment, and services. Ability 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, and communicate in English sufficiently to perform 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 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 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. Applicants must meet one of the following or a combination of both experience and education. Thirty (30) semester-hour credits are equal to one (1) year of relevant experience. Six (6) years of professional experience in the preparation of purchase specifications and bid proposals. OR Possession of a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university; and two (2) years of the above-mentioned professional experience. "Professional experience refers to work that is creative, analytical, evaluative, and interpretive; requires a range and depth of specialized knowledge of the profession's principles, concepts, theories, and practices; and is performed with the authority to act according to one's own judgement and make accurate and informed decisions.