Job Details

Buyer

Position Number: 7236078
Location: Kentfield, CA
Position Type: Business - Other Business

Buyer

Salary: $47.58 - $52.64 per hour
Closing Date:
Job Type: Full-time
Location: Indian Valley Campus (Novato) - In Person, CA

Description

PRIORITY SCREENING DATE: July 6, 2026
Open Until Filled
To Apply: Buyer

POSITION OVERVIEW
Under general direction, performs responsible procurement and contract administration activities associated with the purchase, delivery and quality of instructional and non-instructional materials, supplies, equipment and services; qualifies and records new vendors; reviews a wide range of purchase requisitions, researches vendors and pricing and creates purchase orders; prepares bid specifications, requests for proposals and other vendor solicitations; issues bid requests and reviews quotations; trains departmental staff on purchasing process and procedures; performs related duties as assigned.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS
A Buyer oversees purchasing for the District and performs professional purchasing and contracting duties for the District including negotiating terms for purchase orders and contracts, purchasing and disposing of capital assets, and preparing staff reports for the Board of Trustees.

COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY

College of Marin is committed to cultivating a proactively supportive, inclusive, and accountable environment where equity, equity-mindedness, anti-racism, and social justice are valued, centered, and practiced. Our mission is to employ qualified administrators, faculty, and staff who are dedicated to student success and committed to an inclusive, anti-racist campus culture that demonstrates sensitivity to and respect for a diverse population. We serve a county population of approximately 250,000 residents.

Based on Fall 2025 credit enrollment data, the diversity of students at the college includes greater representation than the county with regards to enrollment with Hispanic/Latinx (37% of enrollment), Asian (7%), Black/African American (3%), White (44%), and Multi-racial (7%) students. The high-quality education and training at the College are made possible by our faculty and staff who are committed to excellence. As of Fall 2024, COM's workforce includes Hispanic/Latinx (17%), Asian (7%), Black/African American (5%), White (57%), and Multi-racial (3%) employees.

College of Marin does not discriminate in employment on the basis of, or perception of, race, ethnic group identification, ancestry, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, physical disability, mental disability, gender, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, medical condition, pregnancy, genetic information, family and medical care leave, military or veteran status, or prior record of arrest or conviction, and is subject to Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 as amended, Civil Rights Act of 1991, Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. In accordance with Executive order 11246 (as amended), the College of Marin is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

SELECTION PROCESS

Please be sure to review the Required Application Documents section below to ensure that you are attaching everything required. Incomplete applications will not be accepted.
All application materials must be received by the Priority Screening Date to be considered during the initial screening.
Applications received after the priority date may be considered thereafter at the discretion of the College until the position is filled.
The initial screening will begin after the priority date, and applicants will be notified of their status, either way, thereafter. Applicants selected for interview will be contacted separately to schedule an interview appointment with the screening committee.
This position primarily performs its duties on the Indian Valley (Novato) campus with occasional travel to the Kentfield campus, so if not already residing within the Bay Area, the successful candidate must be willing to relocate.
Regrettably, College of Marin is not able to offer reimbursement for travel or relocation at this time.

Essential Functions

The duties listed below are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to this class.

Reviews and processes purchase requisitions for instructional and non-instructional supplies, equipment and services; verifies quotes, bids and contracts to ensure proper use of District funds; ensures fund availability for purchases and to identify variances; creates purchase orders.
Ensures competitive solicitation is performed when applicable; determines best method of procurement, consistent with applicable laws and regulations and District policies and procedures; prepares credit applications and negotiates vendors' financial terms; enters new vendors in purchasing systems.
Trains Districtwide staff on purchasing processes and procedures and use of purchasing software; participates in enhancing and implementing cost-effective and efficient purchasing and contracting standards, processes and procedures.
Performs price, cost and value analyses of bids, quotes and proposals to determine which responses conform to the District's needs; prepares documentation and places orders for products based on established guidelines; ensures procurement actions comply with policies, procedures and directives.
Oversees formal purchasing processes including preparing, assembling and distributing Requests for Proposals, Requests for Quotations and other formal vendor solicitations; attends pre-bid briefings, job walk-throughs and formal bid openings; assists District departments and staff in preparing scope-of-work documents; facilitates tabulation of bidder ratings, notifies bidders of results and formal appeals process.
Prepares purchase specifications, service contracts, change orders, Board reports, budget transfers, memos and letters to document activities, provide written references and convey information; maintains documents, files and records, including purchase orders, approved vendor list, reference materials and correspondence to provide up-to-date references and audit trails.
Researches discrepancies of financial information and/or documentation such as purchase orders, invoices and packing slips to ensure accuracy prior to processing for action.
Enters new vendor data into system using W-9 information; generates and participates in processes to issue annual 1099s to vendors.
Prepares a variety of fiscal reports, correspondence and documents, including IRS 1099-MISC tax forms and sales and use tax reports, to provide documentation and information to others and ensure timely compliance with accounting and audit requirements.
Fosters an environment that embraces equity-minded practices, integrity, trust and respect. Supports, implements and promotes compliance with the District's Diversity and Equal Employment Opportunity Plan in all aspects of employment and education.

OTHER DUTIES

Attends meetings as assigned.
Represents the College and/or department on internal and external committees, as directed.
Refers people to other offices, services, campus locations and resources as appropriate.
Performs related duties as assigned.

Requirements & Desirables

REQUIREMENTS
Education and Experience:

Any combination of experience and training that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor's degree in public administration, business administration, finance, logistics or a related field, and four years of progressively responsible professional procurement experience, at least two of which were in a community college or public agency; or an equivalent combination of training and experience.
Demonstrated sensitivity to and understanding of the diverse academic, socioeconomic, cultural, disability, gender, sexual orientation, and ethnic backgrounds of community college students.

Desired Qualifications:

Certified Professional Public Buyer (CPPB) or comparable certification.
A valid California driver's license and the ability to maintain insurability under the District's vehicle insurance program or the ability to utilize an alternative method of transportation when needed to carry out job-related essential functions.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES
Knowledge of:

Principles, practices and techniques of public agency purchasing including competitive bidding procedures and public records maintenance.
General types and sources of products, commodities, equipment and supplies used by a community college.
Methods, practices and techniques of contract negotiation, development and administration.
Principles and practices of financial analysis including cost-benefit analysis.
Policies and practices of risk management as they pertain to contractor/vendor insurance requirements.
Customer service practices and telephone communication etiquette.
Federal and state laws and regulations and District policies and procedures governing purchasing and contracting activities.
Safety policies and safe work practices applicable to the work being performed.

Skills and Abilities to:

Understand and be sensitive to and respectful of the diverse academic, socio-economic, ethnic, cultural, disability, religious background and sexual orientation of community college students, faculty and staff.
Review and perform a high volume of routine and complex purchasing duties for the acquisition of a wide variety of goods, services and equipment.
Evaluate purchasing standards and processes and contract bid and agreement language and make sound recommendations for improvement.
Train department representatives on District purchasing processes, policies and procedures.
Analyze situations accurately, exercise sound judgment and adopt effective courses of action.
Research, compile and prepare statistical and financial cost-benefit analyses, reports and studies.
Understand, interpret, explain and apply applicable rules, regulations, policies and procedures, laws, codes and ordinances.
Negotiate, mediate and utilize conflict-resolution skills.
Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.
Operate a computer and use standard business and purchasing software.
Establish and maintain cooperative and effective working relationships with others.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT
Prior to employment, the selected candidate will be required to complete the following:

In accordance with Federal Law all employees must provide proof of eligibility to work in the United States.
Criminal Justice/Fingerprint Clearance.
California Education Code, Section 87408.6 requires persons employed by a community college in an academic or classified position to submit to a TB risk assessment developed by CDPH and CTCA and, if risk factors are present, an examination to determine that he or she is free of infectious TB; initially upon hire and every four years thereafter.
DISASTER SERVICE WORKERS: All Marin Community College District (MCCD) employees are designated Disaster Service Workers through state and local law (California Government Code Section 3100-3109). Employment with the MCCD requires the affirmation of a loyalty oath to this effect. Employees are required to complete all Disaster Service Worker-related training as assigned, and to return to work as ordered in the event of an emergency. For more information, please see the MCCD Emergency Operations Plan.
Candidates applying for positions with the Marin Community College District may be disqualified from consideration should their conviction history not meet the standards established under the California Education Code.

PHYSICAL AND MENTAL DEMANDS
The physical and mental demands described here are representative of those that must be met by employees to successfully perform the essential functions of this class. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Physical Demands:
While performing the duties of this class, employees are regularly required to communicate with others in person, over the phone and electronically; move about the office and campus; operate a computer and other office productivity machinery; and perform repetitive movements of hands or wrists. The employee is frequently required to lift up to 10 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include the ability to observe details at close range.

Mental Demands:
While performing the duties of this class, employees are regularly required to use written and oral communication skills; read and interpret data, information and documents; analyze and solve problems; observe and interpret situations; use math and mathematical reasoning; observe and interpret people and situations; learn and apply new information and skills; perform highly detailed work; work on multiple, concurrent tasks with frequent interruptions and under intensive deadlines.

WORKING ENVIRONMENT
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this class. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Employees work under typical office conditions.

The employee is required to travel to locations other than assigned work site; occasional evening, holiday and/or weekend work may be required in accordance with the collective bargaining agreement.

REQUIRED APPLICATION MATERIALS
The following documents must be attached to your application in order to render it complete.

Cover Letter describing your interest in the position, including how you meet the minimum requirements and are qualified to perform the essential functions as listed in this job posting. In your response, please discuss your approach to ethical and equitable procurement practices, including how you ensure transparency, compliance with applicable laws and regulations, and equitable opportunities for diverse and underrepresented vendors in the purchasing process. Please respond to the following prompt in your own words, without using AI tools-we're interested in your authentic voice and perspective
Resume
Transcript conferring Bachelor's or Associate's degree showing whatever coursework you have completed and are using as the basis for your application as described in the Requirements above, if applicable.

Supplemental & Salary Information

SALARY INFORMATION
FLSA Status: Non-exempt
Salary Grade: CSEA 192
Full Salary Range:$47.58 - $57.83 per hour
Starting Salary Range: $47.58 - $52.64 per hour (Step 1 to 3). Normal entering step is Step 1.

Please refer to the Salary Schedule (Download PDF reader)(Download PDF reader) or detailed information.

WORK SCHEDULE
Campus: IVC Campus (Novato)
Full-time Equivalent: 1.0 - Full-time
Months per Year: 12
Work Days/Hours:
Monday - Friday
37.5 Hours per Week

CLASSIFICATION & RETIREMENT PLAN
Employees in classifications represented by the California School Employees' Association (CSEA) Chapter 196 and are required to comply fully with the CSEA/Marin Community College District (MCCD) Collective Bargaining Agreement. General information regarding rights and responsibilities under the Agreement can be found in the Collective Bargaining Agreements section of our Human Resources site. CSEA employees are also members of the California Public Employees Retirement System (CalPERS), to which the member contributes up to 8% of their reportable compensation on a monthly basis.

THE BENEFITS OF EMPLOYMENT WITH COLLEGE OF MARIN
CSEA Full-time Employees:
Medical Insurance: The District offers six plan options through Kaiser and Blue Shield. Effective 10/01/2025, the District's contributions for medical insurance coverage are as follows:

Employee-only: $1,700/month
Employee plus one dependent: $2,400/month
Employee plus two or more dependents: $2,900/month

Dental and Vision Insurance - Delta Dental and VSP vision plans for employee and dependents, with no cost to employees
Vacation Leave - 90 hours of accrual annually, with additional accrual after 3, 10, and 14 years of service.
Paid Holidays - 17 paid holidays annually, which includes a paid winter holiday break at the end of December.
Sick Leave - 7.5 hours per month, 90 hours per year
Retirement through CalPERS - MCCD contributes 27.05% of employee's creditable earnings to CalPERS on a monthly basis (2024/2025). Vested after five (5) years. Mandatory employee contribution for 2024/2025 is 7% - 8%, depending on original date of membership and prior membership status.
Life Insurance - $50,000, with the option to purchase additional voluntary life insurance for the Lesser of 5x base annual salary or $500,000
Additional Retirement Savings Plans -Employees are also eligible to participate in a voluntary, tax-advantaged 403(b) or 457(b) retirement savings plan.
Short-Term Disability & Long-Term Disability (employee paid), Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA's), pet insurance, Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
Additional Benefits (at no cost to employee):

24/7 Helpline through the Employee Assistance Program (All members)
24/7 Physician Access through MD Live (Blue Shield members).
Expert Medical Opinions through Teladoc (All members).
Generic Medications through Costco (Blue Shield members).
Enhanced Cancer Benefit through Contigo Health (Blue Shield members).
Hip, Knee, and Spine Surgical Benefit through Carrum Health (Blue Shield members).
Personal Health Coaching through Vida Health (Blue Shield members).
Physical Therapy for Back and Joint Pain (Blue Shield members).
Discounts for Gym memberships, Hearing Aids and LASIK Eye Surgery (Blue Shield members).
ClassPass Kaiser Permanente has teamed up with fitness industry leader ClassPass to make it easier for employees to exercise from the comfort of their homes. (Kaiser members).

For more information regarding MCCD's comprehensive benefit plans, please see ourMarin Community College District 2025/2026 Employee Benefit Guide (Download PDF reader)

To apply: https://www.schooljobs.com/careers/collegeofmarin/jobs/5371931/buyer?pagetype=promotionalJobs