Procurement Officer II

Overview

The Office of the Attorney General (OAG) serves as Maryland’s chief legal office, providing legal counsel and representation to major state agencies, boards, commissions, officials, and institutions. The office also helps protect the public through civil enforcement work across antitrust, civil rights, consumer protection, securities, and other legally assigned matters. This opening is for a Procurement Officer II within the Fiscal and Support Services division, reporting to the Director of Budget, Fiscal, and Support Services.

Compensation

This role is graded at 18 and carries a salary band of $76,608 to $109,422. Candidates may be considered for advancement up to $120,814 depending on qualifications, internal equity, and hiring rules. Starting pay is based on experience, qualifications, and budget availability, and usually does not go beyond $109,422.

Role summary

The selected candidate will act as the lead procurement specialist for the OAG, managing procurement work from initial planning through award and post-award administration. The position covers a broad range of purchases, including supplies, equipment, information technology, professional services, and other complex contract needs. This person will be the office’s main resource for State procurement guidance and will help ensure all purchasing activities align with Maryland law, COMAR, and internal standards.

Key duties

• Gather requirements and draft specifications for a variety of goods and services.
• Prepare procurement determinations in writing for each acquisition in line with COMAR rules.
• Create solicitation documents such as IFBs, RFPs, and other purchasing instruments.
• Run public bid openings and assess responses for compliance and vendor responsibility.
• Review, approve, and track invoice payments to confirm accuracy and contract compliance.
• Provide guidance, explanations, instruction, and training to staff on procurement matters.
• Prepare quarterly and annual submissions for SBR, PPN, MBE, and VSBE reporting.
• Participate in State procurement trainings and meetings.
• Purchase supplies and equipment as needed.
• Set up Blanket Purchase Orders, Purchase Orders, and Change Orders in FMIS.
• Help establish and maintain agency procurement procedures, policies, and workflows to support a strong procurement program.

Minimum qualifications

Candidates need seven years of experience, including three years in contract management or procurement work involving solicitation, evaluation, negotiation, award of contracts, and compliance with governmental procurement laws, regulations, and conditions, plus an additional four years of professional contract management or procurement experience.

Equivalent experience and education options

• A certification as a Certified Public Manager, Certified Professional Contracts Manager, Certified Public Purchasing Officer, or Certified Professional Public Buyer may be accepted in place of the additional four years of experience.
• For Option 1, a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university plus three years of relevant contract management or procurement experience may be substituted for the required experience.
• For Option 2, a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university plus two years of relevant contract management or procurement experience may be substituted for the required experience.
• Additional graduate coursework may substitute at the rate of 30 credit hours for each year of experience, for up to five years of required experience.
• Military service experience as a commissioned officer in contracting, industrial management, logistics, or related procurement or financial management support roles may be counted year for year toward the required experience.

Preferred background

• At least two years of Maryland State procurement experience, including preparation of COMAR Title 21-compliant procurement determinations.
• Hands-on experience preparing and managing IFBs, RFPs, and similar formal procurement documents.
• Experience conducting public bid openings and evaluating bids for responsiveness and responsibility.
• Practical use of FMIS for Purchase Orders, Blanket Purchase Orders, and Change Orders.
• Experience producing State procurement reports such as SBR, MBE, VSBE, and PPN.

Licenses and certifications

• If job duties require driving, the employee must hold a valid Maryland driver’s license.
• Anyone not already certified must earn the Maryland Department of General Services Procurement Professional Certification within one year of appointment.

Selection process

Applicants who meet both the minimum and preferred qualifications will move to the next stage of review. Applications may be assessed based on education, training, and experience as they relate to the role’s requirements. All submissions must arrive by the closing date, and anything sent after that will not be considered.

Applications that are incomplete or inaccurate will be rejected. Candidates must provide full and correct details, including all relevant education, work history, and dates of employment, and should answer supplemental questions thoroughly. Applicants should also clearly list their college degree and major, if applicable.

For education completed outside the United States, any job offer will depend on submitting a foreign credential evaluation showing U.S. equivalency, and this may be requested before interview.

When applicable, successful candidates may remain on the eligible list for at least one year, and that list may be used for comparable openings.

Benefits

Maryland state employees in this role may receive subsidized medical, prescription, dental, and vision coverage, along with life insurance. Leave benefits include vacation, personal, sick, and paid parental leave. The position also includes participation in a contributory defined benefit pension plan with vesting after ten years, plus access to the 457 Deferred Compensation Plan and the 401(k) Savings and Investment Plan. A free mass transit benefit is also available for local bus and express bus service.

Application instructions

Online applications are strongly encouraged. Applicants should include a resume with the online submission. If online filing is unavailable, paper applications and the supplemental questionnaire should be sent to [email protected]. TTY users may call through Maryland Relay.

Questions about the recruitment process may be emailed to [email protected].

Equal opportunity statement

The Office of the Attorney General is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes applicants regardless of race, color, religion or belief, ancestry, national origin, age, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, pregnancy, family or parental status, veteran status, genetic information, or any other legally protected category.