Eastern Oregon University logo

Eastern Oregon University

Purchasing and Procurement Specialist (Administrative Program Specialist)

🇺🇸 La Grande, OR

🕑 Full-Time

💰 $3,843 - $3,958 per Month

💻 Other

🗓️ July 9th, 2025

Edtech.com's Summary

Eastern Oregon University is hiring a Purchasing and Procurement Specialist (Administrative Program Specialist). The role involves managing the competitive solicitation process for procurement while ensuring compliance with university policies and regulations, administering contracts, advising the campus community, and collaborating with departments to streamline purchasing practices.

Highlights

  • Manage competitive solicitation process for purchasing goods and services ensuring regulatory compliance.
  • Administer purchasing and procurement contracts including amendments and extensions.
  • Provide guidance to university community on public procurement policies and regulations.
  • Collaborate with internal departments to meet procurement needs timely and efficiently.
  • Interpret and apply procurement-related policies, procedures, and laws.
  • Review and approve contractor or vendor invoices ensuring payment compliance and budget adherence.
  • Stay current on changes in public procurement laws and best practices.
  • Required qualifications include two years of administrative specialist experience or equivalent, and completion of a criminal background check.
  • Preferred qualifications include a bachelor's degree in Business, Public Administration, or related field and at least 2 years of purchasing or contract management experience in public or governmental settings.
  • Monthly salary starts at $3,843, increasing to $3,958 in November 2025; benefits include paid holidays, vacation, sick leave, healthcare, retirement, life insurance, and tuition discounts.

Purchasing and Procurement Specialist (Administrative Program Specialist) Full Description


Purchasing and Procurement Specialist (Administrative Program Specialist)
 Below you will find the details for the position including any supplementary documentation and questions you should review before applying for the opening.  To apply for the position, please click the Apply for this Job link/button.
 If you would like to bookmark this position for later review, click on the Bookmark link. To email this position to a friend, click on the Email to a Friend link.  If you would like to print a copy of this position for your records, click on the Print Preview link.
Please see Special Instructions for more details.
Applicant must provide:

1) Letter of application (which should include why this position is attractive to the applicant, how it meets the applicant’s professional goals, and what attracts the applicant to EOU);

2) Resume/Curriculum vitae with the names, phone numbers and emails of at least three (3) professional references included.

Candidates are encouraged to review the values and principles of Eastern Oregon University https://www.eou.edu/institutional-effectiveness/values-and-principles/.

Only complete files of qualified applicants will be reviewed.

EOU offers a very attractive package of employee benefits including:
• Paid holidays (11 days/year)
• Paid vacation (accrues 8 hours/month)
• Paid sick time-off (accrues 8 hours/month – no limit!)
• Individual AND Family Healthcare Insurance: medical, dental and vision! (95%+ employer paid!)
Generous Oregon Public Employee Retirement System benefits
• Employer paid life insurance
• Discounted tuition benefits for employees or eligible dependents
• Discounted athletics facilities membership


• For more details, see Prospective Employees https://www.eou.edu/hr/prospective-employees/.

Eastern Oregon University – Oregon’s Rural University! – is a respected public, higher education institution of academic excellence. Outstanding faculty and staff thrive and together fulfill their career ambitions to serve students from all walks of life. EOU is a beautiful, quaint campus nestled in a remarkably scenic, high elevation valley populated by wonderful, community-minded citizens that have balanced work-life flexibility.

Take a virtual tour of Eastern Oregon University https://www.eou.edu/visitor/.

Eastern Oregon University is an EEO Employer and welcomes applications from women, members of historically underrepresented minority groups, US Veterans, and persons with disabilities. EOU is committed to providing equal opportunity in its recruitment, admissions, educational programs, activities and employment without illegal discrimination on the basis of age, color, disability, national origin, race, marital status, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression or any status as protected by state or federal law.
Posting Details
 Position Information 
Position Title  | Purchasing and Procurement Specialist (Administrative Program Specialist)
Full or Part Time  | Full Time
FTE  | 1.0
Position Type  | Regular
Posting Number  | 20110636C&A
 Position Summary Information 
Job Description Summary  |
The Purchasing and Procurement Specialist at Eastern Oregon University (EOU) will oversee the competitive solicitation process for the procurement of goods and services, while ensuring compliance with EOU policies, state and federal regulations, and public contracting standards.

This position plays a vital role in administering purchasing and procurement contracts, providing guidance and advice to the campus community, and fostering collaboration with various departments to ensure effective and efficient procurement practices.



Responsibilities  | Key Responsibilities:

Competitive Solicitation Process: Lead and manage the competitive solicitation process for purchasing goods and services, ensuring compliance with public contracting regulations and university policies. Contract Administration: Assist in administering purchasing and procurement contracts, including contract amendments and extensions, while ensuring that all contracts meet regulatory and institutional requirements. Compliance and Advising: Provide guidance and advice to the university community regarding public procurement policies and regulations, helping departments interpret and apply these laws and policies effectively. Collaboration with Departments: Work closely with internal departments to understand their purchasing needs, ensuring that procurement processes are aligned with university goals and that purchasing requirements are met in a timely and efficient manner. Policy and Regulation Application: Interpret and apply procurement-related policies, procedures, regulations, and laws, ensuring that the university’s procurement activities remain in compliance with state and federal requirements. Invoice Approval: Review and approve contractor or vendor invoices for payment, ensuring that all payment terms are met and that expenditures are within approved budgets and compliant with university policies. Continuous Learning: Stay up to date on changes in public procurement laws, regulations, and best practices to ensure the university remains in compliance with current standards.
Minimum Qualifications  | Two years of experience as an administrative specialist or executive support specialist which included administrative support for a project, program, or operation. Administrative support includes those duties beyond clerical/secretarial such as: interpretation of laws, rules, and regulations; administrative data collection and analysis; and evaluation of projects, processes, and operations; ORAn equivalent combination of training and experience. One year of postsecondary education may be substituted for up to one year of the experience.
Must satisfactorily complete EOU criminal and credential background check. Having a criminal history is not an automatic bar to employment. In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification form upon hire. Eastern Oregon University will not sponsor applicants for employment visas.
Preferred Qualifications  |
Education:Bachelor’s degree in Business, Public Administration, or a related field; or equivalent combination of education and experience.
Experience:Minimum of 2 years of experience in purchasing, procurement, or contract management, preferably within a public institution or governmental setting.
Knowledge and Skills: Strong understanding of public procurement policies, state and federal contracting regulations, and higher education purchasing procedures. Excellent communication skills, with the ability to advise and collaborate effectively with a diverse group of stakeholders. Ability to interpret and apply complex laws, regulations, and policies related to procurement and contracting. Strong organizational skills, with the ability to manage multiple projects and meet deadlines. Detail-oriented, with the ability to maintain accuracy in contract administration and invoice processing. Certification in public procurement (e.g., CPPO, CPPB).
Special Instructions to Applicants  | Applicant must provide:

1) Letter of application (which should include why this position is attractive to the applicant, how it meets the applicant’s professional goals, and what attracts the applicant to EOU);

2) Resume/Curriculum vitae with the names, phone numbers and emails of at least three (3) professional references included.

Candidates are encouraged to review the values and principles of Eastern Oregon University https://www.eou.edu/institutional-effectiveness/values-and-principles/.

Only complete files of qualified applicants will be reviewed.

EOU offers a very attractive package of employee benefits including:• Paid holidays (11 days/year)
• Paid vacation (accrues 8 hours/month)
• Paid sick time-off (accrues 8 hours/month – no limit!)
• Individual AND Family Healthcare Insurance: medical, dental and vision! (95%+ employer paid!)
Generous Oregon Public Employee Retirement System benefits
• Employer paid life insurance
• Discounted tuition benefits for employees or eligible dependents
• Discounted athletics facilities membership


• For more details, see Prospective Employees https://www.eou.edu/hr/prospective-employees/.
Eastern Oregon University – Oregon’s Rural University! – is a respected public, higher education institution of academic excellence. Outstanding faculty and staff thrive and together fulfill their career ambitions to serve students from all walks of life. EOU is a beautiful, quaint campus nestled in a remarkably scenic, high elevation valley populated by wonderful, community-minded citizens that have balanced work-life flexibility.

Take a virtual tour of Eastern Oregon University https://www.eou.edu/visitor/.

Eastern Oregon University is an EEO Employer and welcomes applications from women, members of historically underrepresented minority groups, US Veterans, and persons with disabilities. EOU is committed to providing equal opportunity in its recruitment, admissions, educational programs, activities and employment without illegal discrimination on the basis of age, color, disability, national origin, race, marital status, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression or any status as protected by state or federal law.
Salary  | $3,843 per month ($3,958 beginning 11-1-2025)
 Posting Detail Information 
Open Date  | 05/12/2025
Close Date  |
Open Until Filled  | Yes
First Day of Application Review  | 05/26/2025
Quick Link to Posting  | https://eou.peopleadmin.com/postings/3246
Posting Specific Questions
Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).
  1. * How did you hear about this employment opportunity? 
    • EOU Website Posting
    • Chronicle of Higher Education
    • State Employment Service
    • DiverseJobs.net
    • Referral by EOU Employee
    • HigherEdJobs.com
    • Newspaper
    • Other
  2.  If you answered "Newspaper" or "Other" above, please give specifics here: 
    (Open Ended Question)
Applicant Documents
Required Documents
  1. Resume/Curriculum Vitae
  2. Cover Letter
Optional Documents
  1. Veteran Preference Document
  2. Letter of Recommendation 1
  3. Letter of Recommendation 2
  4. Letter of Recommendation 3

 To ensure the security of your data, you will be logged out due to inactivity in 3 minutes at
 .

 Any data not saved will be lost.

 Click 'OK' to keep your session active.