SAN JOSE UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT I. Buyer II. Definition Under general supervision performs technical work relating to the purchase of supplies, equipment, materials, and services for the District; prepares specification; legal bids; reviews and processes submitted bids; and does related work consistent with the job description. III. Examples of Duties Maintain and enter data through the use of a computer terminal; reviews requisitions prepared by schools, checking for completeness of description, designation of account to be charged, and authorizations for purchase; researches catalogs and equipment and materials; secures price quotations through correspondence, personal contact with vendors, or form catalogs and brochures; determines purchases that require bids and prepares correspondence necessary to obtain bids; combines requisitions with similar budgets and requisitions going to common vendor; computes pricing, discounts, transportation, and sales tax charges on forms, including reports of damaged goods and shorted orders; answers questions from schools concerning purchasing procedure and materials and supplies available; maintains files of vendor catalogs and brochures; operates calculator and other office machines; may maintain simple ledger accounts; writes or improves technical specifications on instructional equipment and business machines of all types; research product for available brands suitable for end use and negotiate best price, keeping within District fiscal bounds; determine if product is suitable for need, i.e. life cycle, shelf life, quality; standardize District equipment and supplies based upon research and history/use of products; prepare purchasing reports; review and process data processing reports weekly; review invoice checking for accurate billing and approve for payment; initiate and prepare financial adjustments; attend meetings and give presentations when required; arrange for removal of hazardous existing items and make vendor contact; arrange for and/or test and evaluate new items to update products; determine cost effectiveness of maintenance agreements versus as needed repairs on equipment. Determine if equipment value and age warrants repairs or replacement; maintain District office equipment maintenance/repairs budgets; replace selected District office equipment with Purchasing budget and resolve problems relating to items backordered, shipped in error, damaged, or which do not meet specifications. IV. Distinguishing Characteristics The purchasing duties performed by an employee in this class require that they possess a thorough knowledge of the principles and practices of buying, negotiating, and purchasing for public schools and the laws and regulations governing school district purchasing and buying. V. Employment Standards A. Knowledge of: Education Code provisions; common School District purchasing policies and procedures; Products and sources of supplies, materials, and equipment commonly used in a large school district; Modern office methods and procedures; Data Processing functions to stock control, invoicing, and expenditure accounting and use of other office equipment. B. Ability to: Type at a speed of 35 words per minute from clear copy and to operate office machines and equipment; Meet the public tactfully and courteously and to establish and maintain cooperative and effective working relationships; Learn to use computer terminal and Purchasing Department software; Plan and organize the purchasing of supplies, equipment, materials, and services for the school district. C. Education/Training/Experience: Completion of 12th grade or equivalent or any combination of education, experience, and training which meets or exceeds the standards of knowledge, skills, and abilities listed above. D. Licenses/Certificates: Possession of a valid California Driver's License and the use of a dependable automobile is required. VI. Specific Qualifications: Three years of recent technical purchasing experience in a large scale buying operation is required. Date 3/3/91 Range 25 Position Code BUY