Contracts and Procurement Associate Specialist

Description

National Forest Foundation (NFF) is pleased to offer an Exempt, Full-time position that coordinates outgoing service contracts, purchases, and other similar actions to advance the organization’s operational and administrative procurement needs. 

About the NFF: As the official national partner to the US Forest Service (USFS), the National Forest Foundation was chartered by Congress in 1990. Today, the NFF advances forest resiliency, healthy watersheds and wildlife habitat, and recreation for all by working with communities and organizations across the country. The Foundation has grown significantly in the last few years in programmatic impact, revenue and support, and organizational capacity. NFF leads with impact, deploying roughly 90% of its expenses towards projects and programs across the country’s 193-million-acre National Forest System. NFF is forward-thinking and innovative, with ambitious strategies and goals to advance and prepare forests for a new economy. 

Position Function: The Contracts and Procurement Associate Specialist reports to the Contracts and Procurement Attorney. This position will work closely with NFF’s Marketing, Information Technology, Finance, People and Culture, and administrative teams to oversee the procurement of goods and services for those business units. The Associate Specialist will support solicitations, lead the contracting process, and ensure that procurement transactions comply with applicable funding requirements and NFF policies. The Associate Specialist will be responsible for identifying, analyzing, and making recommendations to minimize risks to the organization arising from procurement transactions. This position will also be responsible for developing and implementing procurement processes; mentoring non-procurement staff through sourcing and contracting; promotes procurement and contracting best practices; and has the potential to supervise. 

Position Duties and Responsibilities: The Contracts and Procurement Associate Specialist is responsible for the following, under the supervision of the Contracts and Procurement Attorney: 

• Work with staff to develop procurement strategies for purchases; assist in the development and review of solicitations; and conduct vendor due diligence, including financial stability assessments, past performance reviews, and compliance checks. 
• Lead the review and negotiation of procurement contracts, identifying, analyzing, and making recommendations to mitigate legal, financial, reputational, and operational risks to the organization. 
• Develop and implement policies, standards, requirements, and processes to reduce legal, financial, reputational and operational risks. 
• Lead, mentor, and support colleagues and direct reports (if assigned), fostering a culture of trust, engagement, accountability, and professional growth. 
• Train and advise staff on NFF procurement processes and requirements. 

Education and Qualifications: NFF expects the Contracts and Procurement Associate Specialist to possess the following educational and experiential qualifications:

• Minimum qualifications: Bachelor’s degree or Paralegal Certification with 7 years of relevant experience in procurement and contracting. 
• Preferred qualifications: JD and 4 years of relevant experience in procurement and contracting. 
• A foundational understanding of federal procurement regulations, contracting principles and guidelines, and compliance frameworks. 
• Experience leading, mentoring, or supporting colleagues/direct reports. 
• Familiarity with the USDA Forest Service preferred. 
• Commitment to the mission of the NFF. 
• Must be authorized to work in the United States. 

Abilities and Skills: NFF expects the Contracts and Procurement Associate Specialist to possess the following proven abilities and skills:

• Ability to collaborate with internal clients on procurement transactions and contract negotiations. 
• Ability to synthesize or translate procurement and contract concepts into lay terminology.? 
• Ability to identify and minimize legal, financial, reputational, and operational risks in procuring software and goods and services related to marketing and communications and fundraising. 
• Ability to make strategic procurement decisions that effectively balance operational speed with compliance requirements. 
• Ability to manage multiple competing priorities and prioritize effectively. 
• Strong negotiation skills. 
• Strong customer service, troubleshooting, and creative problem-solving skills. 
• Strong self-motivation and the ability to meet deadlines independently in a remote setting. 
• A good sense of humor, flexibility, resili