Job Description
Full job description
Requisition ID: 42145
Organization
Located on the traditional, ancestral and unceded lands of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Peoples, Vancouver has a commitment to becoming a City of Reconciliation. Vancouver consistently ranks as one of the world’s most liveable cities and is working towards being the greenest city in the world. Named among Canada's Top 100 Employers, BC's Top Employers, and Canada's Greenest Employers, the City of Vancouver seeks colleagues who can help shape and embody our core commitments to sustainability, reconciliation, equity and outstanding quality of life for all residents.
Consider joining our committed team of staff and being part of an innovative, inclusive and rewarding workplace.
Main Purpose and Function
The Contracting Specialist purchases high value, highly complex and non-standard goods and services for various City departments and Boards usually utilizing the public procurement process and/or negotiations.
Specific Duties and Responsibilities
Reviews bid documentation of Buyer I and IIs, identifying bid amendments required before and during the bid issuance
Advises and assists departments and suppliers regarding purchasing requirements, specifications, contracts and details of goods and services to be purchased
In conjunction with client departments, prepares detailed specifications and effective request for proposal documentation; identifies appropriate evaluation criteria; recommends the appropriate form of contract and levels of indemnification
Drafts proposal language according to precedent and obtains information and material required to inform procurements from a variety of sources
Administrates the proposal calls to source qualified vendors and ensures all information is uniformly distributed and the proposal is issued in accordance with City policy and government guidelines
Independently or in conjunction with client departments, evaluates proposals on a wide variety of criteria including, but not limited to, ability to meet specifications, price, pricing terms, price change mechanisms, escalation options, future availability, suppliers business and technical reputation, and vendor references
In conjunction with the Category Manager and/or client departments, conducts complex negotiations to finalize contracts
Negotiates contract renewals or major contract changes
Ensures that the required insurance, licenses bonding and WCB requirement are in place where required
Prepares award recommendations to the Category Manager
Performs research and analysis of products and services and prepares reports and recommendations on purchasing of same
May oversee the work of Buyer I & IIs
Other duties/responsibilities as assigned
Qualifications
Education and Experience:
Completion of Grade 12 supplemented by the SCMP Designation from the Supply Chain Management Association or a CPPB designation as awarded by the NIGP; seminars in the laws of competitive bidding, contract law and contract administration; or a suitable combination of training and experience
Considerable experience sourcing and purchasing a variety of goods and services of the type typically used in a municipal setting preferred
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
Thorough knowledge of purchasing principles, practices and methods and municipal policies and procedures governing purchasing operations
Considerable knowledge of the sources, quantities, types and prices of goods, commodities and services required
Considerable knowledge of market conditions, price trends, business conditions and governmental regulations affecting the work
Considerable knowledge of contract law, risk management and negotiation techniques
Ability to develop, issue, evaluate and award tender and proposal documentation
Ability to develop purchase documentation, i.e. purchase orders and contracts
Ability to manage risk inherent in the goods and service acquisitions, ensuring insurance and bonding requirements are addressed
Ability to manage and ‘troubleshoot’ contracts
Sound negotiation skills
Working knowledge of the functions and requirements of the departments served
Ability to evaluate quality, vendor capability, life time cost and service factors to determine quality and suitability of all supplies, services and commodities
Ability to interpret and apply the laws of contract and competitive bidding to a variety of situations
Ability to facilitate interdepartmental evaluation teams through complex bid evaluations and to use a variety of evaluation methodologies
Ability to make recommendations for solutions to complex and/or specialized purchasing issues
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with a variety of internal and external contacts and to negotiate with vendors
Ability to prepare specifications, contracts, tender and request for proposal documents for a variety of products and services and to monitor and administer contracts
Ability to study and review market conditions and prepare reports and recommendations on purchasing matters
Ability to review and supervise the work of subordinate buyers and provide training as required
Ability to use a computerized materials management system and various software applications
License
Current and valid BC driver’s license
Candidates must attach the following records and satisfy the City’s driving requirements to be considered for this role:
Copy of your three-year ICBC Commercial Driver’s Abstract (N Print) directly from ICBC dated within 14 days of this posting.
Copy of your three-year ICBC Driver’s Claims History directly from ICBC within 14 days of this posting.
Drivers who have moved to B.C. during the past three years will be required to provide their Driver’s Abstract and Driver’s Claims History from their previous place(s) of residence for a consecutive 3-year history.
Where operationally appropriate and subject to change, the City of Vancouver has a Flexible Work Program. This program allows staff to work remotely 1 – 4 days a week from locations that are a daily commutable distance from their work at a City worksite. At this time this position is eligible to be part of the Flexible Work Program.
Business Unit/Department: Finance & Supply Chain Mgmt (1150)
Affiliation: CUPE 15 Non Pks
Employment Type: Temporary Full Time
Position Start Date: October 2026
Position End Date: August 2026
Number of Positions Available: 3
Salary Information: Pay Grade GR-026: $45.62 to $53.+1 per hour
Application Close: September 15, 2026
At the City of Vancouver, we are committed to recruiting a diverse workforce that represents the community we so proudly serve. Indigenous peoples, people of colour, 2SLGBTQ+ persons including all genders and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply. Accommodations will be provided upon request during the selection process. Learn more about our commitment to diversity and inclusion.
Apply now
Once you start your application you can save your work and leave the applications page, however please remember to submit your profile to the specific job requisition before the posting closing date.
In addition to uploading your cover letter and resume, part of the application process may include answering application questions related to the preferred requirements of the role which may take approx. 5-10 minutes. Cover letters should express interest and highlight additional information relevant to the position and resumes should include a summary of skills and experience related to the position.
You must create an Indeed account before continuing to the company website to apply
Requisition ID: 42145
Organization
Located on the traditional, ancestral and unceded lands of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Peoples, Vancouver has a commitment to becoming a City of Reconciliation. Vancouver consistently ranks as one of the world’s most liveable cities and is working towards being the greenest city in the world. Named among Canada's Top 100 Employers, BC's Top Employers, and Canada's Greenest Employers, the City of Vancouver seeks colleagues who can help shape and embody our core commitments to sustainability, reconciliation, equity and outstanding quality of life for all residents.
Consider joining our committed team of staff and being part of an innovative, inclusive and rewarding workplace.
Main Purpose and Function
The Contracting Specialist purchases high value, highly complex and non-standard goods and services for various City departments and Boards usually utilizing the public procurement process and/or negotiations.
Specific Duties and Responsibilities
Reviews bid documentation of Buyer I and IIs, identifying bid amendments required before and during the bid issuance
Advises and assists departments and suppliers regarding purchasing requirements, specifications, contracts and details of goods and services to be purchased
In conjunction with client departments, prepares detailed specifications and effective request for proposal documentation; identifies appropriate evaluation criteria; recommends the appropriate form of contract and levels of indemnification
Drafts proposal language according to precedent and obtains information and material required to inform procurements from a variety of sources
Administrates the proposal calls to source qualified vendors and ensures all information is uniformly distributed and the proposal is issued in accordance with City policy and government guidelines
Independently or in conjunction with client departments, evaluates proposals on a wide variety of criteria including, but not limited to, ability to meet specifications, price, pricing terms, price change mechanisms, escalation options, future availability, suppliers business and technical reputation, and vendor references
In conjunction with the Category Manager and/or client departments, conducts complex negotiations to finalize contracts
Negotiates contract renewals or major contract changes
Ensures that the required insurance, licenses bonding and WCB requirement are in place where required
Prepares award recommendations to the Category Manager
Performs research and analysis of products and services and prepares reports and recommendations on purchasing of same
May oversee the work of Buyer I & IIs
Other duties/responsibilities as assigned
Qualifications
Education and Experience:
Completion of Grade 12 supplemented by the SCMP Designation from the Supply Chain Management Association or a CPPB designation as awarded by the NIGP; seminars in the laws of competitive bidding, contract law and contract administration; or a suitable combination of training and experience
Considerable experience sourcing and purchasing a variety of goods and services of the type typically used in a municipal setting preferred
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
Thorough knowledge of purchasing principles, practices and methods and municipal policies and procedures governing purchasing operations
Considerable knowledge of the sources, quantities, types and prices of goods, commodities and services required
Considerable knowledge of market conditions, price trends, business conditions and governmental regulations affecting the work
Considerable knowledge of contract law, risk management and negotiation techniques
Ability to develop, issue, evaluate and award tender and proposal documentation
Ability to develop purchase documentation, i.e. purchase orders and contracts
Ability to manage risk inherent in the goods and service acquisitions, ensuring insurance and bonding requirements are addressed
Ability to manage and ‘troubleshoot’ contracts
Sound negotiation skills
Working knowledge of the functions and requirements of the departments served
Ability to evaluate quality, vendor capability, life time cost and service factors to determine quality and suitability of all supplies, services and commodities
Ability to interpret and apply the laws of contract and competitive bidding to a variety of situations
Ability to facilitate interdepartmental evaluation teams through complex bid evaluations and to use a variety of evaluation methodologies
Ability to make recommendations for solutions to complex and/or specialized purchasing issues
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with a variety of internal and external contacts and to negotiate with vendors
Ability to prepare specifications, contracts, tender and request for proposal documents for a variety of products and services and to monitor and administer contracts
Ability to study and review market conditions and prepare reports and recommendations on purchasing matters
Ability to review and supervise the work of subordinate buyers and provide training as required
Ability to use a computerized materials management system and various software applications
License
Current and valid BC driver’s license
Candidates must attach the following records and satisfy the City’s driving requirements to be considered for this role:
Copy of your three-year ICBC Commercial Driver’s Abstract (N Print) directly from ICBC dated within 14 days of this posting.
Copy of your three-year ICBC Driver’s Claims History directly from ICBC within 14 days of this posting.
Drivers who have moved to B.C. during the past three years will be required to provide their Driver’s Abstract and Driver’s Claims History from their previous place(s) of residence for a consecutive 3-year history.
Where operationally appropriate and subject to change, the City of Vancouver has a Flexible Work Program. This program allows staff to work remotely 1 – 4 days a week from locations that are a daily commutable distance from their work at a City worksite. At this time this position is eligible to be part of the Flexible Work Program.
Business Unit/Department: Finance & Supply Chain Mgmt (1150)
Affiliation: CUPE 15 Non Pks
Employment Type: Temporary Full Time
Position Start Date: October 2026
Position End Date: August 2026
Number of Positions Available: 3
Salary Information: Pay Grade GR-026: $45.62 to $53.+1 per hour
Application Close: September 15, 2026
At the City of Vancouver, we are committed to recruiting a diverse workforce that represents the community we so proudly serve. Indigenous peoples, people of colour, 2SLGBTQ+ persons including all genders and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply. Accommodations will be provided upon request during the selection process. Learn more about our commitment to diversity and inclusion.
Apply now
Once you start your application you can save your work and leave the applications page, however please remember to submit your profile to the specific job requisition before the posting closing date.
In addition to uploading your cover letter and resume, part of the application process may include answering application questions related to the preferred requirements of the role which may take approx. 5-10 minutes. Cover letters should express interest and highlight additional information relevant to the position and resumes should include a summary of skills and experience related to the position.
You must create an Indeed account before continuing to the company website to apply
💡 Quick Summary
Seeking a career-building opportunity? The Contracting Specialist position is now open for candidates interested in the Government Job Alert sector. This role in Vancouver offers a professional environment and growth potential.
Requirement Snapshot: Candidates should possess basic communication skills, a proactive attitude, and the ability to work in a team. Experience in Government Job Alert is a plus.
