County of Orange Procurement and Contracts Intern (Unpaid Intern)

Procurement And Contracts Intern

The County of Orange is a collection of dedicated, public-spirited individuals, who together comprise a regional service provider and planning agency committed to maximizing resources and improving the quality of life in Orange County. Our core businesses are public safety, public health, environmental protection, regional planning, public assistance, social services and aviation.

Students or recent graduates may be assigned to one of the following County of Orange Departments : County Procurement Office, OC Public Works, Health Care Agency, or OC Community Resources. Interns will assist staff with day-to-day activities within a governmental department. Depending upon their level of experience, interns will perform basic duties / assignments related to purchasing, buying and / or contracts as well as activities that may include application of higher-level skills acquired through academic instruction or professional training. Interns may also assist County Buyers in obtaining, tabulating and analyzing product and bid information.

Purchasing & Contract Intern related duties include assisting staff with one or more of the following projects :

• Check requisitions for completeness and correctness; review and analyze requisitions, grouping items to facilitate purchase; identify possible vendors
• Recapitulate bids received from vendors for correctness; compare prices, calculate discounts, review delivery conditions and products offered in order to insure proper quality and advantageous price; identify lowest bidder and make recommendations to Buyer
• Consult with agencies / departments to better clarify their needs; follow up on delivery of orders placed; resolve problems concerning damaged goods, failure to deliver on time or incorrect merchandise; resolve problems in billing and payment and assist in expediting payment; provide data to Buyer for further evaluation
• Collect data, conduct studies and surveys for purchase contracts and assist in collecting and evaluating data, analyzing bids and preparing status or statistical reports; follow departmental policy rules and regulations governing purchasing activities
• Assist with standardizing of office requirements and guidelines on contract file folders, review and identifying documents for electronic filing

Applicants must currently be enrolled in an accredited college / university / law school and majoring in Business, Finance, Public Administration, Law or related fields. Recent graduates who have completed their degree in one of the above fields are also eligible to apply. Interns should demonstrate excellent written and oral communication skills; ability to research information using various resources in order to prepare reports and other correspondence; advanced experience with Microsoft Office Suite, including Excel, Word, PowerPoint and Visio; ability to organize and prioritize various projects and meet deadlines; and ability to work with a supervisor in a fast-paced environment. Professional appearance and business attire are required. Immediate placement is available. Minimum 15 - 25 hours per week for 3 - 6 months. Hours must be scheduled during regular business hours (Monday through Friday between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m.).

Although this position is unpaid and does not lead to permanent employment or include employee benefits, it is an excellent opportunity for students or recent graduates to gain knowledge with a large government organization. This is a great opportunity to enhance skills, build resumes, apply academic knowledge and explore career options. Applications must attach a cover letter, resume, and unofficial transcripts to their application. Applications that do not include a cover letter, resume, and unofficial transcripts will not be considered.

Prior to placement, applicants may be asked to conduct a background screening that requires a state issued driver's license or ID card and a U.S. Social Security number.