Help Wanted: Otero College: Full-Time Purchasing and Grants Coordinator

Description: Otero College is hiring a full-time Purchasing and Grants Coordinator in La Junta with a $40,000–$43,000 salary, benefits and an anticipated October/November 2026 start...

VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT

Website: https://hr.cccs.edu/jobs/search/otero-college-search-page

Position Title:  Purchasing and Grants Coordinator

Position #: 400710

Position Status:  Full-Time

FLSA Status: Exempt

Reports To:  Controller

The Coordinator of Purchasing and Grants supports the College’s Business Office by coordinating purchasing and procurement activities, issuing purchase orders, maintaining vendor records, administering the Purchase Card program, managing assigned grants, and overseeing inventory and fixed asset processes. This position works closely with campus departments and grant managers to support effective purchasing, grant administration, financial monitoring, and compliance with State, College, and grant requirements. The Coordinator also maintains organized Business Office records; and provides guidance and training to campus employees on applicable processes and procedures. This position plays an important role in supporting efficient Business Office operations, strong internal controls, and responsible stewardship of College resources.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Manage purchasing activities, including requisitions, purchase orders, bidding, and vendor setup in accordance with State and College requirements.

2. Maintain accurate and complete vendor records, including establishing new vendors and updating vendor information in the College’s financial system.

3. Serve as the College’s Purchase Card Administrator and provide training and support to cardholders and campus departments.

4. Manage assigned grants, including budget monitoring, financial review, reporting, documentation, and coordination with grant managers.

5. Oversee College inventory and fixed asset processes.

6. Provide guidance and training to departments on purchasing, grant, and Business Office processes.

7. Maintain organized Business Office records, including document scanning, document filing, and records management.

8. Serve as backup for key Business Office functions as needed.

9. Perform other duties as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Bachelor’s degree or an equivalent combination of education and relevant experience.

Previous office or administrative experience.

Strong attention to detail, organization, and problem-solving skills.

Ability to manage multiple priorities and recurring deadlines while working independently.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

Experience working in higher education or a government setting

Experience with purchasing, accounting, or financial processes in a regulated environment

Experience monitoring grant expenditures, budgets, and compliance requirements.            

SALARY:

$40,000-43,000 with an excellent and highly competitive benefits package.  More information about our attractive benefits can be found under the benefit section in this vacancy. 

12-month (261 days) per year renewable position

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS

Applications must be submitted through Otero College Careers and include the following information:

1. Cover letter that addresses the minimum and preferred qualifications

2. Resume

3. Copies of transcripts (A.A., B.A., and M.A.) (Official transcripts requested upon hire) - As part of our commitment to a fair hiring process, we invite you to redact any information from your transcripts that may be confidential/protected under law, including your age, date of birth, or dates of attendance/graduation.

APPLICATION DEADLINE

             Open Until Filled – Priority will be given to applications received by September 18, 2026

POSITION START DATE:

October/November 2026

Inquiries May Be Directed To:

             Kelsey Barbee

   (719) 384-6824

   Kelsey.barbee@otero.edu

Notice to all Applicants 

· Final candidate will be subject to successful completion of a background check, and, if applicable, a drug screening, and/or a motor vehicle record review. 

· Former employees of the Colorado Community College System, or one of its 13 colleges, who were disciplinarily terminated or resigned in lieu of termination, must disclose this information in their application material. 

· Final candidates are required to submit unofficial transcripts for non-instructional positions and official transcripts for instructional positions to Human Resources within thirty (30) days of hire. 

· Direct deposit of payroll is a condition of employment. 

· Otero College participates in E-Verify. 

· Otero College is a tobacco and smoke-free campus. 

· All Otero employees, except student employees, contribute to Colorado PERA at a fixed percentage of their earnings and do not contribute to Social Security. 

· Must be a resident of the State of Colorado or able to relocate to Colorado prior to the first date of employment. 

Reasonable Accommodation Statement 

Otero College provides reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities on a case-by-case basis. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process and/or during the course of employment, please contact Kelsey Barbee, Executive Director of Human Resources, at (719) 384-6824 or kelsey.barbee@otero.edu 

Benefits 

At Otero, we value and uphold a commitment to a workplace that focuses on employees. In addition to rewarding and meaningful work, we offer a comprehensive selection of benefits to support our employees, including: 

· Flexible retirement benefits including Colorado PERA’s Defined Benefit Plan or Defined Contribution Plan. Otero contributes 21.61% of your salary on your behalf. Supplemental retirement plans including 401(k) and 457 plans are also available. 

· Comprehensive health benefits including medical, dental, vision, life, and flexible savings benefits. 

· Employee assistance services such as counseling, professional coaching, financial planning, and more, are available to you and members of your household at no cost through the Colorado State Employee Assistance Program (C-SEAP). 

· Generous paid time off benefits including up to 15 hours of annual leave and 10 hours sick leave per month, 10 paid holidays per year, and up to 18 hours for academic and volunteer activities. 

· Tuition assistance for employees and their eligible dependents at any community college within the Colorado Community College System or CCCOnline. 

· State employees are eligible to participate in BenefitHub which offers discounts for retailers and services and other benefits resources. 

· Employees may qualify for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program. Additional information about this program can be found on the Colorado Division of Human Resources website. 

Otero College is an Equal Opportunity Employer

Otero College prohibits all forms of discrimination and harassment including those that violate federal and state law or the State Board for Community Colleges and Occupational Education Board Policy 3-120 Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action and Colorado Community College System Procedure 3-120a- Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action Program. The College does not discriminate on the basis of sex/gender, race, color, age, creed, national or ethnic origin, ancestry, physical or mental disability, veteran status or military status, pregnancy status, religion, genetic information, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, or any other protected category under applicable local, state, or federal law (also know as "civil rights laws") including protection against retaliation and for those opposing discrimination or participating in any grievance process on campus or within the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission or other human rights agencies, in its employment practices or educational programs and activities. Otero recognizes that the quality of instruction and educational opportunities for all are enhanced when the diversity of the community served is represented in the student population and workforce. Otero also recognizes that women, minorities, veterans and individuals with disabilities have been historically underutilized in the higher education workforce.

The College has designated Mike Rager, Director of Civil Rights and Investigations as its Title IX/EO Coordinator and Kelsey Barbee, Director of Human Resources as its Affirmative Action Officer, with the responsibility to coordinate its civil rights compliance activities and grievance procedures. If you have any questions, please contact Kelsey Barbee, Director of Human Resources at 719-384-6824, kelsey.barbee@otero.edu , or 1802 Colorado Ave. McDivitt Hall RM# 140, La Junta, CO  81050.

You may also contact the Office for Civil Rights, U.S. Department of Education, Region VIII, Federal Office Building, 1244 North Speer Boulevard, Suite 310, Denver, CO 80204, telephone (303) 844-3417.

The Federal Cleary Act (The Student Right to Know and Campus Security Act of 1990) requires all institutions of higher learning to make available to prospective employees the agency’s Annual Security Report/Campus Crime Statistics.  A paper copy of this report can be obtained at the Student Services Center upon request or at:  http://www.ojc.edu/content/marketing/catalog.pdf.   This report includes statistics for the previous three years concerning crimes that occurred on campus or on property controlled or owned by Otero College, as well as public property within, or immediately adjacent to and accessible from, our campus.

Former employees of the Colorado Community College System or one of its 13 colleges, who were disciplinarily terminated or resigned in lieu of termination, must disclose this information in your application packet

Qualified protected class individuals are encouraged to apply

Otero College must comply with the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986.  If hired you will be required to provide documents to show your identity and authorization to work.  In addition, Colorado fiscal rules require direct deposit for all new employees.

OTERO MISSION STATEMENT:

To provide quality higher education that is accessible, transforms lives, expands employment opportunities, enriches our communities, promotes individual and global cultural diversity, and fosters economic development.

www.ojc.edu

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