Business Development Counselor II (Austin Small and Minority Business Resources Department)

City of Austin•Austin, TX

37d

About The Position

This position ensures that all parties involved in the City of Austin's purchasing/contracting activities comply with the Minority and Women Owned Business Enterprise (MBE/WBE) Procurement Program Ordinance. Works with City staff, prime contractor/vendors, MBE/WBE firms, and other entities to increase MBE/WBE participation in City procurements or contractual obligations. Identifies and formulates solutions to barriers faced by MBE/WBE firms in conducting business with the city and works with City staff, prime contractor/vendors, and subcontractors to identify and resolve problems related to MBE/WBE participation. Responds to requests for information on the City MBE/WBE Procurement Program, and compliance documents, City business opportunities, or assistance available for small business. Acts as single point of contact, or department liaison to other City departments. Determines an MBW/WBE applicant's eligibility to participate in the program by reviewing relevant business records, conducting site audits, or conducting other relevant research into the state of the applicant firm. Recommends approval/denial of application for MBW/WBE certification. Develops policies and procedures for MBE/WBE certification. Conducts pre-bid and pre-performance meetings to instruct prime contractor/vendors on their responsibilities under the program. Monitors projects to ensure the actual MBE/WBE participation reflects the contractor's compliance plan by reviewing expenditure reports and performing phone and site audits as necessary. This position is responsible for performing various pre-award solicitation and post-award compliance monitoring tasks associated with City procurements. Tasks include, but are not limited to: Reviewing scopes of work and MBE/WBE availability to establish solicitation goals for City procurements. Developing MBE/WBE/DBE Compliance packets for City procurements. Attending pre-bid/pre-response and other contract meetings to communicate MBE/WBE/DBE Procurement Program requirements; creating and sending opportunity notices, Good Faith Effort verification notices, and performing targeted outreach on solicitation notices, as needed. Performing various types of compliance audits for City projects. Routine maintenance and audit of compliance files. Researching and compiling data to develop compliance reporting for internal and external stakeholders. Developing and providing presentations for internal and external stakeholders. Creating letters, memos, emails, reports, and other documentation related to solicitations and contracts. Responding to phone calls and emails associated with compliance monitoring activities.

Requirements

Graduation with a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in a field related to the job plus two (2) years of related experience.
Experience may substitute for the education up to a maximum of four (4) years.

Nice To Haves

Knowledge and/or experience with the City’s MBE/WBE Program, DBE Program, HUB Program, or similar small and minority business programs.
Knowledge and/or experience with procurement and contracting procedures, laws and policies.
General contracting and construction industry experience and knowledge.
Experience with audit procedures.
Experience in data compilation, data analysis, and reporting.
Experience making presentations and communicating programmatic requirements to multiple stakeholders.
CCA or MCA compliance professional certifications or the ability to obtain within 2 years of employment.
Ability to travel to more than one work location.
experience in small business development
construction industry experience managing information
making compliance recommendations to management and executives
performing compliance monitoring
working with diverse stakeholders.
strong written and verbal presentation skills in the role of presenting and communicating with contractors, consultants, City project staff and applying programmatic requirements in determining compliance outcomes.

Responsibilities

Ensures compliance with the Minority and Women Owned Business Enterprise (MBE/WBE) Procurement Program Ordinance.
Works with City staff, prime contractor/vendors, MBE/WBE firms, and other entities to increase MBE/WBE participation in City procurements or contractual obligations.
Identifies and formulates solutions to barriers faced by MBE/WBE firms in conducting business with the city.
Responds to requests for information on the City MBE/WBE Procurement Program, and compliance documents, City business opportunities, or assistance available for small business.
Acts as single point of contact, or department liaison to other City departments.
Determines an MBW/WBE applicant's eligibility to participate in the program by reviewing relevant business records, conducting site audits, or conducting other relevant research into the state of the applicant firm.
Recommends approval/denial of application for MBW/WBE certification.
Develops policies and procedures for MBE/WBE certification.
Conducts pre-bid and pre-performance meetings to instruct prime contractor/vendors on their responsibilities under the program.
Monitors projects to ensure the actual MBE/WBE participation reflects the contractor's compliance plan by reviewing expenditure reports and performing phone and site audits as necessary.
Reviewing scopes of work and MBE/WBE availability to establish solicitation goals for City procurements.
Developing MBE/WBE/DBE Compliance packets for City procurements.
Attending pre-bid/pre-response and other contract meetings to communicate MBE/WBE/DBE Procurement Program requirements; creating and sending opportunity notices, Good Faith Effort verification notices, and performing targeted outreach on solicitation notices, as needed.
Performing various types of compliance audits for City projects.
Routine maintenance and audit of compliance files.
Researching and compiling data to develop compliance reporting for internal and external stakeholders.
Developing and providing presentations for internal and external stakeholders.
Creating letters, memos, emails, reports, and other documentation related to solicitations and contracts.
Responding to phone calls and emails associated with compliance monitoring activities.