Contract Compliance Specialist

Chicago Housing Authority•Chicago, IL

8d•$74,000 - $79,000•Hybrid

About The Position

The Contract Compliance Specialist coordinates, monitors, and ensures compliance with Minority, Women, and Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (M/W/DBE) and Section 3 requirements for CHA contracts and subcontracts, including contracting and economic opportunities. The role provides M/W/DBE reporting statistics and findings to CHA management, conducts vendor outreach about compliance monitoring procedures, oversees contractor M/W/DBE and Section 3 performance, and helps ensure adherence to federal, state, local, and CHA fair labor standards. The Specialist leads, conducts, and coordinates construction and professional site visits for assigned contracts and may conduct visits on behalf of other Compliance staff. The role ensures visit reports are entered into the appropriate tracking systems and monitors a portfolio of professional services and construction contracts for M/W/DBE, Section 3, and Davis-Bacon requirements. Monitoring may use B2Gnow, LCP Tracker, Lawson, and other systems used by the Compliance Team.

Requirements

College-level coursework or an equivalent combination of education and related work experience.
At least three years of experience in purchasing, contract administration, EEO, affirmative-action monitoring, and progressive project management.
Knowledge of the Davis-Bacon Act and related laws, prevailing-wage laws, HUD Section 3 requirements, M/W/DBE requirements, affirmative action, and contracting procedures.
Skill in applying audit reviews, methodology, and practices.
Problem-solving, analytical, planning, and organizational abilities.
Effective verbal, written, and interpersonal skills for working with diverse managerial and professional staff.
Ability to exercise objective judgment and discretion, maintain confidentiality, and work on multiple projects simultaneously.
Computer literacy, including proficiency in Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
Math aptitude to perform statistical calculations.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor's degree.
Experience working with federal, state, and local requirements.
Valid driver's license.

Responsibilities

Attend pre-bid and pre-construction meetings with buyers and user departments to explain M/W/DBE and Section 3 compliance obligations before contract award.
Review required CHA compliance documents submitted by vendors, investigate discrepancies, and conduct on-site visits to project sites.
Develop and implement contractor violation-resolution plans to ensure compliance.
Gather and analyze data and prepare reports on M/W/DBE expenditures, Section 3, and Davis-Bacon.
Review, analyze, and compare certified payrolls for project-site employees to verify prevailing-wage compliance.
Calculate back wages for employees not paid prevailing wages and ensure vendors provide restitution.
Collect information about problems and procedures, identify deficiencies, and make recommendations.
Verify M/W/DBE participation percentages and certifications, and recommend approval of vendors' utilization plans.
Prepare correspondence for CHA vendors, HUD, the Department of Labor, the Inspector General's office, and CHA staff.
Recommend to CHA management and project managers that vendor payments be withheld because of compliance violations.
Maintain assigned project-file documentation and ensure files are stored on the CHA network.
Prepare regular activity, program-tracking, and monitoring reports.
Participate in vendor fairs sponsored by CHA and affiliated agencies.
Perform other assigned duties and projects.

Benefits

Vacation, sick, and personal leave as part of a competitive PTO package.
Medical insurance options, including HMO, PPO, and a high-deductible PPO with no employee cost.
Dental, vision, and life insurance.
Short-term and long-term disability insurance.
Long-term care insurance.
Pet insurance.
Parking and transit benefits.
Prepaid legal services.
Brightstar 529 College Savings Plan.
Identity theft protection.
Hospital indemnity insurance.
Voluntary critical illness insurance.
Deferred compensation plan: Empower 457/401(a) with a 3% employer match.
Pension plan with CHA contributions and an employee contribution; 100% vesting after six years of continuous employment. Employees may instead opt out of CHA's Retirement Plan and continue participating in the Municipal Employees Annuity and Benefit Fund of Chicago.
Position-specific hybrid work schedule; the position may be eligible for remote work after successfully completing a 90-day probationary period, subject to CHA policies and procedures.