<p>The purpose of this position is to perform advanced administrative work under general supervision related to overseeing certification and contract compliance requirements of certified Small Local Business Enterprises (SLBEs) and certified Emerging Small Local Business Enterprises (ESLBEs) associated with Richland County projects, including projects generated from the Transportation Penny Tax. This class works within a general outline of work to be performed and develops work methods and sequences under general supervision.</p> <p>Essential Tasks</p> <ul> <li>Conducts all phases of certification process using numerous verification techniques to ensure applicants meet the eligibility requirements; </li><li>Reviews certification applications and makes recommendations based on the information submitted by firms seeking certification; </li><li>Confirms the analyses of SLBE/ESLBE applications support the information provided in the supporting documents (e.g., tax returns, financial records, articles of incorporation), and that the documents submitted are authentic and accurate representations of original records; </li><li>Forwards recommendations to the supervisor to make final determination of certification eligibility/status; </li><li>Assembles information, history and activities associated with appeals and audits, and participates as needed by providing input to supervisor, hearing officer or other staff people involved in the process; </li><li>Monitors, tracks, documents and reports SLBE activity and progress on executed SLBE contracts; </li><li>Compiles and prepares financial, statistical and demographic information for program; </li><li>Addresses issues related to contract compliance, including enforcement of non-compliance sanctions and requested changes to contract terms; </li><li>Maintains and administers contracts throughout entire lifecycle, identifying and documenting key issues, problems areas and recommendations for resolution; </li><li>Maintains appropriate documentation within each contract file and ensures compliance with all contractual requirements; </li><li>Develops and maintains good customer relations with both external vendors and internal stakeholders; </li><li>Provides oversight, approves or denies requests for service outside the terms of the contract and with supervisor approval, writes modifications to cover additional services; </li><li>Advises the supervisor of any non-compliance issues and develops remediation plan; Assists supervisor with related duties; </li><li>Monitors workforce, business utilization and compliance with County goals and requirements; </li><li>Assists with training directors, employees, contractors and program participants in the use of the diversity management system (B2GNow) and the SLBE Certification and Compliance Policies; </li><li>Ensures SLBE process and procedures remain in compliance with internal policies and procedures and immediately bring to the attention of supervisor when intervention is needed to bring the process back into conformity; </li><li>Works with the Transportation department and all other pertinent departments in identifying and developing opportunities for SLBEs; </li><li>Makes referrals to other divisions or departments, community partners, or organizations that may be able to provide educational and technical assistance to assist firms in meeting eligibility requirements; </li><li>Interacts with business owners to assess needs, provide group and one-on-one business development training and make recommendations to supervisor to offer requested services and/or courses; </li><li>Provides support in preparation for Council and Committee meetings and attend as needed to provides requested information or clarity; </li><li>Generates timely and accurate reports for submission to the OSBO weekly, monthly, quarterly, bi-annually and annually; </li><li>Conducts program audits of prime and subcontractors to ensure terms outlined in the agreement are complied with; </li><li>Ensures prime contractors meet their utilization commitment throughout contract and intervenes to determine why goals are not met; </li><li>Propose corrective action plan for participants determined noncompliant or that have poor compliance with agreement terms; </li><li>Monitors, records and tracks the number of newly certified, application pending or renewal SLBE applications; </li><li>Recommends to supervisor graduation of firms that should be graduated, suspended or debarred from the program; </li><li>Coordinate and maintain SLBE participation progress reports in support of monthly reporting requirements; </li><li>Provides support activities to Director to expand the base of small and local vendors who are capable and available to participate in contracting opportunities in the best interests of Richland County; </li><li>Works with Program Coordinator on internal initiatives to increase SLBE/ESLBE utilization; </li><li>Identifies best business practices and recommends improvements and modifications to contract compliance policies and procedures; </li><li>Updates B2G diversity software system to reflect current status of all contracts submitted, denotes activities for assigned new and existing contracts; updates program database with activities, and documents all other pertinent information; </li><li>Works with the supervisor and staff to develop and implement processes and activities; assists supervisor in preparing annual report on the progress in achieving stated program objectives including, but not limited to establishing/building new business capacity, removing barriers, and eliminating disparities in the utilization of available small local business enterprises in Transportation Penny Tax projects contracts; </li><li>Conducts site-visits, documentation reviews and investigations as necessary to track and monitor SLBE utilization and completion of projects that include SLBE participants; </li><li>Cross-trains in other areas of the department to provide assistance as needed in the absence of or as back up to fellow staff members; </li><li>Reviews the SLBE/ESLBE program compliance procedures annually to determine whether adjustments are needed to enhance participation as stated in Program Objectives; </li><li>Provides customer service and resolves conflict; </li><li>Advises supervisor on items relating to diversity as it relates to the program; </li><li>May act on behalf of or in collaboration with the other staff people when necessary; </li><li>Participates in workshops hosted by the OSBO or attends collaborative partner led outreach events/workshops. </li><li>Maintains contract database by updating database for assigned contracts; tracking dollars expended by category, maintaining spreadsheet with status of existing contracts and documenting all other pertinent information; </li><li>Conducts research and provides information when requested by researching, gathering, and exchanging contract information; </li><li>Performs additional duties as assigned. </li></ul> <p>Specialized Areas of Oversight</p> <ul> <li>Closely works with Transportation Project Managers and Primes on SLBE goaled projects, monitors Primes utilization of SLBEs </li><li>Establishes and coordinates 4- week forecasting with Project Managers on SLBE goaled projects; tracks project progression </li><li>Identifies and supports the Sheltered Market program and any Affirmative Procurement Procedures; </li><li>Provides support for the OSBO Goal Setting Committees; </li><li>Compiles, reviews and submits monthly statistical reports; reviews and submits program updates; </li><li>Provides support for the Competitive Demonstration program. </li></ul> <p>Educational Preparation</p> <p>Bachelor's degree in accounting, Finance, Business Administration, Public Administration, Project Management, or a closely related field, or four years of relevant experience may be substituted for education.</p> <p>Experience Requirements</p> <p>Requires five (5) years of relevant experience working with public management practices and in interpreting and applying federal, state and local regulations, policies and/or ordinances. Knowledge in interpreting and implementing federal, state, and local rules, regulations and ordinances related to SLBEs/MWDBEs/DBEs preferred. Previous experience in procurement, grant administration and/or compliance preferred.</p> <p>Richland County is an Equal Opportunity Employer. ADA requires the County to provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities. Prospective and current employees are invited to discuss accommodations.</p>