Description
JOB DESCRIPTION SUMMARY
Reporting to the Minority/Women Business Coordinator, the Specialist plays a vital role in supporting and assisting the Coordinator to review, track and evaluate the District’s procurement contracts with a strong emphasis on promoting business diversity. This role actively collaborates with District departments to identify opportunities to engage historically underutilized businesses (HUBs) in planned procurements. The Specialist contributes to the success of the Business Diversity Program by providing administrative and business development support, ensuring program goals are met in customer service, compliance, monitoring, training, data collection, reporting, and outreach. Additionally, the Specialist champions full and open competition in all District contract opportunities and participates in training initiatives with leadership, staff, partners, and suppliers to advance the Business Diversity Program.
WORK MONTHS
12
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
Actively promotes and raises awareness of procurement and contract opportunities within the District to enhance the quantity and quality of business diversity participation.
Serves as a source for internal and external stakeholders, addressing inquiries related to the Minority/Women Business Diversity Program’s policies and procedures.
Attends pre-bid and pre-proposal conferences to communicate and clarify compliance expectations for the Business Diversity Program.
Analyzes and monitors bid and proposal documents to verify prime contractors’ progress toward established diversity goals, ensuring compliance and successful achievement of commitments.
Performs both desk and field audits to assess compliance with business diversity goals and contractual obligations.
Assists in developing and disseminating information designed to educate and inform stakeholders about the Business Diversity Program’s policy and mission.
Provides logistical and strategic assistance for the execution of business networking events to foster connections and promote diversity within procurement.
Maintains and review data to assist in the compilation of reports on program performance and contract diversity achievements.
Helps expand and diversify the pool of vendors interested in conducting business with the District, focusing on historically underutilized businesses; encouraging current business certification documentation.
Assists with the maintenance of an electronic directory of certified diverse businesses for publication on the District’s website.
Participates in post-award meetings with contractors and subcontractors to remind them of compliance regulations and initiate post-award reviews to ensure continued adherence.
Monitors the participation of subcontractors in awarded contracts, including reviewing invoices and payments to verify compliance with diversity requirements.
Assists in evaluating current contracting practices to identify and address barriers hindering Minority, Women, and Disadvantaged-Owned Business participation.
Promotes educational opportunities and events aimed at increasing the participation of diverse businesses in District contracts.
Performs other duties as assigned by the Minority/Women Business Coordinator, contributing to the District’s overall objectives and student success outcomes.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, & ABILITIES
Enthusiastic about the fundamental goal of advancing student achievement in an urban public school district.
Values, demonstrates, and promotes diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Strong organizational, time management, multi-tasking capacities, detail oriented with accurate mathematical calculations, and the ability to work with minimum supervision
Demonstrated ability in the use of Microsoft Windows, Word and Excel. Superior ability to work with technology.
Experience with performing day-to-day administrative tasks.
Ability and willingness to competently perform a variety of technical and organizational skills.
Excellent interpersonal, written and oral communication skills with the ability to work well in a team environment.
Ability to gather, analyze, and evaluate data and facts and to prepare meaningful, concise, and accurate reports.
Successful experience managing multiple priorities and demands simultaneously and working with tight timelines and hard deadlines.
Knowledge of business diversity compliance standards and regulations.
Ability to work extended hours, as needed, including evenings and weekends.
Requirements
EDUCATION REQUIRED
1. A Bachelor’s degree in business administration, finance, management, supply chain management or related field from an accredited school is required.
- A Master’s degree is preferred.
CERTIFICATION/LICENSURE REQUIRED
Valid PA Drivers License
YEARS OF EXPERIENCE
1. Three (3) to five (5) years of relevant experience in business development and/or procurement.
2. Experience in contracting and procurement and/or with a successful Minority and Women Business Enterprise is preferred.
3. History of utilizing supplier diversity software systems.
4. State and/or Federal regulatory experience is preferred.
5. An equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered for this position.
WORKING CONDITIONS & PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
The working conditions and physical requirements described here are representative of, but not limited to, those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodation may be made.
This position is primarily sedentary in nature and works in an environment representative of an indoor office setting. The pace of work is fast and this position will work in close proximity to others. This position requires consideration concentration and creativity.
CITY OF PITTSBURGH RESIDENCY REQUIREMENT
This position requires individuals to live in the territorial boundaries of the School District of Pittsburgh. If hired for this position you will be required to establish residence within three calendar months of your hire date with Pittsburgh Public Schools.
