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Sound Transit · 18 hours ago

Senior Economic Development Specialist

Seattle, WA

Full-time

Hybrid

Mid, Senior Level

$70K/yr - $165K/yr

5+ years exp

Sound Transit is responsible for public transportation in the Seattle metropolitan area, and they are seeking a Senior Economic Development Specialist to oversee their Disadvantaged Business Enterprise and Small Business Program. The role involves ensuring contract compliance, providing support to DBEs and small businesses, and facilitating community engagement and outreach activities.

Public TransportationRailroadTransportation

Work & Life Balance

Responsibilities

Leads, plans, organizes, and implements assigned program contracting activities including, but not limited to developing mutually acceptable goals on contracts; calculating and administering goals in accordance with regulations and guidelines; participating in pre-bid meetings and pre-construction meetings; serving as division representative on Contract Evaluation Team

Monitors Prime/General contractor/consultant goal attainment on large and/or complex contracts relative to commitment and recommends corrective action when appropriate

Partners with the project manager and project teams for large/complex contracts to ensure progress toward inclusion goals. May participate in project team meetings to provide guidance in establishing and ensuring achievement of inclusion strategies to include capacity building of DBE and Small firms

Ensures compliance with federal, state, and Agency regulations and guidelines in the accessibility and administration of contracting opportunities; assists in process improvement efforts

Provides support and engages contractors; trains on use of B2GNow (contract monitoring system) including prompt pay for contractors and subcontractors; conducts accurate administration of contract terms including commercially useful function (CUF), flow down language, prompt payment, and return of retained funds provisions; conducts site visits and attends contract progress meetings to track and monitor the participation of firms engaged on Agency contracts

Engages DBE and small businesses in navigating and understanding pertinent agency procurement processes and requirements; provides technical assistance for small businesses

Conducts mediations and facilitates conflict management between DBE and small businesses and prime contractors to create a safe and open environment to air concerns and shared goals

Provides guidance and training to management and staff on a variety of Disadvantaged Business Enterprise & Small Business (DBE/SB) processes, guidelines, requirements, and procurement related contracting subjects

May serve as lead regarding Economic Development Program related public disclosure requests

Performs special duties and/or special projects as assigned by the Director – Economic Development and Chief Civil Rights, Equity & Inclusion Officer and/or department management

Researches trends in the corporate, small business, and DBE communities; researches and studies 'Best Practices' of multiple governmental agencies and corporate entities to assist in improving Agency programs; researches DBE trends in specific industries in order to ascertain the number/percentage of DBEs in a particular field; and coordinates and assists with the development of the Civil Rights, Equity & Inclusion (CREI) Strategic Plan

In collaboration with partner agencies, may plan and execute outreach and engagement events

May assist with community relations and outreach between diverse groups on all aspects of the DBE program by maintaining a working relationship with special interest groups, stakeholders, and public and private organizations

May lead special projects, soliciting buy-in and collaboration, from diverse stakeholders in a matrixed environment

Prepares a variety of written materials including correspondence, reports, briefing papers, presentations, manuals, and standard operating procedures

Champions and models Sound Transit's core values and demonstrates values-based behaviors in everyday interactions across the agency

Contributes to a culture of diversity, equity and inclusion in alignment with Sound Transit’s Equity & Inclusion Policy

It is the responsibility of all employees to follow the Agency safety rules, regulations, and procedures pertaining to their assigned duties and responsibilities, which could include systems, operations, and/or other employees

It is the responsibility of all employees to integrate sustainability into everyday business practices

Other duties as assigned

Qualification

Program/project managementDiversity program principlesConstruction contracting policiesB2GNOW Diversity Compliance SystemDisadvantaged Business EnterprisesLocalWA State procurementCustomer service techniquesPublic speakingConflict managementEffective communication

Required

Bachelor's degree in Public Administration, Business Administration, Accounting, Management, or closely related field

Five years of management/project management experience (directly related to the assignment) or closely related professional experience, which includes responsibility for procurement, contracts, and compliance

Background in civil rights or DBE/SB compliance

Principles, practices, and standards of diversity programs and functions and of industry principles and practices

Program/project management techniques and principles

Construction contracting policies, procedures, and administration; as well as procurement and fiscal/budget policies and procedures sufficient to analyze reports and monitor contracts

Experience working with diverse, multicultural, and multiethnic communities

Computer applications such as word processing, spreadsheets, and statistical databases; methods and techniques for data collection; and reporting standards

Customer service methods and techniques including conflict management and problem-solving methods and techniques

Basic skill in public speaking

Establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with other division staff, management, vendors, outside agencies, community groups, and the general public

Preparing and analyzing complex data and numerical computations and comprehensive reports

Responding to inquiries and in effective oral and written communication

Preferred

B2GNOW Diversity Compliance System

Procurement and Contracts

Small Business Enterprises

Disadvantaged Business Enterprises

SBE/DBE policy, program, and compliance

Local and WA State procurement and diverse business inclusion requirements and regulations

State and federal regulations related to area of assignment

Benefits

Health Benefits: We offer two choices of medical plans, a dental plan, and a vision plan all at no cost for employee coverage; comprehensive benefits for employees and eligible dependents, including a spouse or domestic partner.

Long-Term Disability and Life Insurance.

Employee Assistance Program.

Retirement Plans: 401a – 10% of employee contribution with a 12% match by Sound Transit; 457b – up to IRS maximum (employee only contribution).

Paid Time Off: Employees accrue 25 days of paid time off annually with increases at four, eight and twelve years of service. Employees at the director level and up accrue additional days. We also observe 12 paid holidays and provide up to 2 paid floating holidays and up to 2 paid volunteer days per year.

Parental Leave: 12 weeks of parental leave for new parents.

Pet Insurance.

ORCA Card: All full-time employees will receive an ORCA card at no cost.

Tuition Reimbursement: Sound Transit will pay up to $5,000 annually for approved tuition expenses.