Charles County Economic Development Department – MWBE/DBE Compliance Manager

• MWBE/DBE Compliance Manager
• White Plains, MD
• Filing Deadline: Best consideration date is March 15, 2024. Otherwise open until filled.

The MWBE/DBE Compliance Manager plays a crucial role in ensuring contract adherence to federal and state laws, as well as Charles County procurement policies. This position focuses on monitoring compliance with the County’s Minority, Women-Owned Business Enterprise (WMBE) program and Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) program. Collaborating closely with the County’s Purchasing department, the incumbent maximizes WMBE program compliance, refines reporting systems, and conducts audit and consulting engagements in accordance with professional auditing standards.

Essential Job Functions

Contract Compliance Monitoring:

• Monitor contracts for compliance with federal and state laws, Charles County procurement policies, regulations, practices, and procedures.
• Ensure adherence to the County’s WMBE and DBE programs.
• Ensure adherence to diversity and best practices.

Stakeholder Engagement:

• Represent Charles County Government and the Economic Development Department at meetings to discuss and introduce WMBE and DBE program requirements.
• Answer questions regarding the programs and contract goals.

Reporting and Documentation:

• Compose summary reports detailing the status of WMBE and DBE compliance activities.
• Maintain accurate records of compliance reviews, inspections, and investigations.

Inspections and Investigations:

• Conduct inspections and investigations of suspicious activities.
• Research project managers, prime contractors, and subcontractors’ records.
• Solicit, review, and track MWBE utilization, commitments, and workforce participation.

Negotiation and Goal Setting:

• Research, develop, and negotiate MWBE participation goals with project sponsors or entities with County contracts.

Data Management:

• Ensure accurate data reflection in tracking systems and databases.
• Review procurement, grant, and contract documents to ensure inclusion of MWBE and DBE provisions.

Communication and Collaboration:

• Liaise with contractors and grantees to identify legal MWBE, DBE, and workforce requirements.
• Share information about qualified and State-certified MWBE companies with prime contractors/grantees.

Process Improvement:

• Analyze, recommend, and update internal MWBE compliance and business processes as necessary.
• Ensure adherence to diversity and best practices.

Other:

• Participate in weekly, monthly, and quarterly office, interdepartmental, and division-wide meetings, or webinars.
• Complete projects, tasks, and other duties as assigned by the Director.

Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Education and Experience: Bachelor’s degree in a relevant discipline preferred. Six (6) years of related work experience; or an equivalent combination of education, experience, and training.

Experience in ensuring compliance with equal opportunity programs or fair practice standards.

Experience in monitoring WMBE/DBE participation on contracts.

Experience in accounting or finance, including financial reporting, or equivalent experience in procurement and/or contract management activities.

Licenses or Certifications: 
Must possess a valid driver’s license. 

Special Requirements/Qualifications: 
Travel and evening hours may be required on a frequent basis.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: 

• Knowledge of interpreting and ensuring compliance with state and federal laws, policies, and regulations.
• Knowledge of monitoring contract MBE, WMBE, DBE compliance.
• Knowledge of effective techniques of supervision.
• Strong computer skills (MS Word, Excel, Outlook, Internet).
• Excellent organizational and interpersonal skills.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to determine the specific tasks and assignments to be performed, independently handling new and unusual problems and deviations encountered in the work.
• Ability to provide leadership, program direction, and policy guidance to managers, staff and others involved in carrying out assigned activities.
• Ability to exercise critical thinking and use sound judgement.
• Ability to manage multiple concurrent projects.
• Ability to coordinate diverse activities that are difficult to integrate and manage effectively.
• Ability to initiate and follow through on projects and programs.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others encountered in the work.
• Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The work is sedentary with frequent periods of light physical activity and is performed in office surroundings.   Typical positions require workers to walk or stand for long periods; lift and carry up to 20 pounds; climb stairs, bend, reach, hold, grasp and turn objects; and use fingers to operate computer or typewriter keyboards.  The work requires the ability to speak normally and to use normal or aided vision and hearing.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

Principal duties of this job are performed in a general office environment and telework

Department/Division: Economic Development – Local, and Minority Business Enterprise Programs Division
Pay Grade: 118
FLSA Status: Exempt
Telework Eligible: Yes
Reports To: Director of Economic Development
Supervises: Small and Minority Business Development Specialist
Business Development Assistant (PT)