Senior Economic Development Specialist

Salary range is $70k to $165k with a midpoint of $115k. New hires typically receive between minimum and midpoint; however, we may go slightly higher based on experience, internal equity, and market.

Sound Transit also offers a competitive benefits package with a wide range of offerings, including:

• 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.
• Compensation Practices: We offer competitive salaries based on market rates and internal equity. In addition to compensation and benefits, you’ll find that we provide work-life balance, opportunities for professional development, and recognition from your colleagues.

GENERAL PURPOSE:

Reporting to the Director – Economic Development and under general direction, the Senior Economic Development Specialist is responsible for planning, organizing, and implementing the agency’s Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) and the Small Business Program (SBP). Ensures contract compliance, provides support and technical assistance to DBEs and SBs, and ensures compliance with applicable federal, state, and Agency regulations and guidelines.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

The following duties are a representative summary of the primary duties and responsibilities. Incumbent(s) may not be required to perform all duties listed and may be required to perform additional, position-specific duties.

• 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.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Education and Experience: 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; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Required Knowledge and Skills:

• 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 Knowledge and Skills:

• 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.

Physical Demands / Work Environment:

• Work is performed in a standard hybrid office and field environment.
• Positions working in the field may occasionally be exposed to dangerous machinery, extreme weather conditions, physical harm, hazardous chemicals, and/or extreme noise.
• This position is responsible for community engagement booth setup and breakdown. May be subject to bending, pushing, pulling, eye/hand coordination, grasping, hearing, repetitive motion, standing, talking, reaching, and carrying and lifting of objects up to 50 pounds.
• Position includes nights and weekend shifts for community engagement events.
• The Agency promotes a safe and healthy work environment and provides appropriate safety and equipment training for all personnel as required.

Sound Transit is an equal employment opportunity employer. No person is unlawfully excluded from employment action based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex (including gender identity, sexual orientation, and pregnancy), age, genetic information, disability, veteran status, or other protected class.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities.

The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor’s legal duty to furnish information. 41 CFR 60-1.35(c)