Specialist, MBE Compliance and Contracts

ABOUT US

The Howard County Public School System (HCPSS) is one of the leading school systems in Maryland and the nation. To learn more about us and our 2024 -2029 Strategic Plan, please visit our website and our careers page. Join our award-winning workforce and make a difference in the lives of our students!

ABOUT THE APPLICATION PROCESS

Before you begin, please read the job posting below carefully including the Application Requirements specific to this position. Be sure your application reflects experience and education required to meet the minimum and any preferred qualifications listed. Our application guide includes detailed instructions to assist you. Once your application has been submitted, you will not be able to add documentation or make any changes.

Please note that application submission will be available only through 11:59 PM on the date prior to the indicated end date. If no end date is indicated, the posting will remain open indefinitely.

Job Posting End Date:

Reminder: Current permanent and temporary employees must apply through the Jobs Hub in Workday, not the external career site.

DESCRIPTION 

Under the direction of the Director of Procurement, the MBE Compliance/Contract Specialist shall assist with the implementation and facilitation of the school system's Minority Business Enterprise, Women Business Enterprise and Small Business Enterprise program as well as prepare American Institute of Architects (AIA) and school related contracts as needed. Reviews contract solicitations for MBE/WBE/SBE contracting opportunities and determines certification eligibility by reviewing new and re-certification application submissions. Serves as outreach liaison and MBE/WBE/SBE information facilitator and attends local outreach conferences. Prepares a variety of contracts, reports, and correspondence, as required.   

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS 

A combination of education and experience may be considered. 

Education: 

• Possession of a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university. Education requirements may be met by substituting experience for education on a year-for-year basis (up to four years). 

Experience: 

• Three years of contracting experience, including at least two years in public procurement.   

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS 

The ideal candidate for this role will also possess a combination of the additional qualifications below. If you don’t meet every one of the preferred qualifications, we still encourage you to apply, as we welcome applications from candidates with diverse backgrounds and experiences. 

• Possession of a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in business, finance, public administration, or a related field.     

• Experience in a PreK-12 public education or government setting.   

• Experience with Workday, eMaryland Marketplace advantage System, or another procurement management software.   

• Experience with COMAR Title 21 and other Maryland state procurement laws, regulations, policies, and procedures.  

• At least one year of work experience with computer technology to include Microsoft Office Suite (e.g., Outlook, Excel, Word, Access, PowerPoint, Teams) and Google Workspace (e.g., Drive, Docs, Sheets, Slides, Meet).   

• Certified Professional Public Buyer (CPPB), NIGP Certified Procurement Professional (NIGP-CPP) 

ESSENTIAL POSITION RESPONSIBILITIES 

The below list is a summary of the functions of the job, not an exhaustive or comprehensive list of all possible job responsibilities, tasks, and duties. 

• Reviews pending contract solicitations for MBE/WBE/SBE contracting opportunities and determines appropriate participation goals.   

• Reviews bid submissions to ensure all required documentation is included and conducts follow-up if necessary for additional information.   

• Reviews and processes MBE/WBE/SBE certification eligibility. 

• Evaluates information submitted by contractors to ensure MBE/WBE/SBE compliance.   

• Determines if suppliers contracted with the school system are following federal and state guidelines. 

• Prepare AIA and School related contracts for review and processing.  

• Track AIA and School related contracts in the review and signature process.   

• Tracks participation of school system procurements identifies deficiencies and makes appropriate recommendations for corrective actions as required.  

• Works closely with various departments and staff to develop contracts to meet their specific requirements. 

ESSENTIAL KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES 

The below list is a summary of the knowledge, skills, and abilities required for success in this position, not an exhaustive or comprehensive list.  

Knowledge  

• Regulatory Compliance: Understanding of federal, state, and local procurement guidelines, regulations, and reporting requirements.  

• Supplier Diversity Programs: In-depth knowledge of Minority, Women, and Small Business Enterprise (MBE/WBE/SBE) certification criteria, policy frameworks, and compliance standards.  

• Public Procurement Processes: Comprehensive understanding of public sector solicitations, competitive bidding procedures, contract drafting, and vendor evaluation metrics.  

Skills  

• Contract & Bid Auditing: Skilled in analyzing compliance documentation for accuracy, completeness, and goal alignment.  

• Data Tracking & Reporting: Ability to monitor procurement metrics, track MBE/WBE/SBE participation data, identify compliance gaps, and generate actionable corrective strategies.  

• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Strong interpersonal skill in working across organizational departments to define specific procurement needs and craft tailored contracts.  

Abilities  

• Goal Setting & Risk Assessment: Ability to evaluate upcoming contract solicitations and establish realistic, appropriate participation goals for diverse suppliers.  

• Ethical Judgement & Integrity: Strong commitment to upholding high ethical standards, transparency, and professional integrity with external contractors and internal personnel.  

• Public Facilitation & Communication: Ability to represent the department effectively in pre-bid conferences, proposal meetings, bid openings, and vendor follow-up communications. 

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS  

Working Hours 

• The duty day for this position is 8 hours including a one hour duty-free lunch.  

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS 

Complete applications must be submitted, and once your application has been submitted, you will not be able to add documentation or make any changes. Incomplete applications will not be considered.  Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of a completed application.  
 
Supplemental Application Questions 

This position requires applicants to provide responses to the below supplemental application questions to determine whether you meet the minimum and preferred qualifications. Please upload your responses in a separate file to the supplemental application questions section of the application. 

• Please describe your professional experience working within a PreK–12 public education or government procurement environment. In your response, specify your primary role in the procurement process. 

• Please describe your professional experience utilizing procurement management software system(s) (e.g., Workday, eMaryland Marketplace Advantage, or others) and how you utilized them to manage or support procurement processes. 

• Describe your familiarity and hands-on experience applying Maryland state procurement laws, specifically COMAR Title 21, or similar state/local public procurement regulations.  

• Describe your familiarity and hands-on experience applying Maryland Business Enterprise program, as defined by the state of Maryland. 

SELECTION CRITERIA 

Applicants who meet the minimum qualifications will be included in further evaluation. Interviews will be limited to those applicants who, in addition to meeting the basic requirements, have experience and education which most closely match the position qualifications and the needs of the school system.  

Applicants may be required to complete a skills assessment prior to or during the interview process. 

EMPLOYMENT INFORMATION 

Compensation 

This is a 12-month per year position in the Howard County Education Association, Educational Support Professionals (HCEA-ESP) employee unit. The current salary range for this position is Grade 23 on the Technical Central Office and School Based salary scale, $58,903 - $109,612. Step placement will be in accordance with the salary procedures of the Howard County Public School System and the HCEA-ESP Master Agreement which considers relevant prior experience. Under the Fair Labor Standards Act, this position is exempt from overtime.   

Retirement 

Membership in the Maryland State Retirement Agency (MSRA) pension plan is a mandatory condition of employment for all employees who meet the eligibility and membership criteria defined in the State Personnel and Pensions Article and the Code of Maryland Regulations (COMAR). A qualifying employee cannot reject membership, nor can an ineligible employee elect membership. The annual contribution to the pension plan will be 7% of an employee’s annual salary.  

Benefits 

HCPSS offers a comprehensive benefits package for eligible employees. Information about additional benefits such as paid time off can be found in the negotiated agreement for employees in this bargaining unit. 

Pre-Employment Requirements 

Professional references will be contacted prior to any offer of employment. Recommended candidates will be required to provide references from current and recent supervisors. 

All employees, regular and temporary, must be fingerprinted, have a criminal background investigation completed, and successfully complete the Maryland Employment History Review, pursuant to Section 6-113.2 of the Education Article, Annotated Code of Maryland. In addition, some positions will require completion of a physical examination and/or drug testing. 

Anyone offered employment is required to provide proper identification and documentation of eligibility for employment in the United States. HCPSS participates in E-Verify and does not offer employee sponsorship. 

For questions regarding this posting, please contact Philip Wentt (philip_wentt@hcpss.org) OR humanresources@hcpss.org. 

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

To request an accommodation during the application or interview process due to a documented disability, please email humanresources@hcpss.org.

HCPSS celebrates diversity and is committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees and applicants and prohibits discrimination, harassment, and retaliation of any kind. HCPSS is committed to the principle of equal employment opportunity for all employees in providing them with a work environment free of discrimination and harassment. All employment decisions at HCPSS are based on organizational needs, job requirements and individual qualifications, without regard to race, color, religion or belief, national, social or ethnic origin, sex (including pregnancy), age, physical, mental or sensory disability,  sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, marital, civil union or domestic partnership status, veteran status or present military service, family medical history or genetic information, family or parental status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.