Government Contract Specialist

POSITION DESCRIPTION

JOB TITLE: Government Contract Specialist

FLSA: Full Time Permanent

REPORTS TO: West Michigan APEX Accelerator Director

EFFECTIVE DATE: March 15, 2023

REVISION DATE:

SUPERVISORY: None

TIME ALLOCATION: 100% APEX Accelerator

REMOTE WORK: 25-50% of the time with a hybrid schedule

LOCATION: Primary office once trained- Grand Rapids, MI interim office- Muskegon, MI

BASIC FUNCTION:

Provide in-person and virtual counseling to businesses that want to sell products and services to federal, state, and/or local governments. Meet with companies to assess their current markets, financial strength, capabilities, and develop and recommend a strategy to initiate or increase their government sales, provide technical assistance and solutions to government contracting issues.

Perform operational tasks in a timely fashion to ensure clients’ needs are met and maintain strict confidentiality of assigned information. Assists APEX Accelerator Director in tasks necessary for making program successful, examples include but not limited to: assist/teach/instruct clients on the programs, conduct outreach events, policies and procedures of contracting with federal, state and local governments. Take ongoing education classes, preparation of the newsletter, maintaining website and marketing material content, and the like.

Represent the APEX Accelerator in professional settings to include outreach events, legislative events, resource partner events, APEX Accelerator events, economic development partner events, and various forms of social media. Possess the ability to speak to community groups, organizations, and clients in a classroom or group setting, on topics related to state and federal procurement policies and procedures.

Place of performance may vary from day to day. Employee is expected to have ability to travel within the 13-county region West Michigan APEX Accelerator services cover. Employee will be expected to initially train and travel to Muskegon office, once trained employee will be expected to specifically cover the Kent County territory.

RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES:

• Conduct one-on-one counseling to area businesses regarding government contracting, subcontracting, registrations, certifications and required documentation, specifications, procurement histories, bid matching services, and the like.
• Maintain, update and utilize procurement materials necessary for identifying government markets and procurement procedures.
• Be proficient in social media outlets, i.e. Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, and the like.
• Exhibit professional and courteous contact with the business community, professional organizations, funding partners, legislative representatives, and government agencies.
• Maintain and update the procurement records system, to include client files, Quarterly Client Survey and Annual Client Satisfaction Survey, and the data management systems.
• Perform routine and general office management duties for smooth operation of overall daily activities, and make procedural recommendations to the Procurement Center Director.
• Assist the APEX Accelerator team in establishing and presenting training and seminar topics, development of materials, selection of dates, and coordinate the planning of these events.
• Clearly communicate to potential clients, groups, or other organizations the range of services of the APEX Accelerator center.
• Identify and disseminate bidding opportunities from various internet web sites.
• Operate equipment and software programs, understand and utilize computer programs for efficiency related to record keeping, ordering, reproducing, researching, etc. information for clients and funding sources.
• Attend meetings, conferences, workshops, seminars and training sessions applicable to contracting issues to maintain proficiency skills in procurement.
• Initiate and maintain a positive public image of Greater Muskegon Economic Development.
• Maintain and update all necessary mailing lists, constructed according to services received by the clients.
• Research all available resources to assist the client base in resolving procurement problems.
• Collect and compile client information necessary to prepare MEDC Quarterly Report and DLA Interim Reports.
• Exhibit self-motivation and self-supervision; work independently without daily supervision from the APEX Accelerator director.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the APEX Accelerator Director. These duties will be incorporated in a specific way into the Position Description should they involve a lengthy commitment or extensive time.
• Identify and communicate with local economic development directors, chambers of commerce, and legislative representatives in the counties of the service delivery area to inform/educate them on the APEX Accelerator’s mission, upcoming events, clients in their area being awarded contracts, and referrals as necessary.
• Maintain membership with chosen membership organizations.
• Engage in online learning classes/webinars for continued professional education/development related to government contracting. Minimum hours required will be 40 per year.

INTERNAL CONTACT:

Works closely with the APEX Accelerator Director to provide and exchange program-related information, and coordinates efforts with other APEX staff on research topics, procedures, trainings, newsletters, benefits of research to the client, and all other aspects of APEX Counselor initiatives and directives. Works with host organization to promote overall services and purpose.

EXTERNAL CONTACTS:

Establish and maintain objective relationships with businesses in the service area and appropriate state and federal

Agencies, related to the procurement program. Handle client requests with strict confidentiality. Maintain routine communication with economic development directors, chambers of commerce, and legislative representatives in the counties within the West Michigan APEX Accelerator service-delivery area. Exhibit professionalism and markets the APEX Accelerator to membership organizations.

EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE REQUIRED:

MINIMUM: Associate’s Degree in Business/Public Administration, Marketing/Sales or Manufacturing-related field, or equivalent experience. Knowledge of government procurement principles and processes are desired, along with training on procurement-related topics. Must be willing to travel to client sites as needed, and to other required training events; some travel may be out-of-state. Must be proficient and comfortable speaking to large and small audiences. Proficiency in the use of software applications, e.g. MSWord, Excel, Outlook, Adobe, database management, and internet use.

DESIRABLE: Bachelor’s Degree in Business/Public Administration, Marketing/Sales or Manufacturing-related field, with prior experience in a procurement center and extensive training on procurement-related topics. All above-stated requirements plus extensive prior experience in a DoD contractor facility and at least three years of experience within a APEX Accelerator (formally PTAC) is acceptable and may outweigh the Bachelor’s Degree.

NOTE: Any equivalent combination of education, training or work experience which provides the required knowledge, abilities and skills will be considered. The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned this classification. They are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of job duties by personnel so classified.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: From $52,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Flexible schedule
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Professional development assistance
• Retirement plan

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift
• Monday to Friday

Ability to commute/relocate:

• Muskegon, MI 49440: Reliably commute or planning to relocate before starting work (Required)

Willingness to travel:

• 50% (Preferred)

Work Location: Hybrid remote in Muskegon, MI 49440

Salary : $52,000