The Office of Contracts (OC), within the Department of Social Services (DSS), headed by the Agency Chief Contracting Officer (ACCO), oversees contracting and procurement functions for the Human Resources Administration and the Department of Homeless Services. The office is responsible for procuring both client services as well as a wide range of goods and non-client services for the Agency. OC ensures that the Agency's contracts are procured in compliance with the New York City Charter and the City's Procurement Policy Board (PPB) Rules as well as the Mayor's Office of Contracts (MOCS) and the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) guidelines. OC assists DSS program areas by supporting their procurement efforts and by providing technical assistance and training as needed. OC fulfills its goals and the Agency's mission by functioning as a central liaison between the Agency's program areas which monitor and evaluate the services provided by the vendors and the various City oversight offices, i.e., MOCS, OMB, and the City's Comptroller, charged with registering the Agency contracts.

The Vendor Compliance and Relations Unit (VCR) within the Office of Contracts is responsible for the processes and procedures in determining all potential and contracted vendors' compliance, integrity and responsibility. The unit is comprised of four (4) subdivisions: Vendor Responsibility and Integrity; Investigations and Contract Compliance, the Minority/Women-Owned Business Enterprise (M/WBE) Office, and Vendor Performance Evaluations.
Under the general direction of the Director of the Vendor Compliance and Relations Unit (VCR)/ Minority/Women-Owned Business Enterprise (M/WBE) Officer, with wide latitude for independent judgment and initiative, the M/WBE Liaison performs duties related to the improvement of community outreach services for the Office of Contracts towards the achievement of the Agency’s goals for human and non-human services for this Mayoral initiative, using various media tools and outlets.

The Office of Contracts is recruiting for two M/WBE Liaisons who will:


- Perform as the primary liaison for the Office of Contracts with the oversight agencies such as Department of Small Business Services (SBS) and the Mayor’s Office of Contracts Services (MOCS), on the contracting opportunities with the Department of Social Services (DSS-HRA-DHS) for Minority/Women-Owned Business Enterprises (M/WBEs) for various goods and services. Works closely with end-users of the Agency’s program areas such as Information Technology Services (ITS), the Department of General Support Services (GSS) and Facilities & Logistics (F&L), community-based organizations/groups, and the constituents represented, to actively research community organizations, identify potential M/WBEs, and provide information regarding the procurement process.
- Perform as the primary liaison to potential M/WBEs, providing them with detailed, technical assistance and information regarding the certification and procurement processes. Report escalating issues to the Director of VCR/ M/WBE Officer in a timely and efficient manner, when required.

- Coordinate, actively participate in and execute logistical details at M/WBE events and procurement fairs by ensuring adequate and appropriate Agency representation; transportation of staff and supplies; ensure availability of technical equipment for the execution of any visual presentations; assisting in the distribution of promotional materials; performing as an Agency representative, and, when needed, appropriately redirecting constituents’ inquiries for additional information clarification.
- Analyze, coordinate and prepare visual presentations and documentation to be distributed to constituents at M/WBEs procurement fairs and events citywide, on the potential contractual opportunities available via various solicitation methods such as the Request for Proposal, Competitive Seal Proposal and small purchasing methods, with DSS-HRA-DHS.

- Promote the Agency’s outreach efforts. Assists in designing and inventory management of informative publications, promotional items and supporting documentation for the M/WBE Program. Monitor and analyze changes to the pool of identified M/WBEs, to ascertain the impact of these promotional items at recent outreach events, noting successes and areas for improvement.

- Request, coordinate and maintain requested information from vendors and liaise with DSS-HRA-DHS Program Areas in order to regularly update various databases such as the City Financial Management System (FMS), DSS M/WBE Database, the Procurement Sourcing Solutions Portal (PASSPort) and Procurement Tracking System (PTS), which contains vendor information and procurement processing milestones.

- Coordinate meetings and informational conferences with potential and/ or existing M/WBEs, ensuring the availability and notification distribution to the Director of VCR/ M/WBE Officer, the Deputy Director of the Bid Administration and Purchasing Units, and/ or any other required attendee(s). Ensure any needed materials are available and oversee distribution of these at the meetings.
- Conduct intricate research for the completion of ad hoc reports with appropriate, corresponding and updated financial and statistical information, such as vendor performance evaluations, informative and corrective correspondence, and procurement milestones information/ records as requested by oversight agencies

- Perform various unit supportive functions such as the completion of appropriate intake recording and distribution procedures for incoming mail and encumbrances/ de-encumbrance requests from program areas, as well as the preparation of standard responses to inquiries submitted to the shared M/WBE and unit mailboxes, and assisting in the organization and maintenance of the unit’s records.

- Assist with special projects as assigned.

9am – 5pm with flex

4 World Trade Center, 150 Greenwich Street, New York, NY 10007

Qualification Requirements
1. High school graduation or equivalent and three years of experience in community work or community centered activities in an area related to duties described above; or
2. Education and/or experience which is equivalent to "1" above.

- Capability to work under pressure with restrictive deadlines, in a fast-paced environment. - Excellent analytical ability and research skills. - Strong interpersonal skills, which allow for effective direct communications with DSS-HRA-DHS officials, agency staff, and oversight agencies to which the office relates. - Problem anticipation, prevention, and resolution. - Excellent writing skills. - Excellent computer skills.

As a prospective employee of the City of New York, you may be eligible for federal loan forgiveness programs and state repayment assistance programs. For more information, please visit the U.S. Department of Education’s website at https://studentaid.gov/pslf/.

New York City residency is generally required within 90 days of appointment. However, City Employees in certain titles who have worked for the City for 2 continuous years may also be eligible to reside in Nassau, Suffolk, Putnam, Westchester, Rockland, or Orange County. To determine if the residency requirement applies to you, please discuss with the agency representative at the time of interview.

The City of New York is an inclusive equal opportunity employer committed to recruiting and retaining a diverse workforce and providing a work environment that is free from discrimination and harassment based upon any legally protected status or protected characteristic, including but not limited to an individual's sex, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, veteran status, gender identity, or pregnancy.