Portland Community College | Portland, Oregon

Vendor Diversity Coordinator

Class: Classified | Exempt Status: Non-Exempt | Grade: 25

Under the general direction of the Workforce and Contracting Equity Manager, the Vendor Diversity Coordinator takes a lead role in coordinating and administering the college’s Contracting Equity Program and supports workforce equity programming. Incumbents work with external partners to reduce barriers and expand access for businesses owned by racial and ethnic Minorities, Women, Emerging Small Businesses and Disabled Veteran-owned firms (MWESB/DV) to do business with the College. Incumbents foster a culture of collaboration between PCC and industry trade partners and their advocates by convening conversations, performing outreach/follow up, fostering mentor/protégé arrangements, conducting community advisory committees and offering technical assistance. Interactions will occur with a diverse group of individuals and organizations, such as College administrators, project managers, vendors, contractors, community-based organizations and other public agencies and officials. Incumbents are responsible for the development of robust internal systems and practices for monitoring utilization outcomes, enforcemet of contracting equity objectives over multiple construction projects and addressing deficits.

Work is performed independently under specified objectives and applies knowledge in accordance with College and State statutory requirements.

Typical Duties and Responsibilities

1. Assists with developing systems for tracking, contracting and purchasing opportunities with the College; performs robust outreach to COBID or OMWBE certified contractors. Supports firms by educating them about PCC’s procurement process; provides thorough follow up. Tracks outreach efforts and outcomes.
2. Assists with developing and providing training to College staff and trade partners on PCC’s Contracting Equity Program and how they can actively contribute to the expansion of certified contractor utilization.
3. Serves as the College liaison with MWESB/DV contractors and vendors to provide procedural and procurement information and support.
4. Networks with public officials, other public agencies and related chambers and trade associations. Participates in regional initiatives to increase diversity in the trades.
5. Schedules outreach presentations with trade associations to promote opportunities. Creates projections and keeps public-facing contracting schedule dashboards current.
6. Extends PCC’s reach into Communities of Color through varied outreach efforts. Identifies opportunities for targeted support and collaborates with the Workforce and Contracting Equity Manager in developing/delivering support (workshops, info sessions, capacity-building for certified firms). Broadens the college’s utilization of certified firms in all aspects of its project work.
7.     Provides consistent follow-up with unsuccessful bidders and identifies/bundles support opportunities for certified firms.
8.     Facilitates meaningful mentorship arrangements between prime contractors and certified minority firms on all applicable projects. Monitors implementation, efficacy and follow-through.
9. Tracks subcontractors that are subject to PCC’s workforce tracking thresholds. Coordinates with the Equity Manager to support their participation in reaching workforce objectives.
10. Supports subcontractor success on projects. Provides continual and systematic check-ins, follow-up and advocacy for processes that reduce barriers for certified firms.
11. Provides support for the college’s workforce equity commitments as assigned.
12. Supports the Workforce and Contracting Manager with other duties as assigned.

Work Environment and Physical Requirements

Work is performed in a standard office environment. Exposure to computers occurs daily. Occasional travel to job sites and partner meetings.  Learned physical skill is required to perform keyboarding and 10 key functions. Ability to attend in-person meetings; occasionally walk construction projects

Minimum Qualifications

Associate’s degree in Public Administration, Communications, Social Science, Behavioral Science, Construction Management, Human Resources, Economics or related field.  Experience performing the duties of the job may substitute for the degree requirement on a year-for-year basis.

Two (2) years of experience addressing the systematic disenfranchisement of women and people of color in the construction industry.  Knowledge of and experience in supporting discrimination and harassment free interactions with the public and employees.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Knowledge of:

• Systemic racism and other forms of oppression and a commitment to continued learning and experience dismantling it at multiple levels;
• Cultural humility and competency;
• Principles, methods and practices used in the procurement of goods and services;
• Regional or national initiatives and best-practices to increase the utilization of certified contracting firms on public construction projects.

Skills in:

• Advancing racial equity within a government agency, non-profit, or other organization;
• Commitment to advancing racial and gender equity;
• Written and verbal communications with diverse audiences, including communities of color and other historically marginalized communities;
• Communicating and interacting effectively with people across cultures in respectful, equitable and inclusive ways;
• Operating a computer and various software programs and an ability to learn internal databases.

Ability to:

• Communicate with all levels of management and the certified contractor and vendor community;
• Prioritize and manage multiple projects, resolve problems and make decisions both independently and collaboratively;
• Learn and apply applicable Federal, State and local laws, rules, regulations and policies;
• Work independently and as part of a team;
• Understand a college functional organization.

New: 7/2023

Portland Community College is committed to hiring and retaining a diverse workforce. We are an Equal Opportunity Employer, making decisions without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or any other protected class.