• Develops and coordinates outreach programs designed to attract and encourage small local business enterprise vendors to participate in Richland County projects by utilizing marketing, public relation concepts, and branding.

• Maintains a collaborative relationship with internal staff, partner agencies, and other stakeholders to ensure current  knowledge regarding  upcoming Richland County business opportunities and disseminates the information to the local business community.

• Develops and manages a pipeline of potential new business leads and partnerships in efforts to grow all categories of the Small Local Business Enterprise (SLBE) certified directory.

• Proactively recruits business owners  to provide informational details/resources regarding the OSBO department and SLBE certification program.

• Qualifies business owners for SLBE certification program, schedules and conducts appointments with prospective candidates to assist with document retrieval and the preparation of SLBE applications.

• Works closely with the Certification and Compliance Specialist to schedule/conduct appointments for all new/renewing SLBEs to complete perspective applications.

• Provides an overview to new/renewing SLBEs on how to effectively participate in the SLBE program to maximize benefits.

• Coordinates and facilitates public meetings with SLBEs, vendors, prime contractors, construction/project managers and other stakeholders to provide verbal and written updates of all business opportunities.

• Participates in pre-bid, pre-proposal, pre-construction, and other similar meetings to inform attendees of SLBE program/project contract procedures.

• Addresses concerns from contractors, business owners and general public regarding project status and assists prime contractors to identify SLBEs.

• Develops and maintains-flyers, brochures, and other forms of outreach and educational materials as well as monthly progress reports.

• Distributes weekly upcoming local business workshops/events via the OSBO email distribution list and SLBE certified directory as needed.

• Utilizes Business Development/OSBO Contact trackers to maintain follow-ups activity for SLBE certification, email distribution list, and collaborative partner directory.

• Works with Program Coordinator to coordinate with Richland County Public Information Office (PIO) in developing news/press releases related to the OSBO functions/activities, the Mentor Protégé Program, the Bond Support Services and other programs offered by Richland County.

• Works with Program Coordinator  to develop and maintain the OSBO website (all content to be approved by the  Director/Assistant Director of OSBO) and social networking pages to inform the public/vendors/contractors, etc. of upcoming project events and communicate status of business opportunities.

• Monitors, queries, and disperses upcoming Richland County solicitations/opportunities posted via procurement vendor portal to certified SLBEs capable of performing scope of work to maximize procurement participation.

• Identifies and establishes additional avenues for SLBE capacity building with a focus on emerging businesses by way of but not limited to connecting businesses to access to capital.  

• Develops needs assessment surveys to identify obstacles to SLBE contracting and provides strategies for.

• Establishes and conducts educational/professional training workshops for SLBEs and/or coordinates if an outside professional consultant is warranted to conduct professional and educational training workshops.

• Serves as in-house instructor for OSBO-implemented courses when applicable, or assigns staff as necessary.

• Assists with the development of   presentations to inform  leadership  of activities conducted with SLBEs.

• Tracks and analyzes data trends within SLBE certified directory to evaluate areas of opportunity for business development and program recruitment purposes.

• Develops weekly, monthly, quarterly, and annual reports as requested by the Director/Assistant Director of the OSBO.

• Participates in collaborative workshops/events with local organizations that support small business initiatives.

• Stays informed about local and national policies affecting small business  growth and access to contracting opportunities.

• Serves as a liaison between local businesses and government entities to ensure business owners are made aware of public policies and program changes.

• Engages in public speaking on behalf  of the OSBO department.

• Attends meetings/workshops/events outside of normal County business hours as needed.

• Serves as a connector to the hub of business development tools and resources for business owners.

• Performs additional duties as assigned.

Minimum Compensation: $51,426.53