City of Austin - JOB DESCRIPTION

Public Health Social Services Funding Specialist Senior

Under limited supervision, this position ensures City of Austin Social Services investments are solicited according to applicable purchasing rules and achieve the desired impact based on community need, research, and agreement requirements aligned with City of Austin priorities.  

1. Coordinates the social service procurement process, including developing long-range plans and timelines, monitoring the competition process by reviewing the status of competitions, identifying problems, and recommending and implementing solutions.
2. Prepares and manages the Request for Applications (RFA) process by gathering and coordinating requirements from designated departmental liaisons, deciding the appropriate scope of work, deciding and preparing effective supplemental terms and conditions, deciding and preparing effective contractor performance measurements, and drafting documents for RFAs.
3. Serves as the single point of contact for Social Services competitions; updates the Social Services competition website; facilitates pre-bid meetings; manages questions from vendors; coordinates with department leadership regarding any issues related to the competition, outcome of the competition, questions, or complaints.
4. Coordinates the evaluation process, recruits and provides training to evaluators, prepares recommendations to departmental leadership for award decisions, and notifies vendors of the outcome of solicitations.
5. Provides leadership, technical assistance, subject matter expertise, and contractual expertise by leading or overseeing the development of workshops, training sessions, and orientation sessions for community members, external consultants, internal department staff.
6. Develops Recommendations for Council Action and manages process; provides staff training; works with Department Council Agenda Coordinator to submit Request for Council Action (RCA) with required content by Council deadlines.
7. Develops and maintains good relationships with stakeholders, community leaders, public and private sector partners, and the public.
8. Represents the Social Services Competition Process, as appropriate, at professional meetings of various scopes, including workgroups related to funded services.
9. Ensures that all records and databases are maintained and administered in accordance with applicable laws and City policies and fields inquiries from City management, the public, and media regarding the Social Services Solicitation Process.
10. Prepares and presents reports by compiling, reviewing, and analyzing data and providing written and oral reports to management.

May provide leadership, work assignments, evaluation, and guidance to others.

• Knowledge of Federal, State, and Local laws and ordinances. Knowledge of contracting and contract administration.
• Knowledge of contract law, contract development, contracting practices regulations, policies, and techniques.
• Knowledge of public purchasing practices and techniques.
• Knowledge of City practices, policies, and procedures.
• Knowledge and understanding of ethics and public good; is concerned with public trust.
• Skill in high-level communication and in navigating and facilitating productive discussions with a wide variety of participants.
• Skill in data analysis and problem-solving.
• Skill in effective project management and customer service.
• Skill in navigating organizational, community, and team dynamics.
• Ability to prioritize multiple projects and effectively manage workflow to meet deadlines.
• Ability to lead stakeholder groups and conduct training.
• Ability to cultivate diverse relationships with internal and external stakeholders and create space for continual inquiry and dialogue.
• Ability to remain flexible to handle interruptions and shift priorities when organizational demands require.
• Ability to take the initiative and develop solutions quickly and effectively.
• Ability to develop and deliver technical assistance to a variety of audiences, including public presentations.
• Ability to work independently and with teams.

• Graduation with a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in a field related to Business Administration, Public Administration, plus four years of experience in social services procurement, developing and implementing social services programs, grant monitoring, community engagement, nonprofit development, or related experience.
• Experience may substitute for education up to the maximum of four (4) years.
• Graduation with a Master’s degree from an accredited college or university in Business Administration, Public Administration, or a related field may substitute for experience up to two (2) years.