Small Business Specialist

About Vanir

Vanir is a proud minority- and woman-owned company, recognized as a national leader in program, project and construction management (PMCM) and real estate development. Since 1964, we have consistently exceeded client expectations. Ranked as a top PMCM firm by Engineering News-Record (ENR) for more than three decades, our award-winning team provides a full range of services to public and private sector clients in the aviation; healthcare; education (K-12 and higher); justice and essential services; science and technology; state and local government; transportation; water and wastewater; energy; and commercial, residential and nonprofit markets.

Job Description

Essential Duties & Responsibilities:

• Assists in the development, marketing and execution of seminars and/or symposiums forcontractors, architects, engineers, construction management professionals, and goods and serviceproviders to increase competitiveness of the small business enterprise.
• Provides information to District personnel, community groups, business and trade organizations,education agencies, and the public concerning the procurement policies and procedures applicableto the Los Angeles Unified School District’s Procurement Services and the Facilities ServicesDivision.
• Meets with general contractors, sub-contractors, and the local trade unions to arrange jobplacement and apprenticeship enrollment for “We Build” graduates on Los Angeles Unified SchoolDistrict projects.
• Monitors the “We Build” Program’s training programs at designated Division of Adult and CareerEducation Occupational and Skills Centers by reviewing trainee evaluations, skills progress,training track, and attendance records.
• Develops and maintains partnerships with District representatives, small businesses, trades unions,community and faith-based organizations, and local agencies to help support participation in theschool building construction program and procurement services process including “We Build”students and graduates.
• Refers participants to other social services support programs and agencies as case warrants.
• Represents the District’s Small Business Enterprise at community events and meetings to provideinformation to prospective employers, small business owners, and other participants about eligibilityrequirements, training curriculum, business and contracting opportunities, and construction careeropportunities with the District.
• Develops and maintains master calendar for LAUSD’s Small Business and Contractor Academyprograms.
• Assists small businesses with navigating the certification process and working with offices withinLAUSD to obtain information on upcoming bidding opportunities.
• Provides information and written reports to Small Business Supervisors for presentations before theBoard of Education, Bond Oversight Committee and other audiences.
• Performs other relevant duties as assigned

Minimum Qualifications:

• Graduation from a recognized college or university with a bachelor’s degree in publicadministration, business administration, or related field.
  • OR, Candidates without the degree specified may be allowed to compensate experience on a year-for yearbasis for up to 2 years
• Minimum of four (4) years professional experience in a public or private agency related toperforming field work for community-based organizations, coordinating with contractors in smallbusiness workforce development, including pre-apprenticeship and apprenticeship trainings andcompliance with state-mandates apprenticeship placements and requirements.

Knowledge/Skills:

• Pre-apprenticeship and State-governed apprenticeship training programs
• Procedures and entrance requirements for each local trade union’s apprenticeship program
• Available workforce development resources
• Potential employment barriers
• All applicable laws, regulations, and codes related to the Small Business Administration andapprenticeship employment
• Principles and practices of the construction and goods and service industry
• Excellent communication skills
• Assimilating information from various sources
• Working effectively with various diverse groups
• Compliance and Collaboration
• Detail-oriented and designs promotional materials
• Preparing presentations
• A valid California Driver’s License for us of an automobile as travelling will be required

Benefits

Vanir offers a comprehensive, competitive benefits package that includes 401(k) Savings with employer matching contributions, medical, dental, vision, health savings account (HSA) with employer contributions, life, AD&D and disability benefits, flexible spending