Description du poste
Position Summary The Procurement Specialist (Counselor) delivers one-on-one counseling, training, and technical assistance to small businesses seeking to sell to federal, state, and local governments. The role supports UCEDC’s APEX Accelerator by guiding clients through registrations, certifications, bid preparation, award administration, and compliance—expanding equitable access to public-sector opportunities and strengthening the regional supplier base. This position reports to the Director of Procurement Programs. Key Duties & Responsibilities Client Counseling & Technical Assistance Provide individualized counseling (in person and virtual) on SAM.gov and state/local vendor registrations, SBA profile optimization, and eligibility for small business certifications (e.g., WOSB, SDVOSB, HUBZone, M/WBE). Guide clients through opportunity identification, solicitation review, and compliant bid/proposal submissions. Explain relevant procurement regulations and frameworks (e.g., FAR/DFARS, NJ state/local procurement rules) at a practical, non-legal-advice level. Address pre- and post-award topics (e.g., compliance, deliverables, invoicing, closeout) and refer to partners for surety bonding and related needs. Demonstrate professionalism, sound judgment, and effective communication when responding to client inquiries, assessing varying levels of procurement readiness, managing expectations, and establishing appropriate service boundaries. Training & Outreach Develop, update, and deliver workshops/webinars for firms new to or growing in government contracting. Coordinate Govology training administration, including participant registration, controlled distribution of access codes in accordance with program eligibility guidelines, tracking participation and course completion, and maintaining accurate training records. Recommend appropriate Govology courses based on client needs and procurement readiness, and coordinate follow-up counseling when appropriate. Participate in outreach events to promote UCEDC’s APEX services. Data Integrity, Reporting & CRM Create and maintain accurate client records, counseling notes, training rosters, and outcomes in Neoserra on a daily basis. Set up and monitor BidMatch profiles and communicate timely opportunities to clients. Collect and verify client award data using client reports and public procurement sources; support internal goals tracking and grant reporting . Program Support Prepare clear client-facing guides, checklists, and training materials within UCEDC’s CRM/library. Coordinate with government agencies, primes, and ecosystem partners to expand resources and referral pathways. Contribute to continuous improvement of counseling methods, workshops, and client resources. Minimum Qualifications Demonstrated experience providing individualized business counseling, technical assistance, or advisory services, with the ability to explain complex information clearly and work constructively with clients of varying experience levels. Bachelor’s degree in Business, Public Administration, Supply Chain, or a related field; or an equivalent combination of education and relevant experience. Knowledge of federal, state, and municipal procurement processes and solicitation lifecycles. Prior APEX/PTAC, SBDC, or similar technical assistance program experience, particularly in government contracting, procurement, or grants. High attention to detail with demonstrated ability to manage multiple cases, deadlines, and data requirements. Proficiency with Microsoft Office and experience with CRM/data entry (Neoserra preferred). Preferred Qualifications Experience counseling small businesses on government contracting, procurement, or grants; prior APEX/PTAC, SBDC, or similar technical assistance experience. Familiarity with small business certifications (8(a), WOSB, SDVOSB, HUBZone, M/WBE) and vendor registrations (SAM.gov, NJ Start, county/municipal portals). Working knowledge of FAR/DFARS concepts and state/local procurement rules; understanding of basic compliance topics (e.g., subcontracting, domestic preference, cybersecurity awareness). Bilingual (Spanish/English) a plus.