Hiring a Development Specialist for APEX Accelerator

Updated 2023-12-14

Vacancy

We are hiring an APEX Accelerator Development Specialist (AADS) in the Department of Economic Development, Planning and Tourism for the Cattaraugus APEX Accelerator service area. This is a provisional appointment; Permanent appointment requires successful completion and placement through the Civil Service examination process.

Salary

Grade 23: $30.18 per hour

*Provisional Appointment General Bargaining Unit

*Permanent appointment requires successful completion and placement thru the Civil Service examination process.

Responsibilities

The APEX Accelerator Development Specialist (AADS) is responsible for specialized, professional technical assistance to individuals and businesses that are seeking to pursue and successfully perform contracting and subcontracting opportunities with the Department of Defense (DoD), federal and state agencies, and local/municipal governments.

Minimum Qualifications:

Graduation from high school or possession of a high school equivalency diploma and either:

1. Possession of a Bachelor’s Degree in Planning, Business or Public Administration, Economics, Accounting, Finance, Marketing, Public Relations, Journalism, Communications, English, Travel and Tourism, or closely related field;

OR

2. Possession of an Associate Degree in Planning, Business or Public Administration, Economics, Accounting, Finance, Marketing, Public Relations, Journalism, Communications, English, Travel and Tourism, or closely related field AND two (2) years of experience in planning, economic development, business or public administration, accounting or finance, marketing, public relations, journalism, or a position regularly involving narrative writing and editing responsibilities;

OR

3. Four (4) years of experience in planning, economic development, business or public administration, accounting or finance, marketing, public relations, journalism, or a position regularly involving narrative writing and editing responsibilities;

OR

4. An equivalent combination of training and experience as defined by the limits of A), B), and C).

The ideal Candidate will possess:

• Experience in client advisory skills
• Experience with Public Speaking preferred
• Prior experience with government contract procurement & principles, procedures preferred
• Prior experience with Business procedures and issues
• Excellent written and oral communication skills
• Experience in analytical skills
• Ability to handle multiple assignments
• Ability to travel overnight for training events, conferences, etc
• Ability to multi-task

Position Functions & Duties

The essential functions and duties listed below are intended only as illustration of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to the position.

The APEX Accelerator Development Specialist (AADS) provides training and counseling to the Cattaraugus APEX Accelerator service area businesses in all aspects of federal and state/local procurement as well as related subcontracting. These services include instruction in methods for submitting bids and proposals, billing and execution of contracted work, and also include securing applicable socio-economic certifications such as 8(a), HUBZone, WOSB/EDWOSB, SDVOSB, and State specific registrations and certifications. This often fast paced position will interact on a consistent basis with business representatives, and representatives of government agencies at local, state, and federal levels. This position typically will advise and counsel business representatives including owners and managers. The AADS provides a full range of government business development counseling services to clients who wish to conduct business with the federal, state, and local governments or related prime contractors.

The APEX Accelerator Development Specialist (AADS) also acts as a Cattaraugus APEX Accelerator (CattAPEX) representative/liaison to Federal Agencies, statewide organizations, and partners.

Government Contracting Counseling:

• Ensure CattAPEX client’s SAM and Dynamic Small Business Search are completed to provide the best snapshot of the firms’ competencies;
• Determine eligibility of firm’s ability to achieve socioeconomic certifications such as for HUBZone, 8(a) and WOSB/EDWOSB, Mentor Protégé, SDVOSB verification, NYS MWBE, etc;
• Advise clients about the advantages and disadvantages associated with teaming arrangements and the various regulations governing subcontracting and joint ventures;
• Provide clients information about the government’s procurement and competition policies; government rules, regulations, and processes;  contract types; procurement methods; and source selection processes;
• Perform assessments of clients’ draft responses to government solicitations and provide recommendations to improve their chances of winning more government contracts and subcontracts;
• Provide clients recommended courses of action to resolve government solicitation, prime contract, subcontract, contract management, and/or performance issues; and
• Maintain current, accurate, and complete electronic records for all counseling sessions and administrative actions in support of the APEX Accelerators mission.

Procurement Training:

• Assist with the development of government contracting presentations, workshops, and outreach events; and
• Lead government contracting workshops and provide formal presentations to small businesses and external constituents within the CattAPEX service area.

Outreach:

• Establish and maintain relationships with government buyers and partners (incl. universities, economic development organizations, major prime contractors, State Procurement professionals, legislators, chambers of commerce, and other business groups); and
• Represent CattAPEX at industry trade shows, conferences, and matchmaking/outreach events as an exhibitor and/or speaker.

Continuing Education:

• Ability to pursue professional development training as prescribed by cooperative agreement terms and conditions;
• Ability to travel to attend APTAC (the national association for APEX Accelerators) as well as other DoD OSBP suggested conferences as part of ongoing professional development; and
• Ability to work toward and obtain APTAC CPP certification within 3 years. May substitute CFCM or CPCM through NCMA in lieu of APTAC APP certification.

Key Competencies

• Written and verbal communications
  • Must have skills to exercise considerable judgment, and discretion in establishing and maintaining effective working relationships across all levels of the organization and with external individuals
  • Identify and document client success stories attesting to the procurement technical assistance provided to clients for each award year
  • Ability to interact and present information in a clear and concise manner
• Analytical Skills
  • Ability to conduct independent research; analyze and interpret results; and develop comprehensive reports and proposals
  • Must be able to utilize the FAR/DFAR supplements and state procurement guides
• Organization
  • Ability to plan, organize and manage multiple projects and adapt to changing workload
• Computer skills
  • Proficiency in ecommerce applications — specifically internet and database
  • Utilize the Outreach Systems database management system and the Bid-Match search engine to provide required federal and internal reports and to communicate solicitation opportunities to clients
  • Maintain complete and accurate documentation of services provided during all counseling sessions, preserving client confidentiality.

About the Cattaraugus APEX Accelerator

Learn more about the Cattaraugus APEX Accelerator at https://CattAPEX.org/about-us

Apply

Interested applicants must complete a Civil Service Application by either:

• Download / Print an Application, complete it and deliver it to Cattaraugus County Civil Service, 303 Court Street, Little Valley, NY 14755 or
• Apply using the "Development Specialist" job on the Civil Service Employment Portal