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SOCIOECONOMIC LIAISON

ADMINISTRATOR III

Recruitment #25-002588-0035

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GRADE

18

LOCATION OF POSITION

MDH Office of Contract Management & Procurement (OCMP)
201 W. Preston Street
Baltimore, MD 21201

Main Purpose of Job

The main purpose of this full-time position will be to serve as the Maryland Department of Health’s (MDH) Socioeconomic Liaison. This position will be responsible for the development and implementation of policies, procedures and guidelines to facilitate effective and efficient department-wide socioeconomic programs, including Minority Business Enterprise (MBE), Small Business Reserve (SBR), Veteran-Owned Small Business Enterprise (VSBE), Certified Local Farm and Fish Program (CLFF), Green Purchasing, and Preferred Providers. As the Socioeconomic Liaison, this position will also serve as a link between MDH, the Governor's Office of Small, Minority & Women Business Affairs (GOSBA), Department of General Services (DGS), and the Maryland Department of Agriculture (MDA). This position will advise and make recommendations to MDH Program Staff on issues related to socioeconomic programs. Additionally, this position will attend socioeconomic and procurement-related meetings, conduct research, prepare reports on issues to be reviewed by MDH Executive Management and other MDH stakeholders for corroboration and consistency in the implementation of the socioeconomic programs.

This position will fulfill the requirements outlined in COMAR 21.11.03.05 – MBE Liaison Officer, 21.11.14.05 – VSBE Liaison, and 21.11.01.06.I – SBR Liaison Officer. As to the MBE Liaison Officer requirement, this position will coordinate agency outreach efforts to the minority business community, review agency contracting procedures to ensure compliance with this chapter, assist in the resolution of contracting issues, and submit required MBE program reports or information. As to the VSBE Liaison, this position will coordinate agency outreach efforts to the veteran business community, review agency contracting procedures to ensure compliance with this chapter, assist in the resolution of contracting issues, and submit required VSBE Program reports or information. As to the SBR Liaison Officer requirement, this position will coordinate the procurement unit’s outreach efforts to the small business community, review the unit’s contracting procedures to ensure compliance with small business reserve requirements, assist in the resolution of small business reserve contracting issues, and submit required small business reserve program reports or information.

This position will also chair the Department’s Procurement Review Group (PRG). As the Department’s Socioeconomic Liaison, this role will review proposed procurement solicitations, proposals to exercise options or otherwise modify the contract, and proposals to award sole-source contracts to determine eligibility within the State’s socioeconomic programs. Another key responsibility of the Socioeconomic Liaison is outreach to Maryland’s Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). As part of the Department’s Partnership initiative with the State’s HBCUs the goal is to expand their participation and promote and increase economic inclusion and increase equity in the solicitation process.

The Socioeconomic Liaison will:
  • Foster relationships with all of Maryland’s HBCUs; and
  • Develop an HBCU outreach program and equity action plan geared toward encouraging alliances that will create revenue-generating opportunities for the State’s minority-serving institutions.

This position will also be responsible for outreach to Certified Local Farm and Fish providers to engage and connect these providers with MDH facilities. The goal is to promote and increase economic inclusion and equity when purchasing food products for our facilities. This role will foster relationships with certified local farm and fish providers, develop an outreach program, and work with MDH facilities to create revenue-generating opportunities for the State’s certified local farm and fish providers.

This position will ensure MDH’s compliance with the Green Maryland Act of 2010 to ensure environmentally preferable purchasing for the State. Green Purchasing is the procurement or acquisition of goods and/or services that have a lesser or reduced effect on human health and the environment when compared with competing goods or services that service the same purchase. Statute requires Maryland to purchase environmentally preferable products and services unless those products would limit or supersede any requirements under any provision of law.

In addition, this position will ensure MDH’s compliance with COMAR 21.11.05 – Preferred Providers. MDH is required to procure supplies and services from Maryland’s Preferred Providers, which includes Maryland Correctional Enterprises (MCE), Blind Industries and Services of Maryland (BISM), and Maryland Works. This role will review procurements to ensure that MDH is sourcing supplies and services in alignment with COMAR requirements.

We are seeking a motivated and detail-oriented individual to serve as a Socioeconomic Liaison, responsible for managing key statewide programs and reporting activities, including the Small Business Reserve (SBR), Minority Business Enterprise (MBE), Veteran-Owned Small Business (VSBE), Local Farm and Fish (LFF), Preferred Providers, and Green Purchasing initiatives.

Preferred Skills:
  • Strong communication and organizational skills, with the ability to coordinate across multiple teams and meet firm deadlines.
  • Solid analytical skills with the ability to gather, interpret, and present data clearly.
  • Understanding of public procurement processes, vendor diversity programs, or sustainability initiatives.
  • Ability to interpret policies, procedures, and legislative requirements and turn them into actionable guidance.

Preferred Attributes:
  • Commitment to promoting equity, sustainability, and economic inclusion through public service.
  • Strong attention to detail and the ability to work independently or collaboratively.

Top candidates will be asked to demonstrate their knowledge and skill in analytical reporting as part of the final selection process. We encourage individuals with relevant work experience to apply, even if you do not meet every qualification listed. Diverse backgrounds and perspectives strengthen our team and our work.

PLEASE NOTE: This position is hybrid telework eligible.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education:   Graduation from an accredited high school or possession of a high school equivalency certificate.

Experience: Six years of administrative staff or professional work.

Notes:

1. Candidates may substitute 30 college credit hours from an accredited college or university for each year up to four years of the required experience.

2. Candidates may substitute the possession of a Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university and two years of experience in administrative staff or professional work for the required experience.

3. Candidates may substitute the possession of a Master's degree from an accredited college or university for the required experience.

4. Candidates may substitute U.S. Armed Forces military service experience as a commissioned officer involving staff work related to the administration of rules, regulations, policy, procedures and processes, or overseeing or coordinating unit operations or functioning as a staff assistant to a higher ranking commissioned officer on a year-for-year basis for the required experience.

DESIRED OR PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

The desired candidate should possess:
  • Experience working in government, procurement, compliance, or community-based economic development programs
  • Experience preparing and submitting program reports, especially those required by legislation or government oversight bodies
  • Experience with Microsoft Office Suite, especially Excel and Word
  • Experience with procurement systems or government databases
  • Experience engaging with small businesses, local vendors, or underrepresented groups
  • Project coordination or stakeholder engagement experience
  • Experience with one or more of the following program areas:
    • Small business outreach
    • Minority business certification
    • Veteran business participation
    • Local food procurement
    • Preferred providers
    • Environmentally preferred purchasing

LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS AND CERTIFICATIONS

Employees in this classification may be assigned duties which require the operation of a motor vehicle. Employees assigned such duties will be required to possess a motor vehicle operator's license valid in the State of Maryland.

SELECTION PROCESS

Applicants who meet the minimum (and selective) qualifications will be included in further evaluation. The evaluation may be a rating of your application based on your education, training and experience as they relate to the requirements of the position. Therefore, it is essential that you provide complete and accurate information on your application. Please report all related education, experience, dates and hours of work. Clearly indicate your college degree and major on your application, if applicable. For education obtained outside the U.S., any job offer will be contingent on the candidate providing an evaluation for equivalency by a foreign credential evaluation service prior to starting employment (and may be requested prior to interview). 

Complete applications must be submitted by the closing date. Information submitted after this date will not be added. 

Incorrect application forms will not be accepted. Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of a completed application.

Candidates may remain on the certified eligible list for a period of at least one year. The resulting certified eligible list for this recruitment may be used for similar positions in this or other State agencies.

BENEFITS

FURTHER INSTRUCTIONS

Online applications are highly recommended. However, if you are unable to apply online, the paper application (and supplemental questionnaire) may be submitted to MDH, Recruitment and Selection Division, 201 W. Preston St., Room 114-B, Baltimore, MD 21201. Paper application materials must be received by 5 pm, close of business, on the closing date for the recruitment, no postmarks will be accepted.

If additional information is required, the preferred method is to upload.  If you are unable to upload, please fax the requested information to 410-333-5689. Only additional materials that are required will be accepted for this recruitment. All additional information must be received by the closing date and time.

For questions regarding this recruitment, please contact the MDH Recruitment and Selection Division at 410-767-1251.

If you are having difficulty with your user account or have general questions about the online application system, please contact the MD Department of Budget and Management, Recruitment and Examination Division at 410-767-4850 or Application.Help@maryland.gov. 

Appropriate accommodations for individuals with disabilities are available upon request by calling: 410-767-1251 or MD TTY Relay Service 1-800-735-2258.

We thank our Veterans for their service to our country.

People with disabilities and bilingual candidates are encouraged to apply.

As an equal opportunity employer, Maryland is committed to recruitment, retaining and promoting employees who are reflective of the State's diversity.




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