Tri-City PTAC Position

Tri-City Regional Chamber of Commerce (TCRCC)

JOB DESCRIPTION

JOB TITLE: PROCUREMENT TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE CENTER (PTAC) COUNSELOR

EXEMPT: Yes/Administrative 

SALARY: $68,000-$72,000 DOE plus benefits

REPORTS TO: President & CEO

JOB SUMMARY:
Responsible for providing technical assistance on government contracting to businesses located primarily in Benton and Franklin Counties through events, workshops and one-on-one counseling.
Businesses in Walla Walla, Columbia, Yakima, Klickitat and Grant counties are also served through this office.

ABOUT THE ORGANIZATION:
The Tri-City Regional Chamber of Commerce is the catalyst, convener and champion for community and business prosperity. One of the programs TCRCC leverages to meet its mission is the Washington Procurement Technical Assistance Center (PTAC). PTAC is a nationwide program funded in part by the Department of Defense and administered through the Defense Logistics
Agency. The Washington PTAC is one of 90+ centers around the country that seeks to increase the number of businesses that are successful in the government marketplace. To learn more: www.tricityregionalchamber.com, www.washingtonptac.org, www.aptac-us.org.

POSITION PURPOSE:
Eastern Washington is home to many government agencies including the Department of Energy
Hanford Site, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Fairchild Air Force Base, Joint Base Lewis McChord’s
Yakima Training Center, and state and local government to name a few. These agencies purchase a wide array of products and services each day, representing a significant opportunity for small businesses in our region. Navigating government contracting regulations and procedures can be a daunting task. The PTAC Counselor helps businesses understand how to find, bid, win, and perform on federal, state and local government contracts so that they can diversify their customer base and create jobs.

While experience in the government contracting marketplace is preferred, we welcome candidates who lack government contracting experience but possess a strong interest and aptitude for learning government contracting regulations and procedures and then teaching them to businesses. The learning curve is steep, but training opportunities and other resources and peer support are available. We’ve found that some of our best counselors are those who’ve had to learn the information on-the-job!

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS:
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to operate in a performance based culture focused on metric driven outcomes. In addition, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
The duties include the following items:

• Guide businesses through the process of finding, bidding, and performing on government contracts and subcontracts
• Guide businesses through the process of assessing their capacity/suitability for government contracting
• Conduct outreach to businesses throughout Southeastern Washington about government contracting opportunities with federal, state and local governments as well as prime contractors. Outreach to small, women owned, minority owned, and veteran owned businesses is a critical part of our work plan.
• Assess firms’ training and technical assistance needs and develop a service plan outlining recommendations for how that client can most efficiently meet their strategic objectives for succeeding in the government marketplace
• Assist businesses with government registrations (i.e. www.sam.gov) and certifications

(SBA’s HUBZone, 8(a), etc.) related to selling to the government, finding opportunities, marketing to government buyers, bidding, getting paid, proposal development, interpretation of regulations, and more. Assistance is provided primarily through workshops and one-on-one counseling with the businesses by phone, in person or by email

• Coordinate workshops and events that increase knowledge of government contracting processes and opportunities, including quarterly Meet the Buyer programs and monthly

Procurement Power Hour programs

• Attend outreach events to ensure awareness of PTAC services
• Review and disseminate bid and subcontracting opportunities to clients
• Develop and maintain relationships with federal, state and local government agencies and prime contractors
• Collaborate with the Hanford Small Business Council to organize and execute the annual

Bridging Partnerships Small Business Symposium

• Develop and maintain relationships with other business resource providers throughout the region.
• Meet or exceed program goals for number of counseling sessions, events, etc.
• Collaborate with other PTAC counselors throughout the state and region to share best practices
• Complete training courses that are relevant to the needs of clients and attend Association of PTAC training events, as budget allows.

OTHER DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
Perform other duties as assigned.

REQUIRED SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE:

• Knowledge of/ability to learn business and government contracting principles
• Strong computer skills to research government marketplace and navigate registrations and online government systems
• Ability to manage multiple tasks and projects
• Ability to listen critically to identify needs and solve problems
• Strong, professional written communication skills
• Strong verbal communication skills, including public speaking in front of large and diverse audiences
• Ability to take complicated material and create concise curriculum for adult learners
• Resourcefulness – you will frequently have to research answers to clients’ questions with little direction
• Work well within a team environment and collaborative approach to work
• Proficiency with Microsoft Word, Outlook, and Excel
• Valid Washington State Driver’s License and a reliable vehicle for travel within

Southeastern Washington.

PREFERRED EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE:

• Bachelor’s Degree desired and/or three years’ experience in economic development or business operations, public relations or marketing preferred.
• Experience working within a business that sells to the government
• Experience as a contracting officer for a federal government agency

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY:
None

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $68,000.00 – $72,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Flexible schedule
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Professional development assistance
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• Monday to Friday

Work Location: Hybrid remote in Kennewick, WA 99336