Position Summary: New York City Public Schools (NYCPS) is the largest school system in the nation, with nearly 1 million students, 135,000 employees, including more than 75,000+ teachers and an annual budget of $39B. The Division of Contracts and Purchasing (DCP) is responsible for shepherding, managing, and registering all contracts, as well as for maintaining oversight of non-contracted spending. DCP is governed by the Procurement Policies & Procedures (PPP).

Under general supervision of the Associate Director Vendor Background, with latitude for independent initiative and judgment, the Investigative Coordinator performs confidential and comprehensive background research of greater than ordinary difficulty for the NYCPS Division of Contracts & Purchasing (DCP). The Coordinator performs investigative research activities, develops strategies and protocols, and compiles data pertaining to background investigations on community vendors eligible for award of contract, including 2Care, 3K and Early Learn, M/WBE and E-Rate vendors, as well as subcontractors. Performs related work.

Reports to: Associate Director, Compliance

Direct Reports: Investigative Coordinator, Investigators and Procurement Consultants

Key Relationships: NYCPS DCP staff; other NYCPS Central and School Based offices and staff; the Division of Early Childhood Education (DECE), Community-Based Organizations and Suppliers, commercial vendors aiding in the performance of background checks, such as Lexis/Nexis; the Special Commissioner of Investigation (SCI) for the New York City School District; the Mayor's Office of Contract Services; Office of Supplier Diversity (OSD), and the New York City Corporation Counsel.

Responsibilities

• Coordinates and reviews the background research and checks of greater than ordinary difficulty due to their complexity on subcontractors, UPK, 2Care & 3K Early Learn suppliers, and M/WBE vendors.
• Collects data and reports regarding subcontractors, including M/WBE status.
• Communicates with Community-Based Organizations and other community suppliers to support recommendations.
• Reviews background search results, records and reports, including those supplied by community organizations, and makes appropriate recommendations.
• Conducts emergency and special investigations with collaboration from various community entities, including Early Learn and M/WBE vendors, under time-sensitive deadlines.
• Prepares reports and utilizes a variety of internal and external computer systems and databases in order to conduct and review background investigations.
• Conducts research pertaining to vendor responsibility decisions, vendor performance and product performance evaluations.
• Designs and provides training regarding the preparation of background reports and responsibility determinations for DCP and OSD staff.
• Monitors and tracks progress on workload.
• Maintains cooperative relationships with all sources and staff internal and external to the NYCPS, including but not limited to Community-Based Organizations, DECE and OSD.

• Plans, implements, and evaluates programs and procedures related to the M/WBE supplier community for effective utilization.
• Manages collaborative relationships and projects by developing procedures and protocols for internal constituencies, community groups, and professional associations.
• Provides training for DCP staff regarding the preparation of background investigations and responsibility determinations.
• Assists with establishing priorities and overall case management.
• In the absence of the Associate Director may assume those duties.

Qualification Requirements:

Minimum

A baccalaureate degree from an accredited college and two (2) years of experience in community work or community centered activities in an area related to the duties described above; or

High school graduation or equivalent and six (6) years of experience in community work or community centered activities in an area related to the duties as described above; or

Education and/or experience which is equivalent to "1" or "2" above. However, all candidates must have at least one (1) year of experience as described in "1" above.

Preferred

• Experience performing background investigations, preferably in NYC government.
• Experience working in a complex and diverse environment.
• Ability to adhere to multiple deadlines.
• Excellent organizational and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work in a proactive and independent manner.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office 365 applications and internet research tools.
• Self-starter with a sense of urgency who can adapt to changing priorities and work effectively in a fast-paced environment.
• Able to work under pressure and to meet deadlines consistently.
• Ability to collaborate on a team and with a diverse set of stakeholders.
• Strong interpersonal skills in dealing with education and non-education personnel, internal and external to NYCPS.
• Demonstrated strong project and event management skills.
• Organizational skills, with a high attention to detail.
• Excellent spoken and written communication and presentation skills.
• Time management skills, especially when handling multiple high-priority projects simultaneously.

Salary : $82,000 - $90,000

(Internal candidates who are selected for this position and who currently hold comparable or less senior positions within the DOE will not earn less than their current salary.)

Please include a resume and cover letter with your application.

NOTE: The filling of all positions is subject to budget availability and/or grant funding.

* New York City Residency is NOT Required *

We encourage all applicants from the New York City tri-state area to apply.