Date Opened: Thursday, February 19, 2026 12:00 AM

Close Date: Friday, March 06, 2026 12:00 AM

Department: Contracting and Procurement Department

Salary: $62,091.00 - $77,614.00 Commensurate with Experience

Welcome to the City of Charlotte

Charlotte is America’s Queen City, opening her arms to a diverse and inclusive community of residents, businesses and visitors alike. Here you will find a safe, family-oriented city where people work together to help everyone thrive. The mission of the City of Charlotte is to deliver quality public services and promote the safety, health, and quality of life for all residents.

Our guiding principles include:

• Attracting and retaining a skilled and diverse workforce

• Valuing teamwork, openness, accountability, productivity, and employee development

• Providing all customers with courteous, responsive, accessible, and seamless quality services

• Taking initiative to identify, analyze, and solve problems

• Collaborating with stakeholders to make informed decisions

SUMMARY

The City of Charlotte is committed to building an inclusive and competitive business environment that expands opportunities for Minority Business Enterprises, Women Business Enterprises, and Small Business Enterprise firms. The Office of Charlotte Business Inclusion supports this mission through equitable access, strong policy application, and sustained engagement with diverse firms. The Business Inclusion Certification Specialist plays a critical role in certification, compliance, retention, and long-range supplier development.
The Business Inclusion Certification Specialist reports to the Business Inclusion Officer and processes MBE, WBE, and SBE certification and recertification applications. The role involves reviewing documentation, applying policy requirements, communicating with business owners and departments, and supporting the long-range success of certified firms. The position requires strong analytical skills, accuracy, and effective relationship building.

Strategy and Implementation

• Support strategies that expand participation of MBE, WBE, and SBE firms in City contracting.    

• Assist with program alignment, targeted outreach, and participation growth.

• Identify and recruit eligible firms and guide them through the certification process.  Provide clear instructions and support to applicants.

• Recommend solutions that reduce participation barriers and increase readiness.  Help strengthen access and engagement across industries.

• Align outreach efforts with upcoming departmental contracting needs.  Coordinate information sharing that supports supplier preparedness.

• Contribute to improvements in certification procedures and program efficiency.  Support consistent and accurate application of policy requirements.

Relationship Management

• Build and maintain strong relationships with diverse firms, prime contractors, and City staff.

•  Serve as a reliable and informed point of contact.

• Represent the Office at workshops, outreach events, community meetings, and training  

• sessions. Promote awareness of CBI programs and opportunities.

• Assist firms with certification questions, document needs, and program expectations. Provide guidance that supports long range engagement.

• Support departments by explaining certification requirements and the value of certified firms.

• Help connect departments to available certified vendors.

• Share information about contracting opportunities and guide firms in preparation.  Encourage active participation and vendor readiness.

Certification and Compliance

• Process MBE, WBE, and SBE certification and recertification applications from intake to   

• decisions. Evaluate documentation thoroughly and consistently.

• Review ownership, control, operational, and financial materials for eligibility.  Ensure compliance with the Charlotte Business Inclusion Policy.

• Conduct interviews or follow up conversations with business owners when clarification is   needed. Confirm control, management, and operational structure.

• Maintain complete and organized certification records.  Support transparency, quality control, and program accountability.

• Review potential policy violations and prepare investigative summaries.  Document facts clearly and recommend next steps.

• Provide technical guidance to City departments regarding certification status and policy   interpretation. Assist in achieving departmental and program goals.

Data and Reporting

• Review and analyze certification documentation to support accurate determinations.  Assess information with precision and consistency.

• Prepare written correspondence including requests for information and decision letters.    Communicate decisions clearly and professionally.

• Assist with reports for leadership, City Council, advisory groups, and internal partners.   Contribute data and insights on program performance.

• Track participation metrics, certification trends, and retention data.  Support long range planning and program improvements.

• Provide insight that strengthens outreach, readiness efforts, and supplier engagement.  Help advance the City’s supplier diversity objectives.

Certified MWSBE Retention

Purpose

Certified MWSBE firms strengthen the City’s supplier pool and support contracting equity. Retention ensures that certified firms remain active, eligible, and engaged. The Specialist plays a significant role in reducing lapses and supporting long range participation.

Responsibilities

• Monitor certification expiration dates and notify firms well in advance.  Support timely renewal and prevent avoidable lapses.

• Provide guidance on recertification documentation and requirements.  Help firms prepare accurate and complete submissions.

• Conduct outreach to firms showing reduced activity or approaching expiration.  Reconnect firms to opportunities and support continued engagement.

• Identify trends contributing to lapses or disengagement.    Recommend strategies to support stronger retention outcomes.

• Communicate updates on policy or procurement changes that may affect eligibility.  Ensure firms remain informed and prepared.

• Collaborate with business support partners to connect firms to needed resources.  Strengthen stability and contract readiness.

• Strong relationship management and communication skills.  Ability to build rapport and provide clear guidance.

• Ability to track and manage multiple renewal cycles accurately.  Maintain precise and organized records.

• Skill in identifying retention risks and offering practical solutions.  Help firms remain active and compliant.

• Ability to explain requirements clearly and support firms through the process.  Promote confidence and long-range success.

Knowledge Skills and Abilities

• Knowledge of supplier diversity programs, procurement processes, and City policy.  Ability to apply requirements consistently.

• Strong analytical skills for reviewing detailed documentation.  Ability to prepare clear and accurate findings.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.  Effective with vendors, staff, and community partners.

• Ability to manage sensitive information with discretion.  Maintain confidentiality and professionalism.

• Ability to work independently and maintain accuracy in a fast-paced environment.  Strong organizational ability.

• Commitment to equity, inclusion, and continuous improvement.  Support the mission of CBI.

• Strong relationship management and communication skills.  Ability to build rapport and provide clear guidance.

• Ability to track and manage multiple renewal cycles accurately.  Maintain precise and organized records.

• Skill in identifying retention risks and offering practical solutions.  Help firms remain active and compliant.

• Ability to explain requirements clearly and support firms through the process.  Promote confidence and long-range success.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in business, public administration, economics, or a related field.  Comparable experience may be considered.

• Experience with supplier diversity, procurement, compliance, or business inclusion preferred.

• Familiarity with certification programs is beneficial.

• Valid driver license required.  Travel may be needed for outreach or meetings.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

The City’s Background Check Policy requires background checks to be conducted on final internal or external candidate(s) applying for any position with the City of Charlotte. The type of information that will be collected as part of a background check includes, but is not limited to: reference checks, social security verification, education verification, criminal conviction record check, and, if applicable, a credit history check, sex offender registry and motor vehicle records check.

Background checks must be in compliance with all federal and state statutes, such as the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA). The checks must be consistent with the guidelines set forth by these laws requiring organizations to obtain a candidate’s written authorization before obtaining a criminal background report, motor vehicle records check or credit report; and to properly store and dispose of information derived from such reports.

Final candidates must pass a pre-employment drug-screening test and physical examination. During the selection process, candidates may be asked to take a skills test, and/or participate in other assessments.

The City of Charlotte is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, national origin, marital status, age, disability, sexual orientation, political affiliation or on the basis of actual or perceived gender as expressed through dress, appearance, or behavior.

Our culture is to serve the community honorably.

HOW TO APPLY

Apply online.

Federal law requires employers to provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities. Please tell us if you require a reasonable accommodation to apply for a job.

You are welcome to visit the City of Charlotte Human Resources Department lobby, where self-service application kiosks are available. They are located in our office at 700 East 4th Street, Suite 200, Charlotte, NC 28202. We are open Monday through Friday, from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. (EST), excluding official City holidays.

For questions about your application or the hiring process, please email [email protected].

The City of Charlotte is committed to making our services and programs accessible to all. Upon request, auxiliary aids, written materials in alternate formats, language access, and other reasonable accommodations or modifications will be provided. To make a request, please fill out the Innovation & Technology ADA request form or call 704.336.4120.

BENEFITS

The City of Charlotte provides a comprehensive benefits package to eligible employees.

Click here to learn more about the City of Charlotte’s benefits.

The City of Charlotte is a drug and alcohol-free workplace.