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Virginia Retirement System (VRS)
Language Incentive
Referral Bonus
Tuition Assistance Program

Description

Join Our Award-Winning Team at the Department of Procurement Services

The Department of Procurement Services is expanding, and we are seeking a highly qualified candidate for the position of Prevailing Wage Compliance Specialist. This is an exciting opportunity to join a dynamic team recognized for excellence—having earned the prestigious Achievement of Excellence in Procurement (AEP) Award from the National Procurement Institute. Our department is committed to continuous improvement and the implementation of best practices that drive positive change for both the City of Richmond and our internal operations.

As a valued member of our team, your ideas and contributions will be recognized and appreciated. We foster a collaborative environment where every team member plays a key role in the success of our organization.

The Prevailing Wage Compliance Specialist will lead efforts to ensure adherence to prevailing wage laws on city-funded construction projects. Responsibilities include managing wage compliance programs, reviewing contract agreements, and providing training and guidance to project teams and stakeholders. Staying current with all applicable labor regulations and legal updates will also be essential to the role.

If you are ready to make an impact and grow with a high-performing team, we invite you to review the full list of responsibilities and qualifications.

Duties include but are not limited to

Compliance and Oversight

Ensure adherence to prevailing wage regulations (federal, state, local).
Manage wage compliance programs; develop, refine, and implement review processes.
If required, conduct and support audits to verify wage compliance and standards.
If required, systematically audit contractor/subcontractor records: payroll, time records, benefit records, etc.
If required, review contractor agreements and construction contract agreements for compliance.
If required, develop audit plans and frameworks for compliance testing.
If required, conduct random inspections of construction sites to ensure compliance of posting requirements.
Identify and mitigate risks related to wage compliance.
Stay abreast of federal, state, and local wage laws.
Analyze payroll and labor rates (structured/unstructured data).
Ensure accurate documentation and quality assurance of contractor records.
Work with the City Attorney’s Office to interpret prevailing wage laws and ensure proper application within City contracts.

Contract Review and Wage Monitoring

Review contract agreements for state and local prevailing wage compliance.
Assist clients with wage determination schedules and labor classifications.
Prepare recommendations and enhancements to compliance programs.
Draft and maintain procedural manuals, forms, and compliance-related documents.
Conduct regular and annual surveys as necessary.

Stakeholder Engagement and Training

Represent Department of Procurement Services in pre-bid and pre-construction meetings; explain prevailing wage requirements and contractor responsibilities.
Develop and deliver comprehensive training sessions for City agencies and contractors to ensure clear understanding of prevailing wage requirements and compliance responsibilities.
Provide guidance and training to City staff and external partners on prevailing wage obligations and documentation requirements.
Assist in developing and updating training materials to support stakeholder understanding of prevailing wage policies.
Serve as the main point of contact for prevailing wage inquiries from contractors, subcontractors, internal City departments, and external regulatory bodies, including DOLI and other State agencies.
Draft client reports and interact with clients and contractors.
Supply contractors with updates to prevailing wage rates and related requirements.
Obtain all necessary documentation from contractors and subcontractors to complete reviews.

Program Development and Continuous Improvement

Develop, implement, and maintain prevailing wage policies and procedures, ensuring alignment with broader procurement and City-wide policies and processes.
Develop and deliver training materials and conduct workshops to support understanding of the program.
Conduct periodic assessments of program performance and make recommendations to improve efficiency, transparency, and compliance.

Investigative and Analytical Skills

Perform detailed testing of documentation for compliance with regulations.
If required, reconcile conflicting interests, and persuade stakeholders to voluntarily comply with requirements.

Data Management and Technology

Maintain wage compliance tracking systems and secure document repositories (e.g., public inspection files, contractor submissions).
Support or lead the implementation and administration of wage monitoring software tools.

This position is considered an Essential Personnel, which means that the incumbent is required to work when the City is closed due to public emergencies, critical or hazardous conditions or inclement weather.

Qualifications, Special Certifications and Licenses

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Considerable knowledge of purchasing and procurement practices and processes, invitations for bids (IFBs) and negotiated procurement
Complex contract experience
Specialized procurement such as construction, information technology, telecommunications, or A&E design
Virginia and Richmond procurement codes and related government acquisition regulations and statutes
Business law; and mathematics and accounting, business, finance, contracts, purchasing, economics, industrial management, marketing, quantitative methods, budgeting, business management, and contract management.
Demonstrated skills in technical writing
Negotiating (pricing, terms, and contract condition)
Maintaining professional relationships, and collaborating with others
Proofreading documents
Providing customer service and oral and written communication
Demonstrated ability to pay attention to detail, multi-task, listen, and analyze guides in terms of acquisition requirement and contractor capabilities
Effectively interact with, coordinate, and resolve problems with personnel from varied backgrounds and organizations

Minimum Training and Experience

Bachelor's degree in business administration, finance, or directly related field
Four years of professional procurement experience which includes experience with large, complex purchases and contract administration, preferably in the public sector
Supervisory experience preferred
An equivalent combination of training and experience (as approved by the department) may be used to meet the minimum qualifications of the classification
Prevailing Wage experience preferred

Licensing and Certifications

Current Certified Public Purchasing Buyer (CPPB) and/or Certified Purchasing Manager (CPM) and/or Virginia Contracting Officer (VCO) certification is preferred

Certification such as CPCP, CPPO, CIA, or related credential.
Experience in public sector procurement and/or auditing.
Familiarity with process improvement methodologies (Lean, Six Sigma).

Americans with Disabilities Act Requirements

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job. Prospective and current employees are invited to discuss accommodations.

ENVIRONMENTAL HAZARDS: Working conditions may include exposure to travel to other locations within the City of Richmond as well as outside of the City of Richmond; exposure to hazardous physical conditions such as mechanical parts, electrical currents, vibrations, etc.; atmospheric conditions such as fumes, odors, dusts, gases, and poor ventilation; inadequate lighting; intense noise; and environmental hazards such as disruptive people, imminent danger, and a threatening environment.

Physical Requirements and Working Environment: Due to the nature of work assignments, incumbents must be able to perform detailed work on multiple, concurrent tasks, with frequent interruptions and under time constraint. The essential duties of this classification may require the ability to regularly talk, hear, see, and perform repetitive motions; frequently reach and finger; and occasionally climb, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, crawl, reach, stand, push, pull, lift, walk, grasp, and feel. The working conditions may not include environmental hazards. In terms of the physical strength to perform the essential duties, this classification is considered to be sedentary, exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally, and a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to move objects.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

The City of Richmond provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

The City of Richmond is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, the City of Richmond will ensure that persons with disabilities are provided with reasonable accommodations. If you require reasonable accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) to participate in the job application and/or the interview process, please contact Jessica McKenzie, Human Resources Manager by email at Jessica.McKenzie@RVA.GOV.

This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruitment, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.

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